The finches

Meet Kate Malloy

Kate Malloy, owner. What started out as a pandemic hobby has turned into the inspiration for the name of an event planning company eighteen years in the making. Based on the seacoast of New Hampshire, and named after our state bird, Purple Finch Events is a boutique event planning and design company led by Kate Malloy, a seasoned event and wedding planner. From starting her first wedding planning company in 2003, Kate Parker Weddings, which produced over 600 weddings to her time as creative director at Malloy Events, Kate has worked with countless not-for-profit organizations, corporations, and wedding couples throughout the United States. She has worked with celebrity wedding clients such as Daphne Oz and Sam Huntington and has helped produce many campaign events for presidential candidates who visited NH for the 2020 First In The Nation primary season.

Purple Finch Events works with small and large organizations and companies to help them meet their strategic and fundraising goals. With an incredible eye for details, sponsorship and branding opportunities, project management, and budget analysis, Kate finds connections to share with each and every guest at each event she designs and plans.

She is a budding birder who’s actual favorite bird is the Tufted Titmouse because it has a lot to say to the world! Kate and her son Zachary live in Portsmouth with her partner RJ and his son Luca, and their dog, Louisa. She is an opera singer by degree, loves cooking, and her favorite food is a salad because it’s a vessel for all delicious things.

Meet Natalie Harrison

Natalie Harrison, director of client relations. Natalie’s colorful and unique career path first began as a public relations account executive based in New York City where she managed numerous clients ranging from the Colorado Tourism Office to the Regional Tourism Office of Southern Africa. It was during this time that her passion for volunteerism also began to flourish where she dedicated her time and talents for such organizations as Stoked Mentoring and Hulaween - NY Restoration Project.

After several years promoting luxury, worldwide travel, she returned to her New Hampshire roots where she continued her passion for PR and driving media interest for a variety of local clientele within the banking, hospitality, and entertainment industries to name a few as an account executive at WEDU. In 2011, Natalie was introduced to the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD) and joined the team as an event and project coordinator where she continued to develop her skills in non-profit fundraising, event and volunteer management, and donor/sponsor development. She was also responsible for spearheading all PR and promotion of the organization’s events and social media pages. 

During her earlier time at CHaD, Natalie was responsible for leading the fundraising success of such events as the CHaD Battle of the Badges Hockey Championship, CHaD Storybook Ball, CHaD All-Star Football Game and Golf Tournament, and Warren Miller Ski Film Screening. In 2018, Natalie was named director of CHaD community relations and lead a team of fundraising experts who worked collaboratively in raising $3M annually for the organization. It was during her time at CHaD that Kate Malloy and Natalie began their friendship while producing the state’s only Storybook Ball.

In February 2022, Natalie joined Purple Finch Events as a consultant to provide strategic event fundraising support to PFE’s numerous non-profit clients, including sponsorship deck review and creation, volunteer recruitment, management and communication, budget analysis, event platform research and implementation and more. In September 2023, Natalie transitioned from consultant to full-time PFE team member.

As a past recipient of 2020 New Hampshire Union Leader’s “40 Under Forty,” Natalie is committed to supporting local business and non-profits in the state. She spends her free time with her two children, Stella and Samuel, husband, Michael and golden retriever, Zuzu, where they find the most enjoyment outdoors and traveling. Natalie currently sits on the board of directors for Pats Peak Ski Team and is always interested in finding her next volunteer opportunity. 

Meet Abby Johnson

Abby Johnson, event planner and graphic designer. Abby Johnson has a passion for creativity and a knack for design and she honed her knowledge and creativity at the University of New Hampshire graduating in 2023. Armed with a degree in Planning and Event Management, Abby embarked on her professional journey as a finch taking flight in 2022 as a full-time intern. There she learned the ins and out of planning not for profit events, and her craft of infusing an organization’s mission within all of their printed materials was honed.

Abby joined the finch flock full time in May of 2023. Her specializations span the realms of design, graphics, content creation, and digital marketing with an ability to turn ideas into visually captivating and engaging experiences. In addition, Abby coordinates all of the design logistics needed to produce a successful event, including rentals, specialty linens, lounge furniture and other wow factors.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Abby is a blossoming botanist, at home artist, and a devoted cat mom, sharing her life and home with her feline companion.

Meet Ryan Carbino

Ryan Carbino, event logistics coordinator. Ryan's journey into the world of events began in the idyllic surroundings of Greenwich, Connecticut, where she was raised amidst a close-knit family and a menagerie of cherished pets. Fueled by her early experiences in organizing gatherings and a natural affinity for ensuring everything falls into place, Ryan set out to turn her love for event management into a career.

After embarking on her academic journey, Ryan pursued a degree in Recreational Management & Policy at the University of New Hampshire (UNH). Here, she honed her skills and specialized in Program and Event Management, gaining a solid foundation for her future endeavors in the dynamic world of event planning.

In January of 2022, Ryan joined the Purple Finch Events flock as an intern. Now, as an Event Logistics Coordinator, she focuses on event logistics; specializing in the art of run of show timelines. With meticulous attention to detail and organizational prowess, Ryan ensures that all events orchestrated by Purple Finch Events unfold seamlessly, delighting clients and guests alike. Ryan's expertise extends to volunteer and vendor logistics, ensuring everyone is where they need to be at the precise moment, armed with all the pertinent information.

Following her graduation at UNH, Ryan moved to Exeter, NH with her roommate Reilly. When Ryan isn't immersed in the world of events, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, traveling, and spending quality time with her loved ones.