Conservation International hosted its most successful dinner ever at the American Museum of Natural History on May 17, 2007. The event, CI’s 10th Annual New York Dinner, raised a record $1.9 million.
Keynote speaker Jared Diamond’s remarks highlighted the significance of this achievement. Diamond, bestselling author of Guns, Germs and Steel and Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed, explained to guests how their support for CI has global impact. The 770 guests gathered in the Hall of Ocean Life, which florist Rebecca Cole had strewn with fanciful florals hung with votive candles, sat fascinated as Diamond urged them to invest in a thriving, healthy environment for their children and for all generations to come.
CI President Russ Mittermeier introduced Jared Diamond, saying that reading Collapse had inspired him to visit Easter Island to see firsthand the remains of a society destroyed by poor use of natural resources. CI Chairman and CEO Peter Seligmann also took the podium to share CI’s bold strategy for protecting nature worldwide. Peter was introduced by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who praised CI’s innovative work.
A memorable portion of the evening was a video featuring Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central. The pair’s discussion of Colbert’s involvement with The Great Turtle Race left the crowd in stitches.
Stephen also thanked Tom and Meredith Brokaw for inviting him to be involved with CI’s 10th annual New York dinner. Meredith, a longtime CI supporter and board member, took the stage at the end of the program to remind guests how important their support is to CI and to invite them to enjoy a glass of champagne in celebration of ten years of successful dinners.
New York Dinner Committee:
Co-Chairs
Dara O'Hara
Mary Kathryn Navab
Honorary Co-Chairs
Roger Altman and Jurate Kazickas
Meredith Brokaw
Paula and Jim Crown
Barry Diller
Harrison Ford
Bethany Millard
Ellen Wright
Davis Weinstock and
Elizabeth Hawes
Ann Ziff
Special thanks to our generous sponsors:
Environmental Leadership in Business Sponsor
President's Circle
Ann Ziff
Global Council
Meredith and Tom Brokaw
Harrison Ford
The Moore Charitable Foundation
Mary Kathryn and Alex Navab
Omnicom Group, Inc.
Davis Weinstock and Elizabeth Hawes
Hotspot Investors
Allen & Company
Boeing
Boies, Schiller and Flexner LLP
Leslie and Brian Brille
Bunge
Alexandra and Steven Cohen Foundation
Credit Suisse
Deloitte
The Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation
Ted Forstmann and IMG
Victoria and Lloyd Goldman
Jane Hartley and Ralph Schlosstein
Lehman Brothers
Cynthia and Dan Lufkin
Bethany and Robert B. Millard
Dara and Timothy O'Hara
Trina and Mike Overlock
Veronique and Robert Pittman
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
United Technology Corporation
Ellen and Joe Wright
Daniel Ziff
Natasha and Dirk Ziff
Michelle Locher and Robert Ziff