STARRING ZARNA GARG

We are thrilled to announce our headliner, Zarna Garg! Read on for her bio.

Outspoken Indian immigrant comedian Zarna Garg won't stop with the hit comedy specials and sold-out live shows. She’s now touring with her new show Million Dollar Excuses, about how to get out of anything. 

Zarna’s inspiring memoir This American Woman, about her treacherous climb from homeless Mumbai teen to internationally beloved stand-up comedian, is a New York Times Bestseller with over 10,000 4- and 5-star reviews on Goodreads and Amazon, where it was named one of their Best of 2025 books.

Zarna frequently opens for icons Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, and is currently building a new sitcom Zarna with Mindy Kaling and Kevin Hart. 

She also made her acting debut in indie superhit A Nice Indian Boy, a New York Times Critic’s Pick (calling Zarna “a standout”). You can next see her on the Hulu series, Not Suitable for Work and in the upcoming Amazon feature film, Clashing Through the Snow. Her hugely popular ‘Zarna Garg Family Podcast’ explores modern family life with her husband and kids.

Zarna is a recipient of the inaugural Instagram Ring Award for the world's top 25 creators (the Oscars of the Internet). With millions of social media followers and billions of views, Zarna just can’t stop laughing her way to the top.

GRETCHEN SCOTT

Founder and CEO, Gretchen Scott Designs

Honoring Her Dedication to Philanthropy and Her Role in Creating the CBTP

Gretchen Scott says that her designs embody "a place that is chic, joyous, playful and fun.” Our mantra is: “Laugh More, Gripe Less, Ignore Critics, Say Yes, Order Dessert, Love Life.” These words are sewn into everything we make. We imagine people smiling as they read those words while dressing.
 
The brand was born in Gretchen’s living room when she began producing unique flowered baskets. Armed with glue guns, silk flowers, woven baskets, creative passion, entrepreneurial vision, and most importantly, determination, she began her journey. The company quickly outgrew the space and evolved into a lifestyle brand.
 
Gretchen worked in many different fields before starting her business. She was the former Market Research Director at Smithsonian magazine, sold advertising for Conde Nast, renovated and sold houses, and ran a decorating business. Gretchen says, “Having reinvented myself so many times, I’ve learned how important it is to evolve but to always remember the lessons. The lessons are what make you wiser.”
 
For decades, Gretchen has been raising money for various organizations and philanthropic organizations. In fact, her first philanthropic project was raising money for Elizabeth’s Hope, the founding root of the Children’s Brain Tumor Project at Weill Cornell. She designed and sold thousands of cotton blouses (now known as the Elizabeth’s Hope blouse, available online) and donated 100% of the proceeds.

Other projects funded include, Hibiscus Children's Center, Loggerhead Marine-life Center, the Janeda L. Batchelor Foundation for Children, Me Strong, and various relief groups in New York and Florida. She is also creating a scholarship program called Georgie’s Scholars at St. Lawrence University (Gretchen’s and her family’s alma mater) in honor of her father, George Sturtz’s memory. 
 
Gretchen currently lives in Bronxville, New York, with her husband and business partner, Lloyd Buchanan.

The Children's Brain Tumor Project (CBTP) is a research initiative founded in 2012 by Dr. Jeffrey Greenfield and Dr. Mark Souweidane at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine. The CBTP Foundation is the only certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is 100% committed to funding this initiative.

The mission of the Children's Brain Tumor Project is to improve outcomes for children with brain tumors by advancing scientific discovery and clinical research that focuses on targeted therapy, effective drug delivery, and low treatment-related toxicity. The Children’s Brain Tumor Project has a single goal: to bring hope to children and their families who are confronted with the diagnosis of a rare and often incurable brain tumor.

Rare pediatric brain tumors have been grossly neglected in the research landscape for years, and the Children’s Brain Tumor Project at Weill Cornell Medicine has emerged as the go-to research entity that has established a niche in developing new protocols for treating these children. We believe children from all over the world should have access to innovative options beginning with world-class, minimally invasive surgery, and extending into targeted treatment options centered on precision medicine and drug delivery approaches that would not otherwise be available to them.

Event Committee

Tara Lipton  •  Anthony Trimarchi  •  Ivan and Ana Tornos  •  Louis and Cindy Campbell  •  Dr. Jeffrey P. Greenfield and Dr. Caroline Baker Long  •  Kathleen O'Connell  •  Dr. Mark Souweidane and Dr. Caitlin Hoffman  •  Shirah Dunphy  •  Katherine Godfrey • Tina Peloquin  •  Michael Minter and Emma Hill  •  Robert and Dana MacNaughton  •  Tessa Naso  •  Amelia Whitmire  •  Pete and Mary Zappulla