Foreseeable Future 2023
May 16th, 2023
Tribeca 360
10 Desbrosses Street
New York, NY, 10013
This event is not black tie, feel free to arrive in business casual clothing!
If you are not going to be in attendance at this year’s gala, but are still interested in supporting our mission, you may do so at this link: https://foreseeablefuture.org/donate/. Once complete, please email us at info@foreseeablefuturefoundation.com to let us know so that we can celebrate your desired message along with our other sponsors the night of our event.

We are excited to host our annual Seeing Past Sight Gala on May 16th, 2023. This event supports the visually impaired and blind community to become more active, more independent, and empower them to become an advocate.
This is a very unique and exciting event to celebrate the incredible work that Forseeable Future does on a year to year basis.
Vanessa Williams

Vanessa Williams is one of the most respected and multi-faceted performers in the entertainment industry today. Having sold millions of records worldwide, Vanessa has also achieved numerous #1 and Top 10 hits on various Billboard Album and Singles charts, from Pop, Dance, R&B, Adult Contemporary to Holiday, Latin, Gospel and Jazz.
Her discography includes such releases as her debut album, The Right Stuff, The Comfort Zone, The Sweetest Days, Next, Greatest Hits: The First Ten Years, Everlasting Love and The Real Thing. Her holiday albums, Star Bright and Silver & Gold became instant holiday classics. Her numerous hit singles include “Save the Best For Last,” “Dreamin’,” “The Right Stuff,” “Work to Do,” “Oh How the Years Go By,” and “Love Is,” among many others.
Her critically-acclaimed work in film, television, recordings and the Broadway stage has been recognized by every major industry award affiliate including 4 Emmy nominations, 11 Grammy nominations, a Tony nomination, 3 SAG award nominations, 7 NAACP Image Awards and 3 Satellite Awards. Her Platinum single “Colors of the Wind,” from Disney’s “Pocahontas,” won the Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe for Best Original Song.
A graduate of Syracuse University, Vanessa is a strong advocate for equal rights, especially concerning the gay community and minorities. She was honored with the Human Rights Campaign Ally for Equality Award for her humanitarian contributions. Vanessa also achieved a career pinnacle with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007. Vanessa’s autobiography, You Have No Idea, co-written with her mother Helen Williams, was a New York Times Best Seller in 2012.
In 2020, Vanessa released Bubble Kisses, her first picture book for children, which tells the story of a young girl with the ability to transform into a mermaid. This effervescent, lively tale is based on a song which is also available with the book and as a download. Bubble Kisses was honored with The American Book Fest Award, The National Indie Excellence Award and The International Book Award in the Category of Best Children’s Picture Book–Hardcover Fiction.
Vanessa recently starred in the World Premiere of Selina Fillinger’s new Broadway comedy,“POTUS:Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive,” directed by Tony Award-winner Susan Stroman with an all-female cast featuring Lilli Cooper, Lea DeLaria, Rachel Dratch, Julianne Hough, Suzy Nakamura and Julie White. Her Broadway credits include “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” “St. Louis Woman,” “Into the Woods,” “Sondheim on Sondheim” and “After Midnight.”
She co-starred with Cicely Tyson in The Trip to Bountiful, (the #1 play of the 2013 season) and headlined a special limited engagement of Hey, Look Me Over at New York City Center in 2018. She starred in the revival of City of Angels in London’s The West End and a special performance of Stephen Sondheim’s Anyone Can Whistle at Carnegie Hall.
Her many film credits include “Eraser,” “Soul Food,” “Shaft,” “Dance With Me,” “Hoodlum,” “Light It Up,” and “Johnson Family Vacation.” On television, she starred in ABC’s global hit series “Ugly Betty” and “Desperate Housewives,” as well as “Daytime Divas,” “666 Park Avenue” and such television movies and miniseries as “Bye Bye Birdie” and “The Odyssey.”
In 2021, Vanessa joined the star-studded panel of judges for RuPaul’s Paramount+ competition series, “Queen of the Universe,” along with Michelle Visage, Trixie Mattel and Leona Lewis. Hosted by Graham Norton and produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and World of Wonder, the series will return for a second season with Melanie Brown (Spice Girls’ Mel B) joining the celebrity judging panel.
Vanessa is the mother of four-Melanie, Jillian, Devin and Sasha. Her charitable endeavors are many and varied, embracing and supporting such organizations as Black Theatre United, The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, Special Olympics, Broadway Cares-Equity Fights AIDS and several others.
Vanessa is a successful entrepreneur and one of the world’s most accomplished concert artists, appearing regularly on the concert and cabaret stage and performing with the most prestigious symphony orchestras in the world.
Honoree – Kathy Ireland
Human rights advocate & Fashion Icon
Kathy Ireland

Kathy Ireland enjoys a global platform as a result of proven leadership in human rights advocacy, the support of millions of women, as well as families, who embrace her designs, products and services, unified under the kathy ireland® Worldwide philosophy of empowered living. Kathy Ireland is Chair and CEO of kathy ireland® Worldwide, the world’s 19th most successful brand according to License Global! and … “the most valuable woman-owned licensing company in American history,” according to WWD.
Forbes created the term “Super Model turned Super Mogul” to describe Kathy Ireland. Ms. Ireland’s fashion career began on covers including Teen, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue, Cosmopolitan and, of course, Sports Illustrated’s best-selling swimsuit cover of all time. As of 2022, Kathy Ireland has graced the cover of Forbes three times, in celebration of becoming, according to Forbes: One of America’s most successful self-made women.
Last year, Ms. Ireland presented a national Christmas season broadcast of “The Waltons’ Homecoming,”, which airs globally on an annual basis, as a gift to American families, to specifically serve as an antidote to holiday anxiety. This new edition of the classic “Waltons” television series, from Magnolia Hill Productions/Warner Brothers Discovery, was produced by Emmy-winner, Sam Haskell. “The Waltons’ Homecoming” will air on HBO this year.
Ms. Ireland is Executive Producer and presenter of Anxious Nation, a documentary currently being honored among film festivals for its commitment to addressing the crisis of anxiety, particularly in young people. Ms. Ireland collaborated with co-directors, 21-time New York Times best selling author, Laura Morton, and Academy Award winning director, Vanessa Roth, on bringing Anxious Nation to the screen.
Ms. Ireland’s advocacy for non-profits includes honors from, in addition to financial support, services, ambassadorships, or Board of Director memberships for: YWCA GLA, Dream Foundation (Founder), Providence Educational Foundation (Founder), 911 for Kids/AEFK, National PTA, March of Dimes, National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (International Youth Chair), American Cancer Society, Arthritis Foundation, Foreseeable Future Foundation, American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (Board Member), Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, WIZO, Anti-Defamation League, Jewish National Fund, Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services and Los Angeles Team Mentoring. UCLA names Kathy Ireland, “one of the top ten women’s health advocates in America today.”
“My love, gratitude, concern and respect for women and families everywhere is boundless. Of course, we humbly appreciate each person who embraces our products, services, programs and projects. Bringing ‘Anxious Nation’ to the screen, is an essential call to action, countering the life-threatening crisis of anxiety. Presenting this film is a great honor and even greater responsibility. Deepest thanks to my friend and colleague, Laura Morton, Vanessa Roth, and Steve Purcell for making this film. Please experience ‘Anxious Nation.’ It is a very personal, passion project, because our family and loved ones have, are and will battle anxiety. No one is exempt from anxiety. Absolutely no one! Our coping methods will differ, however, anxiety is real and must be addressed. ‘Anxious Nation’ is the beginning. It will help young people, families of every blend, age, color, economic situation, and I believe, literally save lives,” said Kathy Ireland.
Honoree – Michelle Wlazlo
Executive Vice President, Chief Merchant at JCPenney.

Michelle joined JCPenney in February 2019. In this role, Michelle is responsible
for leading all the company’s merchandise offerings, focused on building a balance assortment of the best private, exclusive and national brands, including operations of the Company’s Merchandising, Product Development and Design, Sourcing and Planning and Allocation teams.
Before joining JCPenney Michelle spent nearly 22 years in various merchandising leadership roles, most recently as SVP, Merchandising-Apparel & Accessories at Target. In that role, Michelle led brand launches along with reimagining the instore experience.
Prior to Target, Michelle spent 19 years at GAP Inc., in a variety of roles, most
recently as SVP, Global Merchandising, GAP. Over the course of nearly two
decades, she held multiple merchandising roles of increasing responsibility for
GAP Inc., inclusive of Old Navy and Outlet. Michelle began her career at Saks
Fifth Avenue as a department manager before assuming store leadership and
buying roles at Bebe Stores Inc.
Michelle has served on the board for My New Red Shoes, a non-profit dedicated to boost self-confidence, and quality of life of the community’s homeless and lowincome children by providing them the opportunity to shop for new school clothing and shoes. She also has served on the board of Santa Clara University and the Retail Management Institute. She currently sits on the board for the National Association for the Education of Young Children, along with serving the on the Fashion Institute Council.
Gala MC – Lissa Bachner

Lissa Bachner is ranked as the country’s leading disabled rider, according to the United States Equestrian Federation, the nation’s governing body for equestrian sports. Based on money won in competition, Lissa is the world’s leading disabled equestrian. She has been ranked among the country’s leading amateur equestrians. The competition Lissa rides in is not designated to disabled riders only. She chooses to ride in events that are open to all equestrians.
When she was three, Bachner was diagnosed with two, rare immune disorders — Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which inflames her joints, and uveitis, which attacked her eyes and lead to her blindness. By the time she was thirty, Lissa had lost her left eye and most of the vision in her right eye. Regardless of her lack of vision, she continued to ride and compete at show jumping’s highest level.
Despite the crippling diseases, painful surgeries and her doctor’s disapproval, Lissa never lost her passion for horses and riding. She has competed all over Virginia, where she is from, and in several other states on the East Coast. She has won 4 national rankings, 10 zone rankings, 82 nationally ranked classes and 118 top 3 placings.
Lissa is the author of Milo’s Eyes, a memoir detailing the extraordinary bond, trust and unconditional love she shared with her horse, Milo. Together, Milo and Lissa overcame the staggering odds to become one of America’s most inspiring and successful riding teams in the world of jumping. Lissa graduated from Skidmore College with a B.A. in English. She currently resides in Wellington, Florida where she is surrounded by her beloved horses and dogs.



Sponsorship Opportunities
Platinum Level Sponsorship – $50,000
- 25 Tickets to the Gala
- Sponsorship placement within venue on large screens
- Logo on Gala website – 1 month before the gala and 2 months after (3 months total)
- Logo on Foreseeable Future Foundation website (sponsorship page) for 1 year
- Recognition on social media platforms
Gold Level Sponsorship – $25,000
- 15 tickets
- Sponsorship placement within venue on large screens
- Logo on Gala website – 1 month before the gala and 2 months after (3 months total)
- Logo on Foreseeable Future Foundation website (sponsorship page) for 1 year
- Recognition on social media platforms
Silver Level Sponsorship – $10,000
- 8 tickets
- Sponsorship placement within venue on large screens
- Logo on Gala website – 1 month before the gala and 1 month after (2 months total)
- Logo on Foreseeable Future Foundation website sponsorship page for 1 year
- Recognition on social media platforms
Bronze Level Sponsorship – $5,000
- 4 tickets
- Sponsorship placement within venue on large screens
- Recognition on social media platforms
** Individual tickets are available for $250 per person