Laura Herrera, Co-Founder
Laura’s career has included positions in travel and tourism, government, the non-profit sector, and large-scale event production. These experiences have given Laura a vast skill set, helping her develop unmatched expertise in events, marketing, and hospitality.
She began her career with the Mayor of the City of New York as a Mayoral Liaison, coordinating the Mayor’s appearances at events throughout the City. Her experience in political advance introduced her to hundreds of events and venues and prepared her for a career in events and marketing.
In 2000 Laura joined NYC & Company, the City’s tourism marketing agency. While at NYC & Company, Laura managed dozens of city-wide promotions including the very popular Restaurant Week. She also handled day-to-day communication with the organization’s major sponsors, learning the art of keeping a corporate sponsor engaged with the organization and its goals on a daily basis. While at NYC & Company, Laura also had the privilege of assisting with the publication of two books, The New York Restaurant Cookbook, authored by famed New York Times writer, Florence Fabricant, and Cocktails in New York, written by food and wine expert Anthony Giglio. The books were successfully produced as marketing tools to promote the New York restaurant industry. While at NYC & Company, Laura was tapped to represent the tourism agency at the 2004 Republican National Convention. She joined the Convention staff in 2003 as Deputy Director for Delegate Services.
Following the Convention in late 2004, Laura joined with Brandi Marks, together founding a business to counsel non-profits, corporations and political campaigns with fundraising and development services as well as strategic planning, full-service event production, sponsorship fulfillment, event and venue marketing and business development.
Over twenty years, Laura has consulted the National Parks of New York Harbor Conservancy, National Park Service, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey, the Rutgers Alumni Association, Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, Taste of the NFL and many, many others.
Laura is a graduate of The Ursuline School in New Rochelle, New York and Rutgers College. She is active in her community and volunteers for several local organizations. She resides in Bergen County, New Jersey with her son.
Brandi Marks, Co-Founder
With more than twenty-five years of experience, Brandi Marks is an industry-leading strategist specializing in fundraising, development and hospitality. As Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Full House Events LLC, Brandi provides expertise to clients in the political, corporate and non-profit sectors who are looking to achieve a wide range of institutional advancement goals, as well as to individuals looking to make a philanthropic impact.
Having worked at the highest levels within a competitive field where discretion and sound judgment are necessities, Brandi understands the intricacies of fundraising, from the perspective of both the donor/sponsor and the recipient relying on their support. Brandi has established longstanding relationships in the Tri-State area, Florida and nationwide that have been cultivated over decades. Among her roster of contacts are many of New York’s most prominent business and civic leaders.
Highlights of Brandi’s consulting career include successful efforts on behalf of many Members of Congress, five Presidential candidates, the National Republican Senatorial and Congressional Committees, the Republican National Committee and the Republican Governors Association. She was hired to introduce targeted advertising to campaign leadership in cable markets and served as Director of Donor Relations during the 2004 Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden. She was subsequently engaged by St. Paul, Minnesota and Tampa, Florida’s convention host committees to develop hospitality and programming and to provide expertise in working with high-profile donors and key stakeholders.
From producing the re-opening of the Statue of Liberty’s Crown, to assisting the Lower Manhattan Development Commission in the aftermath of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks, to building partnerships in support of Federal Hall National Memorial, Brandi is committed to projects that promote and acknowledge public service and pride in American values.
What sets Brandi apart from the many development and event consultants in the marketplace is a pledge to accept only projects where there is a real chance to add value for the client. Full House works on a referral basis and is proud to provide pro bono services to select organizations in need.
A true Jersey girl and proud graduate of Rutgers College, Brandi lives with her husband and two children in Hunterdon County, where she is active in community and educational initiatives and advocacy.