Wall Street Legend and Global Philanthropist Recognized at September 16 Event
September 19, 2016 (Dallas, TX) – On Friday, September 16, 2016, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) honored philanthropist and NAF (formerly National Academy Foundation) Founder/Chairman Sanford I. Weill at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra Gala. Mr. Weill was recognized on the stage at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center for his long-time contribution to music, education and the arts throughout the world. Fellow NAF Board Member and President, Financial Services, Capital One, Sanjiv Yajnik, who is also a member of the DSO’s Executive Board, presented the award.
“Sandy’s vision and passion have inspired business leaders, teachers and students across the world,” said Mr. Yajnik. “It’s an honor to recognize him in partnership with the DSO, an organization I deeply admire for their great work in North Texas.”
Addressing the sold-out hall in downtown Dallas, Mr. Weill spoke about the importance of giving back, not just with money but donating one’s time, energy, experiences, and intelligence to the causes one is passionate about. He also spoke about the importance of building strong public and private partnerships given declining budgets at the federal, state and local levels. NAF serves nearly 7,000 students in Dallas, many whom live below the poverty line.
“It is an honor to be recognized by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. My wife Joan and I are passionate about education – whether it is music, culture, the arts, or healthcare – it is how one prepares in life that makes a person successful. It is paramount that we make sure our young people who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity, have access to the education they need to succeed,” said NAF Founder, Sandy Weill. “I would also like to extend my gratitude to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra for their commitment and passion to the performing arts and music education, and look forward to our continued efforts in providing our future leaders with opportunities to have music further expand their horizons.”
“We are so pleased that Mr. Weill and his fellow NAF Board members were able to join the Dallas Symphony at our annual gala, and it is our privilege to honor him for his unparalleled support of arts, culture and education at a national level,” said Jonathan Martin, Dallas Symphony Orchestra President & CEO.
Sanford I. Weill is Chairman Emeritus of Citigroup and CEO of Casa Rosa Ventures. In 2014, he was named to CNBC’s First 25, a definitive list of 25 people around the world who have had the greatest influence in business over the past quarter century. He is a former director of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and has served on numerous corporate boards, including Hamilton Insurance Group (Chairman), United Technologies, AT&T, E. I. Du Pont Nemours and Company, and Koc Holding in Turkey. Sandy was the recipient of Financial World Magazine’s CEO of the Year Award and received the same honor from Chief Executive Magazine.
Sandy retired as Chairman of Weill Cornell Medicine after 20 years and is now Chairman Emeritus. He also retired as Chairman of Carnegie Hall after serving in this capacity for 24 years and assumed the role of President. In addition, Sandy is Chairman of Weill Hall and The Green Music Center; Chairman of the Executive Council at University of California, San Francisco; Chairman of the Lang Lang International Music Foundation; and Founder/Chairman of NAF (formerly National Academy Foundation) since 1982. NAF is a national network of education, business, and community leaders who work together to ensure high school students are college, career, and future ready. NAF’s educational design ignites students’ passion for learning and gives businesses the opportunity to shape America’s future workforce. Since 1982, NAF has been partnering with existing high schools in high-need communities to enhance school systems at a low cost by implementing NAF academies – small learning communities within traditional high schools. Sandy is a member of the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Sciences and he and his wife of 61 years, Joan, are recipients of the 2009 Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy.
ABOUT THE DALLAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA GALA
The DSO Gala is one of the Dallas Symphony’s largest annual fundraisers, benefitting the DSO’s music and education programs which touch the lives of more than 250,000 North Texas residents annually, including more than 30,000 children. The 2016 DSO Gala was chaired by Marena and Roger Gault with Honorary Chair Sherwood Wagner. The Gala Concert Sponsor was Capital One.
ABOUT THE DALLAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra, under the leadership of Music Director Jaap van Zweden, presents the finest in orchestral music at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, regarded as one of the world’s premier concert halls. As the largest performing arts organization in the Southwest, the DSO is committed to inspiring the broadest possible audience with distinctive classical programs, inventive pops concerts and innovative multi-media presentations. In fulfilling its commitment to the community, the orchestra reaches more than 270,000 adults and children through performances, educational programs and community outreach initiatives. The DSO’s involvement with the City of Dallas and the surrounding region includes an award-winning multi-faceted educational program, community projects, popular parks concerts and youth programming. The DSO has a tradition dating back to 1900, and it is a cornerstone of the unique, 68 acre Arts District in downtown Dallas that is home to multiple performing arts venues, museums and parks; the largest district of its kind in the nation. The DSO is supported, in part, by funds from the Office of Cultural Affairs, City of Dallas.