Michael D. Fascitelli ('82) and Mayor Cory Booker Honored with Mayor Michael Bloomberg ('66) in Attendance.

Whitney Tilson ('94) Received the John Whitehead Social Enterprise Award

Leonard M. Harlan ('61) Chaired the Successful May 12th Event

The Harvard Business School club of New York brought together Club members and industry leaders from the New York City metro area for the 41st annual Leadership Dinner at Cipriani on May 12th to honor three distinguished regional leaders, Michael D. Fascitelli, Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Whitney Tilson.  Fascitelli, president and trustee of Vornado Realty Trust, one of the largest owners and managers of real estate in the U.S., received HBSCNY's Business Statesman of the Year Award and Mayor Booker received the Leadership Award.  These awards recognize individuals who have excelled in business as well as made major contributions to their communities.  Additionally, Whitney Tilson, founder and managing partner of T2 Partners LLC and the Tilson Mutual Funds, was presented with the John Whitehead Social Enterprise Award.

An outstanding line-up of speakers and presenters added to the excitement of the evening.  Bruce Marcus, Club President, began the evening by introducing the host for the evening Leadership Dinner Committee Chair Leonard Harlan.  After Len thanked the Dinner Committee for its hard work, Len introduced Dean Jay Light, who came down from Boston along with 10 other HBS professors and staff.  Jay thanked the Club for its continued leadership within the alumni club network, and then brought John Whitehead to the stage to present the Social Enterprise Award named in his honor to Whitney Tilson.  Whitney's award was preceeded by a short video presentation featuring Professor Michael Porter and NYC Schools Chancellor Joel Klein.

Immediately following Whitney, Len took the stage again to introduce another of HBS's most distinguished alums, Mayor Michael Bloomberg.  The Mayor was at his best while presenting the Club's Leadership Award to fellow Mayor Cory Booker of Newark.  Mayor Booker brought the entire audience to an emotional peak, as he presented a heartfelt take on America in transition.  (A side note:  Tiki Barber, retired New York Giant and current media personality, who arrived early as a special guest and intended to say a few words in support of Mayor Booker unfortunately had to leave before his talk.)

Not to be outdone, Michael Fascitelli afterwards received his Business Statesman Award from Vornado partner and longtime friend Steven Roth.  Despite his tremendous accomplishments in business and philanthropy, Michael painted a very humble and human picture of his opportunities and successes.  The crowd, however, would have none of it, as they warmly responded to his every story.  The successful evening was brought to a close when Len announced that next year's Leadership Dinner Chair will be John Paulson '80, President, Paulson & Co.

In addition to recognizing its award winners, the Club surpassed all projections for the second year in a row and raised over $800,000, which will go toward supporting the Club's annual budget--including funding for over 60 annual alumni events, fellowships for students at HBS, awards for local non-profit heads to attend HBS summer executive education programs, and general grants for New York area non-profits.  This year, the funds also will be used to help support the Club's upcoming Centennial Social Enterprise Summit on September 23rd.

All that's left to say, is "get your tickets early for next year!"