Tamsen Fadal to Host Moving Families Forward Gala Benefiting The Ackerman Institute for the Family, 10/26

Lois Braverman, President & CEO, Ackerman Institute for the Family, announced today the honorees and host for the Moving Families Forward annual gala which will take place at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel at 301 Park Avenue on Monday, October 26th in New York City.

This year's Ackerman Award Honorees are:

Alice K. Netter, Ackerman Board Member:

· Ackerman Distinguished Service Award

William H. Donaldson, 27th Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission:

· Ackerman Partner Award

Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award-winning Author:

· Moving Families Forward Award

Tamsen Fadal, seven-time Emmy-winning Pix 11 News Anchor, will return to host the evening for the second year running. The event benefits the vital programs and ongoing services for children and families at the Ackerman Institute for the Family.

"I support the Ackerman Institute for the Family because it helps conventional and unconventional families address and overcome deep and sometimes painful personal and societal issues," says Tamsen Fadal. "Ackerman is a dynamic institution that is continuously evolving and keeping pace with today's families in a society that is more complex every day. Family is important to me, and Ackerman believes that strong family bonds and communication are important to the strength of our communities. And I agree wholeheartedly."

"We are thrilled that Tamsen Fadal is returning to host our biggest fundraiser of the year," says Lois Braverman, President & CEO, Ackerman Institute for the Family. "By generously giving of her time and talent to help lead our event to success speaks volumes about the importance of family in our society and our lives. I am grateful to Tamsen for lending her support and celebrity in this way."

Alice K. Netter, Ackerman Board Member will be honored with the Ackerman Distinguished Service Award.

"I am delighted to have this opportunity to honor Alice Netter for her dedication to the work of the Ackerman Institute for nearly 30 years," observes Lois Braverman. "As an outstanding leader on our board of directors, I have been fortunate to work closely with Alice and to benefit from her guidance, dedication and deep belief in our work. She has been a driving force behind our fundraising efforts , thus ensuring that the Ackerman Institute is able to reach out and serve families from every walk of life and no matter their economic circumstances. She has intimate knowledge of the inner workings of our Institute and the families who seek our help. Kindness, understanding, commitment to family and leadership are the words that come to mind when I think about Alice."

William H. Donaldson, 27th Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, will be honored with the Ackerman Partner Award.

"We are delighted to recognize Bill Donaldson with the Ackerman Partner Award," says Braverman. "He has been a great partner and leader in our efforts to help children and families in distress, and to further the field of family therapy. Bill, in addition to having perhaps one of the most brilliant careers as someone who has served at the highest levels of business, government and academia, strongly believes in the strength of the family unit. Underlying his array of prominent positions is a man whose dedication to public service finds the most satisfaction in making a difference and serving others."

Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award-winning Author, will be honored with the Moving Families Forward Award.

"We could not be more delighted with Jacqueline Woodson accepting our Moving Families Forward award," notes Braverman. "Jacqueline's stories address the themes of family, history, race, class, and gender, that resonate with our work here at the Ackerman Institute. We are delighted that her presence and participation at our Moving Families Forward event will further educate our friends, colleagues, and supporters about our belief that the problems faced by children are best resolved and treated in the context of their families."

Moving Families Forward Gala Co-Chairs are Martha Fling and Deborah Werner. They are members of the Board of Directors of the Ackerman Institute for the Family, and staunch supporters of its work on behalf of the well-being of children and families of our communities.

About Ackerman Institute for the Family:

Since 1960, the Ackerman Institute for the Family has achieved international prominence and earned national awards for the development of innovative models of family therapy, professional training, and community programs for families facing major life challenges. One of the first training institutions in the United States committed to promoting family functioning and family mental health, Ackerman is dedicated to helping families at all stages of family life.

To purchase tickets to the Moving Families Forward gala call 914-579-1000, email: AckermanGala@BuckleyHallEvents.com, or online at https://www.ackerman.org/moving-families-forward-2015-gala/.