After a remarkable 14 years of service, Meadow Brook Hall’s charismatic Membership and Giving Coordinator, Lauren Guzzardo, is celebrating her retirement.
“I will miss coming down the hill and pulling into the drive in the morning. I have always been proud to talk about where I work, what I did and what I represented,” said Guzzardo. “I am overwhelmed with the experience of being here in this building, with these people, who have made the job what it is.”
In her time at the estate, Guzzardo has overseen Meadow Brook’s membership and annual giving programs, as well as planning events to cultivate and celebrate our generous donors. Under her leadership, Meadow Brook’s membership has grown by leaps and bounds and she continued to hone it by restructuring the program in 2022.
“One of my first events when I started at Meadow Brook was to celebrate the National Historic Landmark designation in 2012,” Guzzardo continued. “It was an exciting time to come aboard. And it has been exciting ever since – to see the support we have generated over the years that have helped us to maintain and improve every aspect of Meadow Brook. It has been wonderful to see the growth of our programs – and the individual growth and confidence in our people that I have witnessed—it all contributes to our success.”
Her efforts have contributed to the remarkable growth of the estate as well. Guzzardo helped Meadow Brook sustain the significant changes from the COVID-19 pandemic, usher in the estate’s dazzling outdoor light show in 2021, and supported major philanthropic initiatives to build the De Carlo Visitor Center in 2024.
In retirement, Guzzardo plans to spend more time with family and friends, skiing and boating, working on projects at home, volunteering at her church and getting dinner ready earlier. She also plans to stay involved at Meadow Brook!
Thoughts & Well Wishes from the Team
The whole Meadow Brook Hall team wishes Lauren all the best in her retirement. Here’s what they had to say:
“Lauren was one of the first people at MBH to really take me under her wing and show me the ropes of membership, annual giving and donor relations! She was the Raffle Queen, and managed all of the interpersonal direct communications with our members and donors. She coordinated our donor lunches, marshalled big parts of Wild Game Dinner and Nightfall at The Hall, and she managed all of the planning and communications for our Advisory Board. She also taught me about day drinking and afternoon napping! Always cheerful and with a smile, supportive, understanding and always very helpful. LG, Lo, Lauren, I am going to miss you so much! Sending you much love and happiness!”
-Bill Matt
“Wow, I have so much to say about Lauren. The very first thing that comes to mind is that I’m going to miss her. She goes above and beyond and expects the same from others – she has made us a better team because of it. I’ll miss it when she gets her tea for our meeting at the time the meeting is actually supposed to start! I love that she always found a way to incorporate wine or mimosas into every donor event – she knows how to raise that money! Lauren is tenacious and truly one-of-a-kind – they say everyone is replaceable but it’s more like we’re ushering in a new era because we truly cannot replace her.”
-Shannon O’Berski
“I have so many hilarious memories with Lauren, but the most recent stands out… Lauren texted me a selfie about a week after her original retirement date in May… from the beach! This picture pretty much says it all, peace out girl scout! Enjoy retirement, it is well deserved!”
-Nikki Thomas
“When I first joined Meadow Brook full time, Lauren was instrumental in mentoring and guiding me as I took on some exciting, but challenging, new opportunities. She has consistently been a source of warmth, reassurance, and tireless support, and I will always be grateful to her for being such a wonderful anchor for me and this community.”
-Connor Newton
“Lauren is the most delightful combination of dedication and moxie. She is colorful and engaging and never loses sight of her goals for each event, project or initiative – and is always focused on supporting and representing Meadow Brook Hall. Her resourcefulness and candor have long made her a remarkable asset at this remarkable place. And she is fun to boot! Lauren, we wish you so much happiness in retirement and know you will enjoy every moment!”
-Katie Higgins
“Lauren has been the most delightful officemate and I will miss her exasperated sighs and occasional F bombs. She is truly a gem and her presence here will be greatly missed!”
-Kelly Lenda
“From the moment that I started at Meadow Brook Hall in 2023 I was very impressed with Lauren. She has an air of effortless elegance about her that cannot be replicated, and she embeds that quality in all that she does. We began working together more closely and regularly in 2025 when I took over the management of our annual Nightfall at The Hall benefit, and there were times that I only felt confident that I would succeed because I had Lauren by my side (and backing me up). One of my favorite things about Lauren is how she has a unique way of fusing that special pre-event anxiety scramble with a resounding sense of optimism that makes the anxiety become more akin to excitement. I will certainly miss her as I continue at The Hall, but am excited to continue to implement all she’s taught me along the way.”
-Alana Stultz
“Lauren was a joy to work with! Her attention to detail and eye for elegance took all of her events to the next level! The relationships she made at Meadow Brook will always be remembered and she will be missed.”
-Meredith Parks
“I’ve always admired Lauren’s determination and her genuine commitment to doing what’s best for Meadow Brook Hall. She cares deeply about this place and has never been afraid to speak her mind. I’ll miss her humor, her presence, and, of course, her wonderful colorful commentary!”
-Amy Schrodt
A Gallery of Memories
