Our people give OP 3 the strength, flexibility, and expertise to approach each event
with customized and innovative strategies so nothing is ever business as usual.

 

Meet our Managing Partners

Colleen Healy Fitzgerald

Managing Partner & CFO

Colleen joined OP3 in 2005 and quickly became a critical part of our production department and our leadership team. Her accounting background and obsession with all things budget- and finance-related is a point of pride that inspires the whole team to reach new heights in negotiation, cost control, and vendor management. Colleen has successfully produced and overseen fundraising walks and rides, introduced events to new markets, coordinated grassroots outreach efforts, established comprehensive risk mitigation strategies, and created signature events with new clients. ​An avid runner, Colleen recently completed her first triathlon, but admittedly spends more time chasing her children Henry, Graham, Jack, and Nora than training these days.

How to reach Colleen: colleen@op-3.com

Erica Helphand

Managing Partner & COO

A recognized leader in the peer to peer fundraising event space for 20 years, Erica has been with OP 3 since it began. She was hooked on events after donating to cyclist friends—then joining them as a volunteer lead—on the Boston New York AIDS Ride, and her experience running safe, memorable events that provide great guest experience has only grown since. Her teams have created some of the most successful fundraising events and series, but it’s her focus on customer service that keeps those fundraisers coming back. Beyond her extensive creative, strategic, and production capabilities, Erica's passion for people—coworkers, client partners, volunteers, and participants alike—is what drives her commitment to continuous improvement. She has been named one of LASSO's "Top Women in the Event Production Industry" (twice!). Although she is retired from playing roller derby, Erica’s belief that slow mileage is better than no mileage has helped her complete 7 half marathons.​

How to reach Erica: erica@op-3.com

Get to know our team of amazing humans!

Ally Brooks
National Peer-to-Peer Director

Ally made her triumphant return to OP 3 after being gone for 8 long years. In her over 17 year experience in Peer-to-Peer development and event production she is proud to say she is now a savant at zip tie counting and communications writing. Ally spends most of her OP 3 time working with Non-Profit clients on their website development and fundraising strategies as well as Producing Events. Let’s just say Ally is as comfortable writing code as she is parallel parking a 24 foot truck.

  • Ally’s Hidden Talent: She can sing you any musical and quote the entire series of Friends

  • What famous person would Ally like to have lunch with: Chris Evans, but only if he dresses as Captain America

  • Ally’s guilty pleasure: Watching Marvel movies in chronological order

  • How did Ally get through quarantine: Not to sound repetitive but Marvel movies in chronological order.

How to reach Ally: ally@op-3.com

Ava Greer
Production Director

Ava has worked in peer-to-peer events for over 12 years, and she has a passion for all things logistics, production, and especially route planning! Ava has experience working on multi day walk series, community 5k’s, and overseeing a National Walk Series supporting fundraising and production. She is excited to work with our clients to help them bring their events to life!

  • How Ava spends her free time: Usually playing with all things cars, trucks and trains with her two boys.

  • Dream Vacation spot: Give her a tropical beach any day of the week! Sorry Mountains, you’re not calling this lady!

How to reach Ava: ava@op-3.com

Angie Cosgrove
Accounting Support

Angie joined OP 3 as a Production Manager in 2012 and after a short hiatus to have her daughter in 2021 she is back in a new role as Accounting Specialist. A lover of budgets, spreadsheets, and an old-fashioned paper to-do list, Ang was happy to jump back into the event production world by doing what she loves! Since 2007 she has worked with dozens of nationwide nonprofit organizations helping to create memorable & profitable events. When not busy in Quickbooks or in Mom mode you can find Angie at a thrift store or garage sale sourcing pre-loved goods for her online vintage shop, Poppy & Bea Thrift Co. 

OP 3 claim to fame

  • Angie never managed a repeat event from 2015 - 2020. While the clients mostly stayed the same, there was always a new location or event format keeping her on her toes.

  • Fun Fact: Angie has managed (and lived through) 3 home renovations in the past 5 years

  • On Repeat: Brandi Carlile & John Mayer

Caily Landers
Production Manager

Caily was fortunate enough to join in on all of the fun at OP 3 in 2021. She has been eager to learn anything and everything about the event world since. Throughout her experience, Caily has grown fond of producing events, learning how to perfect loading a truck, and even successfully getting the event supplies kit to close on the very first try. In her free time, Caily can shoot a basketball almost as well as she can ziptie signage up... (her skill level, though, is open for interpretation).

  • Where does Caily want to travel: Europe!

How to reach Caily: caily@op-3.com

Cheryl Prideaux
National Production Director

Cheryl has been with OP 3 since 2009. She leads our team in producing our large scale fundraising event series and can whip any event into tip top shape. Cheryl is a Jill of all trades…give her an idea, a measuring wheel and a date and in return she will give you a remarkable event experience that participants and donors will remember for a lifetime.

  • Cheryl’s Hidden Talent: Creating masterpieces out of wood to decorate her home.

  • Where would Cheryl like to travel: Australia and New Zealand are next!

How to reach Cheryl: cheryl@op-3.com

Jennie Wojtczak
Production Manager

Wojtczak has been in the event management and production industry for over a decade, so you could say she's a big fan of details. Jennie has always loved the excitement, energy, and reward of planning special events. Specializing in high-impact fundraising experiences like festivals, 5k races, galas and golf tournaments – the more moving parts, the better. With a deep passion for people and a desire to help make the world a better place, non-profit clients are her gig. She enjoys being in the thick of everything, from initial planning to last minute details.

She has a mild obsession with chick-fil-a, emails, a good margarita, a snow day and hanging outside with her pup, Ralph (though not in 100+ degrees weather - thanks, Texas)!

How to reach Jennie: jennie@op-3.com

Jessica Ross
Production Manager

Jessica's event production career began by touring the country with a multi-day fundraising walk series, and over the past 15 years has worked in over 20 major markets in the U.S. In addition to producing outdoor events, Jessica has managed multiple event venues, hosting a spectrum of events, including fundraising galas, art exhibitions, tech conferences, and concerts. Jessica is an expert in optimizing the details. A problem-solver by nature, she's always looking for ways to improve the efficiency, experience, and bottom line of every event she produces.

Jessica's Hidden Talent:
Jessica is a Certified Natural Chef and specializes in cooking for people with health challenges and dietary restrictions. These days, her expertise is focused on attempting to convince her twin toddlers to eat a vegetable.

How to reach Jess: jessica@op-3.com

Margaret Sheehe
Production Manager &
Volunteer Specialist

Margaret “Margie” Sheehe is one of a kind! Margie can wear all of the event hats while keeping us all laughing and smiling as we work. She is an expert Volunteer and Crew Specialist with over a decade of event production under her utility belt.

  • Margie’s Guilty Pleasure: Volunteering to save the world

  • How Margie got through quarantine: Laughter and smiles

  • Margie’s Hidden Talent: Making the world a better place

  • What famous person would play Margie in her life story: No one could play Margie as well as Margie…so she would have to star in her own film!

How to reach Margie: marge@op-3.com

Melissa Szucs Fri
National Production Manager

After a decade-long career detour, Melissa made a U-Turn back to OP 3 where it all began in 2008.  And while she’s produced everything from art exhibitions to grand opening celebrations and national conferences, her true love is peer-to-peer events. When she’s not making checklists for her checklists, high-fiving volunteers, or populating spreadsheets, she’s busy raising two strong, independent little gals.  

Hidden talent: She can scare brown bears away from a walk route with a plastic $1 hand clapper and her shrill voice.

Dream vacation: Any of the National Parks (they have plans to visit them all before her daughters turn 18)

Guilty pleasure: Reality TV (the Amazing Race and Project Runway!) and any mockumentary by Christopher Guest

How to reach Melissa : melissa@op-3.com

What People Are Saying

“I honestly don’t know where to start–thank you all so much for two years of HARD work to make this weekend a reality. The entire day was seamless, stress-free, and near perfect. We are so grateful to have partners who we could truly trust to be an extension of our team and ambassadors of our mission–not to mention sounding boards, confidants and friends!”

— Allison L., Save The Children Director, National Events & Community Engagement

 

“What an amazing event on Saturday night! Thank you so much for making it a grand success. Your thoroughness, organization, willingness to help, and professionalism were well beyond expectations.”

— Kris C., Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Light The Night Campaign Development Director

 

“After all the sweating of details, today’s program was really, really great. Thank you all for everything. It’s been an absolute pleasure to sweat through it with you.”

— Sheila S., Lung Cancer Research Foundation
Senior Director, Marketing Communications

 

“OP 3 is truly one of a kind. As a long-time partner of our Walk to End Alzheimer’s events here in the National Capital Area, OP 3 handles every question, logistics need, vendor, permit, and more with grace, skill, and finesse. If you are looking for an amazing production team, look no further. We are so grateful for the continued support of the OP 3 team!”

-Faith A., Walk to End Alzheimer’s
Constituent Event Senior Manager

“Thank you so much for traveling to Memphis and sharing your talent with us. Loved the escape box activity even more the second time and I think there are so many lessons to be learned from it. Thanks for literally thinking outside the box.”

— Danielle D., St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital - ALSAC
Director, Community Engagement & Fundraising

 

“What a day! From the smiles on girls' faces and cheers from family and friends to spray painted hair and tutus-this day was a success thanks to your dedication, enthusiasm, and the help of 250+ volunteers you helped lead!”

— Devoria A., Girls on the Run DC Executive Director

 

“Now that I am out of my exhausted daze, I want to officially thank you for all you did to help us make the event yesterday a reality. You were all so amazing to work with, every step of the way! You are truly experts at what you do, and your knowledge was invaluable...You are truly the BEST!”

— Marcy B., Save The Children
Associate Director, Community Engagement & Fundraising

"My thanks to you and the team for all you have done to support APDA...I know with your expertise to back us up we are always in good hands!"

— Stephanie P., American Parkinson Disease Association
Senior Vice President of Development and Marketing

OP 3 works with more than 60 event pros nationwide, our Special OPs unit (see what we did there?). This exceptional squad makes it possible to create top-notch event experiences for even more partners.