CHAIRED BY

Christine Hallen-Berg and Vincent LaBarbera
Tijana and Paul Hamilton
Sarah and David Vanderveen

Join us for Tahirih’s 2^nd Annual Orange County Gala: Journey to Justice as we stand with courageous women and girls who refuse to be victims of violence. This year’s Gala is a moment to honor Tahirih clients who have overcome overwhelming adversity in their pursuit of justice and the champions who stand beside them, determined to create a world where all women and girls may live in safety and with dignity.

Funds raised at the Gala will go directly toward Tahirih’s holistic model of service, including free legal and social services, bridge-building policy advocacy, and research-based training and education. Join us as we work to elevate the voices of women and girls who have fled human rights abuses such as rape, domestic violence, forced and child marriage, female genital mutilation/cutting, and human trafficking. Only together, as advocates, champions, and courageous survivors, can we achieve justice for all.

To purchase a sponsorship or request additional information, please contact Allie Mattil at AllieM@tahirih.org or 571-282-6145.

TICKETS & SPONSORSHIPS

INDIVIDUAL TICKETS

General Admission Tickets
$500
Access to Reception
Seated Dinner & Program

Deadline to purchase tickets is Friday, September 20 (subject to availability). To purchase a full table, contact Carey Eisenberg at CareyE@tahirih.org.

 

 

SPONSORSHIP LEVELS & BENEFITS

To download the 2019 Orange County Gala Sponsorship Form, please click here.

To purchase a sponsorship or request additional information, contact Carey Eisenberg at CareyE@tahirih.org or 571-282-6172.

 

Champion
$50,000 + (Tax deductible amount $48,500 – not available for purchase online – submit sponsorship form to Carey Eisenberg at CareyE@tahirih.org)

• 20 Premier Seats (2 tables of 10)
• Recognition:* Tahirih social media and Gala press release (name), at event (vocal, on screen, and in printed program (name)), Tahirih Annual Report (name), Gala invitation (name), Gala webpage (name and link)

Benefactor
$25,000 + (Tax deductible amount $23,500 – not available for purchase online – submit sponsorship form to Carey Eisenberg at CareyE@tahirih.org)

• 20 Premier Seats (2 tables of 10)
• Recognition:* Gala press release, at event (vocal, on screen, and in printed program (name)), Tahirih Annual Report (name), Gala invitation (name), Gala webpage (name and link)

Defender
$15,000 + (Tax deductible amount $14,250 – not available for purchase online – submit sponsorship form to Carey Eisenberg at CareyE@tahirih.org)

• 10 Seats (1 table of 10)
• Recognition:* At event (on screen), Tahirih Annual Report (name), Gala invitation (name), Gala webpage (name and link)

Advocate
$10,000 + (Tax deductible amount $9,250 – not available for purchase online – submit sponsorship form to Carey Eisenberg at CareyE@tahirih.org)

• 10 Seats (1 table of 10)
• Recognition:* At event (on screen), Tahirih Annual Report (name), Gala invitation (name)

Lifesaver
$5,000 + (Tax deductible amount $4,400)

• 8 Seats (Partial Table)
• Recognition:* Tahirih Annual Report (name), Gala invitation (name)

Friend
$2,500 + (Tax deductible amount $2,200)

• 4 Seats (Partial Table)
• Recognition:* Gala invitation (name)

 

*All sponsorships must be confirmed by July 1 for inclusion in print invitation, August 29 for inclusion in printed program, September 16 for inclusion on webpage and in on-screen presentation.

LOGOS SHOULD BE SENT TO ALLIE MATTIL AT ALLIEM@TAHIRIH.ORG AND SHOULD BE HIGH RES VECTOR IMAGE OR .PNG W/TRANSPARENT BACKGROUND, AT LEAST 1000PX

† SHOULD TWO (2) OR MORE PARTIES BE INTERSTED IN UNDERWRITING, CONTACT CAREY EISENBERG AT CAREYE@TAHIRIH.ORG or 571-282-6172.

GALA HOST COMMITTEE

Gala Co-Chairs
Christine Hallen-Berg and Vincent LaBarbera
Tijana and Paul Hamilton
Sarah and David Vanderveen

Host Committee
Michi Arena
Elham Ataii
Sage Bilick
Iris Bourne
Melissa Cavanaugh
Jennifer Condas
Lili Daftarian
Suzy Elghanayan
Cathleen Falsani
Eva LaRue
Cathie Lawler
Mary Lee
Noushin Malek Khosravi
Jean Michel
Kerry Mogharebi
Mitra Nasab
Anoosheh Oskouian
Bill Peters
Karen Pierce
Kaira Rouda
Berta Santos
Shideh Shayan Smith
Maura Short
Linda Young
Poupak Zadeh

SPONSORS

Thank you to our sponsors!

Benefactor
Corner Foundation Inc.
Lugano Diamonds

Defender
First American Title Insurance Company

 

TAHIRIH CEO & FOUNDER: LAYLI MILLER-MURO

Layli Miller-Muro is the CEO and Founder of the Tahirih Justice Center. She established Tahirih in 1997 following her involvement in a high-profile case that set national precedent and revolutionized asylum law in the United States. Fauziya Kassindja, a 17-year-old girl who had fled Togo in fear of a forced polygamous marriage and female genital mutilation, was granted asylum in 1996 by the U.S. Board of Immigration Appeals. This decision opened the door to gender-based persecution as grounds for asylum. Using her portion of the proceeds from a book she and Ms. Kassindja co-authored about the case, “Do They Hear You When You Cry?” Layli established Tahirih.

Since 2001, Layli has led Tahirih in its service to more than 27,000 women and children, growing the nonprofit from a staff of six to over 100 located in offices in Atlanta GA, Baltimore MD, Greater Washington DC, Houston TX, and the San Francisco Bay Area CA.

Prior to joining Tahirih, Layli was an attorney at the law firm of Arnold & Porter, where she practiced international litigation and maintained a substantial pro bono practice. Prior to joining Arnold & Porter, Layli was an attorney-advisor at the U.S. Department of Justice, Board of Immigration Appeals.

Layli is a frequent lecturer and has appeared in numerous news outlets including CNN, Fox News, The New York Times, NPR, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. She lives in the Greater Washington, D.C. area with her husband, three children, and dog, Anis.

COURAGEOUS VOICE SPEAKER: Neha Batool

Even from a young age, Neha Batool believed that being a girl and a woman should mean more than training to be a housewife and serving a man for life. Her culture, however, demanded that she keep her eyes on the ground to maintain modesty, abstain from friendships to prevent westernization, and terminate schooling for marriage. In the U.S., Neha realized she did not have to marry at sixteen, discontinue education, and endure the cycle of oppression that she witnessed in her culture. Neha decided to break through the barriers and, with the help of Tahirih and other extraordinary organizations, she pursued a life that reflected her value of being an independent woman who is heard, respected, and understood. Today, Neha is a 4th year doctoral student training to be a psychologist.

EMCEES: Oscar Nuñez & Ursula Whittaker

Oscar Nuñez is best known for playing Oscar Martinez on NBC’s The Office. He has won an Emmy, two SAG Awards, an ALMA Award, a TV Land Award and an Impact Award from the National Hispanic Media Coalition for the role. Oscar is also recognized for his roles in the movies The Proposal, The 33, and Baywatch. He has guest starred on the TV shows New Girl, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, American Housewife, NCIS: L.A., iZombie, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. He lent his voice to the animations of Bob’s Burgers, Home, 3 Below, and Where’s Waldo? He has recurred on Showtime’s Shameless, CBS’ Life in Pieces, and Comedy Central’s Reno 911. He created and starred in his own Comedy Central series Halfway Home. He was a series regular on the USA legal comedy, Benched and the TBS sci-fi comedy, People of Earth. He currently stars in Mr. Iglesias on Netflix.

 

Ursula Whittaker has appeared in the TV shows Veep, Grey’s Anatomy, Veronica Mars, ER, Judging Amy, Medical Investigation, Private Practice, The Forgotten, Prime Suspect, and Malcolm in the Middle. Ursula’s favorite film experience was producing, writing, acting, and co-directing her short film Boob Jobs and Jesus, based on her real life relationship with her mother. She has also appeared in the movies Bold Native, Beethoven’s Big Break, Sleepover, Inside, Rock Star, Might As Well Be Swing, and Hoffa. Her favorite commercial was for GE where she had to simultaneously really love her vegetables and look like Marcia Cross from Desperate Housewives. Ursula’s writing as a monologist, Bimbo in the Manicure Shop, was published in The Los Angeles Times Magazine. Ursula is the mother of one magical 6 year old girl, and she’s the wife and partner of one funny man.

 

GALA HONOREES

Champions of the Year
Suzy and Jeff Elghanayan

Singer Suzy K, known for her pop CD, Circle, has collaborated with Donny Osmond, Dave Koz, and other industry giants to create several chart-topping Billboard hits. In addition to being a singer, Suzy Elghanayan is a mother of three, a wife, and an active member of her community. She spends her time at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County and raises awareness for education through adult awareness classes and discussions. Suzy’s passion for advocacy in equality and human rights shines bright as she continues to be a pillar in her community and as a Tahirih Champion.

Jeff Elghanayan has a background in real estate development, racing, architecture, and software analysis. He is a father of three, a husband, and a Tahirih champion. Jeff is the owner/director of real estate development & management company Bicoastal Property Inc. as well as the director of the Children’s Hospital of Orange County. He owns and manages Marco Polo Motorsports and has experience racing – from 1968 to the present – winning numerous motorcycle championships both nationally and abroad.

 

EVENING ENTERTAINMENT: ZURA KOBAKHIDZE

Zura Kobakhidze is internationally applauded as one of his generation’s most gifted musical minds. His performances have earned critical acclaim worldwide in more than fifteen countries and four continents. He holds a Master’s Degree with the highest honors from the Juilliard School and was the first pianist in Juilliard’s history to feature a live composition at a solo recital — a piece composed in real time. Zura is the winner of multiple international piano competitions and grants. He gave a debut recital in Paris at the age of fifteen and has recorded for Radio France. Zura recently finished writing and recording his first studio album this summer.

 

SPECIAL THANKS TO

Collage donated by Evalyn Daniel-Putnam
Entertainment by Zura Kobakhidze
Event Services by Elite OC Productions
Floral Arrangements by Paul Fenner Floral Design
Merchandising by Alberta Dos Santos
Photography Services by Ed Chang
Photography Services by John Watkins
Reception Performance by Scott Shoeffell
Tickets to Hamilton: An American Musical by 5000 Broadway Productions, Inc.
Wine donated by Fazeli Cellars Winery
Wine donated by Mudita Wines

VENUE: THE RESORT AT PELICAN HILL

The Resort at Pelican Hill
22701 Pelican Hill Road South
Newport Coast, CA 92657