Gala 2025 Was the Most Successful Fundraiser in NYSID’s History
Jesse Carrier, Mara Miller, Beth Diana Smith, Ellen Kravet, Alessandra Branca, David Sprouls
On Tuesday, March 4, NYSID held its Gala 2025 at a private club in New York City, securing more than $726,000 for NYSID scholarships, a record-breaking number of funds raised at this annual event. This year, the gala sold out. “You could feel the energy in the room from the moment David (Sprouls) hit the podium,” says Ellen Kravet, Chair of NYSID’s Board of Trustees. “I just want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attended for their enthusiasm and say I have never been prouder of our NYSID community."
Under the coffered ceilings of one of the most iconic interiors in the city, NYSID President David Sprouls opened the evening with the words, “You are an important part of our students’ transformation into the best-prepared interior designers in the industry.” The vanguard of the interior design community came out to celebrate excellence in the field, and more importantly, to support the next generation of designers. At the event, NYSID honored Alessandra Branca with the Albert Hadley Lifetime Achievement Award; Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller with the Larry Kravet Design Industry Leadership Award, and NYSID alumna Beth Diana Smith ’15 (AAS) with the Rising Star Award (sponsored by the Shade Store). Said President Sprouls, “One of the reasons we’ve been so successful is the admiration this community has for the 2025 honorees.”
The Gala 2025 Co-chairs were Chesie Breen, Ingrid Edelman, Alexa Hampton, Young Huh, David Kleinberg, and Betsey Ruprecht.
Dennis Scully, host of the Business of Home podcast and the Thursday Show, as well as NYSID’s Dialogues on Design series, emceed the evening. The awards were beautiful, engraved Octogone vases, which were donated by Baccarat, the French luxury crystal company. Boatman Media produced videos about the honorees' careers.
Alessandra Branca Wins the Albert Hadley Lifetime Achievement Award
Stellene Volandes, Town & Country editor in chief, and ELLE Decor editorial director, introduced Alessandra Branca, founding principal of her eponymous design firm as well as the furniture and fabrics line Casa Branca. After a heartfelt “grazie,” Branca said, “It’s humbling to have my name anywhere near Albert Hadley’s name. . .What we do is wonderful, but it only matters if we do good while we do well.”
Stellene Volandes, Dennis Scully, Alessandra Branca, Ellen Kravet, , David Sprouls
Jesse Carrier & Mara Miller Win the Larry Kravet Design Industry Leadership Award
Jill Cohen, Editor in Chief of Luxe Interiors + Design and the Executive Director of Sandow Books, introduced her friends Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller, the founding principals of Carrier and Company Interiors, who also happen to be a husband-and-wife design duo. “Above all else, being here tonight takes us back to our very beginning. You probably know Mara and I met in design school.” Carrier said, “It was that education that was the foundation. . . It opened our eyes and minds to this industry. Education is key to making a difference to the next generation.”
Dennis Scully, David Sprouls, Jill Cohen, Mara Miller, Jesse Carrier, Ellen Kravet
Beth Diana Smith Wins the Rising Star Award
Zach Gibbs, co-founder and CEO of The Shade Store introduced Beth Diana Smith, founding principal of Beth Diana Smith Interior Design. After thanking friends, family and her “NYSID tribe,” Smith said, “To my fellow interior designers, know that what we do is important. We are not ending wars or curing cancer, but we are creating environments that can influence and inspire people. We create homes for people to find solace in their lowest moments and there is power in that.” This was the seventh year the Shade Store has sponsored the Rising Star Award.
Dennis Scully, Zach Gibbs, Beth Diana Smith, Ellen Kravet, David Sprouls
The Alumni Scholarship Goes to Swagatika Rath
As part of the celebration, the Alumni Council awarded an outstanding student with the Alumni Scholarship. In years past, donations for the Alumni Scholarship Fund were raised entirely by NYSID’s alumni network, but this year the scholarship also had a corporate sponsor, Daniel House Club. Marie Aiello, President of NYSID’s Alumni Council, introduced MFA1 student Swagatika Rath. Peter Spalding, Chief Creative Officer of Daniel House Club, presented Rath with the scholarship. “This scholarship isn’t just financial relief—it’s a vote of confidence,” said Rath. “It affirms that I am on the right path, and that means everything to me.”
Dennis Scully, Peter Spalding, Marie Aiello, Swagatika Rath, Ellen Kravet, David Sprouls
If you were unable to attend Gala 2025 and would like to contribute to the NYSID Scholarship Funds, you can GIVE HERE, and designate a specific fund from the drop down menu. You can designate an unrestricted gift to scholarships by choosing the Alumni Fund or Area of Greatest Need, or choose something specific, such as a scholarship to a specific degree program or study abroad.