TEAK 2022 CHANGE MAKER GALA
On October 18th, 500+ TEAK community members gathered at The Plaza Hotel for our 2022 Gala, Honoring Change Makers. It was amazing to celebrate 24 years of The TEAK Fellowship, our Fellows and Alumni, and to tip our hat to two inspiring individuals, Anne Brennan and Merline Saintil.
Anne is TEAK’s former Board Co-Chair, a longtime volunteer and mentor, and Chief Risk Officer at Neuberger Berman. Merline is Lead Director at Rocket Lab and Co-Founder of Black Women on Boards, an organization that aims to remove the invisible obstacles that Black female executives face when pursuing board membership. Thank you, Anne, for your distinguished decades of commitment to TEAK’s growth and innovative programs; and Merline, for your leadership to opening doors of opportunity for the next generation of Change Makers!
The evening featured remarks from TEAK Founder Justine Stamen Arrillaga, Board Chair Marc Becker, Executive Director Dr. Denise Brown-Allen, Former Board Co-Chair Henry McVey, and TEAK Board Member Robert Kalsow-Ramos. TEAK Fellows Celine Lubin (Class 21), Fatmata Jalloh (Class 23), Ahmed Diallo (Class 20), and Mikai Spencer (Class 19), and parent Michelle Lara-Arthur also took the stage to reflect on their TEAK experience. Guests enjoyed a special performance by FLS+ Academy Freestyle Love Supreme and surprise video from Lin Manuel-Miranda.
Thank you so much to everyone who helped make it an incredible and successful evening! Your support ensures we can continue our mission of transforming the lives of TEAK Fellows and uplifting their communities.
Stay tuned for details for next year’s Anniversary Gala as TEAK turns 25!