Our magic is in our versatility. The Actors Group’s auctioneers, emcees and keynote speakers work with small non-profits, large galas, and everything in between. We bring decades of fundraising and audience engagement experience to every event. Clients look to us not only for our DEI/inclusivity focus but also for our collaboration and professionalism. Our talent is mission-focused, leaving attitudes at the door, and tapping into the feel-good vibes in the room for incredible results, every time.
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Andrew McMasters
Andrew McMasters
Andrew McMasters is an actor, director and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in the arts. As an auctioneer and emcee, he relies on his improvisation and theatrical background to engage and excite audiences, making every event memorable. Andrew is also a founder of Jet City Improv, a non-profit theater that he managed for 25 years and has worked for multiple Fortune 500 companies including Amazon, Microsoft, GE, Hasbro, Google, Valve, Nike and Apple. His company Improv Mindset provides presentation support and messaging as well as team building and communications trainings all over the world.
Auctioneer, Emcee, Host, Keynote Speaker, Corporate Trainer
Angela Poe Russell
Angela Poe Russell
Whether it’s interviewing a sitting president, co-hosting a daily television talk show, or developing innovative content, Angela has a remarkable ability to connect with people through the screen, face-to-face, on stage, or via the written word. She’s proven that ability through her twenty years as a television journalist, earning a prestigious Emmy Award for her work as a news anchor and reporter. Angela most recently co-hosted the iconic primetime television show “Evening” on KING-TV (NBC) and prior to that, “Take 5”, also on KING. She was involved in developing all aspects of this collaboration and was honored for her work with a prestigious Gracie Award in 2019, given by the Alliance for Women in Media for excellence in programming. She is currently a contributor on KIRO News Radio 97.3, a freelance content creator and a public speaker who believes strongly in the power of storytelling to educate and inspire.
Emcee, Host, Raise-the-Paddle, Keynote Speaker
Chris Cashman
Chris Cashman
Chris is a multi-Emmy Award winning host, producer, editor, writer and avatar. His distinct brand of humor and creativity has earned him television hosting and acting roles for The Discovery Channel, CBS and Comedy Central as well as on regional stations such as KSTW, KOMO, Seattle Channel and KING 5’s Evening. He’s worked with incredible organizations such as the Seahawks, Mariners, Microsoft, and Amazon. Most recently, Chris was a host, reporter and creative content lead for KING 5 television in Seattle, and was awarded the Emmy for Best News Reporter in the Northwest. He currently divides his time between Media Training and bringing his producer and video editing savvy as an auctioneer/emcee to organizations large and small.
Auctioneer, Emcee, Host, Keynote Speaker
Kaci Aitchison
Kaci Aitchison
A Northwest native, Kaci graduated from the University of Washington and spent nearly two decades in radio and TV as an on-air personality. As a TV anchor and reporter at both KING 5 (NBC) and Q13 (FOX), she specialized in feature stories, breaking news coverage, live interviews and segments, as well as writing and producing taped features. Kaci also spent time hosting KING’s afternoon news show, Take 5, which involved interacting with viewers over social media and text messaging during the live broadcast. Kaci currently works with Valve Software. For one of their biggest annual events, The International Dota 2 Championships, she interviews the players and the fans, and produces pre-taped content for the broadcast. She brings a vibrant, infectious energy when she emcees events.
Emcee, Host
Kevin Joyce
Kevin Joyce
Kevin Joyce is one of the Pacific Northwest’s most popular and sought-after event emcees, auctioneers and event designers. As the Producing Director of EnJoy Productions, he oversees EnJoy’s unique approach to auctions, meetings and communication training. Kevin is also an actor, musician, facilitator and trainer, as well as a student of religion, comedy and neuroscience. Kevin has worked with over 500 corporations and nonprofits, including Microsoft, Amazon, the American Heart Association, UW Medicine, Fred Hutch, COSTCO, and Planned Parenthood.
Auctioneer, Emcee, Host, Keynote Speaker, Corporate Trainer
Liz Dueweke
Liz Dueweke
Liz Dueweke is a professional storyteller and dynamic public speaker. While she has spent nearly twenty years in television news, reporting all over the country, her heart is in the Pacific Northwest, where she spent a decade delivering award-winning and impactful stories to diverse audiences at Fox 13 Seattle and KOMO 4 News. She’s excited to be starting a new chapter, with a focus on public speaking, crowd engagement and event fundraising, bringing the same polished presentation, presence, humor and storytelling ability to live events. Her past work includes Seattle Humane’s Tuxes & Tails, Woodland Park Zoo’s Jungle Party, the MDA Telethon, The Children’s Miracle Network Telethon and Food Lifeline’s Raise the Pallet event. She’s also hosted entertainment events such as the NFL season kickoff, and the Miss Texas and Miss New Mexico USA Pageants.
Emcee, Host
Matt Smith
Matt Smith
Matt Smith has called hundreds of auctions for non-profits and has loved every opportunity to connect with the incredible organizations in our community. He currently teaches Improv at Freehold in Seattle’s International District in his spare time, along with continuing to offer his expertise as a communication consultant for organizations of all sizes, breaking down the adventure of human interaction. Matt’s screen acting credits include Outsourced, Sleepless in Seattle, Spiderman, King TV’s Almost Live, and his acclaimed monologue, My Last Year with the Nuns. He is a member of Cookus Interruptus, the web-based cooking show, and is a founding member of Stark/Raving Theatre and Seattle Improv.
Auctioneer, Emcee, Host, Corporate Trainer
Mona Lee Locke
Mona Lee Locke
Mona Lee Locke is an Emmy award winning journalist and former first lady of Washington State. With more than 30 years of experience as a communication professional and executive leader, she most recently led communications for one of the largest non-profit health care systems in Washington State. She has also served as a diplomat at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, leading initiatives in education and women’s leadership, and hosted a monthly live audience talk show. Locke is an experienced host and community-builder who is comfortable in front of the camera as well as behind it. Her high-profile interviews include President Jimmy Carter, former Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright and British Prime Minister, Tony Blair. She is passionate about DEI and remains active in the Puget Sound community by emceeing events, hosting local programming, and serving on non-profit boards.
Emcee, Host
Natasha Ryan
Natasha Ryan
Natasha Ryan is an award-winning journalist and television personality with two decades of experience. She has been a ratings winner in numerous anchor positions across the country, including NBC affiliate King 5 in Seattle. She continues to contribute to entertainment shows such as New Day Northwest and is a professional emcee. Natasha is known for bringing her “real” personality and her A-game no matter what the task. She is currently the Communications Director for a private security firm, although her favorite title is ‘Mommy’!
Emcee, Host
Pat Cashman
Pat Cashman
Pat Cashman has been a broadcast performer and writer in the Northwest for over twenty years. Along the way, he has been a TV weatherman, talk show host, stand-up
comedian, short story writer, newspaper columnist, magazine essayist, TV sports reporter, radio and TV voiceover announcer and character voice talent in cartoons and video games. He was the announcer on Nintendo’s “Super Smash Bros” which at one time was the most popular video game in the world. Pat was also a featured performer, writer and producer on the Seattle-based sketch TV show “Almost Live!”, a program that was syndicated nationally and appeared for two years on the Comedy Central network. His work has earned him dozens of Northwest Emmys, advertising awards, radio honors and medallions from the International Film and TV Festival of New York. Pat was an announcer and character actor on Disney’s much-honored “Bill Nye the Science Guy” Show, and a featured performer on National Geographic’s “Amazing Planet.” He has been voted “Western Washington’s Funniest Comedian” in a poll of KING TV’s “Evening Magazine” viewers. Pat is currently an in-demand auctioneer, emcee and humorous, inspirational speaker for corporate gatherings and charitable fundraisers here and around the country.
Auctioneer, Emcee, Host
Sasha Summer Cousineau
Sasha Summer Cousineau
Sasha Summer Cousineau is a fundraising auctioneer, gala emcee, and wedding officiant based in Seattle, WA. Sasha believes her clients make up the heart and moral compass of our communities which is why she is living her “OccuPassion” every time she gets to serve local non-profit organizations and educational institutions. A lifelong performer passionate about social justice, racial equity, and feminism, she is a skilled, experienced, and caring event professional who has a 360-degree view of events. In-person or online, you can bet that Sasha will bring her experience, talent, sparkle, and genuine care to her work.
Auctioneer, Emcee, Host
Scott Carnz
Scott Carnz
Scott Carnz delights live audiences not only in the Pacific Northwest but in the heart of New York City. An auctioneer and master of ceremonies, Scott specializes in working with arts and education non-profits. He’s proud to be a champion for social justice and a staunch supporter of identity-forward voices. He is also a singer, an artist, and has a background working in higher education. He’s known for his collection of colorful suits and bringing a lively energy to his events!
Auctioneer, Emcee, Host
Tiernan Madorno
Tiernan Madorno
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Tiernan is passionate about inclusion, representation and giving back. She leverages her platform to ally for underrepresented groups, with the goal of creating space for others to walk in their purpose as fully and audaciously as she has the privileged of doing. As a corporate program manager, she combined passion and purpose in her work to bring employee event experiences to life, with a focus on new hires and early in career professionals. As an emcee, Tiernan brings high energy authenticity to each philanthropic event moment, balancing humor and levity with sincerity and purpose of the organization mission.
Emcee, Host, Raise-the-Paddle