About the BIG DEAL Team: Bios

1/19/2025

As a connected collective of experts, Big Deal Company specializes in creativity. With superior organization, marketing experience and original ideas, we pull off amazing events and campaigns!

Big Deal Company makes business personal by bringing JOY to the job in everything we do.

As purveyors of fun with Big Deal Company, we support businesses and individuals in the growth of their ideas, events and marketing strategies. Our creative aptitude allows for unique ideas. Our passion for perfection makes every client a priority!

Christine K Forster

CEO

The CEO of BIG DEAL Company, Christine Kovacs Forster, lives and breathes JOY. Entertaining people and being entertained is what simply moves her. My Big Day (now BIG DEAL) was formed in 2006 after Christine received constant requests to help businesses with their marketing and event planning for life events. In 2023 she re-branded as BIG DEAL Company.

With 28 years in media and event planning, today her passion lies in creating events for all to enjoy and campaigns that elevate businesses and non-profits. Christine serves on numerous event and marketing committees, is a Commissioner for the City of Loveland and served on boards for local non-profits. Giving back is a priority both personally and professionally.

BIG DEAL clients recognize Christine as their fearless partner who runs each event with a walkie-talkie, clipboard, and numerous spreadsheets. "Organized" is an understatement. Her national media advertising experience lends itself to significant local client successes. The event & marketing business is a relationship business, and Christine is known for being a connector in the community, and ultimately a friend to everyone she meets! She and her team pride themselves on extraordinary service and original events.

Education:
Bachelors in Organizational Communications
Diploma in Learning and Development
Event and Hospitality Management Certification
Event Marketing Certification
Tourism Marketing Certification
Gamification Certification
Online Marketing Certification
Hotel & Catering Management Certification
Mobile Marketing Certification
Wedding Planner Certification
TIPS Certified
Tenderwise Training Complete
Digital Marketing Certification

Carrie Kaufman

CCO

For over 11 years, Carrie has been an integral part of the BIG DEAL team, growing from event support to her current role as Chief Communications Officer. Carrie’s experience includes event management and marketing work, with a passion for the creative aspects of the work - from crafting compelling campaigns to building meaningful relationships with clients. She enjoys creating unique and memorable moments that bring clients’ BIG ideas to life.

Carrie has worked on a wide range of events, including weddings, fundraisers, parties, large-scale conferences, concerts, and community gatherings. Her involvement in planning events from start to finish and supporting Christine with the basics of running a small business inspired her to further her education by earning a Master’s in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing.

With extensive experience in nonprofit development and donor stewardship, Carrie is committed to fostering strong, open relationships, which she believes are the foundation for success in events, campaigns, and personal goals. She is a proud member of the Institute of Leaders in Development’s Class of 2025, further demonstrating her dedication to professional growth and community impact.

Focus on community and building strong relationships are important pillars of the BIG DEAL mission, and these values are what initially drew Carrie to the team. Today, she continues to live out these principles, helping clients achieve their goals with creativity, care, and commitment.

Education:
Bachelors in Music Education/Music Therapy
Masters in Business Administration with Certificate in Marketing Management
Cvent Event Management, Virtual Events & Hybrid events Certification
Wedding Planner Certification
Hubspot Social Media Marketing Certification
Digital Marketer Certification: Search Marketing Certification, Content Marketing Mastery
Google Analytics Academy Certification
TIPS Certified
Certificate in Fundraising Copywriting from the Institute for Sustainable Philanthropy Institute for Leaders in Development - Class of 2025 (May)

Tiffany Dinsmore

manager,
Head of Community

With over a decade of experience in professional event planning, Tiffany brings creativity and expertise to every project. Her passion for creating memorable experiences stems from her belief that the perfect blend of cuisine, beverages, music, and people creates extraordinary moments.

With a degree in Hospitality and Restaurant Management, specializing in Event Planning, Tiffany successfully transitioned her event coordination skills into a dynamic marketing career at BIG DEAL Company. She thrives in the fast-paced digital landscape, continuously expanding her expertise through professional development and staying ahead of emerging trends.
Her commitment to excellence and eagerness to embrace new challenges makes her a valuable asset to any project. Tiffany's dedication to continuous learning and growth is reflected in her innovative approaches to both marketing strategies and event management.

Education:
Internship with My Big Day (now BIG DEAL)
Bachelor of Science, Hospitality and Restaurant Management
Event Marketing Certification
Tourism Marketing Certification
TIPS Certified
Tenderwise Training Complete

Katie Patterson

Director, Community Wizard

Katie has worked with My Big Day since 2015. She moved from Kansas City to Fort Collins where she completed both a Bachelor's and Master's in Communication Studies at Colorado State University. Go Rams! Her work focuses on community engagement and how to help people communicate more effectively in complex contexts. When it comes to the work at BIG DEAL this is a constantly needed skill set. She has a knack for all things planning and organizing to find new, innovative ways to make all of the moving pieces for a project fit together seamlessly.

Her interest in community work and event planning propelled her to join the BIG DEAL team where she has helped coordinate and market a plethora of events and projects ever since. From signature events to non-profit fundraising and the throws of the wedding season she has seen it all. Her focus today is in marketing, organizational outreach, engagement, planning, and fundraising.

Education:
Internship with My Big Day
Bachelors in Communication Studies
Masters in Communications Studies
Event Marketing Certification
TIPS Certified

Sarah Biekert

Manager, Marketing Maven

Sarah discovered her passion for events while planning her own wedding in 2011. Since then, she has designed and executed events for life’s most meaningful milestones, with her work featured in renowned publications such as Martha Stewart Weddings, The Knot, Style Me Pretty, 100 Layer Cake, and You & Your Wedding magazine.

In 2018, Sarah joined BIG DEAL Company, where she has expanded her expertise to include corporate events, nonprofit fundraisers, political campaigns, event marketing, and the company’s signature events. In addition to event planning, Sarah curates content for platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. She also channels her creativity into writing blogs for nonprofit organizations and small business clients.

When she is not busy with work or her twin girls, she enjoys time with family and friends, hiking around Fort Collins, solving jigsaw puzzles, and binge-watching a good TV show. Sarah is thrilled to be a member of a creative, innovative team of women.

Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with a minor in Fashion Merchandising
Tourism Marketing Certification
Political Campaign Internship
TIPS Certified
Tenderwise Training Complete
Event Marketing Certification
Cvent Event Management Certification

Lesli Tanski

Director, Creative Ninja

Lesli Tanski’s path has been curvy with lots of U-turns, detours, and construction. Always driven by a sense of curiosity and passion for positivity she has seen success and experienced failure and applies it to her marketing knowledge and skills. She was born and raised in Colorado and went on to receive her film degree in Vancouver, Canada followed by her undergraduate in Liberal Arts from Colorado State University. She worked as a commercial producer for Comcast Spotlight for nearly eleven years before opening a food and spirit specialty shop with her husband in downtown Fort Collins. It was through the business that she fell in love with the connection a business can create with its community whether it’s in person or online. Other notable accomplishments include a master's degree in Library Education and undergraduate studies in media studies and English. Lesli has had the fortune of growing up in a family and community that embraces creativity, love, and the common desire to constantly learn new things.

Lesli’s other passions include being involved in animal advocacy, being an awesome aunt, knitting, and loving her husband and cats. In case it’s not obvious she’s a card-carrying cat lady.

Education:
Masters of Library Education
Bachelor of Arts , Liberal Arts
Film and Film Studies Degree
Google Analytics Academy Certification

Cori

Manager, Event Expert

Cori joins BIG DEAL after a lengthy career in education as a high school teacher and administrator. Being in the schools, Cori is used to controlled chaos and knows how to juggle many tasks while working under pressure. She’s excited to apply her organization and communication skills in event management and looks forward to working in a new environment beyond the classroom doors.

Both Cori and her husband are natives of Fort Collins and are proud to raise their 2 daughters here as well. With deep roots in the community and a background in the arts, Cori is passionate about showcasing all that Northern Colorado has to offer. With a knack for finding creative solutions Cori is always looking for an opportunity to learn and grow.

Education:
PhD Educational Leadership
Masters in English
Yoga Alliance Teacher Certification (200h)
Crafted Leadership Certification

Payden

coordinator, Client Support

Payden is originally from Pennsylvania and attended the University of Oklahoma where she was on the Track and Field Team. She received her undergraduate degree in Human Relations at the University of Oklahoma in 2022, as well as her master’s degree in Adult and Higher Education with an Emphasis in Intercollegiate Athletic Administration in 2023.

Upon graduating she moved to Texas and began working in Higher Education at Midland College in Midland, Texas. She worked in the Student Life Department curating campus events, advising clubs, and was also in charge of planning the New Student Orientation event. That experience confirmed that she would really enjoy pursuing event planning! Payden also has experience in retail sales, and she loves helping to bring clients’ visions to life! She is excited to bring these skills to the Big Deal team!

Education:
B.A. Human Relations
M. Ed. Adult and Higher Education - Emphasis in Intercollegiate Athletic Administration

Our Amazing Marketing & Events Support Team