exalt's 2025 Gala: "Innovating for Impact"
Last night at Trinity Church NYC, we gathered for an unforgettable evening to celebrate belief—belief in the brilliance of our youth, the urgency of this moment, and the power of community to transform lives.
We honored Maria Hinojosa, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and founder of Futuro Media, who tells stories fearlessly to amplify the voices of the unheard.
We celebrated two of our extraordinary internship partners: CIVILIAN, a global architecture and design studio, and Douglas Elliman, a leader in the real estate industry. Their commitment to mentorship and providing opportunities help create bold futures for our young people.
In a powerful moment, we presented our five 2025 exalt scholars. They are a testament to what’s possible when youth are given the chance to thrive. Since 2020, exalt has awarded over $400,000 in scholarships to 40 young people.
As we celebrate this milestone, we also mark a moment of transition. We are deeply grateful to Yumari Martinez (Board Chair), Ruth Fromer (Treasurer), and Kunal Das (Secretary) for their years of service and steady leadership as exalt’s governing officers. Their commitment has been instrumental in positioning exalt for this next chapter of growth. A new slate of board leadership will take the helm on July 1st, continuing exalt’s strong trajectory with purpose and vision. We will announce our incoming Board Chair soon.
Our 2025 Gala video captures the life-changing impact of internships—how they open doors, spark dreams, and expand possibilities.
See the video and event photos here.
Contributions up to $600,000 were generously matched by the Lawrence Foundation and an anonymous national foundation. Our gracious sponsors also included:
CD&R Foundation
CIVILIAN
Con Edison
Douglas Elliman
Fund for the City of New York
Hamilton Clarke, LLP
Nine8 Advisory
Ocean First Bank
Park&K Public Affairs
