December 27, 2004
Diana Ecclestone, Susan Keenan and Michele Kessler are named chairs of 14th annual Dana-Farber Cancer Institute 'Discovery Ball'
Nassrine Traverse and Jan Willinger to serve as honorary chairwomen
Diana Ecclestone, Susan Keenan and Michele Kessler will serve as chairwomen of the 14th annual "Discovery Ball," which supports Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. One of the highlights of the Palm Beach season, the "Discovery Ball" will be held on Saturday, Feb.19, at The Breakers. Cocktails begin at 7 p.m. with dinner and dancing at 8 p.m. Nassrine Traverse and Jan Willinger serve as honorary chairwomen for the "Discovery Ball." VIVID Collection is grand corporate sponsor of the event.
Raising funds and awareness for and about the latest discoveries in cancer research and treatment is Dana-Farber's mission for the 14th annual "Discovery Ball," one of the most successful fundraising galas on Palm Beach. The black-tie evening brings together civic, business and philanthropic leaders with physicians and research scientists in support of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Diana Ecclestone is vice president of PGA National Resort and Spa, a 339-room resort with four championship golf courses and a 2000-member club located in Palm Beach Gardens. For the past four years she served as the chairwoman of the International Red Cross Ball in Palm Beach, which raised more than $6 million during her tenure. She also worked to establish new partnerships that have enhanced Red Cross programs throughout Palm Beach County. In 2002, the Red Cross presented Mrs. Ecclestone with the Clara Barton Award, the organization's highest national honor, for meritorious service.
Mrs. Ecclestone currently serves as chairwoman of the United Way's De Tocqueville Campaign and is a member of the organization's board of directors. Additionally, she is a board member of the Palm Beach County Tourist Development Council (TDC), which is charged with distributing the county's hotel bed taxes to organizations promoting travel and tourism to Palm Beach County.
Mrs. Ecclestone and her husband Llwyd divide their time between homes in Palm Beach, Fla., and Aspen, Colo., as well as a sailboat.
Susan Keenan has lived in Palm Beach for 12 years with her husband Jim and son Nick. She serves as a director of the Palm Beach Day School, where she co-chaired the school's successful $9 million capital campaign. In addition, she is a member of the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts education outreach committee; founding chairwoman of the National Committee for the Performing Arts at the Kennedy Center; and serves on the board of the United Way, Lydian Private Bank, The George W. Thorn Center for Endocrine Disorders at the Brigham and Women's Hospital; and the H.O.W. organization, which raises money and awareness for and about ovarian cancer.
In 2002, Mrs. Keenan was awarded the Woman of Distinction award by Palm Beach Atlantic University. Most recently, she received the Association of Fundraising Professionals Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year award. She received her Bachelor of Science degree Summa Cum Laude in Organizational Management from Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Mrs. Keenan has served in leadership roles for the Children's Home Society, YWCA, Mary Rubloff Harmony House, Pat Reeves Village for Homeless Families with Children, the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, American Red Cross, Visiting Nurse Association, South Florida Science Museum, Planned Parenthood, Ballet Florida and the Norton Museum of Art.
Prior to moving to Florida, Mrs. Keenan was a television news anchorwoman for more than 12 years, concluding her successful journalism career at ABC news in San Francisco.
Michele Kessler is the director of community relations at Kessler Financial Services and is the co-founder and director of the Kessler Family Foundation. A trustee of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Mrs. Kessler is also an overseer of Babson College and a member of the Women's Health Leadership Forum and a trustee of the Hospital Foundation at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. At Brandeis University, she is the co-chairwoman of the Women's Studies Research Center. Mrs. Kessler serves on the boards of directors of the United Way in Palm Beach County and Massachusetts Bay.
Mrs. Kessler assisted in founding The Combined Jewish Philanthropy's Boston Jewish Coalition for Literacy. The program has been modeled in other cities throughout the United States, and she remains involved in the organization as a volunteer leader.
Mrs. Kessler and her husband Howard are the parents of two sons, Brian and David, and grandparents to a grandson Cole and granddaughter Emma. The Kesslers divide their time between homes in Palm Beach and Boston and Osterville, Mass.
For more information about the 14th annual Discovery Ball or to reserve seating, please contact Karen Martins at Dana-Farber – Palm Beach, (561) 833-2080.
Information contact: Kyle Zimmer – WPO/PR, (561) 626-0026, ext. 17
