Kristen Combo has more than 15 years of experience planning events for one of the largest Catholic parishes in the country, Kristen has led everything from transformative women’s retreats to impactful fundraising galas- each crafted to foster connection, inspire faith, and glorify God.
Kristen’s love for event planning began in her father’s restaurant, where she learned the value of service, precision, and joyful hospitality - whether washing dishes or managing full-scale events from the ground up. Those early experiences continue to shape her approach today: thoughtful, hands-on, and deeply personal.
A mother of five and rooted in a large Catholic family, Kristen’s vocation fuels her desire to create meaningful gatherings that reflect the heart of the Church. She founded FiatEvents to meet a need she saw firsthand: faith-based organizations with powerful missions but limited resources for professional event support.
Inspired by Our Lady’s "fiat," Kristen approaches every project with professionalism, grace, and a heart centered on Christ- ensuring each event is not just successful, but deeply impactful.
Who We Are
At Fiat Events, we are driven by a passion to serve God through the gift of intentional hospitality. We believe that well-planned gatherings have the power to transform hearts, build community, and advance the mission of the Church. Furthermore, events can be a catalyst for an encounter with Jesus Christ.
Founded by Kristen Combo and Rachel Zayas, we bring over two decades of combined experience in Catholic event planning — from national conferences and women’s retreats to galas, interview weekends, and parish development events.
What began as a shared desire to serve the Church through our professional gifts has grown into a mission: to support parishes, apostolates, and nonprofits in hosting meaningful, mission-aligned events - even without full-time staff or internal resources. We exist to take the logistical burden off your shoulders so you can focus on the ministry.
Our name, Fiat Events, reflects our devotion to Mary’s "yes" - a wholehearted response to God's call. We bring that same spirit of service, surrender, and excellence to every project we take on.
With deep roots in our faith, our families, and our callings, we approach each event not just as a checklist- but as a sacred opportunity to glorify God.
We believe every event-whether a conference, fundraiser, retreat, or special gathering-is an opportunity to glorify God and make a lasting impact. It’s our joy to partner with parishes, non-profits, and apostolates to bring their vision to life with grace, professionalism, and a deep commitment to their mission.
Rachel Zayas has over 11 years of professional event experience — including four years in the industry full time — Rachel specializes in conferences, development events, interview weekends, and fellowship-based gatherings that form and inspire.
Her most notable work includes many years leading the adult attendee experience at SEEK, the largest annual Catholic conference in the U.S., where she oversaw programming and logistics for over 10,000 participants and managed a multi six-figure budget. Whether coordinating the smallest details or managing large-scale operations, Rachel brings clarity, care, and deep purpose to every project.
A devout Catholic and natural organizer, Rachel first discovered the power of hospitality and intentional planning when she hosted a fully themed tea party for her kindergarten class — complete with invitations and costumes.
She now lives in Dallas with her husband and four children. Hospitality is one of her family's values and they seek to live it out whenever they can, whether that's throwing a "Habemus Papem Pizza Party" or just having other families over for dinner.
