The Autism Speaks Cleveland Chef Gala will be held on May 8, 2024, at 6 p.m., at The InterContinental Cleveland. The evening will include a culinary experience from local Cleveland Chefs paired with Culinary Champion Sous Chefs, who have inspired their dishes. Our Culinary Champions are local Children and Young Adults on the spectrum. The gala will include a silent auction, an exciting live auction and a short program to showcase the mission of Autism Speaks and celebrate this year’s honoree. Join us for this great event and celebrate the work that is made possible because of the compassion and generosity of supporters like you.
The gala will include a silent auction, an exciting live auction, and a short program to showcase the mission of Autism Speaks and celebrate this year’s honorees Fred and Jakki Nance.
By joining us, you'll be empowering our work to promote solutions for the needs of people with autism and their families and will support our continued commitment to create a kinder, more inclusive world.
- VIP Reception
- Open bar
- Delicious bites brought to you by Cleveland Chefs
- Silent & Live Auction
Evening highlights include:
- Complimentary valet will be provided at the InterContinental Entrance
Join Autism Speaks for the Autism Speaks Cleveland Chef Gala at the InterContinental Cleveland. To learn more about restaurant and chef opportunities, please email greatlakes@AutismSpeaks.org.
Check back in to see our 2024 Chefs and Culinary Champions!
Fred and Jakki have been blessed with two adult children on the spectrum. They have committed themselves to advocating for access and inclusion of the neurodiverse, especially in Northeast Ohio. Jakki serves as a Vice Chair of the National Board of Autism Speaks where she works tirelessly on behalf of the autism community. Their goal, like the vision of Autism Speaks, is to help create a world where all people with autism can reach their full potential.
2024 Honoree
Fred and Jakki Nance
Gala Committee
Shari Goldberg
Trudy Stearns
Courtney Lepene
John Selick
James Sammon
Jennifer Sammon
Lori Soble
Carrie L’Esperance
Patti Gold
Ellen Smith
Ellen Schwartz
Honorary Chair
Tomislav Mihaljevic, MD, Cleveland Clinic
Honorary Committee
Alexandria Johnson Boone, GAP Communications
Betsy Dellinger, Park Place Technologies
Constance Hill-Johnson, Visiting Angels
Courtney Lepene
Darrell McNair, MVP Plastics
Diana Riley, RPM International Inc.
Dominic & Gaile Ozanne, Ozanne Construction
Dr. Susan Stephens, Institute for the Spine, Inc
Elizabeth Voudouris, Business Volunteers Unlimited
Felicia Davis
Frances Cudjoe Waters, FCW Consulting
James Waters, Key Bank
Frank & Barb Sullivan, RPM International Inc.
Jamie Richardson, White Castle
Kevin Clayton, Cleveland Cavaliers
Lannie Davis Frecker, Julie Billiart Schools
Michele Connell, Squire Patton and Boggs
Mike Hartley, Swing State Strategies
Patti Gold
Robert Hill, IHG Hotels and Resorts
Sam Pines, Good Karma Brands
Michael and Shari Goldberg
Terri Bradford Eason, Cleveland Foundation
Tom and Allison Frazier, John Carroll University
Umberto Fedeli, Fedeli Group
Vanessa Whiting, A.E.S. Management Corp
Host Committee
Carrie L'Esperance
Courtney Lepene
Ellen Schwartz
Ellen Smith
James Sammon
John Selick
Lori Soble
Megan Howell
Patti Gold
Shari Goldberg
Trudy Stearns