Anne Benisch has always been about more than just planning events; she’s about crafting moments that stick with people. Born in San Jose, California, she landed in Modesto before her first birthday, a move that rooted her in a city she’d later help transform. Today, through her business, Planned by Anne, she’s turning gatherings into something special, whether it’s a polished corporate retreat or a fundraiser that tugs at heartstrings. Her knack for blending creativity with purpose has made her a standout in a field that’s often more about checklists than connection.
What sets Anne apart isn’t just her resume; it’s her why. “I want my legacy in corporate event planning to be about creating experiences that truly matter,” she says. “Events that go beyond logistics and leave a lasting impact.” That’s not a tagline; it’s the pulse of her work.
Her story spans cities and stages, from San Francisco’s corporate bustle to Modesto’s tight-knit streets. Anne’s not chasing trends; she’s setting them, one event at a time, and proving that events can do more than fill a calendar. They can inspire, connect, and even change a place for the better.
For Anne Benisch, Modesto was the soil where her drive took root and where she was shaped into a doer. High school was where she first stood out. At Modesto High, she took on the International Baccalaureate program, a tough academic track that demands focus, and paired it with a starring role on the water polo and swimming teams. Coaches and classmates saw her as a leader, someone who could handle pressure in the classroom and the pool.
That tenacity followed her to UC Davis. There, she didn’t just coast through college; she thrived. As vice president of the Pi Beta Phi sorority, she learned how to rally people around a shared goal, a skill that would later define her career. She kept swimming, too, staying competitive while earning her degree.
After college, Anne could have gone anywhere, but her roots mattered. When she returned to Modesto years later, it wasn’t just a homecoming, it was a chance to give back. Now, she’s bringing the polish of big-city event planning to her hometown. Her story starts in Modesto, and it’s where she’s making some of her boldest moves today.
San Francisco was Anne’s proving ground. After UC Davis, she headed west, ready to test herself in a city known for hustle and innovation. Her first big leap into event planning came in San Francisco. Working at Sephora, Anne jumped in, organizing regional store director conferences that demanded tight coordination across teams. Then came the National Store Directors’ Conference in Las Vegas, a sprawling event that put her skills to the test. She pulled it off with a spark that made attendees take notice.
Those years served as a masterclass. Anne learned how to manage high stakes, tight deadlines, and big personalities, all while keeping the details in check. She figured out how to make events feel alive, not just executed. It was the kind of experience that could’ve launched her anywhere, but she saw a different path. Bringing that know-how back to Modesto, she started Planned by Anne, a business that offers the same caliber of event planning she mastered in the Bay Area: tailored, sharp, and memorable.
The Sephora gigs showed her what’s possible when you think big. Now, she’s applying that to everything from corporate retreats to intimate fundraisers. Planned by Anne is about giving clients something that fits their needs, whether it’s a team-building day or a gala with a cause. San Francisco gave her the tools; Modesto’s where she’s using them to build something of her own.
Back in Modesto, Anne Benisch has left her fingerprints on the city in ways that go beyond business. Take DOMO Walls, the international mural festival she co-founded. Since it kicked off, over 25 murals have popped up downtown, turning plain walls into bold art that stops people in their tracks. Artists fly in from around the world, and Anne is at the heart of it, making sure the logistics hum so the creativity can shine.
Then there’s her charity work, where her heart really shows. The Make Dreams Real golf tournament is a powerhouse, pulling in over $350,000 a year for children’s charities across Northern California. Anne’s role isn’t small. She helps make it a day that’s fun, smooth, and meaningful, drawing crowds who come back year after year. The Matt Staack Open is even more personal. It’s a golf event honoring a friend’s brother who passed away, and Anne pours herself into it, ensuring it’s a tribute that feels right. “Seeing the positive effect my work has on attendees, clients, and the industry keeps me energized,” she says, and it’s clear in how she tackles these projects.
Through Planned by Anne, she’s offering that same spirit to clients. In Modesto, she’s not just a planner; she’s a force.
Anne’s not one to rest on what’s worked. With Planned by Anne, she’s eyeing a future that’s bigger and broader. “My foremost goal is to conceptualize and execute larger, more impactful events that resonate on a global scale,” she says. This would mean using tech like AI to tailor experiences, making every attendee feel seen, or stepping into televised productions that could put her work on screens worldwide. It’s ambitious, but Anne’s got the chops to back it up.
Growth is practical, too. She’s planning to expand her team, bringing in sharp minds who can handle the load as demand climbs. “With the right people in place, I can delegate tasks while still overseeing the creative and strategic aspects,” she says, showing she’s thought this through. Sustainability is on her radar as well. She wants events that don’t just dazzle but tread lightly, with green practices like less waste and smarter venue choices. It’s a tall order, but she’s building Planned by Anne to meet it.
For businesses or groups looking to stand out, Planned by Anne is becoming the go-to. Anne’s pushing it to be more than a service but also a partner that delivers events with a punch.
Big dreams come with big tests, and Anne knows it. Technology is a beast, moving fast and hard to pin down. “Staying ahead of the curve can be overwhelming,” she says. “To keep up, I plan to invest in continuous learning: attending tech conferences and webinars and building relationships with industry experts. By making tech a priority in my professional development, I can ensure I’m leveraging the right tools without getting lost in the noise.“
Scaling Planned by Anne is another puzzle. Growth sounds great until you realize it could dilute what makes her events special: that personal touch. Anne’s got an answer: build a team that gets it. It’s about trust, training, and keeping her eye on the vision. She’s not letting size blur the details that set Planned by Anne apart.
Competition’s heating up, too. More planners are popping into the game, but Anne’s not sweating it. She’s betting on quality and connection to keep her ahead, and so far, it’s working.
Anne Benisch isn’t in this for the short haul. She’s chasing a legacy that reshapes how people see events. “I want to set a new standard for attendee engagement, where every event feels intentional and drives real outcomes,” she says.
She’s also out to lift her field’s profile. “I believe event planning is a powerful tool for brand-building, networking, and driving company culture,” she says. Event planning is often sidelined as logistics, but Anne sees it as a way to move needles and build bonds. If she can nudge that perception, she’s won. And if she inspires other planners to think bolder, that’s icing on the cake.
With Planned by Anne, she’s making it happen. Clients don’t just get an event; they get an experience that’s smart, seamless and sticks with them. Anne is building a name that means impact. She’s not done yet, but the mark she’s leaving is already clear: one event, one connection at a time.
