2023 Two Ten Footwear Foundation Annual Gala

TONIGHT’S PROGRAM

Program is 30 minutes long and will begin at approximately 8:10 PM

WELCOME

Shawn Osborne, President & CEO, Two Ten Footwear Foundation

MISSION MOMENT

Kamaria Davis, Two Ten Scholar

A.A. BLOOM MEMORIAL AWARD PRESENTATION

Presented to Susan Itzkowitz, President, Marc Fisher Footwear

Presented by David Kahan, CEO Birkenstock Americas

T. KENYON HOLLY MEMORIAL AWARD PRESENTATION

Presented to Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, Founder & President, Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design

Presented by Shawn Osborne, President & CEO, Two Ten Footwear Foundation

MISSION MOMENT

Noni Boddie, VP North America Field HR & Retail Strategy, Foot Locker

Giovanna Cipriano, SVP & Chief Accounting Officer, Foot Locker

CLOSING REMARKS

Tacey Powers, EVP & GMM, Nordstrom Shoes and Kids Apparel

Ronnie Jefferson, SVP & GMM, Finish Line and Macy’s at Finish Line

TONIGHT’S MENU

PASSED HORS D’OEUVRES

Filet Wellington Gougere, Crab Cakes, Sweet Chili Lime Chicken, Cauliflower Pizzetta (GF, V), Truffled Arancini (V), Persian Cucumber Cups (GF, V), Beef Sirloin Carpaccio, Blackened Mahi Tacos (GF)

BUFFET STATIONS

Trattoria Station with Cacio E Pepe Risotto, Meatball Sliders, Warm Caprese Salad, House Made Focaccia, Marinated Cracked Olives and Caperberries (GF, V)

Mediterranean Tapas Station with Charred Chicken, Couscous Pilaf (V), Falafel Quinoa Fritters (GF), Spanakopita Hand Pie, Charred Baby Carrots & Zucchini (GF), Aegean Halloumi, Mediterranean Dips and Breads Far East Fusion Station with Five Spice Short Rib Steamed Buns, Tuna Tataki Nachos, Sesame Noodles (V), Japanese Eggplant & Chinese Broccoli (GF, V), Pan Seared Edamame Dumplings (GF, V)

DESSERT TABLE

Layered Verrines – Wild Berry Cheesecake, Spiced Graham Crumble, Vanilla Cream, Pistachio Layer Bar, Passion Triple Chocolate Bar, Tiramisu Domes, PB&J Chocolate Domes, Raspberry Cream Tart, Salted Chocolate Blackout Tart, Espresso Brownie Bite, Coconut Chocolate Mounds Bite, Sugar-n-Spice Dusted Churros, Lemon Coconut Macaron (GF, V), Carrot Coconut Bundt (GF), Colorful French Macarons (GF), Fresh Strawberries

TONIGHT’S SIGNATURE DRINK

VIDA Lemon Spritz

TONIGHT’S TEQUILA TASTING

Casamigos Blanco, Anejo, and Reposado

OTHER BAR OFFERINGS

Tito's Vodka, Ketel One Vodka, Alb Vodka, Tanqueray Gin, Bacardi Silver & Malibu Rums, Herradura Blanco Tequila, Mi Campo Reposado, Glenlivet

Founder's Scotch, Jack Daniels Whiskey, Knob Creek Rye Whiskey, Makers Mark Bourbon, Campari, Aperol, Triple Sec, Dry & Sweet Vermouth, Chateau La Graviere Entre-Deux-Mers Sauvignon Blanc, Maggio Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Tree Pinot Noir, Ava Grace Rose, Andre Delorme Sparkling Wine, Heineken

Light, Heineken 0.0, Sixpoint The Crisp Pilz, Captain Lawrence Hop Commander IPA, Local Brooklyn Lager, Local Seasonal Beers

ABOUT TWO TEN

The Two Ten Footwear Foundation is an independent charitable foundation that brings hope and opportunity to the American footwear community. Two Ten provides emergency financial assistance to footwear employees in times of disaster or hardship; officers free and confidential access to legal, financial, and mental health counseling at any time; awards scholarships to make college more affordable for industry employees and their children; helps young people find internships in footwear; and offers footwear employees grants for upskilling and professional development.

Two Ten began in the 1930s, in the wake of the Great Depression, when a group of Boston “shoepeople” began to meet every Wednesday night at 210 Lincoln Street to share stories and pass the hat, contributing what they could to help colleagues in need. Those simple acts of kindness led to the founding of the Two Ten Footwear Foundation.

A lot has changed for the U.S. footwear industry over the years, but Two Ten’s mission remains the same. Thanks to donors big and small, we are able to help footwear families weather hard times, rise up out of crisis, pursue college dreams, and advance careers.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

David Kahan

CEO, Birkenstock Americas Chair

Joe Preston

President & CEO, New Balance

Michael Atmore

Chief Brand Officer, Fairchild Media

Carol Baiocchi

Former SVP Family Footwear, Kohl’s

Leslie Gallin

President, Meridian Trading

Beverly Goldberg

Vice President, Florsheim

Tsering Namgyal

Former Consultant, Camuto Group

Philippa Newman

President, Michael Kors Accessories & Footwear

Placeholder copy if we need some here

Vice Chair

Lawrence Siff

CEO, Neptune Secretary

Beth Cross

President & CEO, Ariat International Treasurer

Shawn Osborne

President & CEO, Two Ten Footwear Foundation

Glenn Barrett Founder & CEO, OrthoLite

Martin Berman

Managing Director, Micro-Pak, Ltd

Seth Campbell President, BBC International

Giovanna Cipriano

SVP & Chief Accounting Officer, Foot Locker

Jeff Espersen

Chief Merchandising Officer, Orva

Debbie Ferrée

President, Camuto Group; Vice Chairman, Designer Brands

Jonathan Frankel

Senior Vice President, ALDO Product Services

Rick Graham

SVP Domestic Sales, Skechers USA

David Grange

Vice President of Lifestyle, Eastman Group

Jim Issler

President & CEO, Berkshire Hathaway Shoe Holdings

Susan Itzkowitz

President, Marc Fisher Footwear

Ronnie Jefferson

SVP & GMM, Finish Line at Macy’s

Blake Krueger

Executive Chairman, Wolverine Worldwide

Robert McHugh

Former EVP/CFO, Foot Locker

Tracey McLeod CEO, TIEM Athletic

Danny Muskat

SVP Strategic Business Development, Deer Stags

Joel Oblonsky

President, Blondo and Anne Klein, Steve Madden

Tacey Powers

EVP & GMM, Nordstrom Shoes and Kids Apparel

Gregg Ribatt

CEO, The Rockport and Reef Companies

Carrie Rubin

President, Pentland North America

Jim Salzano

President & CEO, Jones & Vining

Cliff Sifford

Vice Chairman, Shoe Carnival

Diane Sullivan

Executive Chair, Caleres

Tom Tarica

President, Private Brands Footwear, Global Brands Group

Greg Tunney

President & CEO, Manitobah Mukluks

ABOUT THE A.A. BLOOM AWARD

The A.A. Bloom Award was created in honor of the late A.A. Bloom, one of the original founders of the Two Ten Footwear Founda tion. This award is given to recognize an individual in the footwear industry who has demonstrably advanced the mission of lifting lives in footwear and given greatly to further the mission of the Foundation through his or her dedication, initiative, hard work, and selfless actions. Recipients have included luminarie s in the footwear industry.

1969 Myer Saxe

1970 Daniel D. Druth

1971 David Klinesmith

1972 Clarence R. Heyde

1973 Alfred Schachat

1974 Lou Mirsky

1975

1982 Anthony H. Mirra, Jr.

1983 Arthur W. Jacob

1984 James Koonce

1985 Frederick Bloom

1986 Andrew L. Bass

1987 Walter Mayer

1988 William DeVries 1989 John Clayman 1990 John P. O’Neil 1991 Charles Barrocas

ABOUT SUSAN ITZKOWITZ

Throughout her career, Susan Itzkowitz has championed core values of partnership, passion, and integrity. Those are the values she helped establish at Marc Fisher Footwear, where her deep knowledge of the industry helped her assemble an allstar-executive team and achieve record sales growth while also working hard to build a company culture that would foster female talent. Prior to becoming President of Marc Fisher Footwear, Ms. Itzkowitz was group president at Nine West Group and she also held a variety of positions with leading retailers such as Federated Department Stores, May Company, and JC Penney.

ABOUT THE T. KENYON HOLLY AWARD

The T. Kenyon Holly Memorial Award was created to honor the late T. Kenyon Holly, a past president of Two Ten Footwear Founda tion, who was known for his many civic and humanitarian activities to improve quality of life in his community. The award is given to someone from the footwear industry who has made an important contribution to society through philanthropy, charitable service, social enterprise, or social activism. Recipients have included luminaries in the industry.

2008

2010

2011

2013

2016

2018

ABOUT DR. D’WAYNE EDWARDS

Dr. D'Wayne Edwards is the most prominent Black designer in the footwear industry. His storied career has spanned more than three decades and included leading roles at brands from L.A. Gear to Nike and Jordan. At age 17 he won a Reebok design competition and at age 23 became the youngest professional footwear designer in the industry. Dr. Edwards is credited with paving the way for young Black design talent to have a career in the sneaker industry. He is the founder of the first design-focused HBCU, the Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design.

AGG Group

Circana

Dongguan Hongyang Textile Company

Fortune Dynamic

Hispano

LongHua

Properwell

Serena Shoes

Syndic8

GALA PARTNERS

American Apparel & Footwear Association

Crown Land Leather Accessories Co

Dunion

Fortune Footwear

Insite Insoles

Mayflower Footwear

PTC

Spring Footwear

Wei Feng Shoes

Apex International

Datone Shoes

Eastar

Golden Chang

ISA Next-Gen Materials

New York Group

Rival Shoe Design

Stella International

Yatai Group

Chanty Shoes

Dongguan Baoding Footwear

First Precise Trading Ltd.

Goldman Sachs

ITC

Orion Shoes

Prara Leathers

Waffle Zhi Mei Group

MULTI-YEAR PARTNERS

CORPORATE PARTNERS

$150,000 – $250,000

New Balance Foundation

Skechers

Wolverine Worldwide Foundation

$100,000 – $149,999

BBC International LLC

Caleres

Foot Locker Foundation

Marc Fisher Footwear

Rack Room/Off Broadway

Shoe Carnival, Inc.

Zappos.com

$50,000 – $99,999

ALDO Group

Berkshire Hathaway Shoe Holdings Inc.

Michael Kors

Nordstrom

OrthoLite

Steven Madden, Ltd.

$25,000 – $49,999

Ariat International, Inc.

Birkenstock

Burlington Stores

Designer Brands

Footwear News/Fairchild Media

Micro-Pak

Orthofeet

Pentland

Ross Stores

Titan Industries

TJX Companies

WEYCO Group

$10,000 – $24,999

Adidas North America

Atlanta Shoe Market

Chinese Laundry

Deckers

Dillard’s

Footwear Unlimited

Jones & Vining

Mason Companies

MukLuks

Puma

The White Mountain Footwear Group

$5,000 – $9,999

Academy Sports

Converse

Deer Stags

Eastmount Shoes

ECCO

HEYDUDE

Minnetonka Moccasin

Reebok

TIEM

Empowering Women’s Leadership at the ALDO Group: Harnessing the Strengths of the Two Ten WIFI Community

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, the importance of women’s leadership cannot be overstated. Built on the values of Love, Respect and Integrity, the ALDO Group has always believed in the power of diversity and has taken meaningful strides toward empowering women within its organization. Central to those efforts are many key partnerships with key organizations such as Two Ten and the invaluable network of its Women in Footwear Industry (WIFI) Community. Together, the ALDO Group and Two Ten are cultivating an environment that promotes gender diversity and champions the rise of women leaders.

MAXIMIZING POTENTIAL SINCE 1972

With a workforce in North America that is 73% female and 56% of its senior executive positions occupied by women, the ALDO Group not only believes that diversity on leadership teams positively contributes to success – it can vouch for it. But women’s leadership is not only about achieving parity but also about unlocking the full potential of talented individuals.

By embracing a diverse and inclusive model, and actively encouraging women to take on leadership roles, they tap into a rich pool of talent, perspectives, and experiences. Women leaders bring a unique set of skills such as empathy, collaboration, and emotional intelligence, which are instrumental in driving innovation, fostering a supportive work culture, and achieving sustainable growth. Moreover, when women occupy leadership roles, they become role models and mentors for future generations, inspiring other women to aim higher and shatter glass ceilings across industries.

NURTURING AN INCLUSIVE CULTURE THROUGH POWERFUL COLLABORATION

The ALDO Group’s partnership with the Two Ten Footwear Foundation showcases its dedication to not only standing by its associates in times of crisis, but also fostering an inclusive work environment where they can embrace who they are and feel like they belong. Thanks to the Two Ten WIFI Community and its events, they are proud to allow their female associates access to a platform for networking, mentorship, and knowledge exchange, enabling them to gain valuable insights, expand their professional networks, and access opportunities for growth. By leveraging the expertise and resources provided by the Two Ten WIFI Community, the ALDO Group is actively investing in the advancement of women in leadership positions.

As the ALDO Group continues to support the march towards equality, it is imperative that more organizations follow suit and recognize that women’s leadership is not just an aspiration but an absolute necessity for sustainable success and a more equitable future.

THE LARGEST FOOTWEAR SHOW IN THE COUNTRY!

AUGUST 12 14, 2023

COBB GALLERIA CENTRE

THE ATLANTA SHOE MARKET CONGRATULATES

DR. D’WAYNE EDWARDS RECIPIENT OF THE

T. KENYON HOLLY MEMORIAL AWARD & SUSAN ITZKOWITZ

RECIPIENT OF A.A. BLOOM MEMORIAL AWARD

to this year's honorees, who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to the footwear industry and the community.

We are also proud sponsores of

It is inspiring to see the industry come together to support such a worthy cause; the continued assistance has a lasting impact on individuals and families.

We are proud of all the hard work and dedication!

WE CELEBRATE PEOPLE WHO INSPIRE US TO RISE UP.

Earth.

It’s our name. Our home. And our endless source of inspiration.

Our journey began with the inaugural Earth Day on April 22, 1970. Since then, we’ve learned a lot more about shoes and their impact on the world. As our planet evolves, so do our shoes and our story.

With modern, casual designs that provide uncompromised comfort and all-day support, this is just the beginning of our new chapter. We set new standards for e ortless style and put more a ention into every detail, from padded recycled lined footbeds to the so est leather finish. Considering people and planet, we use reduced packaging with FSC-certified recyclable paper and tape, and soy and water-based adhesives. We cra each shoe responsibly by designing with materials like water-based adhesives, natural cork, and recycled plastics partnering with tanneries that uphold high environmental, social, and governance standards so our footprint on the planet doesn’t overshadow our impact.

Why? Because be er comfortable shoes have the power to expand the world around us. They help us go places we’ve never gone before- to see new sights, make new friends or learn new things.

Change isn’t easy. But to us, it is endlessly exciting. And it invites us to propel our stories forward, every single day.

Shoes for pursuing passions big and small.

Supreme comfort E ortless style

Responsible design

earthshoes.com

New Balance Foundation Supports Positive Youth Development Post COVID

The COVID-19 pandemic took a disproportionate toll on underserved communities, and already existing discrepancies – such as access to health services and education – became further exacerbated. As we began the path to recovery, our NB Foundation grantee partners needed support more than ever.

Entering 2022, the pandemic’s impact on students and youths became increasingly apparent. More than 80% of public schools in the U.S. reported students experiencing stunted educational and socioemotional development, and it estimated that globally students lost an average of 8 months of learning. The most prominent declines occurred in already vulnerable student populations.

“Our grantees saw firsthand the high costs of prolonged remote learning from rising rates of depression and anxiety to the loss of student learning,” said Megan Bloch (NB Director of Global Philanthropy). “We made it our priority to bridge these achievement gaps for students and remove barriers for families.”

NBF’s approach to impact is holistic - aiming to improve the health and academic outcomes of less advantaged youth by supporting an array of long-standing community partners such as Harlem Lacrosse, West End House, Lawrence Boys & Girls Club, Summer Search, Active Cumbria and more.

Community partners like these faced strong headwinds from pandemic-related challenges, including restrictions, staff turnover, cost increases and lack of supplies. Despite these challenges, their programs demonstrated strong resilience.

While high school graduation rates dipped in more than 20 U.S. states in 2021 and 2022, 100% of 12th graders participating in NBF-funded programs received their diplomas (compared to about the 80% U.S. national average), and 83% went on to post-secondary education (compared to less than 50% in comparable communities) - with 56% of that population being firstgeneration college students.

“Organizations are still recovering and assessing what their ‘new normal’ looks like,” said Megan. “We continue to support our grantees in adapting programs to address the long-term effects that the pandemic had on learning loss and fitness levels, overa ll health and wellbeing of students.”

The link between youth academics and overall health is an intrinsic one, and NBF’s focus on youth fitness and sports remained a priority. In 2022, 1.6 million youths took part in NBF-supported exercise and wellness programs, with more than 431,000 enrolled in formal running programs.

With a return to in-person programs in 2022, the rebound in fitness was remarkable. During the height of the pandemic and into 2021, students assessed using the “Healthy Fitness Zone” (HFZ) metric (a level of fitness associated with a low risk of metabolic syndrome) plummeted from an average of 7 out of 10 to 3.8 out of 10. In 2022, that number rebounded to 5.6 out of 10, and children with low starting fitness levels experienced the most significant improvements – with nearly 80% achieving the HFZ.

Our significant partnership with Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) proved to be invaluable to this work, as they provided grantees the opportunity to have this data measured and analyzed by a world-class hospital.

New Balance Foundation congratulates Two Ten honoree Dr. D’Wayne Edwards.

PENSOLE LEWIS COLLEGE

Pensole Lewis Colle e o Business & Desi n (PLC) is the pipeline HBCU or career education and pro essional development; the irst o its kind ocused on desi n. We are the culture's creative North Star that is rebrandin education and blackli htin the industry. At PLC, we create space or our students to discover and blaze new pathways to break into the world o product creation, business, and marketin .

Developin unconventional pro rams and immersive experiences, we remove the limits o the classroom. Learn-by-doin is both a core PLC philosophy and value, as well as a challen e to our partners and creative community to drive the chan e we want to see in providin access to a better uture.

Blacklight : to shine a li ht on hidden ems, i ures, and adversities.

PREPARE for Adversity LEARN by Doing CONQUER your Future

DSW and Pensole Partner to Open First Black-Owned Shoe Factory in U.S.

By Shoshy Ciment, Stephen Garner

Updated March 20, 2023

DSW parent company Designer Brands Inc. and Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design (PLC) cut the ribbon to their brand new JEMS by Pensole factory in in Somersworth, N.H. The event marked the opening of the first Black-owned footwear factory in the United States.

According to Designer Brands, the development and opening of the factory represent the culmination of its $2 million investment into advancing action-oriented Diversity, Equity & Inclusion through its partnership with Detroit-based PLC, the first and only Historically Black College & University (HBCU) in Michigan and the first HBCU with a focus on design.

Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, legendary footwear designer and president of PLC, will serve as the first designer to create a collection of shoes to be released by the factory. LeCrown Shoes Industry Co., LTD with decades of footwear development experience has also invested $1 million.

Bill Jordan, president of Designer Brands, said in a statement that this factory opening marks a “major achievement” in improving representation by people of color in the footwear and design industries.

“We are excited to see the initial shoe designs brought to life by PLC graduates in the new factory, with the future products to be sold exclusively at DSW stores,” added Jordan. “By honoring the legacy of Black entrepreneurs, we aim to inspire future designers by providing a powerful path for educational, career and retail success. When we work to advance diversity in the world of fashion brands, our business succeeds, and everyone wins.”

“JEMS by Pensole is a firm step for promising careers for Black leaders in footwear, who as a group represent less than five percent across all design industries,” said Dr. Edwards. “With our factory now open, we’ll quickly advance PLC graduates to training for product pre-production all the way to creation of our first sneakers. Our partnership with Designer Brands and DSW makes all this possible and celebrates Black business innovators in important and meaningful ways.”

What we originally reported on February 16, 2022

Designer Brands Inc. is making a major investment to increase diversity in the footwear industry.

The DSW parent is making a $2 million investment to support the first Black-owned footwear factory and is launching an exclusive distribution partnership to sell products created in the factory in its stores.

The program comes via a partnership with footwear designer Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, the president of the Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design in Detroit the first HBCU with a focus on design.

To create the the shoes, Edwards will tap designers of color from Pensole and the school’s broad network of diverse talent. The new factory will be based in New Hampshire and will produce these shoes, which will then be sold exclusively at DSW.

Edwards, a longtime advocate for diverse representation and opportunity in the sneaker industry, said this partnership represents an effort to address root problems that stunt growth for Black footwear designers and creatives.

“You can design products all day long and you can find factory resources to make samples and make production,” Edwards said. “But if you don’t have a distribution partner, then your business ends up failing or not getting off the ground.”

Pensole's Dr. D'Wayne Edwards and Designer Brands' Bill Jordan open the new JEMS by Pensole shoe factory in Somersworth, N.H. CREDIT: COURTESY OF DESIGNER BRANDS INC

The factory will be called the Jan Ernst Matzeliger Studio (JEMS), named after the Black footwear leader who changed footwear manufacturing with his 1883 patent for the lasting machine. The center is currently being outfitted with footwear-making machinery and technology, with the first pairs slated to come out in September. Edwards will construct the first shoe designs, but Pensole students and other designers of color will be able to submit their designs for consideration moving forward.

For DSW president Bill Jordan, a partnership like this hits on all fronts: internally, consumer-facing, and from a business perspective.

“We’re so excited to be able to highlight new design talent, especially design talent of color,” Jordan said. “We’ve got a responsibility to do that, and a desire to do that. And quite frankly, our customers want us to do it.”

The program’s leaders have yet to determine a framework for compensation and autonomy for participating designers. But the goal, said Edwards, is to empower participants to see the entire production of their designs through until the end.

“We want to make sure that they understand the proper way to launch a brand and to actually conduct the business,” Edwards said. First and foremost, this partnership is meant to encourage diverse talent in the industry. But the new program also gives DSW a new pipeline for exclusive product, which is even more important for retailers these days, as major brands like Nike and Adidas siphon off partnerships with retailers to focus on DTC channels instead.

The announcement comes as many retailers and brands celebrate Black History month.

However, both Jordan and Edwards made it clear that the initiative will grow beyond the launch this month.

“This is something that is going to live for a long time,” Edwards said. “We’re just announcing it at this point. But but honestly, we’re really trying to make history every single month, not just this month.”

CONGRATULATIONS TO SUSAN ITZIIOWITZ

O N H ER INCREDIBLE SUCCESS AND W INNING THE A.A. BLOOM M E MORIAL AWARD

CONGRATULATIONS TO Dn.D•WAYNE

EDWAIDS

FO R THE ACHIECEMENT OF THE T .KENYON HOLLY AWARD � ?�lE�ICH

THANK YOU, TWO TEN for all of your impactful efforts for thefootwear family!

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