Inside The 2024 Moving Families Forward Gala Benefiting Ackerman Institute For The Family
This year's honorees included Kori Chambers, Judith Stern Peck and Esther Perel
The 2024 Moving Families Forward Gala was held on October 28th at the JW Marriott Essex House in New York City. The event benefited the vital programs and ongoing services for children and families at the Ackerman Institute for the Family.
Kori Chambers, multi-Emmy winning co-anchor of the PIX11 News at 6:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., was honored with the Moving Families Forward Media Award. Judith Stern Peck, LCSW, Director of the Money and Family Life Project at Ackerman Institute for the Family was honored with the Moving Families Forward Leadership Award. Esther Perel, renowned psychotherapist, and New York Times bestselling author was honored with the Moving Families Forward Luminary Award.
Erica Hill, CNN Anchor and National Correspondent, emceed the evening for the first time. The 2024 Moving Families Forward Gala Co-Chairs were Deborah Werner, Imke Oster and Nicole Poteat. Adi Loebl, MD, the new President, and CEO of Ackerman Institute for the Family, presided over the gala.
Ira Sallen is Chair of the board of directors for Ackerman Institute for the Family. Broadway stars Sean McCourt and Beth McCourt performed at the gala. Lydia Fenet served as the auctioneer for the evening.
In addition to Gala Co-Chairs Deborah Werner, Imke Oster and Nicole Poteat (all Ackerman Board members), other members of the Ackerman Board of Directors attending the gala included Adi Loebl, MD, Jeannie Ackerman Curhan with Joseph C. Williams, Ira Sallen, Judith Stern Peck, Arnold Syrop, Janine Weisenbeck, Leslie Roberts, Peter Abrons, Thomas G. Kahn, Robert C. Ruckh, and Sheri Sandler.
Fox 5 News Anchor Steve Lacy, Good Day New York’s Mike Woods, and Donna Drake, host of The Donna Drake Show, also attended the gala.
The funds raised at the 2024 Moving Families Forward gala play a vital role in sustaining Ackerman Institute for the Family’s mission to deliver essential Family Therapy, mental health services, training programs, and innovative clinical research (to hundreds of families across the five boroughs. As champions of diversity and inclusion, a variety of specialized centers and projects address the diverse needs of various communities, particularly those facing significant challenges.
These include support for LGBTQIA+ families, assistance for Latinx youth and immigrant families, resources for those in foster care and adoption, and enhancing support for the Center for Developing Child and Family. Ackerman is growing their partnerships with New York City universities to train therapists from BIPOC backgrounds, and collaborations with over 65 schools, hospitals, and agencies to provide clinical outreach services to at-risk youth and families.
Ackerman treats all types of families. In these times of heightened mental health needs nationwide, their commitment to providing accessible and inclusive treatment and training to improve the lives of families and children is more vital than ever.
