American Association of People with Disabilities
AAPD Leadership Gala

Since 2002, H&A has organized the Leadership Awards Gala on behalf of the American Association of People with Disabilities. The gala recognizes emerging leaders within the disability community and raises money for, and awareness of, issues faced by people with disabilities.

When H&A took on the project, we recruited Mrs. Cheryl Sensenbrenner, wife of Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), to chair the steering committee for the event. Mrs. Sensenbrenner, who herself has a disability, has led the fundraising growth of this event to revenues that have steadily increased in recent years under the direction of H&A. Originally a cocktail reception that raised roughly $100,000, H&A has grown the event into a five-star gala attended by over 500 guests which raises over $800,000 annually and includes the participation of high-level Washington policy makers and Fortune 500 corporations.

H&A has overseen all aspects of event logistics, fund raising and video production, liaising between the client and all appropriate vendors and site personnel to assure the highest quality product, a memorable awards gala that serves to engage participants and guests and is capable of winning new support for the organization.

Recently AAPD was honored to feature Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson, Congressman Charles Rangel, and veteran CNN anchor Judy Woodruff as program participants. Previous participants include former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, former Secretary of Commerce Don Evans, former Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta, Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt and former White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card.