On Wednesday, May 1, 2019, The Center for Discovery (The Center) honored Ellen R. Alemany, Chairwoman and CEO of CIT Group, at the 23rdannual Evening of Discovery Gala.
The Gala was hosted by Bill Ritter, WABC Eyewitness News Anchor, at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers in New York City, and was attended by prominent members of the business, healthcare and entertainment industries. The Evening of Discoveryraised more than two million dollars to support The Center’s groundbreaking programs and services. An internationally-recognized research and innovation organization, The Center serves nearly 1,200 children and adults annually who have complex disabilities, medical frailties and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
Alemany was honored for her extraordinary generosity and unwavering support of The Center. A world leader in the business community, long-standing leader on the board, and a devoted mother of a resident, Alemany has helped lead the enormous growth at The Center. “My eldest daughter, Ellen, became a resident when she was 14, and that began a journey that would be life-changing for her and for our whole family,” Ellen said after thanking The Center for her award. “Since being at The Center, we’ve seen Ellen grow and thrive in ways that would not have been possible anywhere else. Each day she is engaging in activities to build her skills, confidence and social connections. She works on the farm-to-table program prepping food and taking the stems off greens. She swims twice a week and takes the ENERGym fitness class. These are things that would not be possible for Ellen at home or in any other residential program. For this and so much more I want to thank The Center and their amazing staff. These are tireless, driven and incredibly caring people who treat our family members like their family members, and I’m so grateful to them.”
“We are thrilled to recognize Ellen Alemany as our 2019 Evening of Discovery Honoree,” said Patrick H. Dollard, President and CEO of The Center. "Ellen is a world leader in the business community and a long-standing leader on our board. She has been an incredible guide to me, and she has also shown me her absolute ability to be vulnerable. And when I see that, I see nothing but courage. Ellen owns her vulnerability. She is one of the strongest people I’ve ever met.
In 2018, American Banker named Ellen Alemany the third most powerful woman in banking. She is the Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of CIT Group, one of the top 50 largest banks in the United States. Prior to joining CIT, Alemany was the Head of RBS Americas, the management structure that oversees The Royal Bank of Scotland’s businesses in the Americas, and Chief Executive Officer of RBS Citizens Financial Group, Inc., until she retired in September 2013. Alemany is currently on the boards of Fidelity National Information Services, Operation HOPE, Inc., The Center for Discovery, and Partnership for New York City. She also serves on the Board of Advisors for the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and the Board of Trustees for The Conference Board.
The Gala, which was attended by nearly 1,000 guests, kicked off with a cocktail reception, followed by a formal dinner and live auction. Guests of the event hailed from Fortune 500 companies and the stage and screen, including actors Aidan Quinn (“Elementary”), Lorraine Bracco (“The Sopranos”), Didi Conn (“Grease”), Rebecca Jarvis (ABC News Correspondent) and Dave Price (Weather Anchor at NBC-4 NY). Also in attendance were 11 world-renowned chefs who support The Center and its use of fresh food as a therapeutic tool through the “DaVinci Master Chefs” program, including: Cesare Casella (Italian Cooking School by Cesare Casella; Chief of the Department of Nourishment Arts at TCFD), Gaetano Arnone (Otto), Franklin Becker (Central), Nick Gaube (Quality Italian), Mark Ladner (Pasta Flyer), Jim Lahey (Sullivan Street Bakery), Pino Luongo (Coco Pazzo), Christian Petroni (Fortina), Melissa Rodriguez (Del Posto), Justin Smilie (Upland) and Mark Strausman (Fred’s at Barney’s). Each year, chefs from the “DaVinci Master Chefs” program come to The Center to teach their recipes to The Center’s own residential chefs, and the residents experience the culinary excellence designed by these master chefs.
