100WHF New York Gala Raises $1.6M for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

100 WOMEN IN HEDGE FUNDS NEW YORK GALA RAISES $1.6M FOR
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF AMERICA

DOROTHY COLLINS WEAVER HONORED WITH INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP AWARD;
T. BOONE PICKENS HONORED WITH EFFECTING CHANGE AWARD

Members of the alternative investments industry were united last night at Cipriani 42nd Street in aid of 100 Women in Hedge Funds’ ("100WHF") New York Gala, which raised $1.6 million in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America ("BBBS"), the oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States.

Since its inception in 2001, 100WHF has raised close to $20 million for philanthropic causes in the areas of women's health, education and mentoring globally. Each year, 100WHF’s Board of Directors selects one or two charitable organizations in the US and Europe to be the organization’s philanthropic focus. Charities are chosen on a rotating basis across the areas of women's health, mentoring and education, with funds raised in 2010 supporting mentoring.

100 Women in Hedge Funds presented two awards at the Gala:

o The 2010 Industry Leadership Award honored Dorothy Collins Weaver, Chairman & CEO of Collins Capital Investments, in recognition of the talent, ethics and passion that make her a pioneer and an inspiration in the hedge fund industry.

o The 2010 Effecting Change Award recipient, T. Boone Pickens, Founder and Chairman of BP Capital, was recognized for his dedication and many generous contributions he has made in support of mentoring initiatives.

Commenting on the Gala, Anne Popkin, Chair of the Board of 100 Women in Hedge Funds, said:
"The Gala is an opportunity to commend those who, through their influence and leadership, have made a difference in our community. We chose Dorothy Collins Weaver for the Industry Leadership Award because of her professional accomplishments in the hedge fund industry. T. Boone Pickens was selected to receive the Effecting Change Award for his commitment to making a difference in the lives of youths in need.

"Big Brothers Big Sisters’ successful 'Beyond Schools Walls' program was a natural fit with this year’s philanthropic theme of mentoring. We are pleased that the generous support of our members and sponsors will have a meaningful impact on a great program."

Karen Mathis, Chief Executive Officer and President of BBBS said, "We are excited and extremely grateful to be the beneficiary of 100 Women in Hedge Funds’ 2010 New York Gala. This generous commitment will allow us to serve 1,000 children, many from single, low-income, or incarcerated parents, in targeted communities across America through the expansion of our 'Beyond Schools Walls' workplace mentoring program."

A number of big names were on hand to offer their support to 100WHF and Big Brothers Big Sisters at the Gala. Super Bowl X MVP and longtime BBBS National Board Member Lynn Swann served as the New York Gala’s Master of Ceremonies. In addition, luxury fashion house Marchesa and official Presenting Style Sponsor of the event donated a number of auction items.

Last night’s New York Gala follows on from the success of 100 Women in Hedge Funds’ London Gala in September benefiting Centrepoint, the UK’s leading national youth homeless charity. A Gala Cocktail was also held in Geneva in September to support Solidarité Femmes Genève ("Women Supporting Women"), which works with victims of domestic violence. The European Galas collectively raised approximately $1 million for these charities.

Donations for Big Brothers Big Sisters are still being accepted. Checks can be made out to '100 Women in Hedge Funds Foundation' and sent to the organization’s Treasurer:

100 Women in Hedge Funds Foundation
331 W 57th St #239
New York NY 10019

To make a donation to Centrepoint, our UK beneficiary of the year, or Solidarité Femmes Genève, our Swiss beneficiary of the year please contact Amanda Pullinger, Executive Director of 100 Women in Hedge Funds, at executivedirector@100womeninhedgefunds.org.
ABOUT 100 WOMEN IN HEDGE FUNDS
100 Women in Hedge Funds is a global, practitioner-driven non-profit organization serving over 10,000 alternative investment management investors and professionals through educational, professional leverage and philanthropic initiatives. Formed in 2001, 100 Women in Hedge Funds has hosted more than 250 events globally, connected more than 250 senior women through Peer Advisory Groups and raised close to $20 million for philanthropic causes in the areas of women's health, education and mentoring. For more information about 100 Women in Hedge Funds, please visitwww.100womeninhedgefunds.org ABOUT BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS Big Brothers Big Sisters helps vulnerable children beat the odds. The organization depends on donations to help conduct background checks on volunteers to ensure child safety; and provide ongoing support for children, families and volunteers to build and sustain long-lasting relationships, key to successful mentoring. Big Brothers Big Sisters is proven by independent research to improve children’s odds for succeeding in school, behaving nonviolently, avoiding drugs and alcohol and breaking negative cycles. Headquartered in Philadelphia and with nearly 400 agencies across the country, Big Brothers Big Sisters serves more than a quarter million children. Learn how you can change how children grow up in America by going toBigBrothersBigSisters.org.