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TIAA Unveils the TIAA Difference Maker 100 Recognizing Extraordinary People Helping to Create a Better Tomorrow

October 11, 2018
Written by Featured Partner

Originally Published by TIAA.

TIAA announced the TIAA Difference Maker 100 Honorees 100 individuals working in the nonprofit sector who have made significant contributions in their communities and throughout the world. TIAA will recognize each of the 100 honorees with a $10,000 donation in their name to the nonprofit organization they support, totaling $1 million in contributions.

The Difference Maker 100 program launched earlier this year as part of TIAA’s centennial to recognize the positive impact nonprofit employees have on the world. Individuals were invited to submit their own story or recommend others for consideration. The final Difference Maker 100 Honorees were selected by a panel of judges based on their impact, creativity, perseverance and motive.

“We could think of no better way to commemorate our centennial than to celebrate the people we have a mission to serve the millions of nonprofit professionals driven by purpose and service and to help enable them to continue having a positive impact on the world,” said Roger W. Ferguson, Jr., president and CEO of TIAA. “We were delighted to receive over 4,000 submissions. Each represents an inspiring story that epitomizes what it means to be a difference maker.”

The 100 honorees represent a wide range of nonprofit organizations from across the United States focused on social impact issues, health and wellness, education and technology, arts and culture, and the environment. TIAA teamed up with Oath and RYOT Studio to create and produce the TIAA Difference Maker 100 program.

Laila Ali, world-class athlete and a prominent supporter of charitable organizations, served as the ambassador for the program.

“I had the opportunity to review many of the amazing stories submitted by people working in nonprofit organizations across the country and was inspired by each and every one,” said Laila Ali. “The individuals who are being recognized today are selfless in their commitment to serving others. I am sure their stories will move more people to do good in the world.”

As part of its centennial celebration, TIAA also hosted a companywide “100 Days of Difference” campaign that enabled TIAA employees to take part in philanthropic and community service-oriented projects across the country. It was the largest employee volunteerism program in the company’s 100-year history. More than 9,550 employees across 51 offices completed 389 service projects that impacted 717,548 lives in 100 days.

For more information about the TIAA Difference Maker 100 Honorees and the program, visit TIAADifferenceMaker100.org.

The TIAA Difference Maker 100 Honorees include:

Ismail Abdurrashid (Boston, Mass.) College Bound Dorchester

Chike Aguh (Beltsville, Md.) EveryoneOn

Jeanne Alter (Astoria, N.Y.) Kennedy Children’s Center

Kimberly Appelt (New Canaan, Conn.) Harlem Lacrosse and Leadership Corporation

Suzanne Baker (Livonia, Mich.) Blessings in a Backpack-Livonia

Nancy Ballard (Petaluma, Calif.) Rooms That Rock 4 Chemo, Inc.

Susan Binkley (Monteagle, Tenn.) Blue Monarch

Melissa Blackmon (Clayton, N.C.) Donate Life North Carolina

Eva Bornstein (New York, N.Y.) Lehman College Center for the Performing Arts, Inc.

Caroline Boudreaux (Austin, Texas) Miracle Foundation