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MUSEUM NEWS
Museum of American Finance Honors Financial Icons at 2023 Gala
By Kristin Aguilera , Deputy Director
On March 13 , the Museum honored the achievements of four financial leaders at its annual Gala . After two years of virtual Galas , this year ’ s event returned to an in-person format at Cipriani 42nd Street , with CNBC Senior Markets Correspondent Bob Pisani and “ WealthTrack ” Executive Producer and Managing Editor Consuelo Mack serving as masters of ceremony .
More than 525 people attended the event , which raised over $ 1.25 million to support all aspects of the Museum ’ s mission to promote financial education by preserving , exhibiting and teaching about American finance and financial history .
The evening began with congratulatory videos by several CEOs who served as Gala co-chairs . MoAF President David Cowen and MoAF Chair Peter Cohen then delivered brief remarks on the Museum ’ s recent accomplishments and future goals .
The awards program began with a tribute to Carol Loomis , who received a Special Recognition honor for her groundbreaking contributions to the field of financial journalism and unprecedented 60-year tenure at Fortune magazine . Ms . Loomis was introduced by Warren Buffett , chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway , via video .
Robert Arnott then received the Whitehead Award for Distinguished Public Service and Financial Leadership . This award honors leaders whose contributions in the public and private arenas strengthen society and the advancement of the financial industry . Mr . Arnott — a financial thought leader , innovator and global fund manager — is the founder and chairman of Research Affiliates . He was introduced by Martin Leibowitz , senior advisor to Morgan Stanley and president of Advanced Portfolio Studies , LLC .
The Museum then honored Vincent Viola , co-founder of Virtu Financial and former chairman of the New York
Mercantile Exchange , with the Financial Innovation Award . This award recognizes individuals whose innovation and leadership have transformed the financial services industry and demonstrated outstanding achievement in advancing entrepreneurship and free enterprise . He was introduced by Douglas Cifu , CEO and co-founder of Virtu Financial .
The final award presentation of the evening honored the achievements of Mark Shenkman , founder and president of Shenkman Capital Management and a long-time Museum trustee , who received the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award . With more than 50 years of investment experience , Mr . Shenkman is considered one of the pioneers of the high yield bond and loan markets . He was introduced by Mario Gabelli , chairman and CEO of GAMCO Investors , Inc .
A video of the full Gala , along with the journal and event photos , can be found at www . moaf . org / 2023gala .
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6 FINANCIAL HISTORY | Spring 2023 | www . MoAF . org