Lynda E. Lester

Lynda E. Lester has participated in almost every aspect of the creative process - as producer, creative director, writer and director - with more than 18 years of hands-on experience in developing and producing successful and innovative special events. In addition, she has produced commercials, marketing programs, documentaries, corporate communications and two independent films.

As the leader of her Lester & Associates creative, production and technical teams, Ms. Lester works with major fundraising organizations and corporations, partnering with the development and marketing team and executives, handling the daily operations of event planning and production. It’s her commitment to working side-by-side with the organization that produces results: guests have a memorable and enjoyable experience, the organization’s message is front and center and the fundraising or corporate goals are met.

René L. Martinez

René Luis Martinez was raised with that European, Spanish lifestyle imprint that emphasizes a passion for warm hospitality, good food and beverage. Mix in years of experience in advertising, sales and marketing, season with a generous portion of vision, and hefty amounts of desire, then simmer for several years, stirring in steady portions of challenges and experiences. Garnish with elegance, and voilà!

After years of working for large corporations like Dow Jones, N.W. Ayer, and Time-Warner, René ventured out, in 1990, into the food brokerage business. From his insider's vantage point, he learned a great deal about the food service and hospitality industries, providing him the benefit of working with and knowing a "who's-who" of very fine chefs, cuisine and beverage producers and distributors, and high-end industry manufacturers.

In the midst of the excitement and chaos of planning a social event, René likes to break it down to outstanding organizational talent and experienced decision-making. He recently commented: "My creativity and social know-how lends that special something to any gathering, so that the guests feel compelled to ask the host or hostess in astonishment as they leave, 'How do you do it?' The secret is just this: "you do it!"

Partial Client & Project List of Some of Our Finest Events

•  2008 Concert featuring Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons at The Orpheum Theater
• 2003, 2006, 2007:  Major Gifts Fundraising Dinner: Event Management, Tribute Journal Management, Media Production (06 Event Onsite At Universal Studios)
• 2005 Concert featuring The Temptations and The Four Tops at The Wilshire Theater

Jewish Family Services, Los Angeles 

• Produced 2006, 2007, 2008 Major Gifts Fundraising Dinner For 500 Guests Plus, Media Production and And Tribute Journal Management

Children Uniting Nations, Los Angeles, CA

• 2004 Day Of The Child: Event Management Bringing Together 1,500 Foster Children And 1,500 Mentors, 200+ Staff, VIPs And Press In A College Stadium Festival/Carnival Venue.
• 2004 and 2005 Academy Awards Fundraising Dinner: Event Management For 500 Guests At A Sit-Down Dinner In A Tent Followed By An After-Party Concert For 1,000 + Guests

Metroplitan Puppet Authority / Classics In Miniature, Los Angeles 

• 2006, 2007, 2008 Public Relations And Marketing Campaigns For Roll-Out Of Live Performances and New DVD Series; Premiere Party Production And Management

Hadassah Southern Calif., Los Angeles, CA

• 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 Women Of Distinction Major Gifts Dinner (500+ Attendees) Event Management And Tribute Journal Management; Public Relations; Talent: Tovah Feldshuh, Robert Klein, Jason Alexander, Harry Belafonte,  Michael Feinstein
• 2004 Youth Services Luncheon For 400+ Guests And Tribute Journal Management
  

Hadassah National

• Produced Major Gifts Dinners In Dallas, Seattle, Palm Springs, San Francisco:Event Management, Tribute Journal Management And Public Relations; Talent: Carol Channing, Gregory Hines, Ambassador Dennis Ross,

Brandies-Bardin Institute,  Brandies, CA

• 2005, 2006, 2007  Major Gifts Dinner (500+ Attendees) Event Management And Tribute Journal Management; Media Production
  

Wright Institute Of Los Angeles

• Produced 2001, 2002, 2004, 2007 Fundraising Dinners: Event Management, Tribute Journal Management And Silent Auction
  

Academy for Jewish Religion, Los Angeles

• Produced 2006 Fundraising Event Including Concert, Reception And Tribute Journal.
  

Kadima Hebrew Academy, West Hills

• Produced 2007 Major Gifts Fundraising Dinner For 500 Guests On Site At The Ronald Regan Library, And Tribute Journal Management
• Produced 2005 Major Gifts Fundraising Dinner For 500 Guests On Site In A Tent And Tribute Journal Management
  

Public Counsel, Los Angeles

• 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 William O. Douglas Dinner (1100 Attendees) Event Management And Silent Auction

American Friends of The Hebrew University, L.A., Palm Springs, San Diego, CA

• 1998, 2000 Scopus Galas, 1996-2000 Academic Conferences And Seminars,   Recognition Dinners And Luncheons (200 - 800 People On Location); Public Relations; Talent: Chita Rivera, Robert Klein
  

• Event Management For 1999 Tzedakah Dinner (300 Attendees), Public Relations
  

Israel Tennis Centers Association, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, CA

• Fundraising Events Management (150 - 500 People On Location)
  

Vari-X, Irvine, CA

• Corporate Meeting Management, Original Kick-Off Video (300 People On Location In Florida)
  

American Committee For The Weizmann Institute Of Science, Los Angeles, CA

• Special Event Management And Production (800 Attendees On Location)
  

The Guardians For The Jewish Home For The Aging, Los Angeles, CA

• 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 Fundraising Dinner (900 Attendees) Event Management And Production

• 2002, 2003, 2004 Young Women’s Division Holiday Boutique at The New Mart
  

Valley Beth Shalom Harold M. Schulweis Day School, Encino, CA

• 2004 25th Anniversary Gala: Event Management, Tribute Journal Management  and Video Celebrating Honorees and Anniversary                                                                                                                                                                                            
  

Jerusalem College Of Technology, Beverly Hills, CA

• 1999 Fundraising Dinner Management And Tribute Journal Publication (700  Attendees, Honoring Rupert Murdoch)

Women’s International Zionist Organization (WIZO)

• 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003 Fundraising Dinners (300 Attendees)   
  

The Yitzhak Rabin Hillel Center for Jewish Life At UCLA

• 2002,2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Fundraising Dinners, Tribute Journal Management, Media Production
  

Kerem B’Yavneh, New York

• 2001, 2002, 2004 Fundraising Dinners, Tribute Journal Production
  

Pacific Asia Travel Association, Hong Kong

• Movie Premier Fundraising Benefit Procurement And Management 
  

New Israel Fund, Los Angeles, CA

• Event Management For 1999 Tzedakah Dinner (300 Attendees), Public Relations
  

Israel Tennis Centers Association, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, CA

• Fundraising Events Management (150 - 500 People On Location)