Staatsburg, New York…Anderson Foundation for Autism today announced that registration is now open for its 2026 Gala, sponsored by Pamal Broadcasting, NFP, and CDPHP. The event will be held on Saturday, October 24th at The Grandview in Poughkeepsie, with a cocktail hour beginning at 6:30pm, and dinner, dancing, and the program starting at 7:30pm. Honorees this year are Anderson parents, philanthropists, and advocates Patrick and Vanessa Ryan, residents of Mahopac, New York.
Executives from Anderson estimate that 300 guests will attend the 2026 gala, and that the organization expects to meet or exceed its event fundraising goal of $200,000. Proceeds from the annual gala are used to advance the organizational mission by directly supporting the educational, vocational, residential and clinical services that help “optimize the quality of life for individuals with autism.”
Said Patrick Paul, CEO and Executive Director of Anderson Center for Autism, “It will be our great privilege to honor Patrick and Vanessa Ryan this year, who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to our agency and to our broader cause. We fully anticipate that this will be a sell-out event, and encourage anyone interested in attending to reserve their tickets as soon as possible.”
A longtime accountant with a career spanning nearly 40 years, Patrick Ryan is currently the CFO of an asset management firm in Greenwich, Connecticut called AQR Capital Management. His wife of 30 years, Vanessa, is employed by the Putnam County Office of Senior Services, where she manages a program that provides medical transportation to senior citizens. Their family also includes three children: Peter, Ciara, and Sean.
In a joint statement, the couple responded to the news that they were being honored as follows: “We were initially surprised, and of course happy as we are proud of our association with Anderson Center – but most of all humbled. We feel honored to be chosen, but want to share that the group of Direct Support Professionals who live, work with, and take care of our son are the ones doing God’s work – we are just lucky to be part of this program.”
Said Dr. Tina Marie Covington, PhD., BCBA-D, LBA, Chief Operating Officer at Anderson (who will step in as CEO/Executive Director following Paul’s retirement later this year), “In addition to honoring the Ryans with the well-deserved VV Anderson Community Service Award, we will also present two of our very own team members (yet to be named) with ‘Above and Beyond Awards.’ Having a chance to publicly applaud people we truly cherish and admire is always a moving experience; we very much look forward to an uplifting program again this year.”
Added Eliza Bozenski, Chief Development Officer at Anderson Foundation for Autism, “We are incredibly grateful to the many people who make our gala so successful, year after year – from our sponsors and volunteers to the attendees themselves. Like our other fundraisers, this tradition brings together people from all walks of life who share a passion for our mission. Not only do we get to recognize the inspiring honorees and award winners during the gala program, but we all have a chance to celebrate Anderson’s far-reaching impact and our vision for the future.”
For more information and to purchase tickets and/or sponsorships, call 845.889.9208 or visit AndersonCenterforAutism.org/Gala.
Pictured: Patrick and Vanessa Ryan, recipients of Anderson Center for Autism’s 2026 VV Anderson Community Service Award.
About Anderson Center for Autism
Our mission at Anderson Center for Autism is to optimize the quality of life for individuals with autism.
About Anderson Foundation for Autism
Through grantmaking, fundraising, and marketing initiatives, Anderson Foundation for Autism helps support, sustain, and expand upon Anderson Center for Autism’s efforts to optimize the quality of life for individuals with autism.