Rita Hayworth Gala Leadership
Princess Yasmin Aga Khan
Honorary Vice Chair, Alzheimer's Association
Founded by Princess Yasmin Aga Khan in honor of her mother, Rita Hayworth, who died as a result of Alzheimer’s disease, the first Rita Hayworth Gala was held in New York in 1984. The event expanded to Chicago in 1987. Combined, the Rita Hayworth Galas have raised more than $85 million for the cause.
Tara Gibney
2023 Gala Chair
Tara Gibney has been involved with the Alzheimer’s Association for 10 years through her work with the Illinois Chapter Junior Board, Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and the Rita Hayworth Gala Steering Committee. Like many, she has personal connections to Alzheimer’s within her immediate and extended family as well as close friends. Through her grandmother’s battle with Alzheimer’s, she witnessed how the disease not only affects the person but also their entire ecosystem of friends, family and community. Inspired by her parents, she has since been committed to the cause.
Tara joins us as our 2023 gala chair while also focusing on a career in human resources spanning over 20 years, mainly within the commercial real estate industry. She is currently the Global Head of HR for the Work Dynamics division at JLL and has 18 years of experience between JLL and Cushman & Wakefield.
Along with the steering committee, Tara looks forward to a very successful, impactful and fun event and hopes you will join us at the 35th annual Rita Hayworth Gala on Saturday, May 13, 2023!
Marlee Matlin
Honorary Committee Member
Marlee Matlin is the youngest Academy Award Winner for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her work in "Children of a Lesser God." And more recently, she received critical acclaim for her work in the feature film "CODA," which earned several prestigious awards including multiple Academy Awards, notably Best Picture. Matlin continues to make a name for herself behind the camera. In 2022, she became the first deaf person to join the DGA, with her directorial debut for the series "Accused." She also is producing several TV and Film projects, including the 2021 Academy Award Nominated short film "Feeling Through."
Matlin’s acting work on "Reasonable Doubts" earned her two Golden Globe Award nominations and a People’s Choice Award nomination. Marlee also received four Emmy nominations for her work on "Seinfeld," "Picket Fences," "The Practice," and "Law and Order: SVU." Some of Marlee’s other notable TV credits include critically acclaimed series "The West Wing" and "The L Word."
Marlee is also an Alzheimer's Association Celebrity Champion in honor of her mother, who had Alzheimer's disease. Read more about her story.
Gala Steering Committee
Jaclyn Cantore
Susan & Jim Draddy
Tara Gibney
Allie & Jon Harris
Corey Fitzpatrick Huth
Renee' Konzelman
Linda Leonberger
Fifi & Ron Levin
Sharon & Scott Markman
Abby & Tyson May
Leslie & David McGranahan
Linda & Bob Mendelson
David Moscow
The Murphy Family: Dan, JoAnn, Dan & Jim
Maggie & Michael Murzanski
Phoebe & Michael Nitekman
Sadruddin Noorani
Debra & Michael Pelech
Joan & Paul Rubschlager
Amy & Stuart Savitz
Lori Stern
Leslie & David Storch
Barbie & Bruce Taylor
Holly & Jeffrey Taylor
Rozmin & Ebrahim Valliani