2025 AcceptAbility Gala

A fundraiser for the

GLOBAL DOWN SYNDROME FOUNDATION

funding life-changing research and life-saving medical care for children and
adults with Down syndrome

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Marriott Marquis Washington, DC
6:00PM ET Cocktail Reception | 7:00PM ET Performance & Program

Emcee

Autria Godfrey, Emmy-Award Winning Journalist

2025 Honorees

Tucker Emry

2025 Ambassador

Tucker Emry

2025 Ambassador

"This is the best thing that’s ever happened to you – you just don’t know it yet,” was the message we received from a friend upon Tucker’s birth. We hadn’t expected him to be born with a little “something extra,” but if we were privy to even a short preview of his future, we would have known not to worry. He lives life to the fullest, and it’s our privilege to be along for the ride. Tucker is the youngest of the three Emry boys, never ceasing to keep in steady step with his two older brothers. He is the heart of our family, and his bond with his siblings is unconditional love. Accompanying him on the many trips to therapists during his early years, they were a driving force in his speech, motor skill and social development. These days their interactions have advanced from imagination games and backyard badminton to advice about girls and whether or not to wear socks with his loafers. Tucker’s world is full of all the activities of a typical teenager. He attends The Harbour School in Maryland, where he has forged lasting friendships and discovered his interests (economics and broadcasting classes are his favorites). Always up for a party, he leads the charge at Young Life youth group events and his school’s social club gatherings and dances. He participates in Special Olympics sports and works out with a trainer. He volunteers with children’s programs at our Church and has completed several community work experiences, most recently as an aide in a preschool classroom. A member of his school’s Performing Arts Academy, he has appeared as Puck in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and the White Rabbit in “Alice in Wonderland,” among other roles. Every day, Tucker charms people with the twinkle in his eye and his unforgettable laugh. He is entirely himself and is determined to let his light shine. He talks about his upcoming “adult” life often, and his dreams for the future are clear – a college program, deepening friendships, meaningful employment, falling in love, and contributing to the community. Tucker is proud to champion Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s work to ensure that his future is one of mental and physical health and productivity. GLOBAL’s groundbreaking efforts pave the way for Tucker, and others with that magical extra chromosome, to share their vibrancy with the world.

Congressman Robert Aderholt

2025 Quincy Jones Expectational Advocacy Awardee

In his 15th term representing Alabama’s fourth congressional district, Robert Aderholt is an advocate for fiscal responsibility, truth in budgeting and federal government operating within its means. Robert Aderholt is a strong supporter of his community, district and the state of Alabama. He believes the federal government serves an essential role in assisting state and local governments with economic development.

Congresswoman Diana DeGette

2025 Quincy Jones Expectational Advocacy Awardee

Rep. Diana DeGette is a fourth-generation Coloradoan who has dedicated her life to serving the people of Colorado's First Congressional District. She is the ranking Democratic member of the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee which oversees the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Medicaid and parts of the Medicare program.

2025 Special Guests

Natalie Farr Harrison

Gala Chair

Guy Harrison

Gala Chair

Thank You to Our 2025 Supporters

Top Billboard – $7,000
The Ashbrook Family
Avoq
David Egan & Family
Natalie & Guy Harrison
Mastercard
Merck
OnMessage Inc.
The Stephens Family
Visa
The Whitten Family

Silver – $11,500
Anna & John J. Sie Foundation
NCTA
Steampunk

Platinum – $25,000
The Emry Family

Gold – $16,500
Intuit
PhRMA

2024 AcceptAbility Gala Highlights

2024 Photos – Step & Repeat	2024 Photos – Program Highlights

About Global Down Syndrome Foundation

The Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) is the largest non-profit in the U.S. working to save lives and dramatically improve health outcomes for people with Down syndrome. GLOBAL has donated more than $32 million to establish the first Down syndrome research institute supporting over 400 scientists and over 2,700 patients with Down syndrome from 33 states and 10 countries. Working closely with Congress and the National Institutes of Health, GLOBAL is the lead advocacy organization in the U.S. for Down syndrome research and medical care. GLOBAL has a membership of over 110 Down syndrome organizations worldwide and is part of a network of Affiliates – the Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, the Sie Center for Down Syndrome, and the University of Colorado Alzheimer’s and Cognition Center – all on the Anschutz Medical Campus.

GLOBAL’s widely circulated medical publications include GLOBAL Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down Syndrome, Prenatal Testing and Information about Down Syndrome, and the award-winning Down Syndrome World^TM magazine. GLOBAL also organizes the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, the largest Down syndrome fundraiser in the world. Visit globaldownsyndrome.org and follow us on social media (Facebook & Twitter: @GDSFoundation, Instagram: @globaldownsyndrome).

By registering, attending, or viewing at any time the Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s (the “Foundation”) AcceptAbility Gala event, or any reproductions, derivate works, or related content thereof (the “Event”), you agree to be bound by the following terms. You agree that the Event may contain copyrighted, trademarked or proprietary information or content protected by intellectual property or other laws. You agree to not instigate, maintain, or authorize any action, claim, or lawsuit against the Foundation, or any other person, on the grounds that the Event infringes any intellectual property rights or related laws. The Foundation does not make any express or implied warranties, endorsements, or representations whatsoever as to the Event or its content. You agree that the Foundation shall in no event be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or exemplary damages arising directly or indirectly from the Event. You hereby grant the Fountain the right to record, film, live stream, photograph, or capture your likeness in any media in connection with the Event and to distribute, broadcast, or use such media without any further approval by or compensation to you. You agree to not record, rebroadcast, repost, retransmit, or reproduce the Event, any of its content, or any portion thereof without the express written permission of the Foundation. Any public sharing, redistribution, or reproduction of the Event or any portion thereof in any form is strictly prohibited without the express written permission of the Foundation. The Foundation intends to pursue any and all remedies available to it under law or equity in response to any breach of these terms.

GALA FACT SHEET

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

SPONSORSHIP FORM

GLOBAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS

ROSA DELAURO AND TOM COLE GLOBAL $2K ADVANCEMENT AWARDS – APPLY TODAY!

2025 GALA CHAIRS

Natalie Farr Harrison
Sr. Vice President, Government Relations, Avoq

Guy Harrison
Partner, OnMessage

2025 GALA BOARD

Jan Adams
Founder & CEO, JMA Solutions

John Ashbrook
Founding Partner, Cavalry LLC

Kevin Brennan
Principal, Bluebird Strategies

Emilie Eager
Director of Business Development, Julie Parker Communications

David Egan
Author, Advocate & Speaker

Felicia Emry, Esq.
Life Skills Program Coordinator and Client Care Liaison, Heaven on Earth NOW

Erin Book Mullen
Principal, Williams & Jensen, PLLC

Matthew Perin
Head of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs, Kroger

Cliff Riccio
Sr. Vice President & Chief, Government Relations, NCTA

Julie Riccio
Director, Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy, PwC

Frank Stephens
Author, Actor & Advocate

Richard Waysdorf
Legal Consultant, Global Down Syndrome Foundation

Amy Best Weiss
Executive Vice President, Global Government Affairs, American Express

Michelle Sie Whitten
President & CEO, Global Down Syndrome Foundation

2025 CONGRESSIONAL HOSTS
Senator Cory Booker
Congresswoman Katherine Clark
Congressman Tom Cole
Senator Steve Daines
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro
Congresswoman Lois Frankel
Senator John Hickenlooper
Congressman Richard Hudson
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton
Congressman Pete Sessions
Congressman Pete Stauber

2025 HONORARY CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE
Congressman Jake Auchincloss
Congresswoman Nanette Barragán
Congressman Donald S. Beyer Jr.
Congresswoman Stephanie Bice
Senator Marsha Blackburn
Congresswoman Julia Brownley
Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski
Congressman Buddy Carter
Congressman James Clyburn
Congressman Steve Cohen
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman
Congressman Gerald Connolly
Congressman Joe Courtney
Congressman Jason Crow
Congresswoman Diana DeGette
Congressman Mike DeSaulnier
Congresswoman Virginia Foxx
Congressman Robert Garcia
Congresswoman Jahana Hayes
Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan
Congresswoman Young Kim
Congressman George Latimer
Congresswoman Betty McCollum
Congressman Rich McCormick
Congressman Rob Menendez
Congresswoman Carol Miller
Senator Markwayne Mullin
Senator Lisa Murkowski
Senator Chris Murphy
Senator Patty Murray
Congressman Jay Obernolte
Congressman Scott Peters
Congressman Mark Pocan
Congresswoman Delia Ramirez
Congresswoman Mary Scanlon
Congressman Brad Schneider
Congresswoman Hillary Scholten
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Congresswoman Haley Stevens
Congressman Dale Strong
Congressman Sheri Thanedar
Congressman Paul Tonko
Congresswoman Lori Trahan
Senator Elizabeth Warren
Congressman Joe Wilson

2025 IN-KIND DONORS
Barnhart Press
Georgetown Cupcakes
Harris Teeter
The LOOP
The Indigo Road Hospitality Group

2025 LIVE AUCTION DONORS
Jan Adams
The Emry Family
Estee Lauder
The Whitten Family

ACCEPTABILITY GALA MEDIA

Press Contact:

Shawn Flaherty
Email: shawn_flaherty@creativestratpr.com
Cell: 703-554-3609

Anca Elena Call
Email: acall@globaldownsyndrome.org
Cell: 720-320-3832

Join Headliners Phillip Phillips & Tucker Emry at GLOBAL’S AcceptAbility Gala in DC!

Singer Jordin Sparks Performs and Rep. Frankel and Rep. Hudson Honored at Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s May 9th AcceptAbility Gala in DC

Important NIH INCLUDE Legislation Aimed at Increasing Lifespan and Dramatically Improving Health Outcomes for People with Down Syndrome Introduced by GLOBAL Champion, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers

CELEBS AND CONGRESS STEP UP FOR PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME IN DC!

GLOBAL Applauds Congress for $15 million Increase for NIH Down Syndrome/INCLUDE Research Initiative in Recently Passed Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Spending Bill

Watch Frank Stephens’ Congressional Testimony