You’re invited to the annual Celebration of Giving in Montgomery County–where inspiration meets impact as we celebrate a year of remarkable achievements and salute the 2025 Montgomery County Philanthropist of the Year.
This evening brings together our community's most influential changemakers: passionate donors, business leaders, wealth advisors, elected officials, and nonprofit representatives—all dedicated to building a stronger, more vibrant Montgomery County.
Enjoy delicious food and an open bar while making meaningful connections and learning from each other’s stories of real impact. You'll leave with renewed appreciation for our shared successes and fresh enthusiasm for the work ahead.
Introducing
the 2025
Montgomery County
Philanthropist
of the Year
Cathy Bernard
Cathy Bernard approaches philanthropy with the same skills that made her successful in business—tremendous drive and hands-on leadership. Her personal passions and long-standing commitment to Montgomery County compelled her to take on leadership roles with many vital organizations and help them achieve major breakthroughs. Her generosity has been especially catalytic for nonprofits advancing food security, supporting people living with cancer, empowering people with disabilities, and advancing the arts for all.
The Community Foundation is delighted to salute Cathy for demonstrating what's possible when one is committed to empowering people with hope and the resources they need to thrive.
Thank You To Our Host Committee,
Celebration Sponsors, Community Champions, & Together, We Prosper Campaign Donors
*As of 9/30/25
Host Committee
Mary Pat Alcus
Kevin and Diane Beverly
Robert G. Brewer, Jr.
Patrice King Brickman
Bob Buchanan
Hope Gleicher and Andy Burness
Robin Meisner Cameron
Stewart Edelstein
Jane Fairweather
Jennifer Farkas
Bonnie Fogel
Michelle Freeman
Bonnie and Alan Hammerschlag
Steven Hollman
Anne Khademian
Mimi Brodsky Kress
Catherine Leggett
Carolyn Leonard
Ambassador Connie Morella
Patricia and Craig Ruppert
Mita Schaffer
Hon. Jeffrey Z. Slavin
Rob Smith
Chris Syllaba
Carol Trawick
Verelyn Gibbs Watson
Cliff and Debbie White
Linda and Bob Youngentob
Benefactors
Catherine & Ike Leggett
Shoenberg Family Fund
Leaders
Carl M. Freeman Foundation
Partners
Mary Pat and Darren Alcus
Lesley-Jane Dixon
Fitzgerald Toyota Gaithersburg
Lois Fried
Itaberco Inc.
Karen and Ethan Leder
Meyer Foundation
Craig and Pat Ruppert
Bob and Linda Youngentob
Supporters
Kevin and Diane Beverly
Howard M. Shapiro and Shirley Brandman
Hope Gleicher and Andy Burness
Founders Bank
Heidi and Mitch Dupler
Alisha and Sean Griffey
Bonnie and Alan Hammerschlag
Mimi Brodsky Kress and Michael Kress
Lerch, Early & Brewer, Chtd.
NFP, an Aon company
Pettit Family Charitable Foundation
Mita Schaffer
Stein Sperling Bennett De Jong
Driscoll PC
United Bank
Patrons
Lois Brodsky
Scott and Patrice Brickman Family Foundation
Sharon and Bob Buchanan
Betty Cameron
Robin and Glen Cameron
CBIZ
Center for Adoption Support and Education
Stewart Edelstein
Claire Engers and David Silberman
Fine Earth Landscape, Inc.
Floyd E. Davis Family Foundation
Bonnie Fogel
Melanie Folstad, RBC Wealth Management
Ivymount Organization
Carolyn Leonard
Phyllis Meisner
Montgomery College
Ambassador Connie Morella
Nothing Bundt Cakes: Germantown, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Bethesda
Linda Allston-Shaw
Joan Schaffer
Robin Sherman
Imagination Stage
Chris Syllaba
Blake Thomas
Carol Trawick
Universities at Shady Grove
Together, We Prosper Campaign Donors
Visionary Circle
Terry Beaty and Anne Mehringer
Karen and Ethan Leder
Idris Mokhtarzada
Innovator
Clein-Lemann Esperanza Fund
Naomi Kashtan Horowitz Family Fund
Changemaker
AIM Foundation
Scott and Patrice Brickman Family Fund
Sharon and Bob Buchanan
Carlos and May May Horcasitas
Sanford and Doris Slavin Foundation Fund
William and Susan Taylor
Advocate
Howard M. Shapiro and Shirley Brandman
Alisha and Sean Griffey
Mimi Brodsky Kress and Michael Kress
Kristin Kuehl and Charlie Johnson
Catherine and Ike Leggett
Craig and Denise Pernick
Potomac Financial Consultants
Craig and Pat Ruppert
Shoenberg Family Fund
Builder
Hope Gleicher and Andy Burness
Caro Fund
Robin and Glen Cameron
John Metz and Julie Davis
Lesley-Jane Dixon
Stewart Edelstein
Susan G. Freed
The Solomon and Dorothy Graham Charitable Fund
Francie and Tim Hester
Rose and Harold Kramer Fund
Carolyn Leonard
Dorothea Lyas – Adamson Fund
Dusty and Kristina Rood
Ellen Ross
Robin and Sarah Salomon
Wikler Family Fund
Mildred Berry Zeigler Memorial Fund
Ally
Gary and Pennie Abramson Family Foundation
Diane & Daniel Berinstein
Audrey Corson and Dan Kazzaz
Julie Crotty
Ann Elliott
Melanie Folstad and Rick McUmber
The McConagha Family Foundation
Ana Morales
Joan Schaffer Charitable Fund
Howard and Leslie Stein Family Foundation
Gail Wasserman
Wraase Family Foundation
Sponsorship Opportunities
Become a Celebration sponsor and join our region’s most influential changemakers in supporting The Community Foundation's mission to create an equitable, just, and thriving community where every person prospers.
If you wish to support The Community Foundation and our Celebration, contact Kate Daniel at [email protected]