Gabby Tillotson began her BYU career in 2021 at the Brigham Young University campus in Hawaii. Feeling alone and isolated during her first year at college, Tillotson was desperate for change.
The change she was looking for came in the call to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Barcelona, Spain.
“Getting my call was a dream come true. It answered every prayer I had at the time and was the adventure I needed," Tillotson said. "It also offered me some much needed space from what I knew to help me grow on my own."
It was in the middle of the busy streets of Valencia that Tillotson found herself and received direction for her future career. She decided to transfer to BYU Provo and major in experience design and management, or ExDM.
Tillotson knew she needed to be around people, so she was going to make that her full-time job.
For Tillotson, creating events isn’t just about logistics — it’s about creating experiences that make a lasting impact and bring people together.
Now as a sophomore at BYU, Tillotson has decided to dedicate her schooling and future career to crafting experiences that bring people together, foster connection and leave attendees feeling valued.
Her role in ExDM at the BYU School of Business has allowed her to shape some of the university’s events, including career fairs that help students take their next steps toward meaningful employment.
But for Tillotson, one of the most fulfilling projects she’s worked on wasn’t about business networking — it was about inclusion.
Last fall, Tillotson took the lead in organizing an event specifically designed for people with special needs in the community.
Through careful planning and collaboration, she helped to create an environment where attendees felt seen, supported and celebrated.
The event was a locally held Friendsgiving. During her preparation for this event, Tillotson envisioned an evening where every participant, regardless of their abilities, could fully engage with other students and people in the community.
“That night was the literal greatest night of my life," Tillotson said. "So many people came to support these amazing kids. Everyone became friends with everyone else and played games and even danced. It was perfect."
It doesn’t matter who, when or where for Tillotson — she is constantly searching for ways to serve and uplift.
In his inaugural address as president of BYU, President C. Shane Reese echoed this idea of creating a campus of students who fearlessly share who they are with their community.
“Becoming BYU will require personal introspection. Fulfilling this challenge cannot come solely from the university administration. It will require broad-based leadership from our entire campus community,” Reese said.
Tillotson's passion for people is evident in everything she does. Whether she’s coordinating large-scale career fairs or curating intimate gatherings that focus on community needs, Tillotson brings creativity and heart to every project she takes on.
“I want people to walk away from an event not just entertained, but uplifted,” Tillotson said. “My goal is to design experiences that truly make a difference.”
As Tillotson looks toward her future, she hopes to continue designing experiences that foster connection, joy and inclusivity.
BYU has given her the perfect starting grounds for learning how to curate events that bring the spirit of the university to life.
With a talent for turning ideas into impactful events, Tillotson isn’t just planning events — she’s shaping her community and spreading values of discipleship, hard work and acceptance.