The Sparkle of Hope Annual Dinner Auction, founded in 1997 by Fred Hassan, Partner and Managing Director at Warburg Pincus, to benefit Community Hope’s Hope for Veterans Programs broke previous fundraising efforts drawing 950 sponsors and individuals. The group aids veterans and families struggling with mental health issues, addiction, poverty and homelessness.
The gala honored Alex Gorsky, Chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson, and David Cote, Chairman and CEO of Honeywell. Gorsky, a West Point graduate and former U.S. Army Captain, was recognized for his support of servicemen, women and their families, and his commitment to advancing mental health treatment. Cote was honored with Community Hope’s Hero’s Award for his support of the military and veterans. Honeywell and other supporters helped the charity rescue 1,000 veterans and their families from homelessness this past year.
Joining Founding Chair Fred Hassan in co-chairing the event: The Honorable Kim Guadagno, Lieutenant Governor, State of New Jersey; Aaron Graff, President and COO, Ferring Pharmaceuticals; Brent Saunders, CEO and President, Allergan; John F. Crowley, Chairman and CEO, Amicus Therapeutics; Geno Germano, Group President Global Innovative Pharma Business, Pfizer; Jesper Høiland, President, Novo Nordisk; Joseph Militano, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications, Finmeccanica N.A. and DRS Technologies; Bob Oliver, President and CEO, Otsuka America; Shaji Procida, President and COO of Eisai; and Kevin Rigby, Rigby Consulting LLC and recently-retired Vice President and Head, Public Affairs and Communications, Novartis. Since 1997, the event has raised $9 million, uniting the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in support of a common cause.
