April/May 2018 49
J illian Manus
doesn’t just
plan fundraisers.
She
creates funraisers:
eyeopening,
highly engaging
events that are bound to
keep her guests entertained
and happy.
“When I plan them, I
think, ‘What is going to create
the most interaction?
What is going to get people
talking to each other?’ Usually
it’s interesting music,
interesting food and a setting
that’s funny so they
can laugh together,” she
explains.
Her process: First come
up with a theme; then go
granular. She storyboards
every party, providing a
clear map to what guests
will find in each room.
And what she comes
up with is an event full of
amazing creatures, scenes
and spectacles that people
can’t stop talking about.
These have included:
• A live Republican elephant
at the door to greet guests,
with Bill and Hillary Clinton
impersonators entertaining
guests inside
• A live camel and a genie
in a bottle
• A room full of edible
sculptures of infamous
leaders, including Mussolini
made out of pasta, Stalin
out of butter and Hitler
made out of cheese
• California icons, like a
tent-sized Golden Gate
bridge, and a Beach Boys
cover band
• A glowing, pumpkinshaped
Cinderella carriage
complete with pink horses
• The Partridge Family bus
in her driveway
• Mitt Romney’s Bar Mitzvah
Asked which party was
her favorite, she insists she
has none. “It’s like asking
me for my favorite child,”
she says.
What’s most important to
her is realizing her goal in
creating each event.
“I feel that, if we introduce
like minds and like
hearts to each other, they
will walk out of there and
create more impact.”
DREW ALTIZER; OPPOSITE: LINDSEY CURTIS
HAVING A BALL SOCIETY HOSTESS JILLIAN MANUS SHARES HER STRATEGIES
Jillian Manus and
Chef Michael Mina
at 49ers Foundation
benefit