The Weinstein Company & Insignia Productions Celebrates Quentin Tarantino at Star-Studded Lunch

THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY & INSIGNIA PRODUCTIONS CELEBRATES QUENTIN TARANTINO AT STAR-STUDDED LUNCH

The Weinstein Company and hot, new event-planning company, Insignia Productions – owned by Ranee Bartolacci-Meir – held an afternoon fête for legendary Director Quentin Tarantino, toasting the Academy Award-nominated film, Inglourious Basterds at legendary L.A. eatery, Musso & Frank’s. The day’s A-list guest-list – including Eli Roth, Ron Howard, Jacqueline Bisset, Jon Voight, Harvey Weinstein, Norman Lloyd, Martin Landau, Cloris Leachman, Bruce Davison, Sam Jean, Irwin Winkler and Lawrence Bender – enjoyed a gourmet lunch and brief speech by the honored filmmaker himself.

The critically-acclaimed film has made a splash this 2010 Awards Season, taking home the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor (Christoph Waltz), and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Cast and Best Supporting Actor (Christoph Waltz). Inglorious Basterds has been nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best picture, Best Supporting Actor (Christoph Waltz), Best Director (Quentin Tarantino) and Best Original Screenplay. Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds stars Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz and Mélanie Laurent and tells the story of two plots to assassinate Nazi Germany's political leadership.

Insignia Productions is a luxury full-service event production company specializing in intricate inspired design, customized planning and the logistical production of private and corporate functions, based in New York City. Client specific, Insignia Productions works to fulfill the individualized needs of its clientele, personalizing each event through distinguishing imaginative design. Owner, Ranee Bartolacci-Meir enjoys working one-on-one with clients, helping to celebrate milestones and create memories. For further information, please visit www.insigniaproductions.com.

The Global Leaders Meet in New York City

THE GLOBAL LEADERS MEET IN NEW YORK CITY

The Global Leaders – the largest exclusive senior level business network in the world – recently hosted its inaugural meeting in New York City at the prestigious Yale Club. This inaugural meeting was the first face-to-face meeting of The Global Leaders, held for individuals who are running businesses and who hold, or have held, the title of Partner, President, CEO or member of their organization’s Board of Directors. Attending members of The Global Leaders were given the opportunity to network with peers, to share information and insights, to facilitate business relationships and to agree on a way forward as a group. The meeting had an impressive turnout with over 120 key representatives attending the event.

The evening was host to two notable guest speakers— the first was Frederick Frank, former Vice Chairman of Lehman Brothers and Barclays Capital, who gave an insightful and stimulating talk on capital markets, with a focus on the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and the possibilities they have going forward.

Next, spoke Ambassador Ahmad Kamal, who served as a professional diplomat in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan for close to forty years, during which time he held diplomatic postings in India, Belgium, France, the Soviet Union, Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Korea, and with the United Nations both in Geneva and in New York. He continues to be a Senior Fellow of the United Nations Institute of Training and Research and a Visiting Professor at six American universities. His speech on globalization and the change engendered by emerging markets was topical and thought-provoking.

The morning after the meeting The Global Leaders were honored at the Opening Bell Ceremony at NASDAQ. Co-Founder George Bickerstaff made a brief speech about the inaugural meeting and rang the opening bell. The ceremony was aired on BNN, Fox, Fox Business, and CNBC.

Established in 2009, The Global Leaders aims to connect people across the four pillars of business, government, education, and philanthropy through intergroup communication; such communication is achieved through providing opportunities, such as the New York City meeting, for members to meet face-to-face, network, and discuss their collective and individual impact. The Global Leaders has 40,000+ key executives in its group, including 12,800 who participate in one of the organization’s senior leadership groups. Members of The Global Leaders lead, or have led, over 10,000 global companies with revenue exceeding $7.0 trillion, assets exceeding $50 trillion and employing over 25 million people in 160+ industries and 84 countries. The Global Leaders is present in over 100 countries, supporting over 150 industries, and managing assets that total over $50 trillion. Founded less than a year ago, The Global Leaders is adding over 100 key executives per week. Upcoming meetings will be held in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

For more information on The Global Leaders, please visit www.tgleaders.com.

Racecar Driver Tim George Jr. signs with Richard Childress Racing for 2010 ARCA Racing Series

RACECAR DRIVER TIM GEORGE JR. SIGNS WITH RICHARD CHILDRESS RACING FOR 2010 ARCA RACING SERIES

Catching the attention of motorsport fans and veterans alike, Richard Childress Racing (RCR) recently announced it has signed Tim George Jr. as a developmental driver to compete full-time in the 2010 ARCA Racing Series, presented by RE/MAX.

As the season is scheduled to start on February 6, 2010 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL., RCR will field the No. 31 Chevrolet Impala for Tim throughout the twenty-race ARCA Series season, competing on seventeen different tracks, concluding on October 9, 2010 at Rockingham Speedway in Rockingham, NC. A crew chief for the team will be named at a later date.

“The goal of RCR’s driver development program is to enhance and strengthen the skills needed to compete at NASCAR's top levels,” explains Mike Dillon, Vice President of Competition for Richard Childress Racing who also oversees the Driver Development Program. “A second season in the ARCA Series will allow Tim to further develop his driving skills in a stock car since he only has one year of experience. We'll put together a strong crew chief and team that will allow Tim the opportunity to develop his talents to the fullest.”

In the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series, his rookie season, Tim finished 11th in the competition’s point standings, with a best finish of 5th at New Jersey after starting second-to-last. Tim made his RCR debut on November 13, 2009 at the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Phoenix International Raceway, where he qualified 26th and finished 29th after getting caught up in an accident on lap 132.

“I am honored by the opportunity to work with, and learn from, Richard Childress, Mike Dillon and the rest of the RCR team. I am ready to absorb as much as possible in 2010 from the wealth of knowledge that the organization holds,” says Tim. “My No. 1 goal is to enhance my ability at setting up these cars. Another season in the ARCA Series, in which I have competed on most of the tracks, will allow me to better focus on such. At the moment, we are in the process of finding the right crew chief that will help me learn the most. I'm looking forward to testing with my new team at Daytona later this month.”

About Richard Childress Racing:
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2009, Richard Childress Racing has earned more than 180 victories and 12 NASCAR championships, including six in the Sprint Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. RCR was the first organization to win championships in the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series. RCR's tenure in the ARCA Series dates back to the early 1990s with driver Charlie Glotzbach who won at Talladega Superspeedway in 1990, 1991 and 1992 in an RCR-prepared car. Glotzbach also won in an RCR car at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1990. RCR has also fielded ARCA cars for Clint Bowyer (finished second at Nashville Superspeedway in 2003) and Childress’s grandson Austin Dillon in 2009. In addition to finishing 15th at Kentucky Speedway, Dillon earned a pair of runner-up finishes in the RCR car at Michigan International Speedway and Iowa Speedway. RCR also fielded a car for second-generation driver Kyle Grissom at Rockingham Speedway in 2009.

About Tim George Jr.:
As a young boy growing up in New York City, Tim George Jr.’s first love was his father’s 1964 Corvette Sting Ray. At 28, Tim has transformed his childhood passion into a career in the world of professional auto racing, with the ultimate goal of becoming a NASCAR Spring Cup Series driver. Working through an intense, action-packed 2009 racing schedule, Tim has proven himself a force to be reckoned with on the racetrack— competing in the 2009 ARCA RE/MAX Series, in addition to select Gran-Am Rolex events, NASCAR Truck and Nationwide events, and in the NASCAR Whelen Series. Graduating from the University of Miami with a B.A. in English and a Double Minor in History and Economics, Tim was drawn to motorsports in 2004, when his passion for cooking led him to cater events for the Ferrari Challenge Series in hopes of someday owning his own restaurant— there, Tim fell in love all over again with the sound, smell and excitement of racing. By 2007, Tim was competing regularly in the Grand-American Koni Challenge Series where he earned a podium experience in his first season of professional motorsports. Tim quickly moved up to compete in one of the highest forms of sports car racing in the world, the Grand-Am Rolex Series with The Racer’s Group. He earned the title of 2008 MESCO “Building for the Future” Rolex Rookie of the Year, and finished an impressive fourth place in the Rolex GT Championship.

www.timgeorgejr.com is updated frequently with news, press, and racing results.
Follow Tim George Jr. at www.twitter.com/TimGeorgeJr.

Kim Porter and Next Generation Beverage, LLC Host a Lunch for Grammy Award-Winning Artist, Estelle

KIM PORTER AND NEXT GENERATION BEVERAGE, LLC HOST A LUNCH FOR GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING ARTIST, ESTELLE

On the eve of 52nd Annual Grammy Awards, Kim Porter and leading, innovative beverage company, Next Generation Beverage, LLC hosted an afternoon lunch at L.A. hotspot, Philippe Chow. The afternoon, held in anticipation of cutting-edge, Grammy Award-Winning Recording Artist, Estelle’s highly-anticipated album, All of Me, also previewed an exclusive tasting of hot, new beverages—Serenity Zen Beverage®, Sin Vitality Drink® and Sin-Free Vitality Drink®.

As the Award Season continues with the music industry’s most highly-acclaimed event, Estelle, with already one Grammy Award under her belt, celebrates her return to the music scene with her forthcoming sophomore album, All of Me.

The who’s-who of Tinseltown was in attendance including, actor Hill Harper, actress Claudia Jones (Deal or No Deal, Celebrity Apprentice 2), actor Darrin Henson (Stomp the Yard), DJ K-SLY, actor Drew Seeley (The Disney Channel), actress/model Jaimie Hilfiger, BET Host Leslie “Big Lez” Segar, actor Michael Epps, Minnesota Timberwolves’ Rashad McCants, model Shawn Palm, BET 106th & Park’s Terrence J., actor Trason Bragg, Showtime’s Soul Food’s Vanessa Williams and William “Thunder” Smith (NBC’s American Gladiators). Guests mingled throughout the afternoon, fêting Estelle’s new, upcoming album. Estelle burst onto the music scene in 2008 with her collaborative hit single with Kanye West, American Boy— hitting the Top Ten of music charts around the globe, ranking as No. 7 on Rolling Stone’s 100 Best Songs of 2008.

For further information on Next Generation Beverage, LLC and the beverages, please visit www.nextgenerationbeverage.com, www.drinkserenity.com, and www.drinkinsin.com. For further information on Estelle and her new album, please visit www.estellemusic.com .

A Sports Fan's Dream - Next Generation Beverage, LLC Presents the First Annual Action for Autism Gala and Donates $10,000

A SPORTS FAN’S DREAM—NEXT GENERATION BEVERAGE, LLC PRESENTS THE FIRST ANNUAL ACTION FOR AUTISM GALA AND DONATES $10,000

Last night, innovative, new beverage company Next Generation Beverage, LLC presented the First Annual Auction for Autism Gala, the company’s first philanthropic involvement. Autism, a cause close to the Next Generation Beverage team’s hearts, the evening benefitted both the National Autism Association and the Eden II Programs.

The evening’s guests included New York sports stars Giants Running Back, Brandon Jacobs, the New York Mets’ No. 1 Prospect, Fernando Martinez, and New York Rangers’ Ron Greschner, whom all enjoyed the soirée which included a Dinner, crafted by iconic New York City restaurant, Marina del Ray, as well as a highly anticipated Sports Memorabilia Silent Auction. Additionally, at the close of the night’s festivities, guests took home exclusive, autographed framed pictures of Jacobs and Martinez, and received a photograph with each player to be mailed following the event.

The Silent Auction’s hot ticket items included a signed photo of baseball hero Mickey Mantle and legendary Yankee manager Billy Martin, signed helmets by Joe Namath and Terry Bradshaw, signed Derek Jeter photo, signed A-Rod baseball and an Eli Manning game shirt. In addition to the amount raised by the auction, Next Generation Beverage made two donations each for $5,000—one to the National Autism Association and one to the Eden II Programs.

The mission of the National Autism Association is to educate and empower families affected by autism and other neurological disorders, while advocating on behalf of those who cannot fight for their own rights. The mission of the Eden II Programs is to provide people with autism specialized community-based programs and other opportunities, with the goal of enabling them to achieve the highest possible quality of living across their life spans.

ABOUT NEXT GENERATION BEVERAGE, LLC: With a goal to revitalize the beverage industry with innovative products and marketing, Next Generation Beverage, LLC, is the brainchild of a team of businessmen – Rich Wilson, Ross Pantano, Thomas Toscano, Luis Fernandez and Nat Salvemini – each eager to revolutionize the soft drinks industry. Since its inception in the spring of 2009, Next Generation Beverage operations are devoted primarily to start-up and development activities, including obtaining start-up capital, developing the corporate hierarchy, establishing a business plan and identifying and contacting suppliers of functional beverages. A significant percentage of the company’s resources have been devoted to product development, marketing and sales activities regarding the inceptive products, Sin Vitality Drink®, Sin-Free®, and Serenity Zen Beverage®. Next Generation Beverage concocts and packages beverages that are original, unique blends of energy and relaxing drinks, setting itself apart from others in the marketplace. Unlike a number of its competitors within the beverage industry that originate overseas, Next Generation Beverage products are all domestically-produced. Next Generation Beverage, LLC products are sold through national and regional retailers, as well as local distributors.

For further information, please visit:
Next Generation Beverage, LLC: www.nextgenerationbeverage.com.
National Autism Association: www.nationalautismassociation.org/
Eden II: www.eden2.org

Shirley Maclaine, The Weinstein Company and Next Generation Beverage, LLC Toast Golden Globe Nominated, Nine, With Star-Studded Lunch

SHIRLEY MACLAINE, THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY AND NEXT GENERATION BEVERAGE, LLC TOAST GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINATED, NINE, WITH STAR-STUDDED LUNCH

Shirley MacLaine, The Weinstein Company and groundbreaking beverage company, Next Generation Beverage, LLC hosted a lunch fêting the star-studded, critically-acclaimed film Nine. Guests including Director Rob Marshall, Bob Balaban, Lisa Rinna, Richard Perry, Frances Fisher, Annette O’Toole, Susan Blakely and Harry Hamlin toasted the film’s cast while enjoying the exclusive preview tasting of new “it” drinks, Serenity Zen Beverage®, Sin Vitality Drink®, and Sin-Free®.

As the Award Season kicked off this weekend with the 67th Annual Golden Globes, Nine celebrated an impressive five nominations including Best Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical; Best Actor, Comedy or Musical (Daniel Day-Lewis); Best Actress, Comedy or Musical (Marion Cotillard); and Best Supporting Actress (Penelope Cruz).

With a goal to revitalize the beverage industry with innovative products and marketing, Next Generation Beverage, LLC, is the brainchild of a team of businessmen – Rich Wilson, Ross Pantano, Thomas Toscano, Luis Fernandez and Nat Salvemini – each eager to revolutionize the soft drinks industry. Next Generation Beverage concocts and packages beverages that are original, unique blends of energy and relaxing drinks, setting itself apart from others in the marketplace.

As its inceptive products, Next Generation Beverage, LLC, recently launched Serenity Zen Beverage® (perfect for those actors and actresses who need to calm their Awards Season jitters), one of the first-ever relaxation beverages with a unique blend of vitamins, natural flavors and extracts and relaxing, tranquil formula, all with zero calories, sugar and carbohydrate and a lightly-carbonated, pleasant taste; and Sin Vitality Drink®, a tempting alternative to other energy drinks with an alluring, revitalizing blend of vitamins, caffeine, natural flavors and a distinct power formula that results in a dynamic, great-tasting burst of vitality, packaged in a stylish, sleek can. Also, look out for Sin-Free®—on the heels of launching Sin® and Serenity®, Next Generation Beverage is set to introduce a sugar-free, low-calorie Vitality Drink counterpart for health conscious drinkers. For further information, please visit www.nextgenerationbeverage.com, www.drinkserenity.com, and www.drinkinsin.com.

Ringing in 2010 with Sin

RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH SIN

This New Year’s Eve, champagne was out, and cocktails were in. A chic, savvy set of New Yorkers toasted 2010 with the hot, new vitality drink, Sin®. Sin Vitality Drink®’s exclusive preview tasting, held at Social Life Magazine’s New Year’s Eve 2010 fête, featured six tempting cocktails—all highlighting the sweet, lemony flavor of Sin®. With the Prince George Ballroom as the stylish backdrop, guests enjoyed music by DJ Marvilous and Tyger Lilly while sipping on energizing, playful drinks such as Gin & Sin, Sin on the Beach, Sin-City Iced Tea, The Sin Classic, Tequila Sin-Rise and Sin in the City.

A tempting alternative to other energy drinks, Sin Vitality Drink® is an alluring, revitalizing blend of vitamins, caffeine, natural flavors and a distinct power formula, resulting in a dynamic, great-tasting burst of vitality. Available in forthcoming seven ‘deadly sin’ flavors, Sin® is sure to please even the most discerning of energy beverage drinkers.

A departure from the often brash and oversized energy drinks available today, Sin®, is packaged in a stylish, sleek can that evokes a dark nocturnal look— a must-have for any night out, Sin® promises drinkers they won’t miss out on the after-party. The chic, provocatively-designed can is set to become a fixture at the most exclusive, sought-after nighttime haunts. Not a night owl? From busy young professionals seeking a boost during the middle of the work week, to savvy college students in need of an energizing pick-me-up during those ever-present all-nighters, to athletes wishing to jumpstart their workouts or practices, Sin® is the perfect zestful addition to any daily routine. The light, easy-to-carry 8.4oz. can is the perfect on-the-go accessory, whether you’re running out the door in the morning or hopping on the back of your Harley.

On the heels of launching Sin®, Next Generation Beverage is also set to introduce Sin-Free®, a sugar-free, low-calorie counterpart for health conscious drinkers…coming soon to a red carpet near you.

About Next Generation Beverage:
With a goal to revitalize the beverage industry with innovative products and marketing, Next Generation Beverage, LLC is the brainchild of a team of businessmen –Rich Wilson, Ross Pantano, Thomas Toscano, Luis Fernandez and Nat Salvemini – each eager to revolutionize the industry. Next Generation Beverage, LLC concocts and packages beverages that are original, unique blends of energy and relaxing drinks, setting itself apart from others in the marketplace. Unlike a number of its competitors within the beverage industry that originate overseas, Next Generation Beverage, LLC products are all domestically-produced. Sin Vitality Drink® and Serenity Zen Beverage® are the inceptive products of Next Generation Beverage, LLC. For additional information, please visit www.nextgenerationbeverage.com and www.drinkinsin.com.

The Samuel waxman Cancer Research Foundation raises $4.2 Million

THE SAMUEL WAXMAN CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION RAISES $4.2 MILLION

Held yesterday at New York City landmark The Park Avenue Armory, the 12th Annual Collaborating For a Cure Dinner and Auction benefited the Institute Without Walls®, the worldwide collaborative cancer research program supported by the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF). Elin and Michael Nierenberg joined forces with Dale and Peter Claman, Kristin Fizulich, Alyssa and Cliff Greenberg, and Mara and Baron Silverstein to host the event, which was attended by Scientific Director of the Foundation Dr. Samuel Waxman, Headline Performer Steve Winwood, Patti D’Arbanville, Victoria’s Secret Angels Rosie Huntington, Lindsay Ellingson and Candice Swanepoel, Sheila Jaffe, jewelry designer Loree Rodkin, Peter Tunney and Susan Meisel. The annual fête was produced and managed by Robin Lathrop of byRobin and Edward Salas of Backstage Productions. Headlined by Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter, Steve Winwood, the evening was also host to an exciting live auction and performance by The Lost Trailers.

This year, the 12th Annual Collaborating For a Cure raised close to $4.2 Million to support the Foundation’s research efforts to produce a cure for cancer. Known affectionately by New Yorkers as “The Waxman,” the yearly fête is considered to be among the top annual fundraising events in New York City, attended by more than 1,100 corporate executives, Board members and their guests.

During his keynote address, Samuel Waxman, M.D., Scientific Director of the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, focused on the continuing work of the Foundation in developing treatments for reversing abnormal cancer cell behavior— the SWCRF is striving to develop therapies to prevent reoccurrence of dormant cancer cells, as it leads the field in understanding what makes cancer cells dormant and creating strategies to eradicate such cells. Calling upon the crowd of smiling guests, Dr. Waxman said, “I hope you will help take us to the next level;” closing his inspirational speech, “I can assure you that cancer does not stop unless we stop cancer. Please join me in that quest.”

The evening’s much-anticipated live and silent auctions offered guests the opportunity to bid on an exciting selection of exclusive items, including four pairs of tickets to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, taking place Thursday, November 19, 2009 in New York City, which generated $125,000. Additional auction highlights included a once-in-a-lifetime cruise amongst the Caribbean Islands for six days/five nights on the luxurious 133-foot custom yacht M/Y Serque, which garnered a winning bid of $95,000; an exclusive getaway via a private flight aboard a Falcon 50 for five friends from New York City to St. Barts, which garnered a winning bid of $85,000; and a private wine tasting dinner in Italian Wine Merchants’ signature event space, Studio del Gusto, which sold twice, each garnered a winning bid of $30,000 for a total of $60,000. The Live Auction was led by C. Hugh Hildesley of Sotheby’s Auction House.

The Foundation’s Institute Without Walls® is a unique collaboration among the world-renowned scientists it funds, who share their knowledge to stimulate cross-fertilization and accelerate the pace of research. The Foundation has made $65+ million in grants supporting more than 160 scientists throughout the United States, Canada, China, Europe and Israel. The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization focusing on one of the most promising strategies for developing cures and treatments for many types of cancer; even offering hope for preventing cancer from developing. It is on the cutting edge of a revolution with alternatives to the traditional treatments of chemotherapy and radiation, which kill cancer (and healthy) cells.

Foundation supported research includes reprogramming chaotically growing cancer cells to behave normally and understanding cancer stem cells’ ability to spread and resistance to treatment. The results will lead to more precisely targeted treatments or preventatives having minimal side effects on the patients.

For more information please visit www.waxmancancer.org.

Alexander & Brenda Von Schweickhardt Host the Launch of Oceana New York with Star-Studded Supporters

ALEXANDER & BRENDA VON SCHWEICKHARDT HOST THE LAUNCH OF OCEANA NEW YORK WITH STAR-STUDDED SUPPORTERS

Oceana, a nonprofit international advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the world’s oceans, arrived in New York with a splash. Alexander and Brenda Schweickhardt graciously opened their residence to host the private event that welcomed guests—including Jeff Goldblum, Gina Gershon, Law & Order’s Sam Waterson, John and Joyce Varvatos, Tommy, Dee, and Ally Hilfiger, legendary music producer Nile Rodgers, Lt. Governor of Connecticut Michael Fedele, Patti D'Arbanville, Nancy Hunt, Sarah Farcy McNitt, Linus Roache, Mick Jones, New York Jets tackle Damien Woody, and notable New York figures, Denise Rich, Bettina Zilkha, New York Gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio, Jean Shafiroff, Philip Glass, Rossano Rubicondi, and Fernanda Kellogg, President of The Tiffany & Co. Foundation and CEO of Macy’s, Terry Lundgren—in celebrating the launch of Oceana New York.

The evening, sponsored by Tiffany & Co., featured an inspiring introduction by Oceana Board Chairman Keith Addis, Oceana Executive Vice President Jim Simon, Sam Waterston and Sue Cohn Rockefeller, as well as the evening’s hosts, about the work of the nonprofit organization, and announced the launching of the New York office.

Since its founding in 2001, Oceana has achieved several major victories including protecting more than 640 million acres of ocean habitat. Oceana’s teams of marine scientists, economists, lawyers and advocates win specific and concrete policy changes to reduce pollution and to prevent the irreversible collapse of fish populations, marine mammals and other sea life. Global in scope and dedicated to conservation, Oceana has campaigners based in North America, Europe and South and Central America. More than 300,000 members and e-activists in over 150 countries have already joined Oceana.

For more information, please visit www.Oceana.org.

Mary J. Blige Inspires at the New York Women's Foundation 2009 Fall Dinner with Uplifting Performance

MARY J. BLIGE INSPIRES AT THE NEW YORK WOMEN’S FOUNDATION 2009 FALL DINNER WITH UPLIFTING PERFORMANCE

The New York Women’s Foundation® (NYWF) welcomed the who’s-who of New York society for its Fall 2009 Dinner, Stepping Out & Stepping Up, honoring Elizabeth and Herbert Sturz and Sheryl WuDunn and Nicholas D. Kristof. The Stepping Up Award is presented to recognize New Yorkers who serve as role models of courageous leadership, vision and commitment to women and girls as individuals and as partners.

The evening’s attendees included New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Diana Taylor - Co-Chair for the event and Vice Chair of the NYWF Board, Grammy award winning R&B songstress Mary J. Blige, record executive Steve Stoute, Carolyn Buck Luce – Chair of the NYWF Board, Abigail Disney - Honorary Chair of NYWF Board, Agnes Gund, Susan R. Cullman, Anne Bass and Hyatt Bass, Somers Farkas, Jean Shafiroff, Samuel Peabody, Vincent Mai, Deborah Roberts, designer Catherine Malandrino, Dorothy Lichtenstein, Jack Rosenthal, Muffie Potter Aston, Ann Rapp, Sharon Bush, Denise Rich, Debbie Bancroft, and Katlean De Monchy.

Also in attendance for the elegant evening of cocktails, dinner and dancing at Gotham Hall included Consul General of Mexico Ruben Beltran, Commissioner Lilliam Barrios-Paoli, Commissioner Jeanne Mullgrav, Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Manhattan Deputy Borough President Rosemonde Pierre-Louis, followed by dinner and dancing. Mary J. Blige sang stunning renditions of her hits “No More Drama” and “One” to an amazed crowd, dedicating her performance to the power and unity of women.

Ana Oliveira, CEO & President spoke about NYWF’s expertise in leveraging strategic partnerships to build economic security for women and families in New York City. Honorees Elizabeth and Herbert Sturz who founded 24 nonprofit and government agencies between them, saluted the Foundation for their work in supporting women. Sheryl WuDunn spoke movingly about the importance of investing in women and girls locally as a prerequisite to investing globally. Nicholas Kristof praised NYWF for holding up ‘two thirds of the sky.’ Islyn Matthews, a successful entrepreneur and participant of Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDCo), a long-time NYWF grantee partner, moved audiences with a personal story of transformation, embodying the mission of the Foundation.

Co-Chairs for the evening included Hyatt Bass, Sayu V. Bhojwani, Aiyoung Choi, Susan R. Cullman, Grace Hightower De Niro, Somers W. Farkas, Margaret Munzer Loeb, Carolyn Buck Luce, Jean Shafiroff, Diana L. Taylor, Jacqueline P. Togut, and Barbara Brizzi Wynne.

Established in 1987 as a public philanthropy, the New York Women’s Foundation is a cross-cultural alliance of women, serving as a force for change for women. From the outset, the Foundation’s founders strove to identify innovative organizations that were affecting change in the communities they served for women. NYWF strategically funds organizations and programs that move women, girls and families towards long-term economic security through individual transformation and systemic change, mobilizing leaders and community partners as philanthropists and change agents. Over the past twenty-two years, NYWF surpassed $20 million ($20,350,445) in grants to over 240 nonprofit organizations, improving the lives of five million women and girls in New York City. This year, NYWF responded to the economic crisis by launching RISE-NYC!, a partnership initiative and increasing its grant-making by more than 20%.

For more information, please visit www.nywf.org.