The STRIVE Gala supports our mission to provide pathways to life-changing careers for those who face systemic barriers to employment and economic mobility.

Highlights from the 2023 STRIVE Gala

Thank you to all who helped make this year’s gala a success!

These funds will provide crucial support for STRIVE as we further expand our programs and services nationally, growing from serving 2,000 people per year to 10,000 people annually by 2033.

Board of Directors

Roy Castro, Co-Chair
Founder & CEO, Castro Ventures

Bonnie L. Howard, Treasurer
Independent Board Director

Richard Barthelmes
Retired, Media Executive

Tonia O’Connor
Independent Board Director

Laurie Rosenfield
Partner, JM Search

James Thomas
Partner, EY

Brian Friedman, Co-Chair
President, Jefferies Financial Group Inc.

Arthur Kokot, Secretary
President, Kokot Realty Enterprises, Inc.

Antoinette Leatherberry
Independent Board Director

Yvan-Claude Pierre
Partner, Cooley LLP

Phil Salinger
Independent Board Director

Phil Weinberg
President & CEO, STRIVE

Judith B. McElnea, Vice Chair
Partner, The Jeffrey Group

H. Thompson Rodman, Jr.,
Chairman Emeritus & Co-Founder

Daryl Lee
Global CEO, McCann Worldgroup

Tanya Rakpraja
MD of Corporate Responsibility, Annaly Capital Management

Laura Slutsky
President/CEO, People Finders Productions, Inc.

Randy Zeno
CEO, Sunless, Inc.