GLOBAL’s AcceptAbility Gala
A fundraiser for the
GLOBAL DOWN SYNDROME FOUNDATION
funding life-changing research and life-saving medical care for children and
adults with Down syndrome
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Marriott Marquis Washington, DC
6:00PM ET Cocktail Reception | 7:00PM ET Performance & Program
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2025 Honorees
Tucker Emry
2025 Ambassador
This is the best thing that’s ever happened to you – you just don’t know it yet,” was the message we received from a friend upon Tucker’s birth. We hadn’t expected him to be born with a little “something extra,” but if we were privy to even a short preview of his future, we would have known not to worry. He lives life to the fullest and it’s our privilege to be along for the ride.
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Tucker Emry
2025 Ambassador
This is the best thing that’s ever happened to you – you just don’t know it yet,” was the message we received from a friend upon Tucker’s birth. We hadn’t expected him to be born with a little “something extra,” but if we were privy to even a short preview of his future, we would have known not to worry. He lives life to the fullest and it’s our privilege to be along for the ride.
Tucker is the youngest of the three Emry boys, never ceasing to keep in steady step with his two older brothers. He is the heart of our family, and his bond with his siblings is unconditional love. Accompanying him on the many trips to therapists during his early years, they were a driving force in his speech, motor skill and social development. These days their interactions have advanced from imagination games and backyard badminton to advice about girls and whether or not to wear socks with his loafers.
Tucker’s world is full of all the activities of a typical teenager. He attends The Harbour School in Maryland, where he has forged lasting friendships and discovered his interests (economics and broadcasting classes are his favorites). Always up for a party, he leads the charge at Young Life youth group events and his school’s social club gatherings and dances. He participates in Special Olympics sports and works out with a trainer. He volunteers with children’s programs at our Church and has completed several community work experiences, most recently as an aide in a preschool classroom. A member of his school’s Performing Arts Academy, he has appeared as Puck in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and the White Rabbit in “Alice in Wonderland,” among other roles.
Every day, Tucker charms people with the twinkle in his eye and his unforgettable laugh. He is entirely himself and is determined to let his light shine. He talks about his upcoming “adult” life often, and his dreams for the future are clear – a college program, deepening friendships, meaningful employment, falling in love and contributing to the community. Tucker is proud to champion Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s work to ensure that his future is one of mental and physical health and productivity. GLOBAL’s groundbreaking efforts pave the way for Tucker, and others with that magical extra chromosome, to share their vibrancy with the world.
Congressman Robert Aderholt
2025 Quincy Jones Expectational Advocacy Awardee
In his 15th term representing Alabama’s fourth congressional district, Robert Aderholt is an advocate for fiscal responsibility, truth in budgeting and federal government operating within its means.
Robert Aderholt is a strong supporter of his community, district and the state of Alabama. He believes the federal government serves an essential role in assisting state and local governments with economic development.
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Congressman Robert Aderholt
2025 Quincy Jones Expectational Advocacy Awardee
In his 15th term representing Alabama’s fourth congressional district, Robert Aderholt is an advocate for fiscal responsibility, truth in budgeting and federal government operating within its means.
Robert Aderholt is a strong supporter of his community, district and the state of Alabama. He believes the federal government serves an essential role in assisting state and local governments with economic development.
From his position on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Aderholt supports job creation, strong immigration standards and robust national security. He is the Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services and Education, which is responsible for the largest non-defense portion of the entire federal budget. He is also a member of the Commerce, Justice and Science Subcommittee and the Defense Subcommittee.
Rep. Aderholt also chairs the Values Action Team, a Congressional Member Organization in the House of Representatives focused on promoting families, communities and religious freedoms.
Additionally, Rep. Aderholt is a member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe. Commonly known as the Helenski Commission, the group was founded in 1976 and is comprised of 56 countries around the world working together to monitor human rights in Europe and Central Asia.
Rep. Aderholt is a member of the U.S. Congressional Down Syndrome Caucus and continues to support the disabled community through his efforts to sustain and prolong the viability of our Social Security system.
In January of 2023, Rep. Aderholt Cosponsored the Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act, which would create legal protections for unborn children with Down syndrome.
Thank You to Our 2025 Supporters
Top Billboard – $7,000
David Egan & Family
Natalie & Guy Harrison
Merck
The Whitten Family
Silver – $11,500
Anna & John J. Sie Foundation
Platinum – $25,000
The Emry Family
2024 AcceptAbility Gala Highlights
2024 Photos – Step & Repeat
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2024 Photos – Program Highlights
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About Global Down Syndrome Foundation
The Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL) is the largest non-profit in the U.S. working to save lives and dramatically improve health outcomes for people with Down syndrome. GLOBAL has donated more than $32 million to establish the first Down syndrome research institute supporting over 400 scientists and over 2,700 patients with Down syndrome from 33 states and 10 countries. Working closely with Congress and the National Institutes of Health, GLOBAL is the lead advocacy organization in the U.S. for Down syndrome research and medical care. GLOBAL has a membership of over 110 Down syndrome organizations worldwide and is part of a network of Affiliates – the Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, the Sie Center for Down Syndrome, and the University of Colorado Alzheimer’s and Cognition Center – all on the Anschutz Medical Campus.
GLOBAL’s widely circulated medical publications include GLOBAL Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down Syndrome, Prenatal Testing and Information about Down Syndrome, and the award-winning Down Syndrome WorldTM magazine. GLOBAL also organizes the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, the largest Down syndrome fundraiser in the world. Visit globaldownsyndrome.org and follow us on social media (Facebook & Twitter: @GDSFoundation, Instagram: @globaldownsyndrome).
By registering, attending, or viewing at any time the Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s (the “Foundation”) AcceptAbility Gala event, or any reproductions, derivate works, or related content thereof (the “Event”), you agree to be bound by the following terms. You agree that the Event may contain copyrighted, trademarked or proprietary information or content protected by intellectual property or other laws. You agree to not instigate, maintain, or authorize any action, claim, or lawsuit against the Foundation, or any other person, on the grounds that the Event infringes any intellectual property rights or related laws. The Foundation does not make any express or implied warranties, endorsements, or representations whatsoever as to the Event or its content. You agree that the Foundation shall in no event be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or exemplary damages arising directly or indirectly from the Event. You hereby grant the Fountain the right to record, film, live stream, photograph, or capture your likeness in any media in connection with the Event and to distribute, broadcast, or use such media without any further approval by or compensation to you. You agree to not record, rebroadcast, repost, retransmit, or reproduce the Event, any of its content, or any portion thereof without the express written permission of the Foundation. Any public sharing, redistribution, or reproduction of the Event or any portion thereof in any form is strictly prohibited without the express written permission of the Foundation. The Foundation intends to pursue any and all remedies available to it under law or equity in response to any breach of these terms.
GALA FACT SHEET
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
SPONSORSHIP FORM
GLOBAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
ROSA DELAURO AND TOM COLE GLOBAL ADVANCEMENT AWARDS – APPLY TODAY!
REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER
2025 GALA CHAIRS
Natalie Farr Harrison
Sr. Vice President, Government Relations, Avoq
Guy Harrison
Partner, OnMessage
2025 GALA BOARD
Jan Adams
Founder & CEO, JMA Solutions
John Ashbrook
Founding Partner, Cavalry LLC
Kevin Brennan
Principal, Bluebird Strategies
Emilie Eager
Director of Business Development, Julie Parker Communications
David Egan
Author, Advocate & Speaker
Felicia Emry, Esq.
Life Skills Program Coordinator and Client Care Liaison, Heaven on Earth NOW
Erin Book Mullen
Principal, Williams & Jensen, PLLC
Matthew Perin
Head of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs, Kroger
Cliff Riccio
Sr. Vice President & Chief, Government Relations, NCTA
Julie Riccio
Director, Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy, PwC
Frank Stephens
Author, Actor & Advocate
Richard Waysdorf
Legal Consultant, Global Down Syndrome Foundation
Amy Best Weiss
Executive Vice President, Global Government Affairs, American Express
Michelle Sie Whitten
President & CEO, Global Down Syndrome Foundation
2024 CONGRESSIONAL HOSTS
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2025 IN-KIND DONORS
Barnhart Press
Georgetown Cupcakes
Harris Teeter
The LOOP
The Indigo Road Hospitality Group
2025 LIVE AUCTION DONORS
The Whitten Family
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ACCEPTABILITY GALA MEDIA
Press Contact:
Shawn Flaherty
Email: shawn_flaherty@creativestratpr.com
Cell: 703-554-3609
Anca Elena Call
Email: acall@globaldownsyndrome.org
Cell: 720-320-3832
Join Headliners Phillip Phillips & Tucker Emry at GLOBAL’S AcceptAbility Gala in DC!
Singer Jordin Sparks Performs and Rep. Frankel and Rep. Hudson Honored at Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s May 9th AcceptAbility Gala in DC
Important NIH INCLUDE Legislation Aimed at Increasing Lifespan and Dramatically Improving Health Outcomes for People with Down Syndrome Introduced by GLOBAL Champion, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers
CELEBS AND CONGRESS STEP UP FOR PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME IN DC!
GLOBAL Applauds Congress for $15 million Increase for NIH Down Syndrome/INCLUDE Research Initiative in Recently Passed Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Spending Bill
Watch Frank Stephens’ Congressional Testimony