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Our Honorees

Jim Avena
Since 2012, Jim Avena has been a Grant Administrator for the Peter & Jeri Dejana Family Foundation. Volunteering for multiple charitable organizations, Jim serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Port Washington Senior Citizens Center, volunteers for Our Lady of Fatima’s outreach program, and is a Deputy Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus of Port Washington. He also served on the Long Island University Board of Trustees for three years, co-founded the New York City Police Department’s organization for Widows and Orphans of Police and Firemen killed in action, and has worked with the Inner City Scholarship Fund and the Good Shepherds. Jim has held several senior level positions, including CEO of Weeden & Company (1969-1978), President of Cantor Fitzgerald (1978-1993), and President Tullet & Tokyo, North America (1993-2000), and worked as a financial services consultant (2000-2012). He is a veteran of the Army (First Lieutenant, 1966-1969), and a graduate of Long Island University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.
(Photo Above: Peter Dejana & Jim Avena)
Since 2012, Jim Avena has been a Grant Administrator for the Peter & Jeri Dejana Family Foundation. Volunteering for multiple charitable organizations, Jim serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Port Washington Senior Citizens Center, volunteers for Our Lady of Fatima’s outreach program, and is a Deputy Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus of Port Washington. He also served on the Long Island University Board of Trustees for three years, co-founded the New York City Police Department’s organization for Widows and Orphans of Police and Firemen killed in action, and has worked with the Inner City Scholarship Fund and the Good Shepherds. Jim has held several senior level positions, including CEO of Weeden & Company (1969-1978), President of Cantor Fitzgerald (1978-1993), and President Tullet & Tokyo, North America (1993-2000), and worked as a financial services consultant (2000-2012). He is a veteran of the Army (First Lieutenant, 1966-1969), and a graduate of Long Island University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.
(Photo Above: Peter Dejana & Jim Avena)

The Peter & Jeri Dejana Family Foundation
Whether it’s helping to fund a nutrition program at a senior citizens center, funding the construction of a food pantry at a church, or enabling a local theater to offer top quality performers for its season, the Peter & Jeri Dejana Family Foundation is all about helping people. The Foundation was formed to coordinate the contributions from the Dejana family and their strong belief in giving back, which has resulted in extensive generosity over the years. The Foundation focuses on helping groups that support the broadest possible number of residents and in the most life-enriching way possible. While donations are made to a wide variety of organizations and at varying funding levels, the Foundation also believes that it is equally important to provide additional support to its recipient organizations by helping to promote awareness of their organizations’ offerings. This serves to not only extend the support organizations’ awareness efforts, but also helps them to help themselves for greater independence and sustainability for the future. Additionally, where appropriate, the Peter & Jeri Dejana Family Foundation is engaged in helping to increase the level of funds raised through the organizations’ independent or joint fundraising events and other activities.
Whether it’s helping to fund a nutrition program at a senior citizens center, funding the construction of a food pantry at a church, or enabling a local theater to offer top quality performers for its season, the Peter & Jeri Dejana Family Foundation is all about helping people. The Foundation was formed to coordinate the contributions from the Dejana family and their strong belief in giving back, which has resulted in extensive generosity over the years. The Foundation focuses on helping groups that support the broadest possible number of residents and in the most life-enriching way possible. While donations are made to a wide variety of organizations and at varying funding levels, the Foundation also believes that it is equally important to provide additional support to its recipient organizations by helping to promote awareness of their organizations’ offerings. This serves to not only extend the support organizations’ awareness efforts, but also helps them to help themselves for greater independence and sustainability for the future. Additionally, where appropriate, the Peter & Jeri Dejana Family Foundation is engaged in helping to increase the level of funds raised through the organizations’ independent or joint fundraising events and other activities.

Michele Posner Goldman, Immediate Past President, HEARTS
Michele Posner Goldman’s commitment to HEARTS PW and its mission to enriching the arts throughout the Port Washington community dates back to the organization’s creation. She is a founding board member of HEARTS PW, and continues to serve on the board of directors; she is also the immediate past president, having served in this role for five years. Beyond HEARTS PW, she volunteers her time as the Social Action co-chair of The Community Synagogue, coordinating an array of socially conscious projects. Professionally, she has more than 30 years experience in leadership roles within the non-profit sector, including positions at Carnegie Hall, and the Starlight Foundation. She also worked as Executive Director for a series of charitable initiatives and campaigns in both the U.S. and U.K., led by Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York. Currently, Michele is the Development Director at the Mid-Island Y JCC on Long Island. A native of London, England, her early and continued exposure to the arts, especially music, theater and fine art is something she values very deeply. Michele is thankful for her wonderful friends and family, for living in such a vibrant community as Port Washington that encourages participation in the arts, but mostly for her husband Evan Goldman and her children Emma & Jamie.
Michele Posner Goldman’s commitment to HEARTS PW and its mission to enriching the arts throughout the Port Washington community dates back to the organization’s creation. She is a founding board member of HEARTS PW, and continues to serve on the board of directors; she is also the immediate past president, having served in this role for five years. Beyond HEARTS PW, she volunteers her time as the Social Action co-chair of The Community Synagogue, coordinating an array of socially conscious projects. Professionally, she has more than 30 years experience in leadership roles within the non-profit sector, including positions at Carnegie Hall, and the Starlight Foundation. She also worked as Executive Director for a series of charitable initiatives and campaigns in both the U.S. and U.K., led by Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York. Currently, Michele is the Development Director at the Mid-Island Y JCC on Long Island. A native of London, England, her early and continued exposure to the arts, especially music, theater and fine art is something she values very deeply. Michele is thankful for her wonderful friends and family, for living in such a vibrant community as Port Washington that encourages participation in the arts, but mostly for her husband Evan Goldman and her children Emma & Jamie.
HEARTS' Founders Award Recipient

Nissa Fine
A Port Washington resident for more than a decade, Nissa Fine has played an active role as a engaged member of the community. Known to many as “Ms. Nissa,” she teaches pre-school in town, and volunteers her time to help make a difference with local charities. Nissa started as a board member of the Parent Resource Center, and has since taken on roles as a Girl Scout leader, co-chair of The Community Synagogue Social Action Committee, and volunteering with HEARTS PW. Her community is but one beneficiary of her dedicated work in support of HEARTS PW’s mission, as her children have learned more about the creative arts through programs such as Curtain’s Up and Dancing Classrooms. Nissa has been witness to how HEARTS has gone above and beyond to assist students in discovering and following their dreams, and is thrilled to be a part of this cause. She expresses thanks to her parents for teaching her the value of hard work and making a difference. She would also like to thank her children for putting up with the many nights of cold dinners and her husband who has supported her in every endeavor she has been involved in.
A Port Washington resident for more than a decade, Nissa Fine has played an active role as a engaged member of the community. Known to many as “Ms. Nissa,” she teaches pre-school in town, and volunteers her time to help make a difference with local charities. Nissa started as a board member of the Parent Resource Center, and has since taken on roles as a Girl Scout leader, co-chair of The Community Synagogue Social Action Committee, and volunteering with HEARTS PW. Her community is but one beneficiary of her dedicated work in support of HEARTS PW’s mission, as her children have learned more about the creative arts through programs such as Curtain’s Up and Dancing Classrooms. Nissa has been witness to how HEARTS has gone above and beyond to assist students in discovering and following their dreams, and is thrilled to be a part of this cause. She expresses thanks to her parents for teaching her the value of hard work and making a difference. She would also like to thank her children for putting up with the many nights of cold dinners and her husband who has supported her in every endeavor she has been involved in.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Platinum: Showstopper
$5,000 • Name included in all Red Party social media marketing • Name/logo placement with click through to your website on HEARTS website for one year • Name and personal message will appear in the digital journal shown throughout the party • 10 tickets to the Red Party with a reserved table • 20 raffle tickets Gold: Bravo $2,500 • Name included in all Red Party social media marketing • 8 tickets to the Red Party • Name and personal message will appear in the digital journal shown throughout the party • 10 raffle tickets |
Silver: Spotlight
$1,500 • Name included in all Red Party social media marketing • 6 tickets to the Red Party • Name and personal message will appear in the digital journal shown throughout the party Bronze: Star Struck $500 • Name included in all Red Party social media marketing • 4 tickets to the Red Party Supporter: Applause $250 • Name included in all Red Party social media marketing • 2 tickets to the Red Party |