The Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship

Program will host its annual gala at the beautiful Mandarin Oriental Hotel, with more than 500 of South Florida’s leading philanthropists, celebrities and politicians in attendance. Founders Jennifer Valoppi and Don Browne, along with Gala Chair Marisa Toccin Lucas and Co-Vice President, the Honorable Katherine Fernandez Rundle, are planning an unforgettable event to celebrate 19 successful years of mentoring at-risk young girls in the South Florida community.

The event’s cocktail reception will feature lavish hors d’oeuvre stations created by the Mandarin Oriental’s executive chef, complemented by the always popular silent auction which will include hundredsof items from top luxury retail, hospitality and restaurant brands. Last year’s items included donations from Loews Hotels, Perry Ellis International, Prime One Twelve,

Diane Walder, MD, Saint Laurent Bal Harbour and many others. The 2015 big ticket auction items were a $5,000 Gift Certificate courtesy of Neiman Marcus, Bal Harbour; a diamond jewelry set courtesy of Kirk Jewelers; a private dinner party with celebrity chef Ingrid Hoffmann; a 3-year lease on a 2015 6 cylinder Jaguar F-Type Convertible, courtesy of THE COLLECTION; and a package for two to attend the 2016 People’s Choice Awards.

There’s always excitement at Women of Tomorrow’s gala! At last year’s soiree, there was an unforgettable performance by South Florida’s own Soul Survivors and an all-star guest list. Additionally, a heartwarming video was played, featuring some of Women of Tomorrow’s graduates explaining howthe program changed their lives. At the conclusion of the video, Women of Tomorrow mentees, graduates and scholarship recipients filled the ballroom as they held candle lights,

Honorees of the 2015 Gala included the inaugural recipient of the Spirit of Tomorrow Award, renowned artist James Rosenquist; Empowerment Award Honorees, Carol & Marc Iacovelli; Leadership Award Honoree, Miami-Dade County Public School Superintendent Alberto Carvalho; Excellence Honorees Publix Super Markets & Publix Super Markets Charities; and Mentor of the Year, Pam Giganti.

Following the cocktail reception, guests will be escorted into the ballroom where they will be treated to a four-course dinner and the musical talents of South Florida’s, Soul Survivors.

Tickets, which will be $400, $600, $1,000 and $2,500, will be available in December 2015, when the theme and honorees for the event will be announced.

About Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program

Women of Tomorrow was conceived in 1997 by Television Journalist Jennifer Valoppi and co-founded with Don Browne, retired Telemundo Network President. The Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program is designed to inspire, motivate and empower at-risk young women to live up to their full potential through a unique mentoring program with highly accomplished professional women and scholarship opportunities. Women of Tomorrow currently mentors approximately 3,500 at-risk girls in 183 public high schools throughout South Florida, Metropolitan Detroit and Greater Philadelphia with its network of over 500 Mentors. Research shows that Women of Tomorrow Mentees have increased self-esteem, a 95% high school graduation rate, and increased academic performance each year they are in the program, to a statistically significant degree. Women of Tomorrow has awarded over $4 million in college scholarships to more than 1,400 mentees. For more information, call 305-371-3330 or visit www.WomenofTomorrow.org.