20 26
Leadership Celebration Honoring Champions of Education and Opportunity
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2026 SHORE AND COUNTRY CLUB NORWALK, CT
A Message from Our President & CEO Welcome to the 2026 Leadership Celebration: Honoring Champions of Education and Opportunity. We are proud to honor Joan Barksdale, Bob Arnold ’72, and the Ritter Family Foundation tonight, including the inaugural presentation of the Ann S. Mandel Award for Distinguished Leadership and Service. This year’s honorees remind us that investing in education strengthens students, families, and our community. They are joined by champions like you who make this work possible. Together, we are removing barriers, expanding opportunity, and helping students build brighter futures. Thank you for joining us tonight and for believing in our students. We are grateful to celebrate our honorees alongside the community of supporters who share our commitment to educational opportunity.
With gratitude,
Nancy von Euler President & CEO
Our Mission and Impact To promote and enable access to quality higher education, support the development of a productive, educated workforce, and contribute to the knowledge and well-being of the Fairfield County, Connecticut community.
OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Your support helps drive our work in the following key areas, creating lasting opportunities for students and a stronger community for generations to come:
Barrier Busters Emergency support, food assistance, and affordable childcare to help students stay enrolled and focused
Success Catalysts Mentoring, coaching, and career readiness programs that set students up to thrive
Sector Investments Cutting edge programs and equipment in high growth fields like Allied Health and STEM
Student Investment Over $1.5 million annually in direct support for academic, workforce, and transfer scholarships
Evening Program 6:00 PM Guest Check-In, Cocktails, and Hors d'oeuvres
7:30 PM Welcome and Opening Remarks Nancy von Euler, President & CEO - NCC Foundation Cheryl De Vonish, President - CT State Norwalk
AWARDS PRESENTATION Ann S. Mandel Recognition & Introduction of the Ann S. Mandel Award for Distinguished Leadership and Service Joan Barksdale Inaugural Recipient, Ann S. Mandel Award for Distinguished Leadership and Service Ritter Family Foundation Outstanding Community Partner Award Bob Arnold ‘72 Distinguished Alumnus Award Keynote Speaker Maria Fernanda Torres ‘26 Live Appeal Supporting CT State Norwalk Students
8:30 PM Closing & Mingling
It’s a joy to celebrate... Ann Mandel, Joan Barksdale and Bob Arnold for their decades long commitment to the Norwalk Community College Foundation.
It takes a village... Ann, Joan and Bob lead the way with generosity and good will supporting education access and opportunity to all.
Forever grateful! Terrie and Jay Wood OCTOBER 2026
Keynote Speaker Maria Fernanda Torres ‘26 Marketing, A.A. CT State Norwalk Maria Fernanda Torres ’26 graduated summa cum laude from CT State Norwalk with an associate degree in Marketing. A first-generation college student from Mexico, she is continuing her education at Fairfield University, where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Maria hopes to use marketing to connect people, tell vulnerable and meaningful stories, and make a positive impact.
ANN S. MANDEL AWARD NAMESAKE Ann S. Mandel Award for Distinguished Leadership and Service Ann S. Mandel’s decades of leadership and generosity have left a lasting mark on the Norwalk Community College Foundation. As a Foundation Board member and President, Ann helped lead the Campaign for NCC, which made the Center for Science, Health and Wellness possible. Her commitment to expanding educational opportunity spans more than four decades. The Ann S. Mandel Award for Distinguished Leadership and Service honors those who share her commitment to leadership, service, and educational opportunity. Joan Barksdale becomes its inaugural recipient this year, recognizing nearly 30 years of dedicated service to the Foundation.
2026 FOUNDATION HONOREES
JOAN BARKSDALE INAUGURAL RECIPIENT Ann S. Mandel Award for Distinguished Leadership and Service For nearly 30 years, Joan Barksdale has been a dedicated leader and advocate for the Norwalk Community College Foundation and CT State Norwalk students. Since joining the Board in 1996, Joan has served in numerous leadership roles, including President, Vice President, and Chair of the Scholarship Committee. An educator herself, she has brought a deep belief in the power of education to her decades of service. Through her steadfast commitment to scholarships and student success, Joan exemplifies the leadership and service celebrated by the Ann S. Mandel Award.
2026 FOUNDATION HONOREES
RITTER FAMILY FOUNDATION OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD The Ritter Family Foundation has long championed opportunities for children and families throughout the Norwalk community. Through strategic philanthropy and collaboration, including its role in establishing the Norwalk Children’s Foundation, the Ritter Family Foundation has demonstrated a lasting commitment to closing the opportunity gap. Its support of organizations and initiatives including Norwalk ACTS reflects a belief that lasting change happens when communities work together. Through the leadership of Bruce, Diane, and Kate Ritter, the Ritter Family Foundation continues a family legacy of investing in solutions that strengthen educational opportunity and help young people thrive.
2026 FOUNDATION HONOREES
BOB ARNOLD ‘72 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS AWARD Bob Arnold ’72 has dedicated his career to strengthening the health and well-being of individuals and families throughout Fairfield County. Over 43 years as CEO of Family Centers, Bob helped grow the organization into a regional leader in health and human services, serving communities throughout lower Fairfield County. His leadership has extended beyond Family Centers through his work bringing local nonprofit leaders together to collaborate and strengthen the region. A proud Norwalk Community College alumnus, Bob exemplifies the lasting impact of a community college education and a career devoted to service.
2026 FOUNDATION HONOREES
NUVANCE HEALTH IS NOW NORTHWELL We're here to Raise Health for all
Thank You to Our Sponsors We are deeply grateful to our sponsors for their generous support of CT State Norwalk students and our community. LEGACY Joan and Ed Barksdale Stephen and Susan Mandel Northwell Health
Nielsen’s Florist Terrie and Jay Wood
GOLD First County Bank
SILVER The 460 Foundation Bob and Andrea Arnold Ellen Petrino
Bruce and Janet Sargent Jon Weiner and Belle Horwitz
BRONZE CPG Architects & Planners The Inisfad Foundation Julie Johnson and Douglas Reid M&T Bank
Pullman & Comley Charlotte and John Suhler Wegmans
FRIEND Laura and David Erickson Steve and Marilyn Hart Tara and Jeff Lovanio Debby McLean and Keith Kearney Novelette Peterkin
Marianne Pollak George and Lynn Reilly Dr. Susan and Dr. Norman Weinberger
Congratulations to all of the honorees on this well-deserved recognition!
The leadership, generosity, and commitment to our community make a meaningful difference.
Charlotte and John Suhler
A Lasting Legacy The 2026 Leadership Celebration honorees exemplify the spirit of service and commitment to education, leaving a lasting impact on students and our community.
Bruce and Janet Sargent
Honoring Joan and Ann Congratulations to two wonderful, philanthropic women who have made the world of difference for CT State Norwalk students and faculty through their dedication to NCCF.
Ellen Petrino
Proud Sponsor of
NMLS# 411487 Member FDIC
Congratulations, Bob! Bob Arnold, former President and CEO of Family Centers Your more than 40 years of leadership and dedicated service have made a lasting impact on our community.
familycenters.org
Celebrating leaders. Expanding opportunity. Carver proudly salutes Ann Mandel Joan Barksdale Bob Arnold ’72 The Ritter Family Foundation and the Norwalk Community College Foundation
2026 Leadership Celebration the-carver.org
STRONGER STUDENTS BRIGHTER FUTURES
Gifts in Honor of Our Honorees We extend our sincere gratitude to those who have made a gift in their honor. Your generosity is a meaningful tribute to their leadership and commitment to expanding educational opportunity for CT State Norwalk students.
Bigelow Tea Edward Cosden William Green Ann Mandel Ned and Betsy Mandel O’Herron Family Foundation Gunnar Sahlin The Robert and Joanna Williams Family Foundation
THE NCCF BOARD AND STAFF
Proudly Celebrate the 2026 Leadership Celebration Honorees Joan Barksdale Bob Arnold Ritter Family Foundation Your leadership, generosity, and commitment have created opportunities for students to thrive. We also celebrate Ann S. Mandel, whose extraordinary legacy of leadership and service is honored through the inaugural presentation of the Ann S. Mandel Award for Distinguished Leadership and Service. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of students and our community.
With Gratitude We are thankful for the dedicated volunteers who provide their time, expertise, and leadership to advance our mission and make events like this possible. EVENT COMMITTEE Kenneth Bernheim Laurie Orem Rob Robie Kristina Testa-Buzzee
Porschia Turner Susan Weinberger Rebecca Wilson
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Laura Erickson, Chair Tara Lovanio, Vice Chair Thomas Reynolds, Treasurer Rebecca Wilson, Secretary George Anderson Livia Barndollar Kenneth Bernheim Noradeen Farlekas Jon Gold Robert Granata Steve Hart Catalina Horak Read Hubbard Adriana Molina Gerald Nielsen, Jr. Ellen Petrino Rob Robie Porschia Turner Jonathan Weiner
EMERITUS DIRECTORS Joan Barksdale Ed Bescherer Carl Goodnow Ann Mandel Debby McLean Vince Murphy George Reilly Eleanor Riemer
EX OFFICIO Nancy von Euler Cheryl De Vonish Nancy Haws
188 Richards Avenue, Suite E311 Norwalk, CT 06854
@ncc.foundation
ncc-foundation.org