2025 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
In Loving Memory of Cornelia “Corny” Stephens
Emcees
Autria Godfrey, Emmy-Award Winning Journalist
Chuck Todd, Host of The Chuck ToddCast and Former Moderator of Meet the Press


Phillips has a big heart for GLOBAL and those who are differently-abled. In 2020, Phillips headlined GLOBAL’s virtual Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show and performed a heartfelt tribute in honor of DeOndra Dixon with a beautiful rendition of “Gone, Gone, Gone.”

2025 Honorees


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.


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.


Rep. DeGette is one of the most influential health policy experts in Congress and her legislative accomplishments include bills advancing groundbreaking biomedical research, accelerating new medical technologies and care, and expanding coverage and access to health care. She is recognized for her work championing the 21st Century Cures Act, which has played an important role in helping to reduce the time it takes to turn a scientific discovery into new diagnostic tests, medical devices, therapies and cures for patients. This law has been widely hailed as one of the most important pieces of legislation that Congress has passed in recent years. She is also co-chair of the Congressional Diabetes Caucus, which was formed in 1996, and counts among her accomplishments in that role passage of legislation which lowered the cost of insulin for millions of Americans.
Rep. DeGette actively promotes the rights and interests of those with Down syndrome. She serves on the Congressional Task Force on Down Syndrome and is the lead Democratic sponsor of the DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act.
2025 Special Guests
Thank You to Our 2025 Supporters
Top Billboard
The Ashbrook Family
Avoq
David Egan & Family
Natalie & Guy Harrison
Highland Electric Fleets
Mastercard
Merck
OnMessage, Inc.
The Stephens Family
Visa
Brian & Natasha Walsh
The Whitten Family
Silver
Anna & John J. Sie Foundation
ExxonMobil
NCTA
Steampunk
Williams & Jensen
Platinum
The Emry Family
Gold
American Express
Intuit
Kroger
The Mullen Family
PhRMA
PwC

Natalie is a graduate of the College of William and Mary, and has her master’s in public policy from George Mason University. She grew up in a Foreign Service family – moving every few years – but now calls the DC area her home. She and her family live in Alexandria, VA.

Guy graduated from Dartmouth College in 1994 where he played right tackle for the Dartmouth football team.
A Texas native, Guy lives in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife and three daughters: Giddings, Laney and Bennett.

She got her start in Charlottesville, VA where she was weekend anchor, reporter, and eventually morning anchor. After moving to Washington, Autria worked at Fox News Channel, CBS Newspath, and eventually Tribune Broadcasting as the White House and Congressional correspondent for the DC Bureau.
In 2011, Autria joined WJLA as a reporter and weekend anchor, and spent the last 8 years as the morning anchor of Good Morning Washington. In 2019, she traded her 3am alarm clock for 3am feedings as she left news to welcome her older daughter Eliza.
Autria has covered both President Obama's and President Trump's inaugurations, has traveled to Nashville to report live from the Country Music Awards, and field-anchored live continuous coverage of Pope Francis's visit to Washington DC.
Since transitioning out of traditional broadcast news, Autria now produces and anchors Conference TV for various medical, space, and scientific conferences. She also currently hosts a podcast focused on all things Artificial Intelligence. Autria and her husband Paul Lindsay live with their two daughters in Arlington, VA.

A six-time Emmy® Award-winner, Todd was NBC News’s chief Political Analyst and served as the moderator of Meet the Press, the longest-running broadcast in television history, from 2014 to 2023. During his tenure, Meet the Press became the number-one-rated Sunday public affairs program for several years, secured its first Emmy®, and expanded the brand beyond its single weekly show, with Todd’s steady, incisive reporting making him a key voice in American political journalism.
Todd’s role in shaping NBC News’ political coverage extended to his daily hosting of Meet the Press NOW, which he launched in June 2022. This program, broadcast on NBC News NOW, brought the insightful analysis of Meet the Press to a digital-first audience, expanding the brand’s reach in a rapidly evolving media landscape. He also led Meet the Press Reports, a seasonal deep-dive show, and continued to host the Chuck ToddCast, where he engages in thought-provoking conversations on politics, policy, and culture.
Known for his encyclopedic knowledge of politics, Todd’s analysis has earned him the reputation as one of the most trusted voices in American media. He has co-moderated multiple high-profile presidential debates, including the historic 2019 and 2020 Democratic debates, which set viewership records. In addition, his reporting on the 2020 election made him a pivotal figure in the national political conversation.
Previously, Todd served as NBC News’s chief White House Correspondent from 2008 to 2014, traveling to cover 25 countries, covering the Obama administration, and hosting The Daily Rundown on MSNBC. In 2007, he joined NBC News as Political Director, after 15 years at The Hotline, where he served as editor-in-chief.
Todd is the author of two books: How Barack Obama Won, co-authored in 2009, and The Stranger: Barack Obama in the White House, released in 2014. His expertise has been recognized by GQ, which named him “The Most Powerful Journalist in Washington” in 2012. He is a frequent contributor to top publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic, where he’s still a contributing editor.
Todd was also the founding managing editor for the The Sports Business Daily in 1994, now known as The Sports Business Journal.
Currently, Todd is focused on his new ventures, including The ChuckToddCast and his upcoming projects, which aim to continue his legacy of delivering impactful political analysis and fostering engaging conversations with leaders shaping the future of American politics. He is also the inaugural Scholar-in-Residence for The University of Southern California’s Capital Campus, in Washington, D.C.
Todd’s accolades include multiple Emmy wins, recognition as one of Washingtonian’s best journalists, and honorary doctorates from institutions like The George Washington University (his Alma mater), Marist College, and Marymount University. A native of Miami, he resides in Arlington, VA, with his wife, Kristian, and their two children.
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.
ROSA DELAURO AND TOM COLE GLOBAL $2K ADVANCEMENT AWARDS – APPLY TODAY!
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
2025 CONGRESSIONAL HOSTS
Senator Cory Booker
Congresswoman Katherine Clark
Congressman Tom Cole
Senator Steve Daines
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro
Congresswoman Lois Frankel
Senator John Hickenlooper
Congressman Richard Hudson
Senator Jerry Moran
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton
Congressman Pete Sessions
Congressman Pete Stauber
2025 HONORARY CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE
Congressman Jake Auchincloss
Congresswoman Nanette Barragán
Congressman Donald S. Beyer Jr.
Congresswoman Stephanie Bice
Senator Marsha Blackburn
Congresswoman Shontel Brown
Congresswoman Julia Brownley
Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski
Congressman Buddy Carter
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver
Congressman James Clyburn
Congressman Steve Cohen
Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman
Congressman Gerald Connolly
Congressman Joe Courtney
Congressman Jason Crow
Congressman Mark DeSaulnier
Congressman Gabe Evans
Congresswoman Virginia Foxx
Congressman John Garamendi
Congressman Robert Garcia
Congressman Lance Gooden
Congresswoman Jahana Hayes
Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan
Congressman John Joyce
Congresswoman Young Kim
Senator Amy Klobuchar
Congressman George Latimer
Congressman Bob Latta
Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna
Senator Cynthia Lummis
Congresswoman Doris Matsui
Congresswoman Betty McCollum
Congressman Rich McCormick
Congressman Rob Menendez
Congresswoman Carol Miller
Congressman Seth Moulton
Senator Markwayne Mullin
Senator Lisa Murkowski
Senator Chris Murphy
Senator Patty Murray
Congressman Jay Obernolte
Congressman Jimmy Panetta
Congressman Scott Peters
Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen
Congressman Mark Pocan
Congresswoman Delia Ramirez
Congressman Jamie Raskin
Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester
Congresswoman Mary Scanlon
Congressman Brad Schneider
Congresswoman Hillary Scholten
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Congresswoman Haley Stevens
Congressman Dale Strong
Congressman Shri Thanedar
Congressman Paul Tonko
Congresswoman Lori Trahan
Senator Chris Van Hollen
Congressman Derrick Van Orden
Congressman Juan Vargas
Senator Elizabeth Warren
Congresswoman Frederica Wilson
Congressman Joe Wilson
2025 IN-KIND DONORS
Barnhart Press
Georgetown Cupcakes
Harris Teeter
The LOOP
The Indigo Road Hospitality Group
2025 LIVE AUCTION DONORS
Jan Adams
The Emry Family
Estee Lauder
The Whitten Family
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!
CELEBS AND CONGRESS STEP UP FOR PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME IN DC!