Meet the Event Garde Team! Our clients think of us as a strategic partner who doesn’t just work for them—but works with them, as an extension of their team.
Aaron Wolowiec, FASAE, CAE, CMP Fellow, is a nationally recognized consultant and thought leader who helps associations and mission-driven organizations think collaboratively, plan more boldly, and implement with intention. As the founder and president of Event Garde - celebrating 15 years in December 2026 - Aaron and his team have partnered with more than 150 organizations across the country, delivering transformative work in four core areas: facilitation, strategic planning, learning design, and event strategy.
A certified Technology of Participation (ToP) facilitator and mentor trainer, Aaron prioritizes participatory and equitable approaches to consensus building that result in collective action and accountability. Whether he's working alongside a board navigating a pivotal strategic inflection point, designing a multi-track conference learning experience, or leading a staff development session that unlocks a team's potential, his work is rooted in the belief that the best outcomes emerge when every voice in the room is meaningfully heard and valued.
That same philosophy extends to FACILIT8me, the Association Facilitator Certificate Course and community of practice Aaron co-created and co-instructs to elevate the craft of facilitation throughout the industry. FACILIT8me also hosts a book club that brings professionals together around shared reading, meaningful reflection, and peer dialogue.
A Forbes Business Council member and contributing author to Professional Practices in Association Management, Aaron is a sought-after voice on facilitation and organizational strategy, learning and event design, and the leadership and wellbeing practices that help associations thrive.
He also co-hosts The Leadership Wellbeing Series, an original podcast from Healthy by Association, where honest conversations with leaders across the field explore three themes we all eventually reckon with: sustaining yourself, leading others with integrity, and building the relationships that keep you grounded.
Aaron brings the same intentionality to belonging that he brings to every client engagement. It shapes how he designs learning and networking experiences, fosters psychological safety, navigates difficult conversations, and shows up as a volunteer leader in the communities that matter most to him. Event Garde’s recognition as a Certified LGBT Business Enterprise through the National LGBTQ+ & Allied Chamber of Commerce is one reflection of that commitment — but the deeper measure is in the rooms Aaron helps convene.
An ASAE Fellow (Class of 2025), CMP Fellow (Class of 2022), and DELP Scholar (Class of 2009–2011), Aaron is deeply invested in the associations that have shaped his career. He currently serves on the TSAE Board of Directors, the DELP Advisory Committee, and the ASAE Key Consultants Committee (KCC), with deep roots in ASAE and the state society community as a speaker, writer, and volunteer leader. His contributions have been recognized with the TSAE Chairman's Award (2024) among other professional honors.
A graduate of Central Michigan University (CMU), where he earned a Master of Science in Administration with a concentration in Leadership, Aaron brings both scholarly grounding and decades of practical experience to everything he does.
Beyond the boardroom, Aaron finds joy in celebrity autobiographies, true crime podcasts, watercolor painting, calligraphy, traveling with his husband, Trevor, and walking their Mini Goldendoodle, Luca.
> Download Aaron’s curriculum vitae.
> Download Aaron’s volunteer and leadership experience.
Kara Nacarato is a seasoned association and nonprofit professional with more than 20 years of leadership experience spanning event management, operations, sales, marketing, and business development. She has built a reputation for delivering strategic, high-impact events while helping organizations strengthen relationships, engage stakeholders, and achieve meaningful outcomes.
Kara’s event management expertise spans the full event lifecycle, from strategy and budgeting to logistics, vendor management, sponsorship execution, attendee engagement, and post-event analysis. She has successfully led a wide range of events, including large-scale conferences and annual meetings, educational programs, board retreats, and donor experiences, always with a focus on creating seamless, thoughtful, and impactful experiences that align with client goals.
Her background in sponsorship development, corporate partnerships, sales, and fund development gives her a unique perspective in helping clients maximize revenue opportunities and deepen audience engagement. Combined with her consultative approach and ability to build strong relationships, Kara brings both strategic insight and operational excellence to every project.
As Senior Director of Operations at Event Garde, Kara also leads the company’s internal operations, overseeing financial management, contractor engagement, human resources, and day-to-day business operations. Her ability to balance client service with organizational leadership helps ensure both successful events and sustainable business growth.
Kara holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of Detroit Mercy, with a focus on Public Relations, Marketing, and Organizational Development. She has also completed specialized training in sponsorship development and management through IEG, a leader in partnership strategy, development, and fulfillment.
Outside of work, Kara and her husband, Steve, stay busy with their three daughters, Emily, Jenna, and Avery. When they are not juggling carpools and sports schedules, they enjoy spending time at the pool or up north at the lake with friends and family, making the most of Michigan’s warm-weather months.
Dilhara is a seasoned public health and healthcare professional with over a decade of experience in non-profit and government sectors. Specializing in quality improvement, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), and evaluation, she brings a strategic and facilitative approach to fostering long-term, systemic change.
An expert in meeting facilitation, Dilhara designs and leads dynamic discussions, workshops, and strategic planning sessions that promote dialogue, critical thinking, and action. Trained in the Technology of Participation (ToP) methodology, she has successfully guided over 80 stakeholders in collaborative planning efforts and spearheaded initiatives addressing health disparities, DEIB integration, and policy development.
With a commitment to creating inclusive environments, Dilhara partners with corporate clients, as well as leaders in non-profit, government, and academia, to drive meaningful change. Beyond her professional work, she serves on their local library board of trustees and volunteers as a coach at a tennis non-profit.
Lindsay is an accomplished business leader with more than 20 years of experience driving organizational growth, strengthening performance, and delivering consistent, high-impact results. She brings a thoughtful approach to navigating complex, fast-moving environments while balancing competing priorities with clarity and focus.
Known for her strategic mindset and long-term approach to planning and investment, Lindsay builds and sustains meaningful relationships across internal teams and external partners, strengthening alignment and advancing shared goals. Her leadership is grounded in collaboration, operational excellence, and a commitment to organizational success.
Outside of work, Lindsay enjoys life with her husband and their three children. She values time at home, whether supporting her kids’ activities, enjoying a family movie night, or gathering for a friendly game of cards.
Tim’s accounting career spans 35 years and includes employment at large and small non-profits in his home town of Grand Rapids. He earned his undergrad business administration and accounting degrees at Calvin College in the 1980s and completed his graduate studies at Grand Valley State University where he earned his Masters in Business Administration in 2007. In 2014 Tim left his job to become his own boss at Tim Berghuis, Accountant LLC and has had no regrets whatsoever! He enjoys traveling with his spouse, Jill, and in 2026 celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with a trip to the Grand Canyon. He enjoys spending time with his two daughters and four grandchildren
I preach best practices when it comes to QuickBooks and accounting work, so it’s important to me to stay informed on the latest in regulations and technology. I’ve always been interested in researching my clients’ questions and I am drawn (Go Math Club!) to the numbers side of business operations.
I enjoy leveraging both Facebook and LinkedIn to network.
With QuickBooks tutoring, I show people how to accomplish the tasks necessary to run their operations. So my ability to support client transfer is usually face-to-face and one-on-one. I move from the general (e.g., always balance your business checkbook because that is the key task to running a business) to the specific (e.g., here are the 10 steps from start to finish on how you should balance your checkbook).
Born in Grand Rapids and raised in South Windsor, Connecticut. Returned to the nest to attend college and never left.
Jenny supports Event Garde with managing the Gardian Blog, curating the monthly Gardian eNews and ensuring the website stays up to date. When not supporting Event Garde clients, Jenny spends her time with her husband Richard and loving on her fur kids, Lillie and Linus.
Trevor Mitchell, MBA, FASAE, CAE, CDP is the President and CEO of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) and the IAVM Foundation. His focus is on helping leaders and associations create a strategic vision for the future and working to achieve it. Trevor has been involved in association management for over 20 years and has contributed to the profession through speaking, writing, and volunteering. Trevor most frequently consults on strategic planning, strategic implementation, board governance, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (including everything from a DEI overview to inclusive leadership).
