back to events
M2.875 6.75H12V5.25H2.875L7.0625 1.0625L6 0L0 6L6 12L7.0625 10.9375L2.875 6.75Z

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.

register
meet our sponsors
become a sponsor
Upcoming
Ziegfeld Ballroom
November 18, 2026
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

honorees

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. Bob has been a member of the Board for over 20 years and has played a defining role in shaping our growth, reach, and influence. This recognition celebrates his exceptional leadership in global finance, his longstanding commitment to philanthropy and civic engagement, and his deep belief in expanding opportunity for young people and families.

Past Honorees

previous
Next
previous
Next
Stratton Heath
Oak Hill Capital
2025 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

Kathleen McCabe
PJT Partners
2025 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

Mike Arougheti
Ares Management Corporation
‍
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

Sen. Bill Bradley
Allen & Company, LLC
‍
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

David Mussafer
Advent International
2022 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

Adena Friedman
Nasdaq
2021 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

Roger Ferguson
TIAA
2020 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

Alan D. Schwartz
Guggenheim Partners
2019 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

Dhananjay M. Pai
P. Schoenfeld Asset Management
2018 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

George P. Stamas
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
2018 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

Evan & Amy Wildstein
2017 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

Wray Thorn & Melissa Francis
2016 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

Jeffrey R. Holzschuh
Morgan Stanley‍
2016 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

Paul J. Taubman
PJT Partners
2015 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

John E. Waldron
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
2014 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

Alexander Navab †
KKR & Co., L.P.
2013 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

Jonathan G. Weiss
 Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
2012 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

Win Neuger
AIG
2011 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

Richard P. Schifter
TPG Capital
2010 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

highlights

A Look Back at Our Galas

previous
Next
previous
Next

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 far beyond a single event.

Catalyst Partners

Ares Management
Blackstone Charitable Foundation
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Debevoise & Plimpton
Goldman Sachs Gives
Latham & Watkins LLP
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Proskauer

Advocate Partners

Paul Hastings LLP
Ropes & Gray LLP

Supporter Partners

Alvarez & Marsal
Antares Capital
Blue Owl Capital
Duration Capital Partners
EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
KKR
KPMG LLP
Milbank LLP
Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP
Oak Hill Advisors, LP
Perella Weinberg Partners LP
Petra Funds Group
Santander Corporate & Investment Banking
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
TD Securities
Wells Fargo
White & Case LLP

ROUNDTABLE

The Case for Investing in Nonprofits

‍

Youth INC 30th Anniversary Roundtable with Mike Arougheti and Nonprofit Partners

In Conversation