FOUnDeRS awaRD
ROaD TO inDePenDenCe awaRD
Honorees
Honorees
MaRCia anD MiCHael BeCk
MOODy’S CORPORaTiOn anD FOUnDaTiOn Accepted by
FRanCeS G. laSeRSOn PreSIdent, tHe Moody’S FoUndAtIon Marcia and Michael beck are the parents of Jessica and Cooke alumnus david. They have been members of the Cooke family since 1994 when david entered the brooklyn heights Montessori school as a Cooke inclusion kindergartener. Michael, Cooke’s Treasurer, has been a Trustee since 1995, and both he and Marcia are currently members of the finance Committee. during the past eighteen years, Marcia and Michael have participated in many of the strategic and educational initiatives underpinning Cooke’s growth.
Michael currently serves as Chairman of loeb & loeb llP and Marcia is a Trustee of the hsbC funds. Proud parents, they are grateful for the countless family members, teachers, friends and new yorkers who have made room for david and his fellow “Cookies” on their journeys to inclusion and independence.
Moody’s Corporation is an essential component of the global capital markets, providing credit ratings, research, tools and analysis that contribute to transparent and integrated financial markets. Moody’s has a long-standing commitment to supporting communities where we live and work with grants, leadership support, company-sponsored and individual volunteerism. The Moody’s foundation focuses on education in mathematics, finance, and economics, along with supporting many other important health, civic and cultural causes. Moody’s is proud of its partnership with the Cooke Center for learning and development and of their commitment to provide special education to so many students in new york City. since our partnership began in 2003, Moody’s has donated over $1 million in support of the Cooke Center’s skills development programs, which includes its successful “Transition to life” program. Moody’s also provides further support to Cooke through the efforts of two senior executives who serve on Cooke’s board of Trustees.
An impressive 57% of Moody’s global employees participate in Moody’s Afternoon of Service, with Cooke Center being one of their favorite placements. The Cooke Center and Moody’s partner on programs such as Moody’s Interview University, where employees teach interviewing techniques and coach students on how to hone their interpersonal skills. Moody’s is also pleased to provide opportunities for Cooke students to work in an administrative capacity at our 7 World Trade Center headquarters. Moody’s corporate philanthropy continues to thrive due to the vision, leadership and passion of frances griffith laserson, President of The Moody’s foundation. fran crafted its strategy ten years ago and directs its charitable giving program. she oversees the community affairs and corporate social responsibility programs, which she designed for Moody’s Corporation, and introduced the Afternoon of Service program in 2008. her first visit to Cooke in 2002 was the start of one of Cooke’s most meaningful community partnerships.