With over 30 years of public speaking experience, Paul is quite at home with a microphone. He is a professional auctioneer, master of ceremonies, and photographer.
As an auctioneer he has helped raise millions of dollars for a multitude non-profit organizations, he has MC’d events from whipped cream fights to black tie galas, and as a photographer he has photographed celebrities such as Oprah, Elton John, Bill Gates, Prince Andrew, and recently was asked to photograph President Barack Obama in Seattle, and First Lady Michelle Obama in Washington D.C. Paul’s photography can be seen at www.pauldudleyphotography.com.
Paul has been committed to volunteer service throughout his career. He has volunteered for numerous causes and organizations including Seattle Children’s Hospital, St. Baldrick’s Cancer Research, American Society for the Prevention of Suicide, Camp Fire Boys & Girls, Sickle Cell Camp, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, LadyBug House and he sits on the board of Candlelighter’s Childhood Cancer Foundation of Western Washington. He has volunteered at Camp Goodtimes, a summer camp for pediatric cancer patients and their siblings every year since it was founded in 1984. Paul was presented with “The Sword of Hope” award by the American Cancer Society, it’s highest individual award, and honored by the Seattle Rotary with a “Service Above Self” award for his decades of volunteer work in the pediatric oncology community. In 2018 he was honored by KIRO in Seattle who named him a “Hometown Hero” for August and September for his volunteer work and advocacy on behalf of children facing life threatening illness.
Last December, Paul was asked to play Santa at Seattle Children’s Hospital and spend three full days visiting critically ill children. Not a week goes by without him thinking about those kids and their families, and also the amazing health care workers looking after those precious souls. Paul truly believes that compassion changes the world, and either by encouraging it or sharing it people can be empowered to do almost anything in this life.
KUDOS
Laura St. Germain, former chair, The Goodtimes Gala for The Goodtimes Project;
“Amazing work everyone! Thank you so much to our chairs, Martin and Luke, procurement chairs Bridget and Jameson, and Paul Dudley for being the best auctioneer in the history of the world!”
Sharon Lien, The Rotary Club of Woodland Washington auction chair;
“Paul, you did an absolutely fabulous job! You definitely delivered - scratch that - “over delivered” on your promises. I can’t thank you enough for your positive attitude, humor, support, professionalism, and attentiveness AND interaction with guests & volunteers. I very much look forward to working with you again.”
John Blackman, former CEO of Argosy Cruises;
“What a fabulous job you did Saturday night! You pulled about every dollar out of that room that was available and I congratulate you for that.”
Margy Pepper, Auction Coordinator, Holy Names Academy, Seattle;
“Thank you SO much for a WONDERFUL job well done at our “Deck the Dome” auction! The principal stopped me in the hall the other day just to sing your praises as our auctioneer...we’ve heard only great things so - THANK YOU! It has been a joy working with you and I hope that joy can continue.”
Erin Cordry, President, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Fund;
“I have the pleasure of co-chairing the annual Run of Hope for Pediatric Brain Tumor Research, now in its 10th year. The event has had amazing success, raising over $4,200,000 for our research scientists at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
The success of of this event is due to the hard work of many individuals who share their time and talents to create this amazing day. As our emcee, Paul Dudley is one of those individuals. His easy humor and engaging personality allow him to bond with children and adults alike. It is a beautiful thing to watch him transform a suffering child from shy and withdrawn, to smiling onstage with her friends. It is a gift that makes Paul a special person. Additionally, his natural ability to rally people, to make them excited, and just know what to say at any given time is remarkable. Paul needs virtually no direction to help our event flow from one aspect to another. He is the main reason why our event each year is so much fun for our 2,000 plus attendees.
Anyone can hold a microphone and speak, but not many people can offer the quick wit combined with true compassion. For Paul, his heart is invested. It is because of this that I believe he makes any event be a true success!”
Christina Schellhardt, SSM Health St. Louis
“Thank you for agreeing to be our auctioneer for the Inaugural SSM Health Foundation Gala. Your efforts to understand our mission, to get to know our guests, and bring energy and excitement to our live auction and Fund-a-Need was exceptional! Your ideas and willingness to give 100% was noticed and resulted in an invitation to bring you back. We are crossing our fingers for your return on October 10, 2020!”
Delly Behen, Auction Co-Chair for the Seattle Children’s Hospital Guild’s “Hope For Heroes” Gala
“What an AMAZING night we had last night! Thank you so much Paul for all your energy, passion and all-around awesomeness! You are such a blessing to us and it wouldn't be such a success without you!! We're looking at November 14 for our date next year. Will that work for you? Please let us know soon...because of course, you are a key factor in our planning!”
Click here to see the feature on Paul in the Sunday Seattle Times from September 2019
