July 25th, 2012 
Andrea Rodgers and Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker
Last night, young professionals gathered at the beautiful townhouse of Chris Edwards and Albert Fonticiella for a chocolate and champagne reception to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. This is a kick off for the nonprofit’s signature event, The Honoring the Promise Gala at The Kennedy Center on September 28th. Attendees sipped champagne while nibbling on scrumptious chocolate treats from Edward Marc Chocolatier. Chris Edwards and Dana Edwards Manatos run the business along with their brother. The company was founded by their grandparents in Pittsburgh 98 years ago. I am sure that their grandmother who worked for the company until 99 years of age would be extremely proud of where the third generation is taking the brand.
Chris Edwards who serves on the Young Professionals Committee for the Honoring the Promise Gala welcomed the crowd and then introduced Allyn Rose, Miss DC2012. Allyn gave a very moving speech about losing her mother to breast cancer at the tender age of 16. Breast cancer will be the cause she will take with her to the Miss America Pagaent as her platform. “The Power of One” was the theme of the talk given by
Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker Addressing the Crowd
Congressman Aaron Schock, who is the U.S. Representative from Illinois’s 18th Congressional District, and the youngest serving U.S. representative. Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker then addressed the gathering noting, “The two most important days are the day that you were born and the day you find out why.”
Home of Chris Edwards and Albert Fonticiella (the only townhouse left on L Street in Washington, DC)
If anyone exemplifies the “The Power of One,” it is Ambassador Brinker. Many of us keep our promises. Many of us volunteer in our community. Many of us consider ourselves entrepreneurs. But when you consider the impact that Ambassador Brinker has made by keeping her promise to her dying sister, it is truly astounding. Many of us struggle to raise thousands of dollars for a cause near and dear to us, but imagine creating an organization that has funded more breast cancer research than any other entity aside from the U.S. government. Although her organization is a nonprofit, her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit should not go unrecognized. I am so inspired by the organization’s creative partnerships with businesses and brands, and how Ambassador Brinker has created such a powerful network of volunteers reaching all around the world.
Albert Fonticiella, Chris Edwards, Congressman Aaron Schock, Miss DC Allyn Rose
I was honored to spend some time with Ambassador Brinker, and am honored to serve on the Corporate Committee for The Honoring the Promise Gala. I hope that you will join me so that you can meet this remarkable and iconic leader.
HONORING THE PROMISE GALA
Susan G. Komen for the Cure®‘s Honoring the Promise will bring together the heroes of the breast cancer movement for a once-in-a-lifetime evening of inspiration and world class entertainment. On this special night, Komen will honor those on the frontlines of the breast cancer fight with special awards of distinction in Medical and Scientific Research, Advocacy, Community and Global Leadership. Proceeds from the Honoring the Promise event in 2011 raised over $2 million to support a major projects in Southeast D.C. in Wards 7 and 8, communities with the highest breast cancer mortality rates in the region. Proceeds from the 2012 event will continue to support efforts in community health and cutting-edge medical research.
Edward Marc Chocolatiers Treats
The night is to be chaired by one of Washington’s top business leaders, John Castellani, President and CEO of PhRMA and the former president and CEO of the Business Roundtable. The event’s Founding Chair is David M. Rubenstein, Co-Founder of The Carlyle Group.
Master of Ceremonies: Bob Schieffer, CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent and Moderator of “Face the Nation”
2012 Awardees include:
Maggie Daley (to be accepted by The Honorable Richard M. Daley)
Senator Olympia Snowe
Her Excellency Dr. Christine Kaseba
First Lady of the Republic of Zambia
HONORARY CO-CHAIRS
THE AMBASSADOR OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES AND MRS. ABEER AL OTAIBA
THE AMBASSADOR OF THE STATE OF KUWAIT AND MRS. SALEM AL-SABAH
SENATOR SCOTT BROWN AND MRS. GAIL HUFF BROWN • REPRESENTATIVE JOHN DINGELL
THE HONORABLE AND MRS. JOHN ENGLER • SENATOR JOSEPH LIEBERMAN
EXECUTIVE CHAIRS
JANE AND SPENCER ABRAHAM • HOWARD BERNICK • WILMA AND STUART BERNSTEIN • DEBORAH DINGELL
HADASSAH LIEBERMAN • MARLENE AND FRED MALEK • GINGER AND STUART PAPE • ANNE AND JOHN RAFFAELLI VANESSA REED • VICKI AND ROGER SANT • LINDA AND ACIE VICKERS
CORPORATE COMMITTEE
JOHN BRADY • ROGER HIYAMA • B.R. MCCONNON III • JANET MCULSKY
NELS OLSON • ANDREA RODGERS • BRIGITTE SCHMIDT GWYN • REX WACKERLE
WHEN:Friday, September 28, 2012 7:30 p.m. until midnight
Kiki Ryan, Eric Brinker, John Pearson III
WHERE:
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
2700 F Street NW
Washington, DC 20037
Ph.202-467-4600
TICKETS: If you can not attend the reception but would like to purchase a ticket or become a sponsor for the gala, please contact Andrea Rodgers at missa@askmissa.com $100 for Young Professionals (under 40) and $500 Advocate For The Cure Ticket. Please click here for more information.
