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For over 20 years, Mercado Global has supported rural artisan entrepreneurs across the Americas, helping them achieve financial independence, gain market access, and send their children to school.
As we expand our mission to uplift communities, we know that supporting families and educating children is key to long-term opportunity. Mercado Global provides business training and market access to do just that, connecting the next generation of rural artisan entrepreneurs to the income they need for a better future.
Financial Empowerment Gala brings together New York City leaders in business, fashion, and philanthropy, all committed to creating a brighter future for communities across the Americas.
FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT
GALA
Thursday, March 11, 2027
583 Park Avenue,
New York City
6:30 - 7:30 pm
VIP Cocktail
7:30 - 10:00 pm
Seated Dinner and Program
Attire: Black Tie
HONOREEs
ALEXANDRA WILSON-ELIZONDO
Partner, Co-Head andCo-Chief Investment Officer, Goldman Sachs
MIGUEL ZALDIVAR
CEO of Hogan Lovells Cadwalader
GABY BRAVO
Emmy Award-winning producer and CEO of Bravos Leadership
Host Committee
Jennifer Ali
Marta Bezoari
Lauren Brescia
Christine Healey de Casanova
Luisa Garcia
Vanessa Granados
Carla Vázquez Jones
Gustavo Marroquin
Trisha Miller
Cecilia Ott
Gabriel Rivera-Barraza
Hilary Roman
Jacqueline Varela
our Sponsor
platinum sponsor
Blackstone Real Estate
Portfolio Companies
Gold sponsors
silver sponsors
bronze sponsors
in-kind sponsors
Leadership Sponsors
Andrea Drasites
Emilie & Raul de Brigard
Jane Balanoff & Jean Emond
Lauren Brescia
Maribel Lieberman
Marta Bezoari
Nadeem and Sheffie Meghj
Trisha Miller
Our Sponsors
platinum sponsors
Blackstone Real Estate
Portfolio Companies
gold sponsors
Silver sponsors
Bronze sponsor
In-Kind Sponsors
Leadership Sponsors
Jane Balanoff & Jean Emond
Marta Bezoari
Lauren Brescia
Emilie & Raul de Brigard
Andrea Drasites
Maribel Lieberman
Nadeem and Sheffie Meghj
Trisha Miller
ADVOCATE SPONSORS
IN-KIND SPONSORS
Individual Sponsors
Sean Connor
Marta Bezoari
Craig Packer
Marc Zahr
sponsor the event
Your support as a sponsor will not only enhance your brand's visibility but also contribute to a meaningful cause.
Platinum Sponsor
Premium table for 10, 10 VIP Cocktail accesses, and two paid Executive Insight Trip invitations to Guatemala. Includes maximum Platinum Sponsor visibility across press and digital media, plus a custom employee engagement event.
Gold
Sponsor
Gold Sponsorship includes a premium table for 10, 10 VIP Cocktail passes, and one complimentary Executive Insight Trip to Guatemala. Offers prominent branding in all materials,
Silver
Sponsor
Silver Sponsorship provides a table for 10 guests and 10 VIP Cocktail invitations. Includes brand visibility as a Silver Sponsor in all gala materials, digital presence (logo/link), event acknowledgment, e-blast inclusion, and feature in the Annual Report.
Bronze
Sponsor
Bronze Sponsorship includes seating for four guests at the event and four VIP Cocktail invitations. Provides recognition as a Bronze Sponsor in promotional materials, logo placement in digital communications, and acknowledgment via select event signage.
Advocate Sponsor
Advocate Sponsorship provides two tickets with preferred seating and two VIP Cocktail invitations. Includes listing as an Advocate in promotional materials, logo placement in digital communications, and acknowledgment via select event signage.
Financial Empowerment Gala Through the Years
BUY TICKETS
VIP Ticket - $1,500
Includes: One ticket to Fashion Forward.
VIP Access: Access to the VIP pre-event party.
Event Ticket - $750
Includes: One ticket to Fashion Forward.
PAST Honorees
Andrea Drasites
Senior Managing Director at Blackstone
Andrea Lisher
Head of Americas, J.P. Morgan for Client Asset Management
Stephanie Drescher
Partner at Apollo
Joan Solotar
Global Head of Private Wealth at Blackstone
Nancy Fahmy
Head of Investment Solutions, Bank of America/Merril Lynch
Madeleine Sinclair
Head of Private Wealth, North America, Blue Owl Capital
Padma Lakshmi
Writer and Model
Fabiola Beracasa Beckman
Head of Americas, Client at J.P. Morgan Asset Management
Fernando García
Co-Creative Director, Oscar de la Renta
Mara Hoffman
Designer
Johanna Ortiz
Designer at Johanna Ortiz
Edmundo Castillo
Former Global Head of Product Designat Stuart Weitzman
maria cornejo
Founder and Creative Director at Zero Maria Cornejo
Karla Martinez de Salas
Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Mexico and Latin America
yael Afalo
Founder of Reformation
Mona Patel
Philanthropist & Entrepreneur
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