EVENT PROGRAM WELCOME - WE ARE IVYMOUNT! Susan Holt, Executive Director & CEO Tina Brodrick, Community Engagement Director
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP SUCCESS Rob Wanerman, President, Foundation Board Jen Berzok, President, Corporate Board
INVITED ALUMNI SPEAKER Ahnya McLeod, Ivymount School Graduate
DINNER STUDENT & FAMILY SUCCESS Melissa Flaim & Jeff Fischer, Ivymount Parents and Gala Chairs
LIVE AUCTION Fine Wine Collection U.S. Open Golf Experience Vacation in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands Ivymount Alumni Art - Planting Growth by Mara Clawson
STAFF EXCELLENCE & SHARING WHAT WORKS Susan Holt, Executive Director & CEO
FUND-A-CAUSE Investing in Staff Excellence
TOAST TO MEMORIES AND MOMENTUM Melissa Flaim & Jeff Fischer with Program Directors
DESSERT BUFFET, COFFEE AND COCKTAILS Gala announcements delivered by Ivymount School student Greydon Fischer
WELCOME FROM THE DIRECTOR Thank you for joining us to celebrate the remarkable Six Decades of Ivymount, defined by inspired leaders, exceptional staff, dedicated students, supportive families, and devoted community and professional partners. We Are Ivymount – all of us together, fulfilling a mission that continues uninterrupted. Early on, Ivymount was known as An Exceptional School for Exceptional Children. We are now much more than a school but are nonetheless still exceptional. The Ivymount School, The Maddux School, the Early Childhood Clinic, Endeavors Services, Outreach Programs, and Professional Collaborative all focus on learning, growth, and collaboration. Tonight’s Fund-A-Cause will support our Investing in Excellence Initiative to ensure our staff has the optimal resources and training to provide Ivymount quality programs to students, families, and the broader community. It is truly a cause that defines the heart of Ivymount. We are honored by the trailblazers and leadership who have come before us, appreciative of your partnership and investment, and thrilled to be here with you to celebrate Ivymount as we move forward together. Sincerely, Susan Holt Executive Director and CEO
Independence changes everything Congratulations on six decades! Melissa Randolph & Lockton proudly support the Ivymount Organization.
lockton.com | © 2023 Lockton Companies. All rights reserved.
GALA COMMITTEE Gala Committee Chairs Melissa Flaim and Jeff Fischer
Ivymount Leadership Jen Berzok President, Corporate Board Rob Wanerman President, Foundation Board Paula Parsons Past President, Corporate Board Dan Hall President, School Board Laura Augustin President, Outreach Board Susan Holt Executive Director and CEO
Foundation Board Mat Adler Gary Aiken Regina Barry Jack Bienko Sean Coakley Jeff Fischer Dean Halstead Susan Holt Eric Lee Myrna Mulholland Sam Niknia Jim Pope Amy Raskin Bobby Rassuli Alex Ratnofsky Rob Wanerman Molly Whalen Nick Zemil
MENU FIRST COURSE FALL ROOT VEGETABLE TARTARE (GF, NF, V) Quinoa, Pumpkin Seed Granola, Red Beet Gelée Pickled Mustard Seed, Winter Lettuce & Rosemary Balsamic Reduction BREAD & ROLL ASSORTMENT (NF) Chef’s Assortment Of Rolls, Rustic Bread & Blueberry Cornbread Salt & Pepper Butter Timbales
ENTRÉE CHIANTI BRAISED BEEF SHORT RIBS (NF) Parmesan Risotto & Caramelized Brussels Sprouts Chianti Demi-glace, Crispy Onion Strings KING OYSTER MUSHROOM “SCALLOPS” (NF, GF, V) Seared King Oyster Mushroom Medallions, Vegan Black Risotto Oyster Mushroom Ragout, Carrot & Parsnip Purée Basil Oil
DESSERT & COFFEE BAR MINI CARAMEL MACCHIATO BAR (NF) MINI CHOCOLATE CREMEUX (NF) PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE DESSERT CUP (NF) MINI HONEY & FIG TART (NF) CHURRO SANDWICH (NF)
Tonight’s Siema dinner wines provided by PowerGrass ™
ARCHITECTURE
PLANNING
INTERIORS
8120 Woodmont Ave, Suite 750, Bethesda MD 20814 | www.penneydesigngroup.com JONATHAN J. PENNEY | 301.526.9069 | jpenney@penneydesigngroup.com
2023 IVYMOUNT GALA
LIVE AUCTION
Fine Wine Collection An extraordinary collection of fine wine from Washington State with Wine Advocate ratings from 95-100! The winner of this collection will enjoy a well-rounded and meticulously chosen assortment of wines that will mark you as an oenophile to your guests and add to the enjoyment of your wine collection. The collection includes 2 magnums and 8 standard bottles. 2007 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Galitzine Vineyard, 97 point rating 2006 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, 96 point rating 2008 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon (1.5L), 98 point rating 2010 Cayuse Syrah Bionic Frog, 100 point rating 2017 Champagne Christophe Baron Brut Nature Le Dessus du Bois Marie (1.5L), 95+ point rating 2009 Cayuse Syrah Cailloux Vineyard, 96+ point rating 2003 Cayuse Syrah Armada Vineyard, 99 point rating 2018 Horsepower Vineyards Grenache Sur Echalas Vineyard, 96 point rating 2018 Horsepower Vineyards Syrah High Contrast Vineyard, 96 point rating 2017 Horsepower Vineyards Syrah The Tribe Vineyard, 96 point rating – Jen and Matt Berzok
Thank you Ivymont for making a world of difference in our local community. www.mantech.com
2023 IVYMOUNT GALA
LIVE AUCTION
U.S. Open Golf Experience The U.S. Open Golf Championship has been one of golf’s most beloved and premier golf competitions since 1895. Be a part of this legendary event on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at the Pinehurst Resort and Country Club in Pinehurst, NC as a guest of Ridgewells Catering. You and one guest will experience the tradition of the U.S. Open Golf Championship with gourmet food, open top-shelf bar, professional waitstaff, and other amenities. Your tickets grant you access to the golf course and the Ridgewells table in the Champions Pavilion. Complete breakfast, full luncheon buffet, afternoon hors d’oeuvres and open bar service will be available. -Ridgewells Catering
ALWAYS FOCUSED. FULLY COMMITTED.
Lively, Worch & Zmuda, P.C. Certified Public Accountants 10405 Montgomery Avenue Kensington, MD 20895 301-949-2490
Proudly Support The Ivymount School
Epstein Becker Green is proud to support the The Ivymount School in its mission to provide quality educational programs and therapeutic services to neurodiverse students. ebglaw.com
© 2023 Epstein Becker & Green, P.C.
Attorney Advertising
Making retirement benefits more beneficial At Lincoln Financial, we provide a wide range of employer-sponsored retirement plans for organizations of all sizes and sectors. Our tools and services help simplify the entire benefits process for employees and plan sponsors. We make it easier to manage competing priorities, boost contributions and face retirement with confidence. Lincoln Financial is proud to support Ivymount's 2023 Memories & Momentum Gala. Learn more at LincolnFinancial.com LFG-IGM23-ADV001_Z01 LCN-3548778-041421. Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation and its affiliates. ©2023 Lincoln National Corporation.
Proud Supporter of Ivymount
2023 IVYMOUNT GALA
LIVE AUCTION
Vacation in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands Enjoy a week in paradise in gorgeous St. Croix at the Villa at Bougainvilla! This spacious 4 bedroom, 3 bath home is located in Cotton Valley on the East End of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Featuring unprecedented views of Buck Island and the Caribbean Sea, this well-appointed home includes a large open gourmet kitchen, cathedral ceilings, private pool and deck and more! As an extra bonus, you and your guests will enjoy VIP treatment at Sion Farm Distillery where you will have a private tour of Mutiny Island Vodka and a free flight tasting. Stay in the tasting room for lunch and enjoy delicious hand-crafted cocktails made with the world’s first island vodka distilled from breadfruit. No passport required for travel to St. Croix. Dates are flexible during June, July or September 2024. House is fully equipped but rental car recommended to access beaches, shopping and local history. - Karen Martinez
TECHNOLOGY SERVICES • Managed IT Services • Hardware and Software Sales • Web Development and Hosting • and MORE!
410-246-5222 webworksinc.com
Proud to be a Supporter of:
Mitch Lustig Executive Vice President PMM Companies 15938 Derwood Road Rockville, MD 20855 (D): 301-917-6474 (M): 301-370-2014 mlustig@pmmcompanies.com Since 1997
2023 IVYMOUNT GALA
LIVE AUCTION
Ivymount Alumni Art: Planting Growth by Mara Clawson Award-winning artist and Ivymount alumni Mara Clawson created this beautiful 27”x21” digital painting, Planting Growth. “Watering a garden is the same as how we learn. Teachers at Ivymount are like watering a garden,” says Mara. “They teach us what we need to have knowledge about in the world, and to thrive in life. They help us grow, and we learn ways to be safe and to be more independent.” This self-taught artist resides and works locally in Bethesda, MD. Her choice of subjects is often driven by a desire to raise awareness about issues such as vulnerable environments, people and animals. Her artwork provides a refreshing perspective on the world, one infused with her clear insights and hopeful outlook. This special piece is printed with a matte finish and mounted on aluminum in a stylish ArtBox frame. Don’t miss the opportunity to own one of Mara’s extraordinary works and let hope grow! - Mara Clawson
2023 IVYMOUNT GALA
FUND-A-CAUSE Our 2023 Fund-A-Cause will benefit the Investing in Excellence Initiative. The most important investment we make is in Ivymount Professionals. They are the heart of our organization and the reason we succeed in our mission. The Investing in Excellence Initiative recognizes staff commitment to Ivymount by supporting necessary compensation, staff training and mentoring. It also funds research and the development of teaching tools and curricula that benefit students, families, and the broader special education community. Your contribution to the Fund-A-Cause directly supports Ivymount professionals and the community by furthering evidence-based practices delivered with caring and compassion. Thank you for Investing in Excellence!
BOLD MOVES FROM THE INSIDE OUT
Michael J. Eig & Associates, P.c. www.lawforchildren.com
info@lawforchilden.com
5454 Wisconsin Ave. I Suite 760 I Chevy Chase, MD 20815-6938 IT: 301-657-1740 I F: 301-657-3843 Michael J. Eig MD, DC Paula A. Rosenstock VA, DC, MD Meghan Probert DC Jani Tillery MD, DC Of Counsel: Matthew B. Bogin MD, DC, VA
2023 IVYMOUNT GALA
C O R P O R AT E S P O N S O R S
We are grateful for the generous support from our sponsors. PLATINUM
Lockton Companies Penney Design Group Pohanka Automotive Group
GOLD
Behavioral Framework Chevy Chase Trust DAVIS Construction Hilb Group of New Jersey Jim Coleman Toyota ManTech International Michael J. Eig and Associates, P.C.
SILVER
Epstein, Becker & Green Lively, Worch & Zmuda, P.C. Montgomery County Childcare Association Paycom PMM Companies Snowden Lane Partners
SIGNATURE JK Moving Lincoln Financial Group Nomad Event Systems Ridgewells Catering Sandy Spring Bank Siema Wines Web Works, Inc.
Experience the JK difference 24-Hour
live Customer Support
Virtual Surveys
Background-Checked
drug-tested moving professionals
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855-339-1691
YOUR INSURANCE CHALLENGES, OUR SOLUTIONS Public Passenger Transportation Commercial Trucking Umbrella/Excess Workers’ Compensation Surety Bonds Visit www.papost.com or call 201-252-3010 to learn more!
Say NO to artificial turf!
Play safe, play on grass.
PowerGrass North America ™
WE ARE IVYMOUNT For six decades, a community of people have shared the same goal - to help individuals with unique learning needs and disabilities live their best lives. Each day since Ivymount’s founding in 1961, we have come together to meet that goal. Along the way, we have grown from a small community-based school to a premiere non-profit educational organization. Today, we celebrate the success of our partners who have made this possible.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS SUCCESS
We celebrate the community partners who have opened doors, and both embraced and recognized our students as valued members of the community. The support of our partners enables Ivymount to pursue excellence in education, create welcoming spaces, and advocate for neurodiverse perspectives to be valued.
STUDENT AND FAMILY SUCCESS
Students and families are at the core of Ivymount’s mission. Their successes are our successes. We’re galvanized by the evolving understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity. The growth and confidence students gain at Ivymount is something we celebrate each day. We value the expertise and partnership of our families and together, along with our students, work to ensure that Ivymount continues to provide meaningful programs and services.
STAFF EXCELLENCE AND SHARING WHAT WORKS
We recognize the unique combination of caring, compassion, expertise and commitment to collaboration that defines Ivymount staff. We’re committed to innovation, applied research, and the dissemination of effective practices developed by staff. When we invest in them, we impact not only our students and families, but also the broader special education community.
2023 IVYMOUNT GALA
C O M M U N I T Y PAR T N E R S SUCCESS SPONSORS
DIAMOND
Paula Parsons & Jonathan Cutler The Pedersen Family
PLATINUM
The Borten Family Bill & Anne Charrier Tricia & Gary Duncan
GOLD
Julie Cantor-Weinberg & Steven Weinberg, Fred Cantor The Gersten Family Sari Hornstein
SILVER
Jen & Matt Berzok Maureen F. Del Duca
BRONZE
Carol Bindeman Katie Bucklew & Richard Moss Lisa Greenman & Paul Leder Maristela Monteiro Lee-Nadine & Craig Oppenheim
I V Y M O U N T T H AN K S O U R C O M M U N I T Y PAR T N E R S Our partnerships with corporations and organizations throughout our community open new doors for Ivymount School students and Project SEARCH interns. Through internships, support of student-run businesses, and other off-campus experiences, students are able to acquire crucial educational and vocational skills, explore different careers, and adopt positive work attitudes and behaviors to help ensure their successful transition into the workplace. American Reprographics
Locust Grove Nature Center Pan American Health Organization Black Hill Nature Programs Manna Food Center PetSmart Brookdale Potomac ManTech International Second Story Books California Tortilla Montgomery County Recreation SEEC Cafe Sunflower & Bakery Montgomery County Smithsonian National CVS - Cabin John Government Zoological Park Dataprise
Old Navy
Dogfish Head Alehouse
National Institutes of Health The Village at Rockville Clinical Center Westwood Pet Center
Gregorio’s Trattoria I Support the Girls
SPIRIT Club
2023 IVYMOUNT GALA
S T U D E N T A N D FA M I LY SUCCESS SPONSORS
DIAMOND
Melissa Flaim & Jeff Fischer
PLATINUM
Philip & Lorri McMann
GOLD
Jacqueline & Jack Bienko Miriam Cutler Bill & Judy Jeffress
SILVER
The Coakley Family Jessica & Andrew Mener
BRONZE
Marilyn & Gary Berman Sandra & Malcom Berman Dataprise Stephanie deSibour & Marc Miller Joette James, Ph.D., Alina Assessment Services, PLLC Andrea & Gary Mullins Sheryl Staren & Brent Polkes Molly & Dan Whalen
2023 IVYMOUNT GALA
S TAF F E XC E L L E N C E SUCCESS SPONSORS
PLATINUM
The Lee Family Paul & Elizabeth Picciotta
GOLD
Cathy Bernard, Katie Jaggers-Ludwick & Ira Ludwick Nancy & Rory Crawford Alexander Ratnofsky & Judy Schwartz Jan & John Wintrol
SILVER
Walter A. Bloedorn Foundation The Foster Family Keith & Tamar Levenberg Katherine & Sam Niknia Melissa Randolph
BRONZE
Carolyn & Craig Barrick Christina & Thomas Brodrick The Fleming/Collogan Family Barbara & Steven Friedman Nikki Floyd & Nathan Shue Nuala O’Connor & Peter Bass Dena & Rutton Patel Lara & Kristin Ramsey Libbie Rifkin & Doug Usher
THANK YOU We would like to extend a special thank you to our gala chairs and our fabulous event partners who made tonight possible. We appreciate your support so much! Melissa Flaim & Jeff Fischer, Gala Chairs 4Wall Entertainment C2 Auctions Chris Ferenzi Photography ColorNet Printing & Graphics Epic Meetings, Joan Davis Flowers at 38 Greater Giving JK Moving Services Nomad Event Systems Tonight’s Siema wines donated by PowerGrass™ Ridgewells Catering Steve Little, Auctioneer Suburban Video Total Wine & More Washington National Cathedral
D R I V I N G F O R WA R D
WITH MOMENTUM
How does an organization continue to have momentum into its seventh decade? By driving forward with the formula that has been so effective since 1961! We recognize needs and meet them with compassionate and evidence-based practices, we collaborate with community partners, and we invest in staff excellence for the greatest impact at Ivymount and beyond. By staying true to our mission and working with supporters like you, we will continue to lead the way with effective services that help our unique learners live their best lives. Let’s go! FOLLOW IVYMOUNT ON SOCIAL MEDIA
READ SIX DECADES OF IVYMOUNT STORIES
www.ivymount.org