Youth INC to Honor Bob McCooey with the John C. Whitehead Leadership Award

NEW YORK, September 30, 2026 -- Youth INC will honor Bob McCooey, Vice Chairman at Nasdaq, with the John C. Whitehead Leadership Award at its 32nd Annual Celebration Gala on November 18, 2026, at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City.

McCooey has served on Youth INC’s Board for more than 20 years, helping expand the organization’s relationships across New York’s business community and bringing new resources to its work with youth-serving nonprofits.

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"Bob has been an extraordinary champion of Youth INC and the leaders in our network,” said Lauren McCort, Executive Director of Youth INC. “He has opened doors, brought people into this work, and led with a deep belief in what strong nonprofit organizations make possible for young people. We are proud to honor that commitment.”

Youth INC's highest honor, the John C. Whitehead Leadership Award, recognizes leaders who have advanced social change through philanthropy and community engagement. It is named for the late philanthropist John C. Whitehead, a founding member of Youth INC's National Advisory Board.

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"John Whitehead believed deeply in the responsibility of business leaders to participate in the civic life of this city,” said Mahesh Saireddy, Chair of Youth INC’s Board of Directors and Global Co-Head of Capital Solutions at Goldman Sachs. “Bob carries that tradition forward in a way that feels particularly meaningful to those of us who serve alongside him.”

McCooey’s commitment to young people is rooted in a family tradition of philanthropy. Inspired by his father’s belief in expanding access to quality education, he has carried that legacy forward through service focused on opportunity for young people and families.

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“The people running local nonprofits are doing some of the most demanding work in New York, often without the resources their work requires,” said McCooey. “Youth INC helps give them the support and network to build stronger organizations. To be recognized in John Whitehead’s name is a tremendous privilege.”

At Nasdaq, McCooey leads international listings, directing business development for new listings in Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East and overseeing relationship management with companies throughout those regions. He is also Global Head of Nasdaq's Financial Sponsor Coverage Group, working with financial sponsors worldwide.

Proceeds from the Celebration Gala support Youth INC’s network of more than 90 nonprofit partners across New York City. Together, those organizations serve more than 400,000 young people each year. Since 1994, Youth INC has raised more than $125 million and supported the growth of more than 220 nonprofit organizations through coaching, connections, and capital. This year's funds will also seed new transformational initiatives, including expanded workforce development and a Technology Transformation Fund that pairs capital with coaching to help partners modernize.

The 32nd Annual Celebration Gala Event Committee includes William Q. Derrough, Managing Director and Chairman of Global Debt Advisory & Restructuring at Jefferies; Stratton Heath, Partner at Oak Hill Capital; Douglas Kaden, Managing Partner at SDC Capital Partners; Mark Liggitt, Partner, Ares Credit Group at Ares Management; Emmett McCann, Co-Chief Executive Officer at Duration Capital Partners; Steve Orr, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs; Daniel Pine, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at tvg hospitality; Kenneth Prince, Head of Capital Markets at Advent International Corporation; Mahesh Saireddy, Partner and Mortgage Lending Global Co-Head of Capital Solutions Group at Goldman Sachs; and Wray T. Thorn, Partner and Co-Founder of Focus Impact Partners.

Youth INC gratefully acknowledges the leading sponsors of the 32nd Annual Celebration Gala: Blackstone Charitable Foundation; Davis Polk & Wardwell, Goldman Sachs Gives; Latham & Watkins; Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP; and Proskauer.