TRUST FOR THE NATIONAL MALL

M AY 7, 2025

Featuring our History, Heroes & Hope Awards on the National Mall as we lead up to America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
TRUST FOR THE NATIONAL MALL
Featuring our History, Heroes & Hope Awards on the National Mall as we lead up to America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
It’s an honor to gather with you on America’s Front Yard, the treasured space which has long stood as a powerful symbol of our nation’s resilience, unity and hope, as we look ahead to the U.S. Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of America in 2026, when the National Mall will take center stage in telling the story of who we are and where we’re headed.
History, Heroes & Hope Awards, a tradition we began in 2015 to recognize leaders whose work reminds us of the enduring spirit that built this nation. We also reaffirm the mission we launched in 2007 to support the National Park Service in restoring, preserving and elevating the National Mall.
This evening marks a major milestone with the announcement of Our Monumental Moment: a historic initiative to meet this moment of national reflection and renewal. With 50 million visitors expected to visit Washington, D.C. during the Semiquincentennial, we are preparing the Mall to welcome the world. We’re excited to restore Constitution Gardens and the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence Memorial, which honors the bold thinkers who helped shape our country. We’re launching , a digital platform to bring students and visitors closer to civics and history. And there is so much more that we are excited to share tonight.
Your support and belief in what we’re doing is what makes it all possible. Together, we’re making sure the National Mall—our country’s most visited national park—continues to inspire, teach and bring people together for generations to come.
President
and CEO, Trust for the National Mall
BRUCE BROUSSARD Former President and CEO, Humana, Inc.
On behalf of the National Park Service, thank you for your generous support of the National Mall—our nation’s civic stage and a place that holds deep meaning for millions of Americans. Through its iconic memorials, monuments, and open spaces, the Mall tells the ongoing story of our democracy, our struggles, and our shared ideals.
As we prepare to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, we are reminded of the Mall’s powerful role in the American experience. This milestone invites us to reflect on the founding principles of our nation and how we uphold them today. It also challenges us to ensure that this cherished space remains vibrant, resilient, and welcoming to all.
That’s why your support matters. In partnership with the Trust for the National Mall, we are reimagining how visitors experience this iconic landscape—from preserving historic memorials and upgrading critical infrastructure to expanding educational opportunities and improving access.
Thank you for your commitment to this extraordinary place. Together, we are helping to shape the next chapter of America’s story—right here in the heart of its capital.
Sincerely,
KEVIN GRIESS Superintendent, National Mall and Memorial Parks, National Park Service
NATIONAL ANTHEM AND PRESENTATION OF COLORS
LT. VICKY GOLDING, District of Columbia National Guard
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
CNN’s PAMELA BROWN
Anchor, The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown
FEATURED PRESENTERS*
THE HONORABLE DOUG BURGUM
U.S. Secretary of the Interior
BRUCE BROUSSARD
Chair, Trust Board of Directors
Former President and CEO, Humana Inc.
DAVID M. RUBENSTEIN
Co-Founder and Co-Chair,
The Carlyle Group
Chairman and CEO, The Baltimore Orioles
THE HON. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO
U.S. Senate (WV)
President and CEO
Trust for the National Mall
THE HON. BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN
U.S. House of Representatives (NJ)
HISTORY, HEROES & HOPE AWARDS
ROSIE RIOS
Chair, America250 U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission
43rd Treasurer of the United States
JOSH HARRIS
Managing Partner, Washington Commanders
Founder, 26North | Co-Founder, Harris Blitzer
Sports & Entertainment
DESSERT RECEPTION TO FOLLOW
*At time of printing
Anchor, CNN's The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown | Award-Winning Correspondent
Pamela Brown is a multi award-winning CNN anchor and chief investigative correspondent, who currently anchors CNN Newsroom weekdays from 10am to 12pm ET, and is soon to anchor The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown. As CNN’s chief investigative correspondent, Brown and her team earned multiple awards, including the prestigious Edward R. Murrow award, the National Headliner award, and an award from the Center for Integrity in News Reporting for being an “example of impartial, objective and fair news reporting.”
President and CEO, Trust for the National Mall
Catherine Townsend joined the Trust for the National Mall in 2016 with a vision and commitment to elevate awareness and support for the Trust and a focus on enriching the National Mall in partnership with the National Park Service. Prior to joining the Trust, Catherine served as the President and Executive Director of the DC Public Education Fund, Senior Advisor at Townsend Public Affairs, and 17 years of her career as Associate Director of Share Our Strength/No Kid Hungry. Catherine is also the founder and coach of HoopGirls on Capitol Hill, a youth girls basketball program.
Chair, Trust for the National Mall Board of Directors | Former President and CEO, Humana, Inc.
Bruce Broussard is an American businessman with 30+ years of experience in CEO and CFO roles who has served as Chair of the Trust Board of Directors since 2022. A seasoned veteran in the healthcare industry, Bruce is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Humana Inc., one of the nation’s leading public healthcare companies. He is a strategic advisor to KKR & Co., Inc., and Define Ventures, plays a leadership role within The Business Council and serves on the board of HP Inc. and the Edward Jones Advisory Board.
U.S. Secretary of the Interior
Doug Burgum is the 55th Secretary the U.S. Department of the Interior. Raised in Arthur, North Dakota, Burgum worked as a chimney sweep to help pay his way through North Dakota State University before earning an MBA from Stanford University. In 1983, Doug literally “bet the farm” to provide seed capital for a software startup called Great Plains. Doug led Great Plains through a successful IPO and grew the company to over 2,000 employees before its acquisition by Microsoft. Burgum remained with Microsoft for six years as the Senior Vice President of Business Solutions. Doug later co-founded Arthur Ventures and served as chairman for international software companies including Atlassian, SuccessFactors, and as a board member for Avalara. In 2016, Burgum was elected to serve as North Dakota’s 33rd Governor. In 2020, he was re-elected in a landslide. As a testament to Burgum’s leadership, Forbes named him “America’s Best Entrepreneurial Governor.” During his tenure, North Dakota experienced the highest growth in real GDP and had the lowest unemployment rate in the country. Burgum has three adult children. He is married to Kathryn Burgum, a nationally recognized advocate for addiction recovery.
Founder & Co-Chair, The Carlyle Group, Chairman and CEO, The Baltimore Orioles
David M. Rubenstein is Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of The Carlyle Group. He is a 1970 graduate of Duke University and a 1973 graduate of the University of Chicago Law School. Mr. Rubenstein is a Baltimore native and is the Chairman, CEO, and principal owner of Major League Baseball’s Baltimore Orioles. He is a leader in the area of Patriotic Philanthropy, having made transformative gifts for the restoration or repair of the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Monticello, Montpelier, Mount Vernon, Arlington House, Iwo Jima Memorial, the Kennedy Center and many more. Mr. Rubenstein is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and Chairman of many educational and nonprofit boards. He is an original signer of The Giving Pledge and the host of The David Rubenstein Show, Bloomberg Wealth with David Rubenstein, and Iconic America: Our Symbols and Stories with David Rubenstein
Chair, America 250 U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission
43rd Treasurer of the United States
IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO BE RECOGNIZED BY THE TRUST FOR THE NATIONAL MALL
AS WE LOOK AHEAD TO AMERICA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY. THE NATIONAL MALL IS A LIVING TRIBUTE TO OUR NATION’S STORY. I AM PROUD TO HELP BRING THAT STORY TO LIFE THROUGH MY WORK AT AMERICA250—UNITING, ENGAGING, AND INSPIRING EVERY AMERICAN.
Rosie Rios is receiving the History, Heroes & Hope Award for her remarkable legacy as a visionary American leader in the public sector and for leading the charge as the head of the America250 Commission. She has made extraordinary impact uniting and engaging the American people for the historic celebration of the 250th anniversary of our nation.
Rosie is the Chair of America250, the United States Congressional Commission planning the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. She served as the 43rd Treasurer of the United States and was the CEO of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the U.S. Mint, including Fort Knox with oversight over 4,000 employees and a $5 billion budget. She also initiated and led the efforts to place a portrait of a woman on U.S. currency for the first time in over a century. Rosie served twice on the Treasury/Federal Reserve Transition Teams on behalf of President Barack Obama at the height of the financial crisis in 2008 and again during the pandemic economy of 2020 on behalf of President Biden.
Prior to her presidential appointment in Treasury, she was Managing Director of Investments for MacFarlane Partners. She is a graduate of Harvard University and was selected as the first Latina in Harvard’s 388-year history to have a portrait commissioned in her honor. She currently serves on the board of American Family Insurance, Ripple Labs, Inc., and Fidelity Charitable Trust. Rosie is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and was honored as one of USA Today’s Women of the Century.
Managing Partner, Washington Commanders | Founder 26North and Co-Founder Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment
I’M HUMBLED TO BE RECOGNIZED BY THE TRUST FOR THE NATIONAL MALL, WHICH STANDS AT THE HEART OF OUR HISTORY, OUR IDEALS, AND THE SPIRIT OF WASHINGTON. I’M GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE BACK TO THIS COMMUNITY THAT MEANS SO MUCH TO MY FAMILY, AND TO HELP SHAPE ITS NEXT CHAPTER.
Josh Harris is receiving the History, Heroes & Hope Award in recognition of his work as an American leader in business and philanthropy supporting youth education and sports and health equity, and for his contributions to sports and culture, taking the helm of the Washington Commanders at a pivotal time, and as a Washington, D.C. area native.
Josh is the Managing Partner of the Washington Commanders. He is an investor and business leader with over thirty years of experience. Over the course of his career, Josh has launched and scaled multiple platforms across sports, alternatives and philanthropy.
Josh is the Founder and Managing General Partner of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), a leading sports and entertainment platform. In connection with the HBSE profile, Josh is the Managing Partner of the Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Devils.
Josh is also the Founder of 26North, a next-generation, multi-asset class alternatives platform with an initial focus on private equity, credit and insurance solutions. Across his platform—including through his foundation, Harris Philanthropies, Josh is committed to using a blend of philanthropic giving and impact investment to improve outcomes for underserved groups in communities where he has a deep connection.
Josh and his wife, Marjorie, have five children and have been married for 29 years.
Bruce D. Broussard
Former President and CEO, Humana, Inc.
Edward L. Samek
Retired Chairman and CEO
The MRC Group, Former Chair, Friends of Acadia
Sheila Johnson Founder and CEO, Salamander Collection
Georgette “Gigi” Dixon Head of External Engagement, Diverse Segments, Representation and Inclusion (DSRI), Wells Fargo
John E. Akridge III Founder and Chairman Akridge
Valerie Camillo Spring 4th Advisory
Armeane M. Choksi, Ph.D.
Financier, Author, Former Vice President of the World Bank
Kate Curtin Lindsey Owner/Chair and Chief Executive Officer Alpha Corporation
Dr. Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel Chair, New York State Council on the Arts
John Drew President and CEO of TCMA, A Drew Company
Eric Hoplin CEO, National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
Stacy Kerr Partner, Penta
Nels Olson Vice Chairman and Co-Leader, Board & CEO Services, Korn Ferry
Catherine Townsend President & CEO, Trust for the National Mall
Georgette “Gigi”Dixon
Katie Zirkelbach
Stacy Kerr CR Wooters
Robby Zirkelbach
Tizzy Brown Miller Strategies, LLC
Rachel Caggiano Ogilvy
John Christmas HPS Investment Partners
Anthony Coley Corner Office Strategies
Mark & Kristin Damato
John Drew TCMA
Kathleen Ford AARP
Nicole & Eric Hoplin National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW)
Ben Jenkins Locust Street Group LSG
Kathi & Dan Knise EPIC Insurance Brokers
Cathy Merrill Washingtonian
Jared Oldroyd Clark Construction
Anne Perron Temasek
Julie Eddy Rokala Cassidy & Associates
Adam & Rachel Weiss FIO360
Judee Ann Williams CAA
SIGNATURE STATE TABLE SPONSORS
CALIFORNIA DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Bruce and Janine Broussard
FLORIDA
MASSACHUSSETTS
Sheila Johnson, Founder & CEO Salamander Collection
ILLINOIS
PENNSYLVANIA
KENTUCKY
VIRGINIA
Bayer
Capital Group
Clark Construction
EagleBank
Hensel Phelps
Hilton
Frank Islam & Debbie Driesman
Korn Ferry
Linder Global Events
National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
Akridge
Alpha Corporation
Capstone LLC
The Business Council
Business Roundtable
The Cigna Group
Consigli Construction
Deloitte
Destination DC
The Economic Club of Washington
Forbes Tate Partners
Greater Washington Board of Trade
The J. Willard & Alice S. Marriott Foundation Ogilvy
Uber
Kathi & Dan Knise/EPIC Insurance Brokers
Lorton Stone, LLC
LSG
Ourisman Automotive of Virginia/ Daniel Korengold & Martha Dippell
PCMA
Projection, Inc.
Ruppert Companies
TD Bank
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
VHC Health
Zirkelbach Strategies
Sally & John E. “Chip” Akridge III
Will Caggiano
Dr. William J. Catacosinos &
Ms. Juliana E. May
Breakthru Beverage Group
Design Cuisine and DC Rental
Design Foundry
Pam & Tony Marquez
Anne Brady Perron & Jay Perron
Diane & Ned Powell
Ed & Martie Samek
Effort, LLC
EventEQ
HP
Linder Global Events
MJ Valet
Tito's Handmade Vodka
INSPIRED BY THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE IN 2026, THE TRUST AND THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HAVE AMBITIOUS PLANS TO ELEVATE THE NATIONAL MALL AND ITS HISTORIC PURPOSE FOR THIS MILESTONE CELEBRATION... AND GENERATIONS TO COME.
Creating America's Center Stage for All
Built in haste for the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976, this site and its gardens and lake are not environmentally thriving, are costly to maintain and lack inviting space to gather. The centrally located space and memorial will be restored as a new gift to the nation in honor of America's 250th anniversary.
The Trust will transform this long-overlooked 36-acre garden and lake, restore the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence Memorial and create a vibrant destination telling the story of our nation and its founding fathers. The new Constitution Gardens will welcome visitors to gather, learn and be inspired on the National Mall.
This humble performance space beneath the Washington Monument is outdated, underutilized and no longer meets the needs of the community.
The Trust's visionary project will create a lively, modern, open-air performance space—a performing arts venue and state-of-the art facility and landscape for education, classroom learning and community gatherings.
This new digital platform will activate America's greatest living history classroom to revolutionize the way visitors experience the iconic National Mall—both in person and virtually. The new platform will empower families, teachers and tourists to plan their visit and explore the National Mall’s historic purpose, allowing them to discover the civics, the history and the stories behind the memorials and monumental moments on the National Mall.
This innovative platform will offer educational resources and tools for educators, families and visitors; curated walking tours and tailored itineraries; 360-degree views of the memorials and National Mall Concierge—an AIassisted feature and educational content for classroom and homeschool learning.
Elevating This Formal Park and its Iconic Fountains at the White House
This historic formal park, its marquee fountains, gardens and formerly elegant pathways are in disrepair and will be fully restored in time to welcome visitors for America's 250th anniversary in 2026.
The park's fountains have not flowed for nearly a decade and need to be restored to befit this historic park and its prominent location. This overlooked green space and its canopy of trees will be revitalized and renewed for all to enjoy. The new park will include fully restored and operational fountains, restored gardens, tree canopy and upgraded pathways and lighting for visitor safety and comfort.
OUR MONUMENTAL MOMENT LEADERSHIP
Bruce D. Broussard
Board Chair, Trust for the National Mall Former President and CEO, Humana, Inc.
OUR MONUMENTAL MOMENT CABINET
Roz Brewer Former CEO, Walgreens Boots Alliance
Kellyanne Conway
Former Senior Counselor to the President
Ambassador
Nancy Brinker Founder, Promise Fund & Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Ted Decker Chair, President & CEO The Home Depot
Jeb Bush Founding Partner & Chair Finback Investment Partners
Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick President Emeritus Howard University
Elaine Chao Former Secretary U.S. Department of Transportation
Enrique Lores President & CEO HP Inc.
Colucci Chief Executive Officer The Business Council
W. James "Jim" McNerney Jr. Retired President & CEO Boeing
President George W. Bush & Mrs. Laura Bush
President Barack Obama & Mrs. Michelle Obama
President Bill Clinton & Hillary Rodham Clinton
Lynda Carter, Singer, Songwriter, Producer
Senator Elizabeth Dole, Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation & U.S. Secretary of Labor
Admiral Bill McRaven, USN, Ret.
The Hon. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE)
The Hon. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)
The Hon. Joni Ernst (R-IA)
The Hon. John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
The Hon. Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
The Hon. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
The Hon. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS)
The Hon. Tim Kaine (D-VA)
The Hon. Angus King (I-ME)
The Hon. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
The Hon. Patty Murray (D-WA)
The Hon. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
The Hon. Thom Tillis (R-NC)
The Hon. Mark Warner (D-VA)
The Hon. Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA)
The Hon. Don Bacon (R-NE)
The Hon. Jim Baird (R-IN)
*As of 4/28/2025, recruitment ongoing
The Hon. Nanette Barragán (D-CA)
The Hon. Donald S. Beyer Jr. (D-VA)
The Hon. Shontel Brown (D-OH)
The Hon. Ken Calvert (R-CA)
The Hon. Katherine Clark (D-MA)
Democratic Whip, House of Representatives
The Hon. James E. Clyburn (D-SC)
The Hon. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)
The Hon. Debbie Dingell (D-MI)
The Hon. Ron Estes (R-KS)
The Hon. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
The Hon. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY)
Democratic Leader, House of Representatives
The Hon. Betty McCollum (D-MN)
The Hon. Seth Moulton (D-MA)
The Hon. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)
The Hon. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA)
The Hon. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ)
The Hon. Bruce Westerman (R-AR)
The Hon. Ryan Zinke (R-MT)
Restoring Constitution Gardens and the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence Memorial to become a beautiful space honoring our nation's Founders
Reimagining Sylvan Theater to become a modern performance space for all and America's Center Stage
Creating the National Mall Gateway, a digital platform to inspire visitors and bring civics to life using America's greatest history classroom
Restoring Lafayette Park, the historic garden with its marquee fountains at the White House
Reimagined as America’s Civic Stage The Trust for the National Mall milestone to transform the millions who will visit in 2026...and Together, we
WHITE HOUSE
LINCOLN MEMORIAL
LAFAYETTE PARK
Renewing the historic garden at the White House
WASHINGTON MONUMENT
THE NATIONAL MALL GATEWAY
First-of-its-kind civic learning platform for virtual and on-site visitors
America's 250th Anniversary in 2026
Mall and the National Park Service have ambitious plans inspired by this historic American National Mall and the White House Gardens and Grounds and to welcome the tens of 2026...and for generations to come.
to reinvigorate underutilized sites, connect visitors to our nation’s founding and its history spaces and experiences where visitors can gather, learn and engage with America’s Front Yard.
As America approaches its 250th birthday, we proudly celebrate a quarter-millennium of freedom, resilience, and innovation. At the Drew Company, we honor the journey that brought us here—powered by the courage of the past and inspired by the promise of the future.
Nowhere is this legacy more powerfully symbolized than in the heart of Washington, D.C., where the monuments and memorials of the National Mall stand as timeless tributes to the leaders, dreamers, and everyday citizens who helped forge our path.
We are proud to support Trust for the National Mall, stewards of this iconic American space, on the “Road to 250” at America’s Ball for the Mall.
drewcompany.com
King & Spalding is honored to proudly support AMERICA’S BALL for THE MALL: The Road to 250. We congratulate the History, Heroes & Hope Awards honorees and proudly support the mission of preserving and elevating the National Mall for generations to come.
Roasted Heirloom Carrots
Smoked Burrata, Carrot Top Chimichurri, Baby Kale, Pomegranate Syrup, Tarator Sauce
Seared Beef with Creole Shrimp
Shrimp, Creole Cream Sauce, Corn Risotto, Charred Broccolini
With Yorkshire Puddings
Grilled Cauliflower Steak
Vegan Chorizo, Pumpkin Seeds, Roasted Garlic Polenta Cake, Vegan Chipotle Mayo
FRIANDISE AND COFFEE
Bonbons (vegan)
Chocolate Dipped Macaroons
Petit Fours
Demitasse Café and Tea
Cream, Sugar, Sweetener, Lemon
DESSERT RECEPTION TO FOLLOW
August 13, 1951 – March 25, 2025
Lanny Griffith was the longest-serving member of the Trust Board of Directors. Inspired to get involved by our founder and Chair Emeritus, John E. “Chip” Akridge III, Lanny was instrumental to the Trust's founding in 2008.
Lanny was a longtime supporter, enthusiastic proponent and attendee of BALL for THE MALL, and along with his wife, Susan, he made a generous gift to support the restoration of the Lockkeeper’s House. The firm he helped found, BGR Group, was also a longtime supporter. Lanny was a tireless champion of the Trust’s mission to restore, preserve and enrich the National Mall and leaves an important legacy on America's Front Yard.
NEVER SEEKING PRAISE, LANNY
SOUGHT GENTLE PEACE ACROSS AISLES AND DIVIDES IN OUR GREAT NATION. I WILL MISS HIS PRESENCE IN OUR MIDST AT THE TRUST THAT BEARS HIS FOOTPRINT.
- John E. "Chip" Akridge III, Trust for the National Mall Founder and Chair Emeritus
We’re proud to partner with the Trust for the National Mall. Join us at the National Mall of Pickleball in September 2025.