“Cathy MacPherson and I worked together for more than a decade at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Her passion to create a world free of MS drove her to continually seek new ways to raise money and to engage people in the Society’s mission. In addition to creative fundraising ideas, Cathy made it happen. She worked behind the scenes to organize major fundraising events like the Milestones Gala, where she took charge of the live auction as the auctioneer. Her auction persona was friendly, funny and motivating. You always knew why you were bidding, it wasn’t just to win the lavish trip to Florida or dinner and golf with a celebrity; it was to end MS.”
Cathy was brilliant at instigating over-bidding between rivals. Even those who weren’t caught up in her auction fever enjoyed the mostly-friendly competition among bidders. It was always a joy for me to work with Cathy in my support role, effectively acting as stage manager for the event. I also developed the script for the evening’s program in close collaboration with Cathy, who made it easy to understand her vision. If I had a choice of who to run my next charity auction, it would be Cathy MacPherson.
– Steve Sookikian
Former Communication Director for the National MS Society, Greater New England Chapter