August Spree has been with AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) as Senior Manager of Special Events for just over a year. In that time, she has already made a substantial impact within the organization—and beyond. Spree is currently planning AIDS Run & Walk Chicago, coming up September 27 at Soldier Field. To learn more about the event and register, visit aidsrunwalk.org.
You could say that the quick-thinking Spree hit the ground “running” at AFC, pulling together her first large-scale event, last year’s AIDS Run & Walk, just months after starting in her role – that event featured 2,000 participants taking over Soldier Field and raised over $500,000 for AFC and 30+ community partners. This past April, she produced AFC40, the organization’s 40th anniversary gala, with more than 750 guests in attendance raising more than $770,000. And in early June, she was one of the forces behind the Windy City Times/AFC event 30 Under 30, overseeing everything from staging to swag bags.
In a recent interview, Spree discussed her background, being a cancer survivor, and her work as an event manager.
Andrew Davis: I was looking at your LinkedIn profile and I didn’t really see anything about your educational background.
August Spree: I grew up in Pittsburgh, and my family didn’t have any money. I had gotten a scholarship to join a dance program right out of high school, so I traveled and did things like that. I then became a dance instructor and worked with nonprofits from ages 19 to 31; I helped young people find purpose.
It wasn’t until after my cancer diagnosis that I went back to school. First, I went to Oakton [Community College] and went along the nurse path because I found out how incredible nurses are while battling cancer. Then I realized that I don’t like bodily fluids [laughs] so I switched and decided to go into health sciences; I eventually got licensed in fitness instruction, massage therapy and, later, nutrition. But it turned out that, since my early days dancing, I was always planning events, whether there were birthday parties or when I worked with Equinox Gym or Lifetime Fitness.
At an Equinox event, the general manager came to an event I had thrown together pretty quickly, but it was packed. He leaned over and said, “I’m told you’re responsible for this. You’re really good at this.” It made me realize, “I’ve been doing this all these years.”
Davis: And regarding your cancer battle, you were diagnosed with fatty-tissue cancer in 2003 when you were eight months pregnant. I also saw where the initial doctor kind of blew off your diagnosis. [Spree nods.] How did that diagnosis impact your life?
Spree: Cancer was the stoplight that caused me to rethink my life. I was teaching dancing, and I was married with a house in the burbs; I had moved into a life that I thought was supposed to be but wasn’t actively choosing— it wasn’t making my soul feel alive. Also, I was going through a relationship in which my husband was largely absent; I got divorced and went back to school, [eventually] went into project management and got certified.
Davis: I was wondering if you were trying to find your calling or if you have a lot of interests.
Spree: Yeah—my path is not exactly linear. The common thread is that it’s very important to me that my work makes a difference—something that lasts and affects people on a very human level. I’ve had J-O-Bs here and there, and my soul was dying. Before I took this position, I had an offer from a finance organization. I was talking with my friend and asked, “At the end of the day, what am I doing for the world?” I knew that working for AFC would be the right fit for my soul. I had a cousin who died from AIDS-related illness when I was about 12. I fully remember visiting him, so this is personal—and it’s the same with my work with a cancer organization. I will say that working with AFC is, hands down, the best team I’ve ever worked with.
Davis: Why is that?
Spree: With AFC, I feel that everyone there is aligned with the mission—but it’s also a very inclusive workplace. Working in Detroit, where I was for eight years, I remember making a flyer for an event for diversity in housing. The graphics guy put a border around the edge of the flyer [consisting of] peoples’ faces—and there was one almost-Brown face, and there was no age-related diversity. I had to explain diversity to a thirtysomething guy.
I really appreciate the team I’m working with now—from respecting pronouns to being inclusive regarding beliefs and race. One place where AFC’s values and mine align is I like to prioritize working with vendors from historically excluded [demographics]. I am always looking for opportunities to grow the diversity of our events and vendors. Also, with organizations that have been around as long as this one, there are a lot of existing relationships and traditions to maintain, but at the same time I want to bring a fresh perspective to keep pushing our events forward.
Davis: Where do you see your position going? Do you see yourself planning additional events, for example?
Spree: I’m always open to expanding the portfolio. When it comes to events, I try to balance being mission-focused and having fun. AIDS Run & Walk Chicago is returning September 27th to Soldier Field, and I am so excited to keep the momentum going and keep that event growing and engaging the community. World of Chocolate will take place in February 2026 and I’m already doing a lot of planning there to refresh and relaunch the event after a year off. I work with amazing people, and I’m looking forward to continuing my own professional growth at AFC and supporting the growth of my amazing staff member, Michael Keating.
Davis: What’s the wildest event moment you’ve experienced?
Spree: [Laughs] I don’t even have to think about it. I was working with a fitness company called FitGirl, planning its first in-person event. I planned a 5K fun run—and it was mermaid-themed. Fifty-six days before the day they had picked, the director decided to do it—and I did it. It was in Lincoln Park and there were 1,500 people, including people who flew internationally. But because of my dance background, one director wanted to surprise the other with a flash mob; I choreographed and videotaped simple dance moves to a song she loved, and secretly sent it to all the women. It was a wild moment, but a lot of fun.
There was a moment where I helped put together the VIP tent for the Chicago Triathlon, during my time with Lifetime Fitness. I was only in charge of a portion of the event, not the catering, and when the CEO arrived, I helped him and his party get settled. As I showed them around the food side of the tent I noticed that there were Sara Lee muffins, hot coffee and Nutrigrain bars—and I could tell it was not a good fit for the event. The CEO asked, “How would you have done this?” I answered, “Honestly, you have your own brand. Why don’t you have your lead cafe chefs here making something?” He said, “Next time, I’ll have to put you in charge.”
August is in charge now – planning AIDS Run & Walk Chicago, the largest HIV gathering in the Midwest, which will take place Saturday, September 27 at Soldier Field. This year’s theme, “Resist. Restore. Renew,” highlights the urgency of our present moment and the importance of finding strength and connection in community as we continue the fight to end the HIV epidemic and homelessness. Register and learn more at aidsrunwalk.org.
