Humanitarian of the Year

Established in 1987, the Spurwink Humanitarian of the Year Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to enrich the lives of others. A gala event is held annually in November. The gala not only honors the Humanitarian, but also serves as a major fundraiser for Spurwink and has brought significant community recognition to the organization's work and mission as one of Maine's leading providers of behavioral health and educational services.

Spurwink's 2011 Humanitarian of the Year: S. Donald Sussman

S. Donald Sussman has been selected as the 2011 Humanitarian of the Year. He will be honored at a dinner and award ceremony on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at the Portland Marriott at Sable Oaks.

S. Donald Sussman is the chairman of Trust Asset Management and the founder of the Paloma Funds. Mr. Sussman is a member of the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee and co-chair of the Investment Committee of Carnegie Hall, and Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Investment Committee of Skidmore College. He is a member of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School Finance Group Advisory Board, a board member of the Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges, a Trustee of the Portland Museum of Art, and a Trustee of the University of the Virgin Islands. He is a Board member of the Center for American Progress and the Democracy Alliance. Mr. Sussman was the recipient of Institutional Investor’s Alternative Investment News Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. He attended Columbia College and received a B.S. and an M.B.A. from New York University.

First presented in 1987 to honor an exceptional individual who shares Spurwink’s passion for and commitment to improving the lives of others, 2011 marks the 25th anniversary of the Humanitarian of the Year award. Spurwink President Dawn Stiles notes, "We are so pleased to be honoring Donald Sussman during this anniversary year. Over the past 25 years, the Humanitarian event has hosted more than 10,000 guests and raised more than $5.1 million to help us fulfill our mission. The Humanitarian award is one of Maine’s most prestigious, and Donald Sussman is certainly a worthy recipient. He is an avid supporter of the people and organizations who are working to build strong communities and make Maine a place where everyone can fulfill their dreams."

Mr. Sussman is married to United States Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and lives on Turner Farm, an organic farm on the island of North Haven in Penobscot Bay.

Please see our list of Spurwink Humanitarians.

For more information about the Humanitarian of the Year Dinner, contact the Spurwink Development Office at 207-871-1200 or giving@spurwink.org.

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