Albert Schweitzer Dinner - New York
New York Leadership Awards Dinner A Success!
Read below for highlights of the recent dinner. The next New York Albert Schweitzer Leadership Awards Dinner is being planned for November 2007. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, would like to volunteer on the dinner committee, purchase an ad in the program book, or buy tickets to attend, please contact development@hoby.org or call (310) 474-4370.
Leadership Awards Dinner 2006
Though it was a rainy night in New York City, it didn’t dampen the HOBY spirit, which brought out loyal supporters from near and far to celebrate leadership. Last fall’s Albert Schweitzer Leadership Awards Dinner honored deserving individuals who empower, lead and excel. The event, held at the magnificent Gotham Hall building in New York City, once again exceeded goals. A knock-out crowd, inspiring honorees, and lively entertainment and dancing left everyone with a smile on their face.
To recognize those who embody the most important traits of leadership, HOBY bestowed the coveted Albert Schweitzer Leadership Award, the highest honor given by HOBY, to Nasser Kazeminy, Chairman of NJK Holding Corporation and Chairman of the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO). Mr. Kazeminy has for many years been active in humanitarian and charitable causes benefiting children and orphanages, cancer treatment, drug rehabilitation and education, earning him the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 1995 and the American Legends Award in 2001.
The HOBY Corporate Citizen Award was presented to Ecovation, Inc. and Diane C. Creel, President and CEO. Under her leadership, Ecovation’s wastewater treatment solutions provide environmental sustainability, offering positive environmental and economic impacts by eliminating less acceptable waste management methods, while providing renewable energy.
HOBY’s Inspiration Award was accepted by William Howell, Chair of the Anthony Robbins Foundation. For 15 years, the Foundation has empowered individuals and organizations across the globe to make a significant difference in the quality of life for people often forgotten by society, including the homeless and hungry, the children, the prison population, the elderly and the physically challenged.
HOBY’s Inspiration Award was also bestowed upon Margaret H. Kavalaris, Partner at Cooley Godward LLP. Ms. Kavalaris is highly regarded for her expertise on technology, corporate finance, intellectual property, law firm management and women in leadership in law firms. Ms. Kavalaris is Chairman of the Women's Campaign Forum, in Washington DC; as well as serving on many other notable boards, including along with fellow honoree Diane Creel, the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Women’s Leadership Board.
Additional honorees included HOBY’s very own Drew Morrisroe, President and CEO of CTN Solutions, who received the HOBY Alumni Achievement Award. Ron Gillet, former Vice Chairman of the HOBY Board of Trustees, was honored with the HOBY Volunteer of the Year Award for 20 years of exceptional service.
The evening highlights included a performance by award-winning, show-stopping singer and actress Jennifer Holliday who achieved legendary status, garnering the 1982 Tony Award for Best Actress in a musical for her spine-tingling performance as Effie “Melody” White in Dreamgirls. She earned her first Grammy Award for Best R&B Female Vocal Performance for her signature torch-song and Top 40 hit “And I am Telling You I‘m Not Going.”
HOBY guests were also captivated when Saskia Blaha, Pennsylvania alumna and now New York University theater major, spoke about how HOBY has transformed her life and the life of others. It was a proud night for HOBY, and one that would not have been possible without our hard working dinner committee, gracious honorees, dedicated alumni and supportive guests. Together, we strengthen the HOBY vision, raising the necessary funding and volunteering our time, to provide the very best national and international youth leadership programs available.
The next New York Albert Schweitzer Leadership Awards Dinner is being planned for November 2007. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, would like to volunteer on the dinner committee, purchase an ad in the program book, or buy tickets to attend, please contact development@hoby.org or call (310) 474-4370.