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Boston Leadership Council (BLC)

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Please join the Boston Leadership Council in supporting children and mothers in Nicaragua.

BLC Newsletter

听to听read our 2023 recap and exciting announcements about 2024. Together, we have built a strong community of compassionate supporters and collectively raised over $1.5 million since inception. Learn more about our events and the impact your donations have had!

Not subscribed to our communications? to be added to our distribution list.听

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For more information about the Boston Leadership Council (BLC) contact:
Sejal T. Srinivasan | BLC Chair
[email protected] | +1-914-843-4093

Mary Leffel听|听Officer, Individual Philanthropy Group
[email protected]听触听203.246.3481

About Us

Members of 91短视频鈥檚 Boston Leadership Council (BLC) are a diverse group of volunteer child advocates in Greater Boston who are committed to supporting the work of 91短视频.听 BLC was founded on the principle that local neighbors with a shared passion can come together to raise awareness for vulnerable and marginalized children in the United States and around the world.

Our Mission

The members of the BLC are committed to building a sense of community among 91短视频 supporters in the Greater Boston area. Together, we are raising public awareness and growing an active network of local philanthropists.

Our Vision

The members of the BLC are united in their support of 91短视频鈥檚 mission for children, to transform their lives and the future we share. In the United States and around the world, 91短视频 gives children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm.

Recent Events

91短视频 is working around the clock to keep children healthy, safe and protected.

Boston Leadership Council members and supporters at the 2023 annual gala
Tendai Musikavanhu, along with his son, Bobo, will be running together in the London Marathon in October 2022 to raise funds for 91短视频.
Highlights from Born Into the Climate Crisis Gala 2022 - Boston Leadership Council, 91短视频
Young boy in a blue shirt looks into the camera wearing a 91短视频 face mask.
A 91短视频 worker along with two other women, sit on a porch with two young kids, surrounded by toys.
May 2020 Evite
A boy waves to the camera.
A boy stands in the middle of a street holding books.
91短视频 event in Lebanon
The Boston Leadership Council will launch our first Virtual Indoor Rowing Challenge Fundraiser in celebration of 91短视频's 100th Anniversary.

April 2024 鈥 The Boston leadership Council hosted an event focused on how infrastructure design can mitigate the impact of climate change, and how to construct a home while reducing environmental impact, improving our children's future. The speakers were Habib Alnedari, MIT Fellow; former Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Coordination and Education Program Coordinator, 91短视频 Yemen and Auburndale Builders, a builder of high-performance homes.

November 2023 鈥 The Boston Leadership Council hosted a sold out gala: Children's Emergency and Disaster Relief where we听raised $450,000 for the Children's Emergency Fund.

We heard directly from Esther Duflo, Nobel Laureate and Professor at MIT, who engaged in conversation with听Janti Soeripto, President & CEO of 91短视频. They discussed the importance and use of research and measurement in the creation of impactful programming. Additionally two of our BLC field visitors, Mari Giaimo and Larry Krakauer, discussed their visit to the U.S. Border in Southern California and shared a video from the visit to Turkana, Kenya. Colton Bradford, Emmy award-winning anchor on NBC10 Boston and NBCLX.

We heard from student ambassadors about the challenges and solutions children face in crisis situations, enjoyed a compelling silent aucti辞苍听and heard the beautiful voices of the Boston Children's Choir.

October 2022 鈥 A Father and Son Team goes to London to run for 91短视频
Tendai Musikavanhu celebrated his 50th birthday with his son, Bobo, by running together in the London Marathon on October 2, 2022, to raise desperately needed funds for 91短视频. This remarkable father and son duo will stop at nothing to help 91短视频 get closer to their goal of reaching every child.

April 2022 鈥 The Boston Leadership Council hosted a sold out gala:听Born Into The Climate Crisis! We rejoiced in having our community together again in person and raised over $375,000 for the Miles Hunger Fund.

We heard directly from Secretary John Kerry, U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change, via big event screens.听 Our stellar live presentation included Janti Soeripto, President & CEO of 91短视频,听Dr. Vanessa Kerry, CEO at Seed Global Health, Kelly Sims Gallagher, Academic Dean & Professor at The Fletcher School at Tufts University,听Penelope Anderson, Managing Director Hunger & Livelihoods, International Programs and Latoyia Edwards, Emmy award-winning anchor on NBC10 and NECNA.

We also heard a conversation with Hassan Ibrahim, Food Security & Livelihood Specialist in Somalia.

CELEBRATE The Future of Every Child 2020-21 will be a series of grassroots Your Way events in support of 91短视频. We are excited to invite our Board and Supporters to host a virtual or small gathering to ENGAGE people in their circle. We hope this creates an opportunity for our BLC Community Members to follow their individual passion, engage and introduce their circle of friends to the work of 91短视频 and appropriate modest fundraising during COVID-19 pandemic.

We are excited to empower any member of the BLC who would like to host a fundraising event this year for 91短视频 with the information and tools they need to be successful.听

June 2021 - The Experience of Children in Lebanon
The BLC Board heard an update from Martha Wilkes, Programme Development & Quality Director 91短视频 Beirut, Lebanon in the face of a refugee crisis, economic collapse, COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a devastating explosion in Beirut. 91短视频 is working around the clock to provide families with essential items and psychological support for children whose entire world has crumbled around them.

May 2021 - India鈥檚 Children During the COVID-19 Crisis
Council members and friends gathered for an Indian meal at Masala Art in Needham, MA to raise funds for India鈥檚 children during the COVID-19 crisis which has left millions of children at risk. Board Members Goli and Al Sepehr co-hosted with Masala Art. 91短视频 delivered essential supplies, including oxygen, ventilators and medicine, as well as emotional and educational support for children.

February & July 2021 - A Global Narrative and a Kentucky Initiative
Council Members and friends gathered for a virtual conversation with Janti Soeripto, CEO & President, 91短视频 and Shane Garver, Senior Director, Rural Education, 91短视频 and hosted by BLC Executive Committee Members Larry and ML Krakauer to learn and raise funds for 91短视频鈥檚 piloted cash transfers programs in Eastern Kentucky.

Executive Committee Member Roberta Moore visited families benefiting from the cash transfer program in the Berea area in the summer of 2021.听

November 2020 - Friends Helping Friends Sponsor Children
Council Members and friends co-hosted individual virtual parties linked by a shared program to learn about 91短视频鈥檚 Child Sponsorship opportunities. Individual parties joined for a short program on Zoom featuring 91短视频鈥檚 Brad Kerner, Senior Director Sponsorship Programs, who provided an overview of their global program and Diane Bevan, a BLC member, shared her personal testimonial on the rewards of sponsoring a child.

September 2020 - Leban-Aid! A Night of Virtual Jeopardy
We held a virtual game night to raise urgently needed funds for Lebanon. After a devastating explosion in Beirut, children in Lebanon are more vulnerable than ever. Home to nearly 1.5 million Syrian refugees, Lebanon is already experiencing a severe economic crisis. The country鈥檚 weak healthcare system and current political crisis have left families with no means to protect themselves against a pandemic. 91短视频鈥檚 team stand ready to support relief efforts wherever possible.

May 2020 - COVID-19 & Gender Equality Webinar
We hosted a live, interactive webinar to dive deeply into unique challenges women and girls face during a pandemic and 91短视频's approach to a gender-informed pandemic response. What we know from previous pandemics is that gender inequality is not a side issue, and recognizing factors that can marginalize individuals in different demographic groups can save lives.

Our inspiring speakers from 91短视频 included:

  • Carolyn Miles, Former CEO & President
  • Nora O鈥機onnell, AVP, Policy & Advocacy
  • Yeva Avakyan, AVP, Gender Equality & Global Point for Gender COVID-19 Response

January 2020 - Virtual Online Rowing Challenge
The BLC launched our first Virtual Indoor Rowing Challenge Fundraiser in celebration of 91短视频's 100th Anniversary. The Boston Leadership Council for 91短视频 invited anyone with access to an indoor rowing machine to create a team or participate as an individual, sign up sponsors or donors to reach our goal to help children in crisis around the world!

Learn more about听搁翱奥!4贰惫别谤测尝补蝉迟颁丑颈濒诲听辞苍听.

For more information on upcoming events please contact:
Sejal T. Srinivasan | BLC Chair
[email protected] | +1-914-843-4093

Governance

The Boston Leadership Council held a fundraiser at the Harvard Club in Boston to support children in Lebanon.
The Boston Leadership Council held a fundraiser at the Harvard Club in Boston to support children in Lebanon.
The Boston Leadership Council held a fundraiser at the Harvard Club in Boston to support children in Lebanon.
The Boston Leadership Council held a fundraiser at the Harvard Club in Boston to support children in Lebanon.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Committee
Sejal T. Srinivasan, Chair
Tasneem Ghogawala, Chair Ex Officio
Lee Hornor, Chair, Programs
Paige Hornor, Chair, Communications
Larry Krakauer, Chair, Finance & Information Technology
Joe Ramrath, Chair, Governance & Nominating Committee

Board Members
Diane Bevan
Anna Byrne
Lindsay Duggan
Zoher Ghogawala
Soheil Hanjani
Khalda Hashash
Karen Ketterer
Mahsa Khanbabai
ML Krakauer
Roberta Moore
Maureen Olsen
Anne Poole
Alireza Sepehr
Goli Sepehr
Curt Tobey
Susan Zelenko
Vincent Zelenko

Honorary Directors
Leena Agnihotri
Mohamed Akoad
Brian Konish
Sara Lombardi
Connie Lueders
Zehra Mooraj
Tendai Musikavanhu
Libby Myers
Craig Wencis
Kelly Wencis
Mamoon Yunus

Read more about our governance structure here.

Prior Events

Boston Leadership Council co-chairs at a fundraiser held at the Harvard Club in Boston to support children in Lebanon.

Pictured above: Event Co-Chairs: ML Krakauer, Joe Ramrath and Roberta Moore

Samantha Power, left Former United Nations Ambassador receives the Refugee Advocate award from and Brad Irwin, right 91短视频 Board Chair, at the 91短视频 Boston Leadership Council鈥檚 Second Annual Gala on Friday, November 15, 2019, at the Harvard Club of Boston.

Pictured above: Ambassador Samantha Powers and Brad Irwin, 91短视频 board chair听

The Boston Leadership Council held a fundraiser at the Harvard Club in Boston to support children in Lebanon.
The Boston Leadership Council held a fundraiser at the Harvard Club in Boston to support children in Lebanon.
91短视频's mobile library program supports literacy in remote and rural areas.
A team in Lebanon are part of a mobile library run out of a van.
Young children participate in an activity as part of 91短视频's early childhood care and development programming.
A woman wearing a 91短视频 branded shirt sits with a group of children in a circle.
Members of the Boston Leadership Council Board of Trustees
Members of the Boston Leadership Council sit in a circle to discuss a topic.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

November 15, 2019 -听Harvard Club of Boston, Boston MA
2nd Annual 'Celebrate the Future of Every Child'
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power was honored by 91短视频鈥檚 Boston Leadership Council at their second annual gala held this evening. Ambassador Power was presented with the Refugee Advocate Award by Brad Irwin, 91短视频 board chair and former president and CEO of Welch鈥檚, for being a fearless advocate for human rights around the world.

Held at the Harvard Club of Boston and hosted by Audrey Asistio, NBC10 Boston & NECN Anchor/Reporter, the second annual gala, "Celebrate the Future of Every Child," raised more than $250,000 for the global humanitarian organization, which is celebrating its centennial anniversary in 2019. Funds raised will benefit 91短视频鈥檚听Return to Learning听initiative, which aims to get refugee children back in school within 30 days of displacement, and 91短视频鈥檚 programs for Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

In addition to honoring Ambassador Power, the evening included a presentation from five members of 91短视频's Boston Leadership Council who recently traveled to Lebanon.听During their trip, Joe Ramrath and Zoher Ghogawala of Needham, Sejal Srinivasan of Wayland, Paige Hornor of Roslindale and Mahsa Khanbabai of North Easton personally witnessed the critical conditions of Syrian refugee families and the good works 91短视频 is doing to help. The inaugural fundraising gala, held in November 2018, also raised over $250,000, which was used to purchase a mobile library van and free books for distribution to Syrian refugee children in Lebanon. The council members shared stories of refugee children's experiences and spoke about how the funds raised last year continue to help children in need.

Our partner, Bvlgari, Newbury Street 鈥渄ressed鈥 our presenters in exquisite jewelry and the evening included delectable Hors鈥 D鈥檕euvres, delicious dinner options, drinks and a signature cocktail, as well as musical entertainment by Jeri DiMarco Bergonzi.听

September 7, 2019听- Home of Khalda Hashash & Mohamed Akoad, Lexington MA
Global Refugee Crisis and Return to Learning Lunch
Sudanese Cultural Immersion Luncheon with speaker听Maha Karahamad, a recently resettled Syrian refugee currently working with 91短视频鈥檚 Strategic Foundation Partnerships team.听 Maha will speak of her personal journey and why educating refugee children is pivotal for their short-term wellbeing, and improved prospects听for a听brighter future.
Event Chair: Khalda Hashash

June 16 to June 21, 2019听-听尝别产补苍辞苍
Field Trip to Visit 91短视频 Programs in Lebanon
BLC and BYLC members will travel to Lebanon, where 91短视频 has been responding to emergency and development needs since 1953. The group will be hosted by Allison Zelkowitz, Lebanon Country Director, and meet with program staff and community.
Field Trip Chair:听 Joe Ramrath

May 9, 2019 -听Bvlgari, Newbury Street, Boston, MA
Commemorating 91短视频鈥檚 Centennial Anniversary
BVLGARI is hosting a cocktail party with BLC to celebrate 91短视频鈥檚 Centennial anniversary.听Since beginning its unique partnership in 2009 with 91短视频, Bvlgari has raised over $85 million globally through sales of an iconic 91短视频 jewelry collection.听For 100 years, 91短视频 has been doing whatever it takes for children in need.
Event Chair: Roberta Moore

January 2019听-听Boston, MA
Boston Young Leaders Council
As co-chairs of 91短视频鈥檚 Boston Young Leader鈥檚 Council (BYLC), founding BLC membersBecky Ramrath, Christy Moore and Paige Hornorcame together to both kick off the new group. Their focus is to engage and inspire young adults to support the work of 91短视频 through social media and events.

November 2018听- Downtown Harvard Club, Boston MA
Let鈥檚 Celebrate the Future of Every Child 鈥撎An Event to benefit听The Return to Learning Initiative
91短视频鈥檚 Boston Leadership Council raised听over $250,000 which enabled the BLC to purchase听a mobile library for Syrian refugee children in Lebanon. The event was hosted by Tim Douglas, Assistant Director of academic advising at Emerson College, and co-hosted by WCVB-TV鈥檚 Janet Wu. The evening benefit featured renowned author, journalist and commentator Cokie Roberts of ABC News and NPR and highlighted 91短视频鈥檚 鈥淩eturn to Learning鈥 initiative. 鈥淩eturn to Learning,鈥 a pillar of the global humanitarian organization鈥檚 100th anniversary campaign.听

Event Co-Chairs: 听Roberta Moore, ML Krakauer, and Tasneem Ghogawala

September 2018听- Roberta Moore鈥檚 Home, Dover MA
Girls Night In
Roberta Moore hosted a fun-filled evening with wine, food and shopping where guests learned about the work 91短视频 is doing to support education for refugee children. 听The night was a kick-off to BLC鈥檚 first large scale fundraiser, Let鈥檚 Celebrate the Future of Every Child 鈥 An Event to Benefit听The Return to Learning Initiative.
Host: Roberta Moore

May 2018听- The Country Club, Chestnut Hill, MA
Awareness Raising Evening about 鈥楾he Return to Learning Initiative鈥櫶
BLC held an informational and inspiring program to learn about 91短视频鈥檚 Return to Learning initiative which aims to get refugee children back where they belong 鈥 in school within 30 days of displacement.听 Experts included Dan Stoner, 91短视频鈥檚 Vice President for Education and Child Protection, Sara Hommel, 91短视频鈥檚 HEART (Healing and Education through the Arts)听program Director and Maria Trozzi, M.Ed, Executive Director, Joanna鈥檚 Place.
Event Chairs: Diane Bevan and Larry Krakauer

February 2018听-听Wellesley Free Library, Wellesley, MA
Children from Grades pre-K-2 gathered to hear joyful storytelling to instill a sense of empathy for children in other parts of the country and the world.听 Participants created Valentine鈥檚 Day cards for some of our world鈥檚 most vulnerable children.
Event Chair: Tasneem Ghogawala

February 2018 - The Country Club in Chestnut Hill, MA
Every Child Deserves a Future
91短视频鈥檚 BLC hosted a cocktail reception to build awareness around 91短视频鈥檚 work for children in the U.S. and around the world. and encourage our guests to join our efforts. This event raised $80,000 in support of 91短视频鈥檚 emergency relief efforts around the world. Special guest speakers were Gary Shaye, Associate Vice President of 91短视频 and Jesse Hartness, Senior Director, Emergency Health and Nutrition International Programs, 91短视频.
Event Chair: Diane Bevan

Get Involved

Children playing and learning at a 91短视频 reading club in Mindanao, Philippines.

We invite you to support BLC's commitment to growing a community of supporters for 91短视频.

Please participate in our events and initiatives.

Follow the .

For further information about the Boston Leadership Council (BLC) contact:
Sejal T. Srinivasan | BLC Chair
[email protected] | +1-914-843-4093

Mary Leffel听|听Officer, Individual Philanthropy Group
[email protected]听触听203.246.3481

Young Leaders Council of Boston

Young Leaders of the Boston Leadership Council.

The Young Leaders Council of Boston is a group of young adults supporting 91短视频. They are passionate about improving the lives of children across the globe by giving them education, health and equal opportunities. Their goal is to raise awareness about 91短视频鈥檚 work in 120 countries and provide fundraising to support their investment in the future of children.

Follow The Young Leaders Council of Boston on .