Annual Benefit
Americas Society

March 4, 2010


CIVITAS friends and guests celebrated the inspiring achievements and contributions of Joan K. Davidson and Robert Quinlan at the March 4 benefit at the Americas Society.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis presented the honorees with the August Heckscher Award for Community Service. In his comments to Ms. Davidson, Commissioner Grannis stated: “Joan has been one of New York’s most respected philanthropists, preservationists and activists. She has spent her life changing neighborhoods – and lives.” Ms. Davidson is the president emeritus of The J.M. Kaplan Fund and now serves as the president of the Furthermore program in grants and publishing, a project of the Fund. She has served on many non-profit boards and was the Commissioner of the NYS Office of Parks and Recreation. The Fund has been a major supporter of CIVITAS initiatives including the rezoning of East Harlem and East Side avenues, and The ABC of Zoning handbook.

Remarking on Mr. Quinlan’s work, Commissioner Grannis noted: “He understands that connected, vibrant urban neighborhoods start with a delicate balance between old and new, large and small, highrise and green space.” Mr. Quinlan is the president of the Quinlan Development Group and founded Walker Malloy & Company. Among his many notable and well-regarded real estate projects were the restoration of many historic buildings on Columbus Avenue and the Siena apartment building near Lexington, through which the St. Jean Baptiste Roman Catholic Church was restored.

Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney served as the event’s honorary chair. The congresswoman has represented District 14, including the Upper East Side, since 1993. Her late husband, Clifton H.W. Maloney, was a founding board member of CIVITAS. As part of the evening’s ceremony, special recognition was given to contributions by Mr. Maloney and Daniel Pérez.

The evening’s co-chairs were: Janis Eltz, Jamie Gibbs, Steven Narker, Genie Rice, Sava Thomas, Felipe Ventegeat, and John Winkleman. Music was provided by Alex Donner Orchestra.