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The Navy SEAL Foundation’s (NSF) biggest night of the year delivered in a major way. On April 23, over 1,100 guests gathered for the annual New York City Benefit, raising more than $7 million for the warriors, veterans, and families of Naval Special Warfare (NSW). It was an evening that captured the full weight of the mission and the depth of the community behind it.
Rear Admiral Bart Randall set the tone with a State of the Force address that left no ambiguity about the demands placed on today’s operators and the global landscape they continue to navigate. NSF CEO Robin King followed with an update on the NSF’s programs and the growing impact they are having across all of NSW.
One of the most memorable moments of the evening came from retired Navy SEAL Alex Oliver, founder of Virginia High Performance and the NSF’s partner behind the Warrior Fitness Program. His toast to the fallen brought the room to a standstill.
Retired Rear Admiral Keith Davids then introduced veteran Navy SEAL and Paralympian Dan Cnossen, the 2026 Fire in the Gut Honoree. After losing both of his legs in combat in Afghanistan, Dan went on to become one of the most decorated Paralympic athletes in U.S. history. His story reminded everyone in the room why this work matters.
Keynote speaker Bryan P. Fenton, retired General and 13th Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, brought the evening to its crescendo. His remarks were direct and timely, leaving no question about the essential role special operations forces play in protecting our national security.
None of this happens without the people who make it possible. The NSF extends its gratitude to Host Committee Co-Chairs Dan Howard of Goldman Sachs, Deirdre McGraw of Ameriprise Financial, Inc., and veteran SEAL Satchel Ryan of Lykos Global Management, whose leadership year after year continues to set the standard.
Evenings like this are what allow the NSF to deliver on its commitment to the NSW community. The $7 million raised will fund critical programs across all four of the NSF’s Pillars of Support, from health and recovery to education, career transition, family well-being, and legacy care for Gold Star and Surviving Families. The NSF maintains Charity Navigator’s Four-Star rating, ranking in the top 0.1% of all U.S. charities, with 94 cents of every dollar going to current or future programs.
Please save the date for the 2027 New York City Benefit on Thursday, May 6.
For more information about host committee involvement, contact Northeast Development Director Carolyn Mullen at cmullen@navysealfoundation.org.