09/20/2026
2027 Colorado Auctioneers Annual Convention SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT:
Carrie Hessney-Doran, CAI, AMM, CES is the 2026 International Auctioneer Champion and a second-generation auctioneer from Geneva, New York. With 14 years in the auction industry, Carrie serves as Vice President of Hessney Auction Co., LTD., the family auction business founded by her father in 1981.
Carrie specializes in the sportsman and fi****ms auction industry. Hessney Auction Co. conducts multiple large fi****ms auctions each year, selling more than 4,000 fi****ms annually, along with am******on, sporting goods, vehicles, boats, and related assets. Her hands-on experience encompasses virtually every part of the fi****ms auction process, from consignments, cataloging, photography and marketing to compliance, transfers, shipping, and bidder pickup. Carrie has presented on fi****ms at the National Auction Association Conference & Show and enjoys sharing practical systems and best practices that auctioneers can take home and implement in their own businesses.
Carrie is also the founder of Hessney Benefits, where she works with nonprofit organizations throughout New York and across the country conducting professional live auctions and paddle raises. She conducts more than 40 benefit auctions annually and has worked with organizations ranging from local schools and community nonprofits to major national organizations. Her approach combines professional fundraising strategy with authentic storytelling, donor engagement, and a strong understanding of how the right auction structure can significantly impact an organization's fundraising results.
Competition has also played an important role in Carrie's career. After years of competing at the state and international level, she was named the 2026 International Auctioneer Champion, following a 2024 Reserve Champion finish and multiple appearances as an IAC finalist. She was also named the 2023 New York State Auctioneer of the Year and is a past New York State bid-calling champion.
Carrie is a graduate of the Missouri Auction School and holds the Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI), Auction Marketing Management (AMM), and Certified Estate Specialist (CES) designations. She has also served the New York State Auctioneers Association as a board member, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Whether she is selling fi****ms, raising money for a mission, competing on the IAC stage, or teaching fellow auction professionals, Carrie brings the same philosophy to her work: know your craft, believe in your ability, and never stop raising the bar.
