LAYC Gala!

Last night we headed to the JW Marriott for the Latin American Youth Center's annual gala.

We snapped Capital One treasurer and senior vice president Tom Feil with LAYC president and CEO Lori Kaplan, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, Capital One's and LAYC treasurer Simon Fairclough and LAYC board chair and EagleBank executive vice president Antonio Marquez. The annual gala brings together more than 500 business and community leaders to support the center. 

For more than 49 years, LAYC has empowered 70,000 youths through multi-cultural, comprehensive and innovative programs. Here, The England Family Foundation's Julia Baer-Cooper with gala host committee members Roseman Legal Group's Robert Roseman and Chess Challenge in DC's executive director, Suzy Hirsch. 

Prior to the main program, we joined guests at the VIP reception, which featured an open bar and a spread of appetizers. Here, LAYC strategic adviser Mario Velasquez joins Next Step Public Charter School executive director Julie Meyer with the Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers' managing director, Jacob Newman. 

This year's gala honored LAYC CEO Kaplan for her over 30 years of service and dedication. Here, PwC's Matt Wojnar and his wife, Patty Wojnar, join gala host committee member Pamela Marquez and her husband, Antonio Marquez. 

During the program guests enjoyed a musical performance by LAYC youth participants as well as remarks by Mayor Bowser. Here, the xScion Solutions team enjoying the VIP cocktail reception: Mason Chaudhry with Barry Dwyer, Cynthia Williams, Lindsay Miller and Bonnie Rischell.

Following the dinner program, guests headed to the after-party for the continued celebration. Here, Urban Alliance's Sokeng Leng with executive director Nathaniel Cole and Paul Remy. 

Rob Goldstein joins Capital One's Tom Feil and Bob Hong. Capital One was also given the Honoree Award for their support over the years.