Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program’s Annual Gala

Photography by Alejandro Chavarria on April 29th, 2022 in Lifestyle

North Miami Beach, FL – April 29, 2022 – Friday, April 29, 2022, the Women of Tomorrow (WOT) Mentor & Scholarship Program’s Annual Gala celebrated 25 years of working to improve the lives of at-risk students by honoring program co-Founder Don Browne. Browne, the former president of Telemundo Network, VP & General Manager of NBC 6 and Vice President of NBC Network, was recognized for his long-standing role in promoting women and minorities at the networks. Friends and television colleagues, both in attendance and on video, including Katie Couric, Deborah Roberts, Jose Diaz Balart, Trina Robinson, Jackie Nespral, Willard Shepard and Ari Odzer, all praised Browne for his support of women and minorities long before it was fashionable. Program Founder and former NBC 6 anchor Jennifer Valoppi, President, Philanthropic Chair Marisa Toccin Lucas and State Attorney and Women of Tomorrow co-Founder Katherine Fernandez Rundle, presented Browne with the “Spirit of Tomorrow” award, in both he and his late wife, Maria’s name.

The sold-out black-tie Gala at the Ancient Spanish Monastery was co-chaired by Suzy Buckley Woodward, Carol Iacovelli, Dr. Krista Rosenberg and Women of Tomorrow Board Member Daniela Swaebe. This annual gala provides critical support for Women of Tomorrow, which mentors high school-aged girls in South Florida and metro Detroit. The unique program pairs highly accomplished professional women with public high school students. The mentees meet in group sessions monthly to learn the skills necessary for personal and professional success. Not only does Women of Tomorrow boast a 95% high school graduation rate amongst an at-risk population, but the organization has also awarded over $8 million in college scholarships.