Ambassadors' Ball Spring 2026

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New items will be continually added to the Silent Auction.

Bidding on Silent Auction Items will continue until 10:30 p.m. on March 27. 

Dinners Hosted by UN Ambassadors

During the Ball, dinners hosted by UN Ambassadors will be made available for online bidding in the Silent Auction.

Live Auction of Special Offerings

There will be a Live Auction of Special Offerings during the Ball that includes: NYC Art Package, NYC Sport Package, Mikimoto Golden Pearl Pendant, and Curated Whisky Tasting at Collezione New York. 

Because these Special Offerings only will be available to bid on In Person at the Ball they are listed as "Closed."

Humanitarian Award Honoree

Elsa Brule, Philanthropist

Elsa Brule

From New York City to Southeast Asia and Africa, Elsa Brule champions projects that address illiteracy by promoting education and health. As children's literacy is Elsa's personal passion, she has singularly restored school libraries in the United States, as well as built and supported libraries throughout the developing world. 

The Elsa Miller Foundation, founded by Ms. Brule in 2020, focuses on health and education. So far projects have been implemented in nine countries on four continents. The endeavors are practical, sustainable, locally driven and impactful-from building toilets and hand-washing stations to sponsoring a school within a hospital in Ukraine, and alleviating medical care crises in Sudan. Elsa brought together a collection of world experts to discuss and address why 150 million babies annually are born stunted. This forum inspired the first major clinical study with the intent to eradicate stunting throughout the developing world.

Elsa credits her positive outlook and her boundless energy to her Finnish heritage. Growing up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Finnish culture was part of her everyday life.

Most recently, she has sponsored a solo exhibition of Finnish artist Helene Schjerfbeck at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This is the first time Schjerfbeck's works have been showcased in a major United States museum. Featuring nearly 60 of her works, this exhibition affirms Schjerfbeck's rightful place in the story of modern art as well as elevates awareness of Finland's place in it.  

Elsa remains dedicated to the premise that one deed at a time: giving one book to a child, or one act of loving kindness, is where hope for us all resides.

Musical Performance by Tomasz Konieczny

Tomasz Konieczny © Kinga Karpati & Daniel Zarewicz 

Tomasz Konieczny is an internationally acclaimed Polish bass-baritone, renowned for his commanding Wagner interpretations, powerful stage presence, and magnetic dramatic intensity. In addition to his operatic career, he is an actor, director, cultural leader, mentor to young singers, and an active ambassador of Polish culture worldwide.

Konieczny performs regularly at the world's leading opera houses. His Metropolitan Opera appearances have included Alberich in Wagner's Ring cycle, the title role in The Flying Dutchman, Don Pizarro in Fidelio, and Mandryka in Arabella. He will return to the Met in March 2026 as Kurwenal in a new production of Tristan und Isolde, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

He first trained as an actor at the renowned Polish National Film School in Lodz before studying voice in Warsaw and Dresden. He began his career in film, working with directors such as Andrzej Wajda and Jerzy Hoffman, before transitioning fully into opera. Granted Austrian citizenship in 2017, Konieczny was awarded the prestigious title of Osterreichischer Kammersanger in 2019. He is also an honorary member of the Vienna Wagner Society.

Musical Performance by Benjamin Strong

Benjamin Strong

Benjamin Strong, a rising bass-baritone, has a commanding voice and dynamic stage presence. He is making a remarkable impact for the next generation of opera. 

Originally from Pennsylvania, Strong was a 2025 National Semifinalist in the Metropolitan Opera Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition, and currently is in his first year in the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut during their 2025-26 season as the Major-Domo in Andrea Chénier as well as covering the Imperial Commissioner in Madama Butterfly. With a repertoire spanning Mozart, Verdi, and Wagner, Strong continues to establish himself as a compelling and powerful bass-baritone.

Performances Accompanied by Stefano Miceli

Stefano Miceli

Stefano Miceli, OMRI (Order of Merit of the Italian Republic), is a world-renowned pianist and conductor, celebrated for his exceptional performances that are characterized by technical prowess and profound emotional resonance, thus establishing his prominence within the realm of classical music.

In 2010, Miceli made his New York debut as a soloist and conductor at Carnegie Hall and in 2025, he conducted Mozart's Requiem at Saint Patrick's Cathedral. Recently he conducted the world premiere of Four Motets by composer Paolo Marchettini at Manhattan School of Music. He has founded various cultural festivals including the 'Music & Conversations with Stefano Miceli' festival which aims to foster dialogue and musical exchange with global audiences.

Entertainment by Alex and Amir Music | Style Events

Alex and Amir Music

Alex and Amir Music | Style Events - New York's original DJ-led band, which combines the elegance & sophistication of an orchestra with the energy of a global DJ.

Over the past 20 years, Alex and Amir have become intrinsically linked to the international events scene with their chic dance sets featuring global dance music combined with live musicians, bands and choreographed shows. The veteran New York DJs and their creative design team have an incredible knack for creating memorable events and unique playlists for events from Los Angeles to Paris and beyond.

The Hospitality Committee For United Nations Delegations

Cordially Invites You To Attend The 

Ambassadors' Ball

SPRING GALA

27 March 2026

Cocktail Reception
6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Dinner and Dancing
7:30 p.m.-12:00 a.m.

Special Live Auction
6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.

Black Tie, National Dress

Interested in joining us for the event?

To RSVP and purchase tickets, as well as for more information about our Spring Gala event click below to

Visit our HCUND Ambassadors' Ball website 

Call us at 212.963.8753

Email us at [email protected]

Stop by our office in the General Assembly building room GA-0142.

We request your RSVP by March 9.

The Hospitality Committee for United Nations Delegations

WHO WE ARE

The Hospitality Committee for United Nations Delegations (HCUND) is a group of American volunteers who have partnered with the United Nations since 1954. At our inception we established essential connections to the delegations and their families in order to help delegates shape and build the social and cultural structures of their lives in New York. During our 72 years we have continually shifted our role to better fit the needs of the current UN delegate population.

We currently offer more than 150 diverse cultural and educational programs. These include film, book, and culinary clubs; English, French and Arabic discussion groups; cultural events such as the symphony and ballet and curated museum tours; educational programs and career support on behalf of the diplomatic spouses; and family events designed to bring delegates from a broad range of missions together in social settings. 

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit and as such receive no funding from the United Nations. Proceeds from this year's auction and our Ambassadors' Ball will fuel our programs for this year and beyond.