Our annual gala is one of our biggest fundraising events of the year! Your attendance, donation and/or sponsorship is greatly appreciated and helps further our mission to inspire imagination and spark creativity in children. Learn more about this year’s gala chairs, committees and sponsors.

Become a sponsor here or contact Kathleen Daugherty at kdaugherty@thinkplaycreate.org.

2022 Co-Chairs

About the Gala Chairs

Dr. Laurie Mitchell (Left)

Laurie Mitchell, MD, is a pediatrician who has worked in community clinics in East County San Diego over the past 20 years. She has also been an advocate of the arts and of their important role in childhood development and education, and has served on The New Children’s Museum Board over the past 15 years.

Dr. Ellen Moxham (Middle)

Ellen G. Moxham, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and community philanthropist. Dr. Moxham has served in a variety of capacities for philanthropic organizations throughout San Diego focusing on programs that address scientific research and education, mental health, children’s causes and homelessness.

Jennifer Luce (Right)

Jennifer Luce, FAIA, is the principal and founder of LUCE et studio, a collaborative studio that practices at the intersection of architecture, art and design. Jennifer’s award-winning studio has been featured in The New York Times, Fast Company and Architectural Record amongst numerous other publications.

Honorary Committee

Thank you to the following individuals who have made generous contributions of $1,500+ toward this year’s gala:

Anonymous
Claudia + Jose Amezcua
Melissa + Michael Bartell
Cara Staley + Dennis Bauer
Lynda Forsha + Robert Blanchard
Nancy + Matt Browar
Patty + Marc Brutten
Michelle Butler + Elizabeth Yang-Hellewell
Dee Anne + Michael Canepa
CGS3 Law Firm
Sue + Keith Colestock
Barb + Charley Crew
April + Brent Douglas
Vicki + Chris Eddy
Phyllis + Daniel Epstein
Stephanie + Michael Epstein
Jennifer + Kurt Eve
Rebecca + John Gennaro
Taryn + Edwardo Gillison
Lynn Gorguze + the Hon. Scott Peters
Tonya + Greg Gossard
Catherine + Stefen Gustafson
Peggy Hanley + Hamp Atkinson
Rosanne + Joel Holliday
Priya + Andrew Huggett
Joan + Irwin Jacobs
Lynda + Richard Kerr
Daniel Kuperschmid
Jennifer Luce

Catherina + Michael Madani
Patsy + David Marino
Laurie Mitchell + Brent Woods
Rebecca + Mitch Mitchell
Danielle Moore
Ellen + Jim Moxham
Merrilee + Mike Neal
Julie Cowan Novak + Robert Novak
Sally + Howard Oxley
Erica + Keith Opstad
MG Kristian + Bill Payne
Clarice + Bill Perkins
Caroline Perry + Adam Ith
Maryanne + Irwin Pfister
Todd Richardson
Monique Rodriguez + Greg Richardson
Cami + Tom Rosso
Asako + Chris Russo
San Diego Foundation
Doreen + Myron Schonbrun
Kirsten + Phil Senescall
Kim + Keith Shores
Fern Steiner
Mary + Lawrence Taylor
Alissa Thompson + Ryan Johnston
Kelly Tran + Will Small
Lynae + Bill Watkins
Natalie + Grant Webster
Sheryl + Harvey White
Emma + Leo Zuckerman

planning committee

Stephanie Epstein
Lynda Forsha
Edwardo Gillison
Priya Huggett

Lori Mires
Merrilee Neal
Erica Opstad
Maryanne Pfister

thank you to our generous sponsors and underwriters

Ringmaster - $50,000+

High Flyer - $25,000

Magician - $15,000

Flame Thrower - $10,000

Daredevil - $7,500

Acrobat - $5,000

Event Partners

Media Partners

Construction Notice

We are working on an exciting new installation on our main level. If you experience any noise or dust during your visit, please know that we have noise-canceling headphones available at our Welcome Desk to ensure your comfort.

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