The IDEAL School & Academy co-founders Michelle Smith, Audra Zuckerman, Julia Harquail, John Hackett and Board of Trustees President Mitch Rubin welcomed 430 guests to Metropolitan West last Thursday for their 10th Annual Gala, which amazingly raised over $850,000.
The school, which is the only independent all-inclusive educational offering in New York City honored KKR’s Global Head of Public Affairs Kenneth Mehlman with the 2014 Founders Awards for his important work in forwarding the mission of embracing those that think differently.
Children of all backgrounds and abilities are welcome at The IDEAL School & Academy, and the student body is one of the most diverse in New York City.
KKR Founding Partner Henry R. Kravis, How I Met Your Mother writers Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, Goldman Sachs Vice President Richard Rivero and Merrill Lynch Managing Director Robert C. Dyer were among those perusing the dozens of auction items up for grabs.
Head of School Angela Bergeson, Concetta Bencivenga and David Byrnes thanked friends, teachers and supporters for helping to raise over $850,000 during the special night.
Other guests enjoying the delicious dinner, inspiring presentation and dance party included TAG Associates C.E.O. David Basner, Fried Frank Vice-Chair of Litigation Gregg Weiner, Simpson Thacher Partner Gary Horowitz, Merchant Solutions Group C.E.O. Billy Morrissey, Brittany Brown, Marc Lipschultz, Nicole DiCocco, Christina LoNigro, Robert D. Ziff and former Skid Row drummer Rob Affuso.
Pictured:
Henry R. Kravis, Kenneth Mehlman, Mitch Rubin
Audra Zuckerman, Michelle Smith, Julia Harquail