Record Breaking $54,000 Raised for Scholarships!
A record-breaking $54,000 was raised for college scholarships at the ITWomen CIO Celebrity Invitational Poker Tournament & Casino Night held Thursday Nov. 17, 2011 at the Sheraton Airport Hotel in Dania, Florida.
ITWomen’s Charitable Foundation helps girls achieve their dreams of earning degrees in technology and engineering. To date, ITWomen has raised $254,000 and awarded 48 scholarships.  Attendance also broke records for drawing the most CIOs, corporate sponsorships and scholarship donors in the fundraiser’s eight-year history. More than 140 persons from the IT professional community attended, with some leaders flying in for the event from as far as California, New York and Virginia.
First place winner in the CIO Celebrity Poker Tournament was Arkady Kleyner of Intricity, who won the grand prize from NCL – a four-day cruise to the Bahamas aboard the Norwegian Sky. Mike Cappiello of Signature Consultants and Michael Garcia of Jackson Health Systemwon second and third respectively in the intense competition at the last table standing.
The CIO Executive Council, a global community for senior IT leaders, powered by IDG, the world’s largest technology, media, event and research company, sponsored the opening VIP Reception. Pamela Stenson, Senior VP and General Manager of the CIO Executive Council, and a chair of the Council’s Executive Women in IT (EWIT) program, spoke of the evolving roles of the CIO. EWIT provides networking opportunities for IT leaders to share expertise, best practices and solutions to business challenges faced by female executives.
Special Recognition
ITWomen President Victoria Usherenko recognized extraordinary contributions from among the CIOs, the Sponsors, and the Scholarship Donors at the VIP Reception.
- Debbie Wilson VP & CIO ADT Security Services, Inc., was singled out for her extraordinary support of ITWomen’s Role Model Speakers program and professional development events.
- TekPartners, a workforce staffing solution company, and among the fundraiser’s top $5,000 Terabyte Sponsors, was recognized by ITWomen for its multi-year contributions above and beyond sponsorship contributions.
- Vitaver & Associates staffing agency, and a double Scholarship Donor and Tournament contributor this year, was lauded for its multi-year support of the ITWomen scholarship program.
Top 10 Winners IT Women CIO Celebrity Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament
1. Grand Prize winner, Arkady Kleyner, Intricity – NCL Bahamas Cruise
2. Mike Cappiello, Signature – Nook ereader with cover.
3. Michael Garcia, Jackson Health System – iceless wine cooler.
4. Jim Crocker, TekPartners
5. Pablo Vitaver, Vitaver & Associates
6. Marie Lee, Interval International (CIO)
7. Tammy Sheffield, Kaplan Technology
8. Paul Martine, Citrix
9. Catherine Reid-Turk, CDT Business Solutions
10. Cass Fitzgerald, Vitaver & Associates
TESTIMONIALS
“It was my pleasure to participate. My team and I really enjoyed the event. Congratulations on raising $54K. That is an incredible accomplishment.”
– Marie Lee, Chief Information Officer, Interval International
“Congratulations and keep up the great work!”
– Fernando Martinez, Jackson Health System
“As always the event was a good time and I hope to get Dimension Data to participate in a bigger way next year.”
– Nick Monfreda, Global Client Director, Dimension Data
“I am so happy to hear that the event turned out so well! It is always a pleasure for us to participate and contribute”
– Mila Mokadem, Ernst & Young LLP
“Just wanted to let you know that I heard nothing by dynamite things about your event last night! I know how much work goes into these events, so I can really appreciate the effort that goes into making things look effortless. Congratulations on a terrific event. We will certainly be participating next year.”
– Vicky Durkin, Marketing Manager, AAJ Technologies
“How awesome. It was a great event and I really enjoyed it.”
– Lesley McCormick, Client Solutions Executive, .Idea
“Wonderful event – congratulations on the fund raising and success – everyone seems to have a great time!”
– Jen Boyer, Business Unit Manager, CAI Florida
“I just wanted to reach out and say thank you so much for having me at your IT Women poker event last night! It was such a positive, fun and well-organized event and I felt such a warm reception from everyone.”
– Jaclyn Bivins Tarlowe, MBA, President GreenLight Staffing Services, Inc.
“Congratulations. Last night was a great event and the fundraising phenomenal! You make us proud!”
– Pat Smith, CIO, OurKids |
