Meet Renee Zau, Co-founder and CEO for DonationMatch an online platform helping nonprofits and companies promote supporter engagement and social impact with seamless handling of in-kind donations to events. She started the company after many years as a business owner, marketer, and silent auction volunteer which inspired her to create a streamlined platform for matching in-kind donations to the right audiences.
Renee serves as the Outreach Chair for the San Diego American Marketing Association Cause Conference. She supports the Cause Conference by promoting the event to key community stakeholders, by engaging partnerships and coordinating speaker outreach.
WHAT DID YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT VOLUNTEERING FOR THE SAN DIEGO AMA?
I joined the committee of #CauseSD to support the event after attending for five years. What I look forward to the most is the education piece and reconnecting with my “tribe” of socially-conscious professionals. What excites me about the conference is the unique lineup of industry-leading speakers and their fresh, new ideas and perspectives from all sides of cause marketing–each year it’s different and eye-opening to what’s been done, tested, and share what works.
WHAT IS YOUR GOLDEN NUGGET OF WISDOM?
Find a way, not an excuse.
WHO INSPIRES YOU?
Seeing smart ideas grow from startup concept to life-changing products and services that can significantly impact society. I am in awe of the speed at which innovation now happens and wish I could support all the passionate people who dedicate their lives to improving the status quo. Shark Tank is just the tip of the iceberg.
WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT?
Win-win partnerships. I love facilitating relationships where both parties feel like they are getting more than the other out of the partnership and are grateful. DonationMatch is all about enabling these.
