We’re excited to introduce this week’s Event 360 Teammate Spotlight. Enjoy a glimpse into the personal and professional life of Molly Fast!
Position: Local Operations Director, Susan G. Komen 3-Day®
Start Year: 2004
What job did you hold right before you came to work at Event 360? I followed the 3-Day from Pallotta TeamWorks to Causeforce, doing similar work that I’m doing now.
Was there anything in particular that brought you to Event 360? I was deeply motivated by the 3-Day as it inspired me a great deal after my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999. My sister’s participation in the 3-Day that year introduced me to the magic of the event. I volunteered in 2000, walked in 2001 and started working on the 3-Day in 2002. I’ve been here ever since!
If you weren’t working at Event 360 what would you be doing? I’d either be a grief counselor (I think there’s so much to be gained from really dealing with death head on and it’s something, as a society, we tend to shy away from) or patient advocacy work in a hospital setting (I learned the hard way how important it is to speak up for yourself and your loved ones after my father passed away in the hospital following a very short six-month battle with esophageal cancer).
Favorite part of your job? The people! I love that I get to work with some of my favorite people in the world who are smart, caring, passionate and driven. And I love that I get to be inspired by some of the most hardcore participants who extend themselves physically and emotionally through participation in our events. I’ve always felt like it’s a privilege to get to do this work. And after doing it for more than 11 years, I’m grateful that it still feels that way!
What do you like to do in your free time? I’m (slowly) getting back into running. But I also love exploring the hidden stairways of Los Angeles (or any city I find myself in). Showing off my hometown (Santa Monica). Photography. Dive bars. Talking to (and photographing) strangers. And wandering around Ireland- I just recently returned from my 11th trip!
Most memorable event experience? As a participant, the moment that continues to stick with me is when I participated in the 2002 Los Angeles 3-Day. I was with my twin sister and we were at that dreaded point- after lunch on day two- when everything hurts and it’s hard to find motivation. I was in the middle of talking to my sister and when she didn’t respond, I looked over to see why she wasn’t talking back. With tears streaming down her face, she just pointed straight ahead. A woman, about the same age as us, was wearing a t-shirt which said “Mom- I’ll see you in heaven.” I started crying as well, feeling so fortunate that we were walking in honor of our mother, and knowing how very important it was to keep putting one foot in front of the other. I think of this memory often. It’s been very grounding and humbling to remember why I do the work I do.
You’re showing off your hometown to a friend who has never been to visit before. What’s on your must see/do/eat list? Okay. First of all. I love visitors! Los Angeles can get such a bad reputation at times, and I love being able to show off all the cool sites! So here’s what would be on tap. (Let’s pretend it’s Sunday). We’d start off in the morning doing a 4-mile stair walk through the Santa Monica canyon where we’d go up and down just over 1,000 stairs. Afterwards, we’d drive to the Brentwood farmer’s market and sample the nearly 20 different varieties of peaches and plums at the most beautiful farm stand. Next we’d go all the way to the other side of town to get a photo at the Hollywood Sign (I know just the place where the sign will be resting on your shoulder). We’d make our way back to Santa Monica via Hollywood, The Sunset Strip, Beverly Hills (with a stop on Rodeo Drive parking at the FREE TWO-HOUR VALET PARKING GARAGE and then the Sprinkles cupcake ATM!) and Westwood (to leave a kiss at Marilyn Monroe’s gravesite). Once back in Santa Monica, we’ll walk down the Third Street Promenade, stopping for a bite to eat at one of the fabulous restaurants (True Food Kitchen if you’re looking for healthy, Blue Plate Oysterette if you want seafood or Locando del Lago for delicious Italian) and ending our night playing skee ball in the arcade before closing out our perfect day with a ride on the Santa Monica Pier ferris wheel!
On event, what three things are we guaranteed to find in your bag? Lip gloss, sunscreen and a blue pen.
One word to describe Event 360? Adventure!
To learn more about the Event 360 staff, visit our About Us page or read other Event 360 Spotlights featured on the Event 360 blog.
