FOUNDERS, KEEPERS

 

The honorees at this year’s Osborn Foundress Award Luncheon had two important qualities in common: dynamism and self-effacement. In their addresses, both began by saying, “When Matt Anderson called me about the luncheon, I was sure it was to ask if I could put together a table of ten!”

 

With charm and humor, Dawn French, senior vice president of marketing and community outreach at White Plains Hospital and two-time Emmy Award winner for television news, and Jana Seitz, president of the board of trustees of Edith Read Wildlife Sanctuary, adventure travel writer, and vice president of the Rye Free Reading Room, had the packed audience at “Hello”.

 

The Foundress Award recognizes exceptional women who make a difference every day — through leadership, creativity, and hard work. For Jana that often means paddling upstream. For Dawn, it often means wading through rivers of information to ensure that a major and growing hospital is on the right course.

 

The guest speaker was equally inspiring. Carrie Rebora Barratt became the ninth CEO and President of The New York Botanical Garden in July 2018 — and the first woman to hold that position. She came to the Garden from The Metropolitan Museum, where she had a distinguished 34-year career, most recently as Deputy Director. As she’s delightfully discovered, the Garden is not unlike the Met, with extraordinary permanent collections and eye-popping special exhibits.

 

Proceeds from the luncheon go to support The Osborn Charity Care Program, and that too makes a difference every day.

 

PHOTOS BY ANJA PORTO