The 2026 Night of Opportunity Gala was a powerful display of what's possible when a dynamic community comes together to put action behind common belief — that every young person deserves access to the opportunities, networks, and support they need to thrive in college, career, and beyond.
Last night, nearly 700 members of the OppNet community gathered on the water at Pier Sixty to celebrate our mission to invest in the next generation of leaders. Together, we raised over $3.7mm in support of our work. We are deeply grateful for the generosity of so many who made this possible.
Hosted by the incomparable broadcast journalist and producer Soledad O'Brien, the evening featured inspiring remarks from OppNet Fellows and alumni, reflections from OppNet leadership, and the recognition of two visionary, trailblazing leaders: Ursula Burns, Founding Partner at Integrum and Chairwoman at Teneo, and Asahi Pompey, Global Head of Corporate Engagement, President at the Goldman Sachs Foundation, and Chair of Urban Investment at Goldman Sachs.
Ursula spoke to the special connection she feels with OppNet’s mission as a native New Yorker whose groundbreaking legacy was shaped by her professional and personal connections alike: from the mentors who helped her rise to CEO of Xerox — becoming the first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company — to her mother who taught her to recognize her own potential. Asahi reflected on the importance of resilience and how success is the sum of all relationships, not just professional ones — including the childhood friends in the audience who came to honor her.
The evening also highlighted the voices of this year's Student Opportunity Ambassadors and awardees: Sally Niu, OppNet Fellow, Class of 2028; Danny Zhu, OppNet Fellow, Class of 2030; and Autumn Green, OppNet Alumna, Class of 2013. Through their beautiful stories, they reminded us of what's possible when we open doors for talented young people with dreams, drive, and ambition.
To our esteemed honorees, generous supporters, and the entire OppNet community: thank you. Your partnership fuels this work and helps create bright futures for thousands of young people nationwide.
We are proud of what we celebrated together last night and even more energized for the work ahead.
To view photos from the event and read about its sponsors, visit opportunitynetwork.org/gala
