Jennifer Valoppi & James Rosenquist

Miami, FL – March 7, 2015 – The Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program hosted it’s black-tie gala at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel welcoming nearly 500 guests. Nearly 500 of Miami’s leading philanthropists and celebrities were in attendance, including James Rosenquist, widely regarded as one of the greatest living American artists. Founders Jennifer Valoppi and Don Browne, along with Gala Chair Marisa Toccin Lucas celebrated the organization’s 18th year of mentoring at-risk high school girls, raising approximately $750,000 for the program. James Rosenquist was honored at the event as the program’s inaugural recipient of the Spirit of Tomorrow Award – which recognizes leaders in the fields of arts, entertainment, activism and philanthropy who demonstrate the desire to utilize skills for social good. Philanthropists Carol & Marc Iacovelli were also honored at the event as this year’s Empowerment Award Honorees, along with Superintendent of Miami-Dade Public Schools Alberto Carvalho as the Leadership Award recipient, and Mentor of the Year, NBC6 South Florida Morning Anchor Pam Giganti. Publix Super Markets and Publix Super Markets Charities were highlighted as the Excellence Honorees for Women of Tomorrow.

The evening began with a lavish cocktail reception featuring hors d’oeuvre stations, as well as the anticipated silent auction of more than 100 items from top entertainment, fashion, hospitality and luxury brands. This year’s live auction was the liveliest the organization ever had, with items such as a Neiman Marcus, Bal Harbour $5,000 Shopping Spree being bid up to $20,000 to raise funds for the program. The heated bidding also included a 3 Year Lease on a 2015 Jaguar F-TYPE Convertible courtesy of The Collection, 2 tickets for the 2016 People’s Choice Awards, a Chimento three-piece set courtesy of Kirk Jewelers and a Dinner Party for 10 with celebrity Chef Ingrid Hoffman. Following the cocktail reception, guests took their seats in the ballroom and were treated to a performance by South Florida’s Soul Survivors.

Jennifer Valoppi & James Rosenquist

James Rosenquist

Marisa Toccin Lucas & Hal Lucas

Don Browne, Robbin Newman,Pam Giganti, & Jennifer Valoppi

Alberto Carvalho & Don Browne

Brittany Gastineau & Fabian Basabe

Brittany Gastineau

Jennifer Valoppi & Christian Berdouare

James Rosenquist, Mitchell Rubenstein, Laurie Silvers, & Mimi Thompson Rosenquist

Wayne & Cynthia Boich

Jeff Berkowitz & Lydia Touzet

Yolanda Berkowitz, Swanee Dimare, & Lydia Touzet

Barbara Hevia, Alexandra Toccin, Alison Zhuk, Suzy Buckley Woodward, & Nicole Lozano

Marvin Ross Friedman & Adrienne Bon Haes

Alan & Diane Lieberman

Don Browne, Jennifer Valoppi, & Alberto Carvalho

Don Browne & Jennifer Valoppi

Jose Diaz-Balart & Marisa Toccin Lucas

Marisa Toccin Lucas

Jose Diaz-Balart

Michael Guyer

Don Browne & Pam Giganti

Nick D’Annunzio, Brittany Gastineau, & Fabian Basabe

Tara Solomon & Brittany Gastineau

Tara Solomon & Nick D’Annunzio

Kristin & Chapman Ducote

Andrew Hall & Marvin Ross Friedman

Joe Prado & Christy Cartaya

Gracey Darroll & Joe Prado

Stephanie Sayfie Aagaard & Morton Aagaard

Leonardo Davalos & Allison Zhuk

Hadley Henriette & Dana Shear

Hadley Henriette, Jeff Berkowitz, Suzy Buckley Woodward, Gary & Dana Shear

Soul Survivors

Wayne & Cynthia Boich

Dale Moore, Michelle Austin, Javier Pastrana, & David Acevedo

Christian Berdouare, Jennifer Valoppi, Missy & Jonathan Babicka

Missy & Jonathan Babicka, & Kelly Blanco

Carol Iacovelli, John & Selene Devaney

Martina Basabe & Nick D’annunzio

Bernerd Garsen & Daisy Olivera

Alexa Iacovelli & Lynn Thomas

Eilah Beavers & Laura Buccellati

Laura Buccellati, Lydia Touzet, & Barbara Hevia

Laura Buccellati, Daisy Oliviera, Kim Wood, Eilah Beavers, & Lydia Touzet

GALLERY SLIDER