32nd Annual Celebration Gala
Join us for Youth INC's 32nd Annual Celebration Gala as we honor Bob McCooey, Vice Chairman of Nasdaq, with the John C. Whitehead Leadership Award. The Celebration Gala brings together New York's business, philanthropic, and nonprofit leaders to invest in stronger nonprofit organizations through Youth INC's proven model of coaching, connections, and capital. Together, we're strengthening nearly 90 nonprofit partners that collectively create opportunity for more than 400,000 young people across New York City each year.
honoree
The John C. Whitehead Leadership Award
Youth INC will proudly honor Bob McCooey, Vice Chairman of Nasdaq, with the John C. Whitehead Leadership Award at our upcoming 32nd Annual Celebration Gala. For more than 20 years, Bob has championed the belief that expanding opportunity for young people begins with strong nonprofit organizations. As a dedicated Board member and ambassador, he has helped shape Youth INC's vision and extend its reach, strengthening its ability to equip nonprofits with the coaching, connections, and capital they need to thrive. This award recognizes his distinguished career in global finance, his deep commitment to New York City, and his enduring service to young people and families.
Bob is Vice Chairman at Nasdaq and one of the company’s most senior global leaders. He oversees international listings, helping companies from around the world navigate the process of going public and growing their businesses on the stock exchange.
Nasdaq wants the world’s most important and fastest-growing companies to choose Nasdaq when they go public instead of another exchange (like the NYSE or exchanges in Hong Kong, London, etc.). Bob is one of the senior people helping make that happen internationally.
To do that, he’s meeting with founders, CEOs, CFOs, investors, and bankers around the world, advising companies on whether/when/how to go public, explaining why Nasdaq is the best place to list, and maintaining relationships with major global financial institutions, governments, and already listed companies.
Beyond his leadership at Nasdaq, Bob has been deeply influenced by a family tradition rooted in philanthropy, education, and civic engagement. Inspired by his father’s belief in expanding access to quality education, Bob has continued that legacy through service on numerous school and nonprofit boards focused on growth and opportunity for young people and families. He has also volunteered with POTS in the Bronx and spent years coaching youth soccer and CYO basketball in Rye.
Bob McCooey is Vice Chairman and the Head of International Listings at Nasdaq. In this role, Bob leads business development for new listings in Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East as well as overseeing relationship management with companies throughout these regions. Additionally, Bob is the Global Head of Nasdaq’s Financial Sponsor Coverage Group where he works closely with premier financial sponsors globally to optimize and integrate interactions, ensuring long-term partnerships and relationships.
In his 20th year at Nasdaq, Bob has held several leadership roles across Nasdaq’s domestic New Listings business and the Capital Markets Group, as well as building what is Nasdaq’s highly successful listings franchises in both APAC and Latin America.
Prior to joining Nasdaq, Bob founded and served as the Chief Executive Officer of The Griswold Company, a brokerage firm, from 1988 until 2006. He was a member of the New York Stock Exchange Board of Executives from 2003-2006.
Bob has an AB in Political Science from the College of the Holy Cross.
Past Honorees
Stratton Heath is a Partner of Oak Hill Capital where he manages the firm’s capital market activities and sits on the investment committee. Prior to joining Oak Hill, he had a 15-year banking career
Stratton Heath is a Partner of Oak Hill Capital where he manages the firm’s capital market activities and sits on the investment committee. Prior to joining Oak Hill, he had a 15-year banking career
2024 Honoree
Stratton Heath is a Partner of Oak Hill Capital where he manages the firm’s capital market activities and sits on the investment committee. Prior to joining Oak Hill, he had a 15-year banking career
2023 Honoree
Stratton Heath is a Partner of Oak Hill Capital where he manages the firm’s capital market activities and sits on the investment committee. Prior to joining Oak Hill, he had a 15-year banking career
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Stratton Heath is a Partner of Oak Hill Capital where he manages the firm’s capital market activities and sits on the investment committee. Prior to joining Oak Hill, he had a 15-year banking career
Stratton Heath is a Partner of Oak Hill Capital where he manages the firm’s capital market activities and sits on the investment committee. Prior to joining Oak Hill, he had a 15-year banking career
Stratton Heath is a Partner of Oak Hill Capital where he manages the firm’s capital market activities and sits on the investment committee. Prior to joining Oak Hill, he had a 15-year banking career
Stratton Heath is a Partner of Oak Hill Capital where he manages the firm’s capital market activities and sits on the investment committee. Prior to joining Oak Hill, he had a 15-year banking career
Stratton Heath is a Partner of Oak Hill Capital where he manages the firm’s capital market activities and sits on the investment committee. Prior to joining Oak Hill, he had a 15-year banking career
Stratton Heath is a Partner of Oak Hill Capital where he manages the firm’s capital market activities and sits on the investment committee. Prior to joining Oak Hill, he had a 15-year banking career
Stratton Heath is a Partner of Oak Hill Capital where he manages the firm’s capital market activities and sits on the investment committee. Prior to joining Oak Hill, he had a 15-year banking career
Stratton Heath is a Partner of Oak Hill Capital where he manages the firm’s capital market activities and sits on the investment committee. Prior to joining Oak Hill, he had a 15-year banking career
Stratton Heath is a Partner of Oak Hill Capital where he manages the firm’s capital market activities and sits on the investment committee. Prior to joining Oak Hill, he had a 15-year banking career
Stratton Heath is a Partner of Oak Hill Capital where he manages the firm’s capital market activities and sits on the investment committee. Prior to joining Oak Hill, he had a 15-year banking career
Stratton Heath is a Partner of Oak Hill Capital where he manages the firm’s capital market activities and sits on the investment committee. Prior to joining Oak Hill, he had a 15-year banking career
Stratton Heath is a Partner of Oak Hill Capital where he manages the firm’s capital market activities and sits on the investment committee. Prior to joining Oak Hill, he had a 15-year banking career
Stratton Heath is a Partner of Oak Hill Capital where he manages the firm’s capital market activities and sits on the investment committee. Prior to joining Oak Hill, he had a 15-year banking career
Stratton Heath is a Partner of Oak Hill Capital where he manages the firm’s capital market activities and sits on the investment committee. Prior to joining Oak Hill, he had a 15-year banking career
Stratton Heath is a Partner of Oak Hill Capital where he manages the firm’s capital market activities and sits on the investment committee. Prior to joining Oak Hill, he had a 15-year banking career
Event Committee
highlights
A Look Back at Our Galas
Celebration Sponsors
Our Partners in Impact
Youth INC’s impact is powered by the vision and generosity of our supporters. Together, we’re building stronger nonprofits, empowering young people, and creating opportunities that last.
Past Top Sponsors
