ANNIE
OLIVERWARBUCKS
PROGRAM
5:30PM - 6:30PM: Cocktail Hour
6:30PM: Buffet Dinner & Open Bar
7:10PM
Program & Awards Presentation
SPECIAL EMCEES
Franz Gritsch - QCP Gala Chairman & QCP Board Treasurer Valley Bank
Terri Ross - Executive Director Queens Centers for Progress
Tom Toscano - President, QCP Board Boro-wide
Wendy Phaff Gennaro - Director of Development Queens Centers for Progress
SPECIAL PERFORMANCE BY QCP Players Theatre Group led by Jonathan Shakur
STARRING:
2026 WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Runi Mehta Managing Director & Marketing Executive Flagstar
2026 MAN OF THE YEAR
Jason I. Miller Partner Otterbourg P.C.
DJ MUSIC BY Bravo Sound
CHANCE RAFFLE, 50/50 RAFFLE & SILENT AUCTION (raffles will close at 8:45PM)
THANK YOU SPONSORS
FRIEND OF QCP
THANK YOU
A MESSAGE FROM OUR GALA CHAIRMAN
In 2016, John Govenale invited me to my first Gala. It was a relatively small event, but I got to see how import QCP was to the people they help. When I was first honored by Queens Centers for Progress in 2018, I never imagined just how meaningful this organization and this event would become to me. What began as an evening of recognition quickly turned into a lasting commitment to an organization whose mission truly changes lives every single day.
QCP is truly a special organization. Everyone from the executive director, to management, to the general staff are extremely dedicated and treat every individual with kindness and respect. I enjoy working with Wendy Phaff and her team. They are constantly thinking of different ways to keep the gala fresh and interesting.
It has been an incredible privilege to help guide and grow this gala over the years alongside so many generous friends, colleagues, sponsors, and supporters from New York’s commercial banking and lending community. I am continuing to be impressed and inspired by my friends and colleagues by the way this industry shows up for QCP year after year not simply as business leaders, but as people who genuinely care about creating opportunities, dignity, inclusion, and joy for the more than 1,200 individuals QCP supports.
What makes this evening so special is not just its success, but its heart. Behind every sponsorship, journal ad, and contribution is a shared belief in community and in the importance of lifting one another up.
I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported this event and embraced QCP’s mission so wholeheartedly. Your generosity truly makes a difference, and I am proud to stand beside all of you in support of this extraordinary organization.
With sincere gratitude,
Franz Gritsch
Gala Chairman
Queens Centers for Progress Board Member
THANK YOU
A MESSAGE FROM QCP BOARD PRESIDENT
Welcome to the 2026 Queens Centers for Progress Annual Gala. On behalf of our Board of Directors, thank you for being with us this evening and for supporting the individuals and families we serve throughout Queens each day.
For seventy-six years, Queens Centers for Progress has been dedicated to helping children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities live fuller, more independent, and more meaningful lives. Through education, employment services, day programs, recreation, family support, and community inclusion, QCP provides opportunities that empower the more than 1,200 people we support to reach their fullest potential.
Every day, I am inspired by the compassion and dedication of our staff, who approach their work with patience, kindness, and genuine care. Their commitment, along with the support of our community, is what makes QCP such a special place for so many individuals and families.
Tonight is also a celebration of creativity, confidence, and the power of the arts. Theater gives individuals the opportunity to express themselves, build friendships, discover new strengths, and experience the joy of being seen and celebrated. Watching the individuals we support perform this evening is a beautiful reminder of what inclusion truly looks like people coming together through talent, pride, and community spirit.
I would also like to thank our dedicated Board of Directors, generous sponsors, and loyal supporters whose belief in our mission makes evenings like this possible. Your support allows QCP to continue opening doors, creating opportunities, and enriching lives throughout our community.
Tonight, we are proud to honor two remarkable individuals whose leadership and generosity reflect the spirit of service and compassion that defines this event.
Thank you again for your partnership, your generosity, and your belief in the mission of Queens Centers for Progress.
With sincere gratitude, Thomas Toscano President, Board of Directors
Queens Centers for Progress
STARRING:
MANAGING DIRECTOR & MARKETING EXECUTIVE
BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Runi Mehta Managing Director & Marketing Executive
Flagstar Bank
Runi Mehta is a seasoned banking and finance professional with a career spaning more than two decades. Currently serving as Managing Director and Market Executive at Flagstar Bank, she is based in the New York area.
Ms. Mehta brings extensive experience in banking, lending, and relationship management, having built her career across multiple continents. Prior to her U.S. roles, she served at Santander Bank in London, Citibank, and ICICI Prudential in India. At Santander Bank, where she held the role of Senior Vice President and Relationship Manager, she was recognized for her commitment to excellence in relationship management and client-focused service. She was also the recipient of the 2025 Banker honoree award by Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC.
Ms. Mehta holds an MBA from Symbiosis University in India. Beyond her professional work, Runi is actively engaged in her community and industry. She has been involved with organizations such as North American Chilean Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln Center Corporate Fund, Central Park Conservancy and presently serves as the Chair for the Bankers & Accountants Committee for Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC and on the Council for Delivering Good, Inc. An avid traveler and arts enthusiast based in New York City, she enjoys art galleries, Broadwayproductions,improvand theatre.
STARRING:
PARTNER
BUSINESS MAN OF THE YEAR
Jason I. Miller Partner
Otterbourg P.C.
Jason I. Miller is a Member of Otterbourg P.C. He practices in the Banking andFinance Department.
Mr. Miller represents banks, non-bank lenders, private credit funds, specialty finance companies and factors in connection with the structuring, negotiation and documentation of secured lending and commercial finance transactions, including asset-based, cash flow, acquisition finance, unitranche, second lien, mezzanine, recurring revenue and venture debt facilities, as well as loan syndications and participations. Mr. Miller also frequently representssecured lenders inworkouts and restructurings.
Mr. Miller serves as primary deal counsel to many of the firm's most active institutional lending clients, delivering strategic guidance across the full lifecycle of a credit relationship from new-money originations and platform launches to distressed refinancing's and post-default enforcement. He has served as lead or primary counsel on thousands of financing transactions totaling more than $10 billion in committed capital across middle-market, upper-middle market and sponsor-driven deals in a variety of industries, including software/SaaS, consumer products, healthcare, business services and manufacturing. Mr. Miller received the Secured Finance Network’s “40 Under 40 Award” in 2018, is ranked in Tier I of Legal 500’s New York Elite ListingsandhasbeenrecognizedannuallybySuperLawyersMagazinesince2014.
Mr. Miller has both a Bachelors and Masters in Political Science from Long Island University, where he was Valedictorian and Class President and, a Juris Doctorate from Hofstra University School of Law, where he was Managing Editorofthe Hofstra Law Review.
Mr. Miller is a leader at Otterbourg in providing pro bono service and he is deeply involved in many charitable causes. He has been recognized by Forbes, Women’s Health and the Commercial Finance Association for his pro bono work with organizations such as Fabulous and Fighting and Water Collective. He also serves on the LIU Post Alumni Association Board of Directors and in 2019 was honoredby the Friends ofChabad Vocational Schools.
A VISIT TO QCP PROGRAMS
A VISIT TO QCP PROGRAMS
GALA UNDERWRITER
GALA UNDERWRITER
GALA UNDERWRITER
BENEFACTOR
FRIEND OF QCP
FRIEND OF QCP
FRIEND OF QCP
FRIEND OF QCP
FRIEND OF QCP
FRIEND OF QCP
FRIEND OF QCP
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Terri Ross
PRESIDENT
Thomas N. Toscano, Esq.
VICE PRESIDENTS
Joseph A. Cristiano
Hon. David Elliot
Hon. Tarek M. Zeid
ACTIVE PAST PRESIDENTS
Hon. George E. Berger
John J. Governale
Michael Macaluso
Margaret MacPherson
Jack M. Weinstein
DULT CENTER
81-15 164th Street
Jamaica, NY 11432
Tel.: 718-380-3000
Fax: 718-380-0483
SECRETARY
Patricia Coulaz
TREASURER
Franz Gritsch
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Gerald J. Caliendo
Raymond Chan
Anthony S. Cosentino
Lara Gregory
Tyquana Henderson-Rivers
Hon. James Kilkenny
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Wendy Phaff Gennaro
249-16 Grand Central Pkwy
Tel.: 718-279-9404
Fax: 718-423-1404
82-25 164th Street Jamaica, NY 11432
Tel.: 718-374-0002
Fax: 718-380-3214
THANK YOU
A Very Special Thank You to QCP’s Gala Chairman
Thank you for your leadership and active involvement with Queens Centers for Progress.
GALA COMMITTEE
Gerald J. Caliendo, Gerald J. Caliendo Architects, Raymond Chan, R.A. - Raymond Chan Architects, Anthony Cosentino, - Former Chief Engineer, Pat Coulaz - Member, QCP Board of James Kilkenny - Member, QCP Board of
Hon. Tarek Zeid, - Tarek M. Zeid, P.E., Consulting Engineer; QCP Board of
QCP BOARD PRESIDENT
Thomas Toscano
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Terri
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Wendy
QCP DEVELOPMENT TEAM
Shaun Caruana, Jyoti Lakhani & Meliza Santiago
