GEORGE TOWN, Grand Cayman – The 100 Women in Hedge Funds (100WHF) inaugural Cayman gala, raised over US$26,000 for their 2014 beneficiary, the Cayman Islands Crisis Centre.

The Barefoot Beach Gala, held at Tiki Beach on 3 May 2014 was attended by over 230 guests to celebrate the efforts of the Crisis Centre, as well as to help raise funds for Cayman’s most vulnerable women and their children.

Guests enjoyed a beautiful beachside event, with local musicians, spectacular fireworks and finished the night off dancing under the stars. Amanda Pullinger, Global CEO of 100WHF was in attendance as well as Jane Buchan, founder and CEO of PAAMCO, who was honoured with the 2014 North American Industry Leadership Award. Also in attendance was the Honorable Minister of Education, Employment and Gender Affairs, Tara Rivers.

The Cayman Islands Crisis Centre was selected as the 2014 beneficiary as it provides services that fit this year’s global philanthropy theme of ‘women’s and family health’. “The Cayman Islands Crisis Centre is an ideal partner for 100WHF”, said Philanthropy Committee Chair Christina Bodden, partner at Maples and Calder. “This is a perfect example of women helping women. The need to support victims of domestic violence and their children is unfortunately great and the Crisis Centre is instrumental in providing emergency shelter that enables women and children to take those first steps to a life free from violence. We are pleased to be able to financially support them in their efforts and make a difference in this way”.

The Cayman Islands Crisis Centre Executive Director, Ania Milanowska-Sedgley and her team were presented with flowers at the event as a token of thanks for the amazing work they do every day. “It is wonderful to see such an outpouring of support for the Crisis Centre by this exceptional group of women. We are grateful to be this year’s beneficiary and partner with 100WHF, said Milanowska-Sedgley.

The Cayman 100WHF committee pledged to raise over US$35,000 for the Crisis Centre in 2014 and the inaugural gala brought in well over half the amount already.   The 100WHF’s next fundraising event will be the Crisis Centre’s second annual speaker series, featuring Joshua Safran, a lawyer, documentary producer, writer and a childhood victim of domestic violence himself. Mr. Safran produced a documentary about his years of working to free a woman from prison who had killed her abusive husband. The event, which is scheduled for September 11, 2014, will feature a private screening of the documentary Crime After Crime followed by a discussion and book signing by Mr. Safran.   100WHF are looking for sponsors for the event so interested parties should contact the local organization via email [email protected].

Founded in 2001, 100WHF is a global association of more than 12,000 professional women. Through volunteer efforts led by our members, we make a difference in our industry and community with unique educational programming, professional leverage initiatives and philanthropy. The Cayman Islands Chapter launched in late 2012 and is currently the fastest growing location of the organization with over 360 members in Cayman at present. The global philanthropic theme for 2015 will be Education, followed by Mentoring in 2016.

Photo’s can be found on: https://www.flickr.com/photos/100whf/sets/72157644649925092/

Pictured: Ania Milanowska-Sedgley, Valerie Banks and Nancy Davey, all of the CICC