Ayenda Benefit!

Wednesday night, we headed to the Embassy of Finland for the Ayenda Foundation's 12th annual benefit dinner. 

We snapped Finnish Ambassador Kirsti Kauppi with Ayenda founder and president Shamim Jawad. The annual benefit brings together the DC diplomatic and philanthropic communities to fundraise the school Ayenda operates for underserved children in northern Afghanistan.

Prior to the program, guests enjoyed a cocktail reception featuring Afghan-inspired appetizers. Here, Ayenda co-founder and United Technologies SVP Tim McBride and his wife, former chief of staff to Laura Bush and AU's Anita McBride, join patron Marie Royce and her husband, House Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Rep. Ed Royce.

During the program, guests heard of the recent developments on new initiatives moving forward with the Ayenda school from its founder. Here, Ayenda board member and chairman of Friends of AU Afghanistan Leslie Schweitzer joins supporter Susan Ginsburg, Medical Service Corporation International's Dr. George Contis and Hungarian artist Anna Weatherley. 

Following the program, guests were treated to an amazing Afghan dinner buffet, provided by Bamian Restaurant in Falls Church. Here, PEN/Faulkner Foundation's Willee Lewis joins MPN Research Foundation's JoAnn Mason and Light of Healing Hope Foundation Alexandra de Borchgrave. 

Guests enjoyed a festive fashion show of traditional Afghan clothing. Here, the models showcase their beautiful outfits from different time periods and regions of Afghanistan. 

Entrepreneur Dadi Akhavan and his wife, attorney Farinaz Akhavan, join former Afghan Ambassador Said Jawad. Ambassador Jawad, and his wife, Shamim, will soon be relocating to London as he begins his service as the Ambassador of Afghanistan to the United Kingdom. 

Here, Firmseek CEO Swati Agrawal joins KVS Title Partner Claudia Vitale and Compass Real Estates' Mary Noone.