June 18th, 2012 
Boy of the Year, Isaac and his brother, Isaiah Duck
The National Capital Area Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) celebrated the conclusion of the Man & Woman of the Year campaign at the Grand Finale Gala held at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, June 16, 2012. The Grand Finale Gala marked the end of an intensive 10-week fundraising challenge between 18 passionate men and women in the DC Metropolitan Area. Using their connection of networks, hard work, professional expertise, and dedication to making a difference, candidates fundraised in creative ways to win the title and give back to the LLS mission: to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and improve the qualify of life for patients and their families. This year’s fundraising was in honor of two special patient heroes, the 2012 Boy & Girl of the Year: Isaac Duck and Sophia Becraft.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is a terrific organization. I was a candidate in 2004 coming in 2nd Runner Up that year. I served as Campaign Manager for my friend, Katie Rost in 2010, and this year, I participated as Campaign Manager for my dear friend, Cheryl Romero. Additionally, my other business, Miss A Marketing donated $6,000 worth of design services to LLS as an in-kind sponsor — creating the invitation for the gala and other collateral. I think so highly of this fundraising model for the Man & Woman of the Year campaign that I duplicated it with “Model Washingtonian of the Year” for the fundraising component for Fashion for Paws, which I founded for the Washington Humane Society and chaired in 2007. Cheryl participated in 2005 and was that year’s 2nd Runner Up. She is the only person to participate in M&WOY twice, but felt compelled to do so in support of her goddaughter, 2012 Girl of the Year, Sophia Becraft who is currently in remission with ALL.
Great speeches were given by Christine and Thomas Becraft, parents of Girl of the Year, Sophia Becraft
Honorary Chairs this year were ABC7/ WJLA-TV anchor Alison Starling and 2006 Man of the Year and 96.1 The Wolf/WKWS morning radio host Brian Egan, who served as Masters of Ceremony. CBRE and Freeman were the 2012 Presenting Sponsors and Adler Jewelers as Jewel in the Box Sponsor.Funds continued to be raised throughout the evening through the incredible silent auction. This year, attendees were able to use BidPal, an innovative system which uses iPhone and mobile technology to more efficiently run silent auctions. Attendees were able to track and place bids on items while seated and enjoying the first course. The night included presentations about the Boy and Girl of the Year, candidates’ unique stories, and the presentation of the citizenship awards. The event concluded with the event co-chairs, 2008 Woman of the Year Chartese Burnett of Chartese Enterprises LLC and 2009 Man of the Year Hap Peden of IBM, announcing campaign total which was $1.1 million, and announcement of the winners. Man of the Year went to Tommy Cleaver who raised a record-breaking $271,000 and Amanda Tiede who raised an amazing $130,000. After the awards, attendees moved to the dance floor to continue the celebration.
- Miss A
Amanda Tiede, 2012 LLS Woman of the Year with Chartese Burnette and Hap Peden
Tommy Cleaver being congratulated as he makes his way up to the stage.
Event co-chairs, 2008 Woman of the Year Chartese Burnett of Chartese Enterprises LLC and 2009 Man of the Year Hap Peden of IBM presenting award to Cheryl Romero
Man of the Year Candidates Woman of the Year Candidates:
Tommy Cleaver , CBRE
Katie Asprovski, Michael Romeo Group
Mike Cragg, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Keyana Corliss, Merritt Group
Michael Effron, General Services
Megan Haven-Buske, Ridgewells
Nonie Kimpitak, Siteworx
Saadiq Luqman, KPMG
Erin Kirkpatrick, New Media Strategies
Richard Moroscak, Southern Trust Mortgage
Jenell Porreco, Flemings Steakhouse
John Nyce, B3 Solutions
Cheryl Romero, EDGE Professional Services
Brandon Randles, UMUC
Kate Sullivan, Mapetsi Policy Group
Gene Thomas, Freeman
Amanda Tiede, Cassidy Turley
Amanda Woodhead, Emdeon
Cheryl Romero and Andrea Rodgers
BidPal
Dr. Alex Naini, Kimberly Robinson, Andrea Rinaldi, Rodney Foster, Andrea Rodgers
I’d like to submit a correction…Over the last 10 weeks, Amanda Tiede and her team (aptly named “The A-Team”) raised $233K. I know because I was her Campaign Manager
We are excited that Amanda is also a contender for National LLS Woman of the Year!
Thank you, Miss A, for highlighting this important cause!!