Dee Dee Kiesow uses the combination of her skills as a
 professional auctioneer with her 20 years of diverse experience 
of working with non-profit organizations to create memorable and record-breaking fund raising auctions. With her background as an Executive Director, an Event Coordinator and Chief Fundraiser for several Northern Cal non-profit organizations, Dee Dee brings a unique advantage when assisting fund raising auction clients.

Dee Dee’s career in auctioneering is equally enhanced from her training in television news and radio announcing. She feels comfortable with audiences of any size and with her vibrant personality Dee Dee is able to inspire audiences while having fun.

She is a graduate of San Jose State University where she holds degrees in Broadcast Journalism and Spanish. Dee Dee is also a graduate of the World Wide College of Auctioneering (WWCA) and has a diploma in Bilingual Auctioneering as well. She has a unique ability to make audiences of all cultural and socio-economic backgrounds feel at ease. Her favorite auctions serve youth but she has conducted record breaking fundraisers for many genres.

She is a member and Fundraising Event Mentor to the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), The National Auctioneers Association (NAA) and holds the prestigious Benefit Auction Specialist (BAS) Designation, which is held by only 20 auctioneers in California.

Dee Dee is a life-long resident of San Jose, California with her husband Kurt and is the proud mother of three well-behaved and often brilliant teenagers. As a classically trained French chef, Dee Dee enjoys creating wine paired dinners for friends & family but can occasionally be found relaxing with her dogs and while designing her next traveling adventure.

After 25 years of fundraising as a Board Member, Volunteer, Executive Director, and Major Gifts Officer, Dee Dee grew frustrated one night when a highly paid comedian took the stage to act as an auctioneer. He unraveled all the work of the organization by insulting the crowd, not raising money, and leaving donors confused.

Determined to raise record results the following year, Dee Dee attended auction school over her vacation to learn everything she could about how to make Galas raise more money.

The following year, she took the mic at that first gala as the resident Development Professional and raised 600% over the previous year.

Dee Dee’s background started in Broadcast Journalism, and she is often referred to as “the woman with THAT VOICE”. She left that to serve the community.

She shares her experiences using her own fundraising strategies and case studies perfected throughout her career through seminars, lectures, and mentoring through many organizations. She is also a University Speaker and Mentor to college students in the hospitality industry on “Considering NonProfits as a Career”.

She believes all interactions with donors should be in service first with a joyful heart and focused on the transformation the organization provides.

“It is a disservice not to allow all donors the opportunity to make a gift that will bring joy and prosperity to both parties”.