On Thursday, October 6, ColorComm brought together media personalities, Fortune 500 executives, journalists, and thought leaders for an exclusive invite-only dinner bringing together the nation’s most powerful Latinas in Media at L’Avenue Restaurant located inside Saks.
Guests in attendance included Award-winning Media Executive Maria Hinojosa, ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Cecilia Vega, CNN News anchor Ana Cabrera, MSNBC host Alicia Menendez, EIC of Parents Magazine Grace Bastidas, TODAY’s Editorial Director Arianna Davis, MSNBC’s Morning Joe reporter Daniela Pierre-Bravo, Harper’s Bazaar‘s Bianca Betancourt, and ColorComm Founder and CEO Lauren Wesley Wilson, among others.
The evening featured a cocktail reception and a three-course meal including grilled filet mignon and roasted miso salmon. Dessert involved chocolate mousse, toasted marshmallow, and graham cracker ice cream.
Each attendee was part of the greater program which ColorComm asked the overarching question “What Do You Need?,” with the intention that someone in the room has something to give and something to receive, which was facilitated by Lauren Wesley Wilson.
Guests walked away with Daniela Pierre-Bravo new book, The Other: How to Own Your Power at Work as a Woman of Color.
The night was bustling with energy and enthusiasm and attendees stayed near 10 p.m. and did not want to leave. Many expressed that this was the first-of-its-kind dinner and that they were proud to celebrate and be in fellowship with one another during this special month of National Hispanic Heritage.
Also, on Thursday, October 6, The Pink Agenda, a nonprofit committed to raising money for breast cancer research and care, as well as awareness of the disease among young professionals, hosted The Pink Agenda’s 15th Annual Gala at Tribeca Rooftop in New York City. The Pink Agenda shares a strategic partnership with its long-time beneficiary, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) as well as Giuliana Rancic’s FAB-U-WISH initiative. Through the combined efforts of this year’s Co-chairs, The Pink Agenda’s leadership, and over 450 event attendees, the sold-out gala successfully raised over $280,000.
Giuliana Rancic and Bill Rancic, television personalities and entrepreneurs, served as the event’s co-hosts, with Giuliana kicking off the evening’s program with welcome remarks and Bill joining the stage later on to lead the live auction and raise meaningful funds.
Giuliana Rancic, a breast cancer survivor herself, addressed The Pink Agenda supporters during her powerful opening, welcoming the crowd back to the in-person event following two years of virtual programming.
Jill Martin, celebrated television personality and author, delivered a meaningful presentation of The Pink Agenda Icon Award to Kendra Scott, the founder behind her namesake jewelry brand, which was accepted by Tom Nolan, the company’s CEO. Known for founding the Kendra Scott fashion accessories brand with a “Family, Fashion, Philanthropy” philosophy, the nonprofit recognized Kendra for her unwavering dedication to The Pink Agenda and BCRF, and for her deep passion for advancing breast cancer research and advocating for those impacted by the disease. Kendra became involved with the cause following the diagnosis of her dear friend, the late Holley Rothell Kitchen.
Giuliana Rancic’s FAB-U-WISH program aims to help young women fighting breast cancer feel special when they need it the most. Each year at the Gala, a FAB-U-WISH is granted to a young woman living with breast cancer. This year’s recipient was Erin Rabbitt, a 37-year-old mother and Sergeant of the New York Police Department who underwent breast cancer treatment last year. As part of her wish, which was underwritten by Kendra Scott, Erin received a special night at the gala with Giuliana, including a full makeover experience and accessories courtesy of the brand.
Co-chairs for the event were Gabriela Citrone and Alanna Griswold with Honorary Co-Chairs Zoe Katz Samuels and Alex Zelman. Additional notable guests included Jesse Bongiovi, Carly Cardellino, Eliana Lauder, Josh & Katherine Lauder, Laura & Gary Lauder, and Justine Marjan. Music for the evening was provided by DJ Erik Tonnesen.
The Pink Agenda’s Annual Gala was generously sponsored by Kendra Scott, General Atlantic, William P. Lauder & Lori Kanter Tritsch, Citrone 33, The Shoobs & Griffith Families, Alexandra Lang Miller & Seth Miller, Capital Foundry, Cathy Franklin & Jeffrey Baker, Alanna & Kyle Griswold, Hampton Water, Labaton Sucharow, Kenneth & Jennifer Lizar, The Mary Kay Ash Foundation, Piece of Cake Moving & Storage, BCW, Melissa Micari, and The Quick Family.
For more information on The Pink Agenda, visit thepinkagenda.org
Celebrating its 40th Anniversary throughout 2022, French Heritage Society will mark its milestone year on both sides of the Atlantic this fall with a 40th Anniversary Gala at the Petit Palais in Paris on October 15th and “Gilded Age Gala” at a private club in Manhattan on November 17th. FHS kicked off its busy fall gala season with festive cocktails on two consecutive Thursday evenings in September, one graciously hosted by FHS Board Member and Gilded Age Gala honoree Jean Shafiroff and the other by Young Patrons Circle Co-Chair Blake Funston.
On September 15th, French Heritage Society’s Young Patrons Circle enjoyed an “End-of-Summer Swing” at the lovely home of YPC Co-Chair Blake Funston and Rufus Funston. With perfect fall weather and live jazz provided by Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra, the atmosphere was warm and festive as guests streamed into the garden. Champagne was provided by G.H. Mumm, and provençal rosé and chardonnay by Maison Lorgeril.
Guests included: FHS Events Chair CeCe Black, FHS Board Member Rosann Gutman, and YPC Co-Chair Johnsonie Casimyr. Also attending: Elena Ayot, Charles Burdick, Jonathan Doucette, Allison Ecung, Sophie Evekink, Valentin Goux, Valerie Lettan, Erin Malone, Lansing Moore, Christina Bott Murphy, Alexandra Nicklas, Andres Perea-Garzon, Tara Tunney, William Rutledge, among others.
On Thursday, September 22nd, FHS continued the cocktail festivities at the home of Jean and Martin Shafiroff. Remarks were given by the hostess, as well as FHS Chairman Elizabeth Stribling and FHS Events Chair CeCe Black. Guests were further delighted to witness Mrs. Shafiroff receive an official proclamation as “First Lady of Philanthropy” from New York State Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright in recognition of her immense impact as a philanthropist.
Guests included: FHS Board Members Judy McLaren, Kazie Metzger Harvey, and Ann Van Ness. Also attending: Afsaneh Akhtari, Paola Bacchini Rosenshein, Susan and Gerald Baker, John Barman, Rosalie Brinton, Candace Bushnell, Liliana Cavendish, Bonnie Comley and Stewart F. Lane, Terry Corbett, Maria Fishel, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Susan Gutfreund, Rolf Heitmeyer, Sylvia Hemingway, David Hochberg, Margo Langenberg, George Ledes, Jonathan LeWinter, Jonn Nubian, Liane Pei, Barbara Schumacher, Hunt Slonem, Guy Robinson, Patricia Silverstein, Victor de Souza, Barbara Tober, Carole Bellidora Westfall, Pamela Wright, among others.
Founded in 1982, French Heritage Society is an American nonprofit organization with ten chapters in the U.S. and one in France. Its central mission is to ensure that the treasures of our shared French architectural and cultural heritage survive to inspire future generations. Over the past 40 years, FHS has given over 600 restoration grants to properties throughout France and in the U.S. and selected and supported more than 500 university students who have crossed the Atlantic for internships at esteemed institutions. Its emergency Notre-Dame Fire Restoration Fund has raised nearly $2.6 million to date.
Chic philanthropist Afsaneh Akhtari co-hosted a lunch with Larrisa Saveliev, the founder of Youth America Grand Prix, in honor of Dutch National Ballet principal dancers Olga Smirnova, Jacob Feyferlik, and Constantine Allen ahead of their performances at City Center.
Smirnova resigned from the Bolshoi Ballet earlier this year in protest of the invasion of Ukraine. Guests — including Liliana Cavendish, Susan Gutfreund, Judith Hoffman, Caroline Hyman, Linda Morse, Janna Bullock, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Kristina Kingston, Sergio Nicolosi, Jean Shafiroff, Jazmin Roper, Marcelo Zimmler, divorce attorneys Harriet Newman Cohen and Martha Cohen Stine, ABT’s Gabe Stone Shayer, Dutch Ballet’s Ted Brandsen and YAGP’s board chair Richrard Osterweil — mingled in Akhtari’s glamorous, far-flung apartment overlooking the East River.
YAGP is the world’s largest global network of dance competitions, supporting world-class dancers, ages 9 to 19, from all backgrounds with scholarships and educational opportunities. YAGP’s Sergey Gordeev said, “We’re gathered today to celebrate the power of art to save lives.”
Visit yagp.org to learn more.
Sports Broadcasting trailblazer and award-winning Talk Show Host Ann Liguori hosted her 24th Annual Ann Liguori Foundation (ALF) Charity Golf Classic at the Maidstone Club in East Hampton, N.Y. The annual charity outing benefits not-for-profits that work in the field of cancer research and care including the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and East End Hospice in addition to mentorship programs to help aspiring sports media students.
Dan Pontecorvo, Global Director of Real Estate & Engineering, Jane Street Capital, was the 2022 ALF Business Honoree, and Alex Lifeson, Hall of Fame Guitarist, RUSH accepted the 2022 ALF Music Honoree Award during the Award’s program.
“I’m delighted to say it was our best fundraising effort in 24 years,” says Liguori. “Both of our honorees, Dan and Alex, our former honorees, participants, and our amazing group of volunteers and committee members, contributed to the program’s success. The iconic Alex Lifeson got Gibson Guitars to donate two gorgeous Les Paul Epiphone Guitars and personally signed them for the highest bidders! We auctioned off an incredible golf trip to Ireland donated by North West Coast Irish Links, a visit to Dundonald Links in SW Scotland and many other wonderful trips and items. My thanks to all who take part in our efforts and support our important mission.”
Sponsors for the annual event included ABM, STRUCTURE TONE, PLATINUM, and Tommy & Shounda Foster. Donors for the charity tournament include Dooney & Bourke, DunDonald Links, Dunning Apparel, Dune Jewelry & the Hamptons Rope Collection, Eye King, FRENCH POOL TOY Wine, Golf in a Box, Hotel Indigo EAST END, Hubert Prive Golf Sculptures, IBKUL Athleisure Apparel, Linda Hartough, Hidden Links, North & West Coast Links Golf IRELAND, No Sweat, PEAKVISION Sunglasses, Pomp & Whimsy, SwingLube, TaylorMade and Tour Edge.
“This is a disease we are all too familiar with,” says Liguori. “We are all directly or indirectly affected by this dreadful disease and anything we can do to fight cancer has been a mission of mine for decades since our family lost my Dad to cancer in 1981. We also lost my brother to leukemia when he was 22. My sister Jean, brother Dan and I, are committed to this cause forever.”
Lanscine Janneh/BFA.com (ColorComm); Patrick McMullan (YAGP); Michael Blanchard (The Pink Agenda); Neil J Tandy (Liguori).
