What Inspires Giving?
Meet Nanette Laitman
Nanette Laitman is a thoughtful, strategic and engaged philanthropist who focuses her gifts to Weill Cornell in areas that will make the most difference in building a healthier future for us all - ranging from neuroscience to public health. She and her family have had a close relationship with the College for 30 years - beginning in 1982 when her father, William Lasdon, joined the Board of Overseers. Her generosity, and that of her family, now totals more than $20 million, which has made a tremendous difference across our entire tri-partite mission of research, patient care, and medical education.
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“Funding research through the microscope is wonderful and so important - but I have always felt drawn to supporting the people who are behind the microscope. They are the ones who are driving the action and making the science happen.”
— Nanette Laitman
Meet Jeanne and Herbert Siegel
Jeanne and Herbert Siegel know a good investment when they see one. During Jeanne's career with the Commodity Exchange in New York, and Herb's experience developing a successful media enterprise, they both learned to appreciate talent, hard work, integrity, and strong leadership –and they have found all of these qualities here at Weill Cornell.
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“When a man or woman has the brain power to be a surgeon, to save somebody’s life, we have to be sure that they can make a good living, be respected in their field, earn good money, and end up in Forbes. (Laughter)”
— Herbert Siegel
Meet Jeffrey Feil
Jeffrey Feil is a member of the Board of Overseers and one of Weill Cornell's most enthusiastic supporters. Chair of the Initiative for the Brain Subcommittee of the Discoveries that Make a Difference Campaign, and a member of the Medical College's Real Estate, Renovation, and Facilities Planning Committee, Mr. Feil has long been an active advocate for Weill Cornell's students, doctors, and researchers.
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“I am very fortunate that I've been able to succeed in life, and after a while, it's time to give back.”
— Jeffrey Feil
Meet Barbara Friedman
Barbara Friedman has been an advocate, leader, and steward for Weill Cornell Medical College ever since she joined the Board of Overseers in 1993. As part of a $6 million gift to the Discoveries that Make a Difference Campaign from Mrs. Friedman and her husband, Stephen, the Friedman Family Research Laboratory in Cardiovascular Health in the new Belfer Research Building will be named in their honor.
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“We know that there are about to be breakthroughs in cancer, in brain health, and if we can be a part of it — if philanthropic dollars can make that happen it really behooves us to do it.”
— Barbara Friedman
Dr. Harvey Klein
Harvey Klein, M.D., The William S. Paley Professor of Clinical Medicine, is one of Weill Cornell's most highly regarded physicians in internal medicine as well as a member of the Board of Overseers. Recently, Dr. Klein and his wife helped endow the Phyllis and Harvey Klein, M.D. Scholarship, which will provide financial assistance for students pursuing careers in general internal medicine and primary care.
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“For me, it just feels good to know you are helping someone else rather than treating yourself to one more material thing. It just feels good.”
— Dr. Harvey Klein
Meet Omar Itum
In February 2010, Omar Itum, a young trader at a hedge fund in New York City, organized The Wall Street Disaster Relief Day Initiative: Stand Strong with Haiti, which raised nearly $300,000 for Weill Cornell Medical College's GHESKIO clinic in Haiti.
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“It is important for people to know that, despite the difficult economic climate, Wall Street is still giving back.”
— Omar Itum
What Inspires Giving?
Daisy Soros has been an active leader and steward for Weill Cornell ever since she became an Overseer in 1993. As part of a $2 million gift to the Discoveries Campaign — which includes a Weill Challenge grant — the founder of the popular luncheon series, Information Please, recently named the Daisy and Paul Soros Student Meeting Room in the new Belfer Research Building.
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“I thought it would be great to have a venue where one could strike up a conversation with a doctor for an hour or so in a small group setting.”
— Overseer Daisy M. Soros
Meet Sandy Ehrenkranz
Sanford B. Ehrenkranz has been on the Board of Overseers at Weill Cornell for 25 years. Recently, as part of a nearly $3 million gift to the Discoveries Campaign, his family established the Ehrenkranz Family/Orli R. Etingin, M.D. Professorship in Women's Health.
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