Tomorrow's Hope Foundation's 2022 STARS for Students Gala

The STARS for Students Gala is our premier event that raises tuition assistance for underserved students attending Catholic elementary schools on Long Island. In the last 16 years, thanks to the generosity of donors like you, the STARS for Students Gala has generated more than $17 million to support our mission to ensure the excellence as well as the continuance of Catholic schools on Long Island by increasing awareness and providing scholarship and program funding for the needs of students and schools.

Please consider supporting our 2022 STARS for Students Gala and join in helping our students continue their Catholic education regardless of economic status. By doing so, our children can remain in a faith-filled and safe educational environment that will guide them towards a bright future that would not necessarily be available to them otherwise.

Today's children are Tomorrow's Hope!

MEET OUR HONOREES

Marguerite "Margy" Kircher, Senior Vice President/Investments, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

Marguerite "Margy" Kircher is a Senior Vice President of Janney Montgomery Scott LLC in Garden City, a leading full-service wealth management, capital markets, and asset management firm. Mrs. Kircher spent 31 years at Wellington Shields & Co. where she served as Branch Office Manager and as an equity partner. Prior to joining the former Shields & Co, she was a registered representative with Sterling Grace & Co, a former NYSE member firm.

Mrs. Kircher, born and raised in Garden City, NY, her husband Steve, and their children Sable (Kellenberg MHS Class of 2015) and Cullen (Kellenberg MHS Class of 2017) are active parishioners at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Massapequa, NY.  After having served on the 50th Anniversary Committee for the parish in 2002, Mrs. Kircher then began a long career of service to St. Rose of Lima School where she served on the School Board from 2003-2013, 5 of those years serving as President.  Mrs. Kircher has co-chaired the annual St. Rose of Lima Family Festival since 2005, collectively working with a committee to raise funds essential to the school operating budget. Mrs. Kircher also serves the parish of St. Rose of Lima as a member of the Steering Committee for Strategic Planning, a liaison to CYO, and as a Eucharistic minister. Along with her husband Steve, the Kirchers' served as Co-chairs for the Class of 2017 on the Kellenberg Memorial High School Shepherd's Fund where they continue to support as members of the Good Shepherd Society. Most recently, Mrs. Kircher was appointed to the Dean's Advisory Board at Long Island University Post College of Management.

Mrs. Kircher received a B.A. in Biology/Chemistry from Sweet Briar College, is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and currently holds 6 securities licenses including 2 as principal.

Brendan McGovern, CEO & President, Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc. 

Brendan McGovern recently retired from Goldman Sachs, where he was a Partner. During his 15 years at Goldman, Brendan held several positions, and was most recently the President and CEO of Goldman Sachs BDC, Inc., a publicly traded specialty finance company focused on lending to small businesses. He was also a founding member of the Goldman Sachs Renewable Power Group and served on its Investment Committee.

Brendan and his wife Paula moved to Garden City in 2007, where they are parishioners at St. Joseph's Church. The McGovern's are long-time supporters of the Oxalosis and Hyperoxaluria Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating a childhood liver and kidney disease. Paula, a retired math teacher, is also a frequent volunteer and fundraiser for the Child Life Center at the NYU Langone Hospital, which provides resources for families of children who are in the hospital receiving medical care.

Brendan and Paula are graduates of Villanova University and College of Holy Cross, respectively, and have been strong advocates for Catholic education. Their daughter Brooke, 14, will be graduating from St. Joseph School this spring and will attend Sacred Heart Academy in the fall. Claire, 11, currently attends St. Anne's school and is in 5th grade. Brooke and Claire love dancing, music and drama.   

2022 Gala Committee Committee

Kathryn J. Bill
Carolynn Lucca Black
Jeffrey R. Byrnes
Sister Joanne Callahan, OSU
Paul Clagnaz
Richard Conniff
Pat Curtin
Stephen V. DeSimone
Maria L. DiMatteo
Vicki Ferrara
Kathleen M. Giamo
Mary Ryan Gonzalez
Michael S. Grant
Jeff Harris
Most Rev. Richard Henning
Bernadette Kasnicki
Meaghan E. Kelly
Hon. Rick A. Lazio
Frank Liantonio
F.J. McCarthy
Frank Melaccio
Michael Merlo
Catherine Muscente
Gerald D. Pietroforte
Peter Quick
Lewis S. Ranieri
Michael D. Sapraicone
Maureen T. Scaduto

Ismini Scouras
Val Seitz
Brian T. Shea
Bernadette Casey Smith
Owen Smith
Allison M. Strack
Christopher Tully
Glenn Tyranski
Anne Walsh
Peggy York