BC Business
The star-studded David Foster Foundation Gala featuring Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Phil and Steven Tyler raises $10.2 million at Rogers Arena
Over 1,000 VIPs and business leaders attended the David Foster Foundation Founders’ Dinner on October 20 at Parq Vancouver followed by a gala concert at Rogers Arena the following day. The gala raised more than $10.2 million dollars, including $1 million each from Jimmy Pattison and Jim Treliving. Friday night’s Founders’ Dinner was an intimate affair with surprise guest Reba McEntire appearing to the surprise of David Foster 16-time Grammy award winner. Ruben Studdard, Sheléa Frazier, Jordan McGraw and Pia Toscano also performed at the dinner. The London Essentials had guests on their feet as the band travelled from table to table serenading VIP’s.
Saturday night’s gala at Rogers Arena included Oprah Winfrey walking the red carpet, along with Jay Leno, Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, Steven Tyler, Cee Lo Green, Carly Rae Jepsen, Dr. Phil and many others. Laura Bretan performed, as did Matteo Bocelli, The Tenors, Jay Leno, Reba McEntire, Cee Lo Green and Steven Tyler.
The David Foster Foundation 30th Anniversary Miracle Gala & Concert was presented by Parq Vancouver, a new hospitality and entertainment destination in the heart of downtown Vancouver’s entertainment district. Parq Vancouver is home to the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver and a first-to-market Autograph Collection Hotel, the Douglas.
For the past three decades, the David Foster Foundation has supported the non-medical expenses of more than 1,100 Canadian families undergoing life-saving pediatric organ transplants. When on this journey, many families have to split their time between their home and a city that has one of Canada’s eight pediatric organ transplant centres. Under these circumstances, the medical system does not support these non-medical costs. Expenses include everything from groceries and gas to rent and flights.
Mila and Brian Mulroney, former prime minister of Canada, walk the gala red carpet
Dr. Phil McGraw, TV talk show host; his wife, Robin McGraw; Katherine McPhee, singer/actress; and David Foster, Grammy award-winning producer
Oprah Winfrey, American media proprietor; and David Foster, Grammy award-wining producer
Michael Ravenhill, David Foster Foundation CEO; David Foster, Grammy award-winning producer; and Don Cleary, Marriott Hotels of Canada president
Robin McGraw and her husband, Dr. Phil McGraw, TV talk show host
Oprah Winfrey, American media proprietor
Country music superstar Reba McEntire
Peter Legge, Canada Wide Media Ltd. chairman and CEO; and Steven Tyler, Aerosmith lead singer
Singers Ruben Studdard and Sheléa Frazier
Bo Derek, actress; and her sister, Kerry Perez
Don Cleary, Marriott Hotels of Canada president; Mitzi Gaskins, JW Marriott VP and global brand manager; Lee Banister, independent HR consultant; and Dan Sandroni, marketing and customer experience professional
Pia Toscano, singer
Melissa Peterman, actress
Dr. Phil’s son Jordan McGraw and Drew Langan from the band Hundred Handed
Vern Goldsbury, Midas Auto Service Experts CEO; Isabelle Hutton; Janine Swanson, Skinsational Laser Clinic owner; and Roger McKinnon, Old House Hotel & Spa owner/partner
Global BC anchors Sophie Lui and Chris Gailus
David Knight, Georgian Capital president; Jimmy Pattison, Jim Pattison Group chairman and CEO; Mel Cooper, David Foster Foundation honorary director and philanthropist; his wife, Carmela Cooper; and Sylvana Dearden, Georgian Capital marketing manager
Jim Reger, David Foster Foundation past president; Joan Reger; Eric Bedard, magician who has performed at the gala for the past 20 years; and his wife, Linda Bedard
Michael Ravenhill, David Foster Foundation CEO; and Ben Mulroney, eTalk TV host
Carly Willis, RSA manager; and her husband, Jonathan Willis, PWC senior manager
Judy Warwicker; and Scott Kotyk, entrepreneur
Jean Milne; and her husband, Bryan Milne, OHM Partners Ltd. partner
Mel Cooper, David Foster Foundation honorary director and philanthropist; Kay Legge; Peter Legge, Canada Wide Media Ltd. chairman and CEO; Carmela Cooper; and Ken Mariash, Focus Equities co-owner
The Tenors pose with the staff from the Global BC News Hour
Mitzi Gaskins, JW Marriott VP and global brand manager; Scott Menke, Paragon Gaming CEO; and Don Cleary, Marriott Hotels of Canada president
Michael Ravenhill, David Foster Foundation CEO, takes the stage
David Foster is interviewed by Michael Ravenhill
David Foster takes the stage
David Foster; Ruben Studdard; and Michael Ravenhill
David Foster and Pia Toscano performing Celine Dion
David Foster is grilled by actress Melissa Peterman
Reba McEntire surprises David Foster on stage unannounced
Reba McEntire and Melissa Peterman
David Foster and Reba McEntire
Wanda Hawkins; her husband, Ronnie Hawkins OC, American/Canadian rockabilly musician; and Linda Leatherdale, Cambria VP business and marketing
Christie Darbyshire, Arts Umbrella Splash co-chair; and her fiancé, David Garofalo, Goldcorp CEO
The London Essentials band performs for Steven Tyler and Brian Mulroney’s table
Jimmy Pattison, Jim Pattison Group chairman and CEO, chats with former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney
Elizabeth Blau, Blau + Associates founder, who developed all the restaurants at Parq Vancouver; and Francesco Aquilini, Aquilini Investment Group managing director
The London Essentials band performs for guests
Dessert is ready to be served
Ruben Studdard, American Idol winner and American R&B, pop and gospel singer; Carmen Educate, Ruben’s production manager; and Matt Ross, David Foster’s tour manager
David Foster and Jordan McGraw from the band Hundred Handed
Jimmy Pattison, Jim Pattison Group chairman and CEO, walks the Saturday night gala red carpet
Dr. Phil McGraw; his wife Robin; David Foster;and Steven Tyler
David Foster and Steven Tyler
Aimee Preston and Steven Tyler, Aerosmith lead singer
Jay Leno, comedian
Steffi Graf, professional tennis player; and her husband, Andre Agassi, professional tennis player
Singer/songwriter Cee Lo Green
Singer/songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen
Actress Bo Derek
Singer Sheléa Frazier
Matteo Bocelli, opera singer and also Andreas Bocelli’s son
Scott Menke, Paragon Gaming founder and CEO; and Elizabeth Blau, Blau + Associates principal
Terry David Mulligan, media personality
Christina Giusti; and her husband, Trevor Linden, Vancouver Canucks president
Ben Mulroney and his wife, Jessica, on the gala red carpet
Amanda and Rick Hansen, Canadian paralympian, activist and philanthropist
Katharine McPhee, singer/actress; and David Foster, Grammy award-winning producer
Russ Courtnall, former NHL player; and his wife, Paris Courtnall, actress
Cheryl and Andy Szocs, philanthropist
Vern Goldsbury, Midas Auto Service Experts CEO; and Isabelle Hutton
Daryll Jones, Overwaitea Food Group president; and his wife, Elizabeth Jones
LadyPants Productions co-founders Mary Zilba and Fiona Forbes
Our City Tonight’s Leeta Liepins interviews Jay Leno, comedian
Bagpipers lead in the head table
Carly Rae Jepsen performs
The David Foster Foundation Gala at Rogers Arena