Annual Event Honors Valerie Jarrett, Jeannie Park, Leah Greenberg and The National Philanthropic Collaborative of Young Women’s Initiatives
The New York Women’s Foundation brought together leaders, advocates, philanthropists and community partners from across New York City for its annual Celebrating Women® Breakfast at the New York Marriott Marquis on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
The signature gathering honored Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation and former senior adviser to President Barack Obama, and Jeannie Park, Board Chair of the Korean American Community Foundation, with the Vision Award. Leah Greenberg, co-Founder and co-Executive Director of the Indivisible Project, and The National Philanthropic Collaborative of Young Women’s Initiatives received the Celebrating Women® Award.
A Longstanding Gathering for Justice and Community
For nearly 40 years, the Celebrating Women® Breakfast has brought The Foundation’s community together in support of community partners and the ongoing work to advance gender, racial and economic justice.
This year’s event reflected The Foundation’s continued commitment to women, girls and gender-expansive people, as well as the collective work being done to advance justice across New York City and beyond.
A Call to Keep Showing Up
The morning carried a powerful message of persistence, purpose and collective action. Ana L. Oliveira, President and CEO of The New York Women’s Foundation, urged attendees to remain committed to the work ahead.
“I need you to continue to show up. I need you to pick your fight and dedicate yourself. Fight to win. We fight to win,” said Oliveira.
Her remarks captured the spirit of the gathering, which celebrated leaders and organizations working to strengthen communities, expand opportunity and create lasting change.
Honoring Leaders Across Philanthropy, Advocacy and Civic Life
The honorees represented a range of leadership across philanthropy, civic engagement, advocacy and community empowerment. Jarrett and Park were recognized with the Vision Award for their contributions to public service, philanthropy and community leadership.
Greenberg and The National Philanthropic Collaborative of Young Women’s Initiatives were honored with the Celebrating Women® Award for their work advancing civic participation, movement-building and support for young women and gender-expansive leaders.
Together, the honorees reflected the values at the heart of The New York Women’s Foundation: courage, collaboration, equity and a commitment to community-rooted change.
Notable Attendees
Notable attendees included Valerie Jarrett, Jeannie Park, Leah Greenberg, Ana L. Oliveira, Karen Choi, Juliana Pereira, Imara Jones, Helene Banks, Soffiyah Elijah, Mary Baglivo, Lola C. West, Jean Shafiroff, Narae Yun, Marielle Villar Martiney, Gloria Pitagorsky, Carrie Malcolm, Alison Overseth, Michèle Penzer, Margarita Rosa and Maria Cilenti.
The event brought together a broad network of supporters and changemakers united by a shared commitment to advancing equity and opportunity for women, girls and gender-expansive people.
About The New York Women’s Foundation
Established in 1987, The New York Women’s Foundation is a leading voice for gender, racial and economic justice. Based in New York City, The Foundation invests in bold, community-led solutions that advance the power and well-being of women, girls and gender-expansive individuals.
Among the largest women-led grantmaking organizations in the world, The Foundation’s influence in shaping philanthropy extends far beyond the five boroughs. In its nearly 40-year history, The Foundation has awarded more than $141 million to over 500 organizations, supporting a vibrant ecosystem of grantees, philanthropists, advocates and innovators committed to lasting, community-rooted change.
To learn more about The New York Women’s Foundation or see highlights from the event, visit www.nywf.org.
