1540252800


Asia Society Texas

Huffington Award Dinner

Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018 – Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018

06:00 PM – 09:00 PM
US/Central

ASTC 2018 Huffington web banner 6

Schedule | About the Honorees | Tickets and Tables

The 2018 recipients of the Roy M. Huffington Award for Contributions to International Understanding are two celebrated Houstonians, Dr. Marie and Mr. Vijay Goradia. The couple has made significant contributions to and a global difference in the areas of healthcare, literacy, and education in India. Drs. Chinhui Juhn and Edward R. AllenDr. Anne Chao and Mr. Albert Chao, and Mrs. Andrea White and Mr. Bill White (former Mayor of Houston), will serve as honorary co-chairs for the 2018 Huffington Award Dinner.

The Huffington Award recognizes leaders who have been a major force on the international stage. Named for the Houston oilman and former ambassador who played a leading role in creating Asia Society Texas Center, the Roy M. Huffington Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Texas Center.

Former recipients include President George H.W. Bush, former ExxonMobil CEO and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Secretary of State James A. Baker III, and the Honorable Kevin Rudd (former Prime Minister of Australia).

Please contact Janine Mae Arostique at [email protected] or 713.496.9913 with any questions.

Dress for this event is business or cocktail attire.

 


Schedule

6 p.m. | Registration and Cocktail Hour
7 p.m. | Dinner and Program

 


About the Honorees

Dr. Marie Goradia received a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from University of Bombay while working at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center, and did her postdoctoral studies at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Columbia University in New York. Marie is the mother of two wonderful children, Sapphira and Kevin; serves as the Director of the Goradia Family Office; and is an avid world traveler and an award-winning ballroom dancer. A distinguished toastmaster, Marie has served as the president, area governor, and mentor to Toastmaster clubs. An active community volunteer, Marie serves on the Board of Directors of Pratham USA, is the past president of Pratham USA's Houston chapter, and is the co-founder of Pratham Houston Young Professionals. Marie also serves on the advisory board of Asia Society Texas Center, the Board of Visitors of MD Anderson Cancer Center, and is a fellow of the American Leadership Forum Houston. Marie received an award for her "Impact on Humanity" from the Indo American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston, and Vijay and Marie received Interfaith Ministries' Tapestry Award.

Vijay Goradia is a native of Mumbai, India, and migrated to the U.S. in 1978. Vijay has a Bachelor degree in Business from University of Bombay and has done advanced management at Harvard Business School. He founded Vinmar International, a global distribution company in 1978, which now does business in 110 countries. Vijay established Goradia Capital to invest in and acquire other businesses. Vijay and his companies have received numerous awards in recognition of business success and philanthropic work. These include the U.S. Presidents "E" Export Award, Outstanding Texas Entrepreneur Award by the State of Texas, United Nations Association Award, EY Master Entrepreneur Award, Houston Technology Center Award, America India Foundation Award, Asian Pacific American Heritage Award, and Interfaith Ministries' Tapestry Award.

Together, Marie and Vijay are passionate about philanthropy and education, and their goal is to improve the quality of life and access to opportunity for the underprivileged. Through the Vijay and Marie Goradia Foundation headed by their daughter Sapphira, they support many deserving causes around the world in education and healthcare. Project Echo leverages web-based technology so that people across the world have access to high-quality healthcare in their own communities. SightLife USA works to prevent blindness and restore eyesight to those suffering from corneal blindness. I-Educate, founded in Houston, works with schools to close achievement gaps by engaging youth mentors within the classroom. The Goradias are most passionate about Pratham, a nonprofit in India that educates underprivileged children, and they founded the USA arm of Pratham in Houston over 20 years ago, which has now grown to 15 chapters across the U.S. Pratham created a teaching model that is both effective and low-cost ($25 per child per year). Since the program was replicable, scalable, and measurable, and with the guidance of strong leadership, it has now grown to impact over 45 million children to date and currently benefits over 5 million children each year in India. This model is now replicated in other parts of Asia, as well as many African and Latin American countries.

 


About the Moderator

ABC’s award-winning journalist Melanie Lawson currently serves as co-anchor of Live at 5, and Channel 13's midday show, Eyewitness News at 11am. Melanie has covered virtually every city, state, and national election during her career. She has traveled to Cuba, Panama, and Africa, among other places. She has won numerous awards for her reporting, including an Emmy for her coverage of President Clinton's visit to South Africa, the only local reporter in the nation to make that trip. Melanie has interviewed a wide range of notables, including three U.S. Presidents, Henry Kissinger, the Dalai Lama, poet Maya Angelou, Grammy Award winners Destiny's Child, and former heavyweight champion boxer George Foreman, among many others. She received her undergraduate degree in Politics from Princeton University, and a joint degree in Law and Journalism from Columbia University. She is admitted to both the Texas and New York State Bars.

 


Tickets and Tables

A letter acknowledging your contribution will be sent to the person(s) in which your gift was made in honor. Please complete this form and return it via mail, or click the ticket link below. For more sponsorship information, please contact Janine Mae Arostique at [email protected] or 713.496.9913.

Presenting Sponsor: $50,000

  • Public recognition from podium at dinner
  • Opportunity to introduce event honorees
  • Inclusion of an individual/company representative on event host committee
  • Featured logo and name placement in promotional materials and on-site signage
  • Two seats at the head table
  • Admission for all guests to the pre-dinner cocktail hour
  • Two premier dinner tables (seating for 20)
  • Complimentary valet for all guests

Founders: $25,000

  • Public recognition from podium at dinner
  • Opportunity to serve as video sponsor OR present award to event honorees
  • Featured logo and name placement in promotional materials and on-site signage
  • Inclusion of an individual/company representative on event host committee
  • One seat at the head table
  • Admission for all guests to the pre-dinner cocktail hour
  • One premier dinner table (seating for 10)
  • Complimentary valet for all guests

Benefactors: $10,000

  • Logo and name placement in promotional materials and on-site signage
  • Inclusion of an individual/company representative on event host committee
  • Admission for all guests to the pre-dinner cocktail hour
  • One dinner table (seating for 10)
  • Complimentary valet for all guests

Ambassadors: $5,000

  • Logo and name placement on promotional materials and on-site signage
  • Inclusion of an individual/company representative on event host committee
  • Admission for all guests to the pre-dinner cocktail hour
  • One dinner table (seating for 10) OR sponsorship of two tables for students

Single Table: $3,000 (LIMITED AVAILABILITY)

  • Name placement in promotional materials and on-site signage
  • Inclusion of an individual/company representative on event host committee
  • Admission for all guests to the pre-dinner cocktail hour
  • One dinner table (seating for 8) OR sponsorship of one table for students

2 VIP Tickets: $1,500

  • Name listing in event program signage
  • Inclusion of an individual/company representative on event host committee
  • Admission for two guests to the pre-dinner cocktail hour
  • Priority dinner seating for two

Grand Patron: $500

  • Individual listing in the event program
  • Priority dinner seating for one
  • Complimentary Asia Society Texas Center membership for one yar

Asia Society Member: $350

  • Dinner seating for one

HOURS & ADMISSION

  • Wednesday, Friday - Sunday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Thursday (free admission all day), 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm
    Closed Monday and Tuesday and major holidays.
  • General Seating: $350 Members; VIP Seating: $500 and $1,500; Tables: $3,000 and Up

Directions & Parking

  • The Houstonian, 111 North Post Oak Lane Houston, Texas 77024

Special Offers / Dining

Java Lava Cafe
Serving 100 percent premium Kona coffee from KarmaSu Coffee Farm in Hawaii, plus breakfast, lunch, and sweet treats, Java Lava Cafe is open for extended breakfast hours Tuesday–Saturday.

Hours
Tuesday – Saturday, 8:30 am – 3 pm
https://asiasociety.org/texas/java-lava-cafe

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