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When Erin Ward Picks Up the Mic, Millions Follow
NATIONWIDE - JUNE 2025 - (USAnews.com) — The ballroom is buzzing. Lights sparkle across gowns, and the clink of crystal glasses fills the air. Then the energy shifts. A voice rings out, confident, rapid-fire, and electric. In that moment, the room becomes hers. Within minutes, Erin Ward has helped raise over a million dollars for charity at a single event. But behind that dazzling moment is a woman who has done much more than secure impressive figures. Erin is a third-generation auctioneer, a mother of four, and the founder of Star Benefit Auctions, the first charity auction house in New York City owned and operated by a woman. She has helped nonprofits raise nearly $1 billion, with the success of her company driven entirely by word of mouth—no advertising spend required. Her secret is a mix of grit, storytelling, and a presence that cannot be taught. Erin doesn’t just take the stage. She fills it, owns it, and turns it into a space where generosity becomes contagious. But what makes her story truly remarkable is what happens after the mic is off. Erin is a working mom who manages school drop-offs, bedtime routines, and business strategy all in the same breath. She makes it look effortless, but the truth is far more demanding.From “That’s Not a Real Job” to a Family-Supporting, Billion-Raising, Do-It-All Career
Erin grew up around auctioneering. Her mother was a champion in the field, but even she warned Erin not to follow in her footsteps. “It’s not a real job,” people said. Especially not for a woman. That only made Erin more determined. She started small, with no investors and no press. Just a belief that people give more when they feel seen and inspired. Nonprofits didn’t just want someone with a booming voice. They wanted someone who understood their mission, someone who could transform a paddle raise into a meaningful moment. That’s when Star Benefit Auctions took off. Today, her agency is the first call for nonprofits that want to raise serious money with intention and style. Hospital foundations, LGBTQ+ youth programs, museums, historic preservation societies, and celebrity causes all call on Erin. She has worked alongside celebrities like Whoopi Goldberg, standing beside them at fundraising galas, and commanding ballrooms with the polish of a performer and the soul of a strategist..png?alt=media&token=46e21ae9-cb9a-46c8-b2e9-3f3fd5b5b552)
What Makes Her Different
Most auctioneers show up with a microphone and a script. Erin shows up with a complete plan, a professional team, and a deep connection to the cause. “I don’t just run an auction,” she says. “I run the whole show.” She spends hours learning her clients’ mission and audience so that when she steps on stage, it feels effortless. Every ask is thoughtful. Every moment is built for impact. Her team includes a second auctioneer who works the room, a professional scribe who captures every bid without error, and a pre-event strategy that guarantees no detail is missed. As Derek Jeter once said, she even brings her own “auction hype man” to ensure every guest feels like a hero. Her events are known for inspiring nearly every guest to give. That’s not common. That’s mastery. She also brings integrity to her work. Erin refuses to represent causes she doesn’t believe in. She’s a proud activist and a member of the Association for Fundraising Professionals. Her values are not a slogan. They are her compass.Running a Business and a Household
Behind the sparkle is a full, complex life. Erin is the primary breadwinner in her home. She volunteers at school. She does drop-offs and pickups, birthday parties, and late-night emails. Though remarried, Erin manages her household and business with a sense of grace and determination. Her mom says she makes it look easy. Like Snow White. But the truth is that she is far more warrior than fairytale. She runs a business. She raises boys to be good men. She builds a future she believes in. “I don’t apologize for earning more,” she says. “Or for leading. Or for doing it in heels.” She doesn’t talk about breaking molds. She lives it..png?alt=media&token=48537b5e-81c9-4c3f-a9aa-955452a11f20)
The New Standard For Fundraising
Erin is not just working in the auction industry. She’s changing it. She has trained some of the top emerging auctioneers in New York. She has created a new standard for what fundraising events should deliver. It’s not just about raising money. It’s about building lasting relationships, inspiring action, and creating unforgettable moments. Her events are vibrant, inclusive, and results-driven. Her clients trust her not only to host the night, but to shape its success. She does both with heart and skill.
Star Benefit Auctions: Best Benefit Auctioneer In New York Of 2025
In a city known for its opulence, generosity, and glittering galas, being named the Best Benefit Auctioneer in New York of 2025 is no small feat — and this year, that honor goes to none other than Erin Ward, the billion-dollar powerhouse behind Star Benefit Auctions.
A Prestigious Recognition In Philanthropic Excellence
Selected from a highly competitive field of professionals across the Empire State, this award reflects Star Benefit Auctions’ unmatched impact, strategy, and showmanship. Erin Ward’s journey to this distinction wasn’t paved with privilege, but with purpose, preparation, and a piercing commitment to helping nonprofits raise real, transformative dollars.