Ulrike “Uli” Cutter

As she fusses over one of the gift baskets for the upcoming Academy of the Pacific fundraiser, Ulrike “Uli” Cutter is confident that her 17 years of volunteering experience will result in a grand event at the Oahu Country Club this Friday from 6 to 10 p.m.

This year’s event — which marks Cutter’s fifth year assisting with AOP’s fundraising effort — honors artist Peggy Chun, who is a former AOP faculty member, and features artwork by AOP art teacher Mark Maresca. The gala’s auction includes a one-week skiing trip to Lake Tahoe, a 12- month dessert package and even orthodontic service.

Cutter’s son Max graduated from AOP in 2004, and her daughter Caroline just completed 10th grade. AOP has students in grades 6 through 12.

“I just love it, the campus is so beautiful,” says Cutter, a Kahala resident. “They are blessed with a peaceful green campus. It’s like a village.”

Cutter joyfully shares her secret to accomplishing so much.

“Before I start something, I really pray over it,” she reveals. “If it feels right in my heart, then I do it.”

And when she asks for a donation, she’ll do it in person or over the phone.

“I refuse to do e-mail,” she says. “For me personally, I want to feel the heartbeat of someone I’m going to ask for something.”

Her first volunteer effort was with the American Heart Association, and since then she’s either chaired the event, served on the board, coordinated the silent auctions or ticket sales for Holy Nativity, Diamond Head Theatre, Juvenile Diabetes, Ballet Hawaii, American Diabetes Association, Bible Institute of Hawaii and the Tau Dance Theater.

In her home country of Austria, Cutter worked in radio with both a rock ’n’ roll and a classical music station, and in journalism. She was a household name there, conducting interviews and playing songs. In fact, that’s how she met her husband, Michael Cutter — backstage at a Carlos Santana/Bob Dylan concert in Austria in the 1980s, when she was covering the shows for a local station and he was on a sales trip for Ford.

“I consider myself a master bridge builder,” notes Cutter.

“I am coming from love and contribution with Christ in the center of my being, and I’m interested in growth, integrity, authenticity and in results.”

For more information about the Academy of the Pacific benefit, call 595-6359.

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