Humans Behind the Heart of Every Event
OP 3 Events is built on people who believe in the power of community, the strength of nonprofit missions, and the impact of well-planned events. Our team brings together decades of nonprofit event production experience along with a shared commitment to clarity, creativity, and collaboration.
Women Behind OP 3’s Excellence
Colleen Healy Fitzgerald
MANAGING PARTNER AND CFO
Colleen joined OP 3 in 2005 and quickly became a cornerstone of our leadership, production and creative strategy teams. With a background in accounting and a sharp eye for financial strategy, she brings structure, clarity, and confidence to every project — shaping how OP 3 plans, negotiates, forecasts, and delivers exceptional value for clients.
Over the course of her career, Colleen has produced and overseen national walk and ride series, expanded events into new markets, built comprehensive risk mitigation strategies, and developed signature event experiences for new partners. She is especially passionate about creating fresh, energizing, and mission-engaging event concepts that inspire deeper connection, greater impact, and stronger fundraising results.
In her personal life, Colleen now applies her event planning superpowers to her most complex production yet: the daily logistics of four energetic, sports-obsessed kids — Henry, Graham, Jack, and Nora — complete with constant schedule changes, tight timelines, and very loud stakeholders. Fortunately, she’s well-versed in managing chaos, delivering on deadlines, and keeping everyone (mostly) happy.
colleen@op-3.com
Erica Helphand
MANAGING PARTNER AND COO
Erica has been a leader in peer-to-peer fundraising events for more than 20 years and has been part of OP 3 since the beginning. She fell in love with event work after volunteering for the Boston to New York AIDS Ride and has been dedicated to creating impactful and memorable experiences ever since.
Erica is known for her commitment to Unreasonable Hospitality, her passion for people, and her ability to improve systems and experiences year after year. Her teams have produced some of the most successful fundraising events and series in the country. She has been recognized twice as one of LASSO's Top Women in the Event Production Industry.
Erica lives by a favorite motto, "You can’t teach care." A retired roller derby player once known as Chase Ventura, these days Erica is more likely to be found cheering at a women's basketball game or between any number of airports, adding to her over 2 million miles flown. In her free time, she has served on the board of Girls on the Run and led a top-performing fundraising team for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s for several years running. Whether she’s skating, fundraising, cheering for women's sports, or leading, Erica brings grit, unstoppable energy, and--of course--care, to everything she does.
erica@op-3.com
The Dream Team
Ally Brooks
NATIONAL PEER-TO-PEER DIRECTOR
Ally brings more than 17 years of peer-to-peer development and event production expertise. She supports nonprofit clients with website development, fundraising strategy, and event production. Ally is equally comfortable writing code, driving a 24-foot truck, or creating communication plans that activate participants.
Fun Facts:
Hidden talent: Can sing any musical and quote the entire series of Friends
Guilty pleasure: Marvel movies in chronological order
Dream lunch guest: Chris Evans
ally@op-3.com
Amber Farris
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Amber discovered her passion for event production after working her first live event and never looked back. She transitioned from TV and film into nonprofit event work, bringing with her a talent for storytelling, team leadership, and crafting meaningful, heartfelt experiences. Amber thrives in fast-paced environments, works closely with partners to bring their vision to life, and leads with heart, hustle, and unwavering enthusiasm.
Fun Facts:
Hidden talent: Spent more than a decade as the lead singer and songwriter in a touring band
Creative outlet: Still writes, performs, and acts
Full circle moment: Has known Ally Brooks since high school and still considers her one of the coolest people ever
amber@op-3.com
Angie Cosgrove
ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST
Angie joined OP 3 in 2012 and recently returned after welcoming her daughter. She brings deep expertise in budgets, spreadsheets, and accounting systems, and has supported dozens of nonprofits since 2007.
Fun Facts:
Hidden talent: Managing home renovations
In her free time: Running her vintage shop, Poppy and Bea Thrift Co.
On repeat: Brandi Carlile and John Mayer
angie@op-3.com
Ava Greer
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Ava has spent more than 12 years producing peer-to-peer events and has a passion for logistics, production, and route planning. She has worked across multi-day series, community events, and national walk programs.
Fun Facts:
How she spends her free time: Playing with cars, trucks, and trains with her two boys
Dream vacation: A tropical beach
ava@op-3.com
Celeste Gutierrez
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Celeste is an operations coordinator driven by a lifelong love of curating experiences. She loves making sure that every attendee leaves their event with a cherished memory. A natural people person, she enjoys creating events that connect communities and has experience in fashion, art, tech, and nonprofit spaces.
Fun Facts:
Collections: Postcards, Calico Critters, and beautifully designed coffee table books
Hidden talent: Amateur historian of nineteenth century European royal families
Dream lunch guests: Isabella Rossellini and Liza Minnelli
Dream vacation: A grand tour of every major art museum in Europe
celeste@op-3.com
Cheryl Prideaux
NATIONAL PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
Since 2009, Cheryl has led OP 3’s large-scale fundraising event series. She excels at transforming concepts into unforgettable experiences and is skilled at planning, routing, and production oversight.
Fun Facts:
Hidden talent: Woodworking
Dream travel: Australia and New Zealand
cheryl@op-3.com
Jennie Wojtczak
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Jennie brings more than a decade of experience producing festivals, 5Ks, galas, golf tournaments, and large-scale fundraising events. She loves high-impact events with lots of moving parts and is committed to creating meaningful experiences for nonprofits.
Fun Facts:
Guilty pleasures: Chick-fil-A, margaritas, snow days, and hanging outside with her dog Ralph
jennie@op-3.com
Margaret Sheehe
PRODUCTION MANAGER AND VOLUNTEER SPECIALIST
Margie brings more than a decade of event and volunteer leadership experience. She is known for her energy, humor, and ability to lead teams with heart.
Fun Facts:
Guilty pleasure: Volunteering
Hidden talent: Making the world better wherever she goes
margaret@op-3.com
Melissa Szucs Fri
NATIONAL PRODUCTION MANAGER
Melissa returned to OP 3 after a decade in conferences, exhibitions, and large-scale experiences. Her true passion is peer-to-peer events. She is known for her checklists, spreadsheets, positive energy and ability to rally volunteers and participants.
Fun Facts:
Hidden talent: Scaring off brown bears with a plastic hand clapper
Dream vacation: Visiting every National Park before her daughters turn 18
Guilty pleasures: Reality TV and mockumentaries
melissa@op-3.com
Nita Brooks
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Nita brings more than 20 years of experience across event production, leadership development, and environmental consulting. She specializes in the production and logistics of racing events of all sizes from 5Ks to marathons, and is an avid runner herself. Nita is a modern-day Renaissance woman who embraces new challenges and approaches nearly everything with curiosity and courage.
Fun Facts:
Hidden talent: Can ride a unicycle
Passion project: Has run the Boston Marathon eight times and hopes to keep qualifying
Dream lunch guest: Julie Foudy or Jasmine Crockett
nita@op-3.com
Our Extended Team
OP 3 works with more than 100 event professionals across the country. This network gives us the strength and flexibility to deliver exceptional event experiences wherever our partners need support.
We call them our Special OPs unit, and they make what we do possible.
Ready to Work With Us?
We would love to help you produce an event that feels meaningful, mission-forward, and unforgettable.