A Decade on the Runway: Honoring Survivors at the Ranch Chic Fashion Show with Michal Waechter
- Nisi Bennett
- Mar 25
- 2 min read
Meet Your Expert: Michal Waechter
As the Owner of Waechter Consulting Group, Michal Waechter brings specialized expertise in event leadership and fundraising to the Leading with Purpose track. With ten years of experience chairing the American Cancer Society's Ranch Chic Fashion Show, Michal understands how to transform a community event into a powerful platform for both fundraising and survivor celebration.
Presentation Overview
Title: A Decade on the Runway: Honoring Survivors at the Ranch Chic Fashion Show
What began in 2005 as a social event to showcase attire for the annual Cattle Baron's Gala has evolved into one of the premier annual fundraising events for the American Cancer Society. Under Michal's leadership as Chair since 2016, the Ranch Chic Fashion Show has seen remarkable growth—from raising $34,000 in her first year to setting an ambitious $200,000 goal for the upcoming 20th anniversary celebration.
In this inspiring presentation, Michal shares the journey of building this impactful event where the true stars are the models—all cancer survivors at different stages of their journeys. Some are in remission, others recently diagnosed, while others are in active treatment. Sadly, some have been lost along the way. The event brings both laughter and tears as it honors the strength, resilience, and determination of these survivors while raising critical funds for patient resources, transportation, lodging, and cancer research.
Presentation Objectives
During this insightful session, participants will learn how to:
Push the Boundaries: Understand how to honor an event's history while continuously striving for meaningful change and growth that expands both impact and reach.
Build Effective Teams: Discover strategies for assembling a diverse group of talented volunteers and committee members who drive the mission forward collectively.
Celebrate Successes: Learn the importance of recognizing wins and being generous with appreciation, creating a culture of acknowledgment that sustains volunteer engagement and commitment.
Why You Can't Afford to Miss This Session
Growth Strategy: Gain insights from an event that has grown nearly sixfold in fundraising capacity through strategic leadership and continuous innovation.
Mission Integration: Learn how to keep the core mission—in this case, honoring cancer survivors—at the heart of a fundraising event, creating emotional resonance that drives donor engagement.
Volunteer Leadership: Discover approaches for leading volunteers that balance direction with empowerment, allowing passionate supporters to contribute their best efforts.
Longevity Secrets: Understand the keys to sustaining and growing an event over multiple years, avoiding the common pitfalls that lead to event fatigue or diminishing returns.
Emotional Connection: Experience how creating genuine emotional moments within fundraising events can transform attendees into long-term advocates and supporters.
Connect with Michal
Want to learn more about Michal's approach to purpose-driven event leadership before the summit? Connect with her on LinkedIn.
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