Inside The SEO Annual Awards Dinner 2018

SEO held its 2018 Annual Awards Dinner at the New York Hilton Midtown on Wednesday, April 18, hosting approximately 1,200 attendees, and raising over $7 million for SEO and its programs.

The Annual Awards Dinner is SEO’s largest annual fundraiser, with funds going toward SEO’s educational and career programs for underserved youth and underrepresented young professionals.

Frank Bisignano, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First Data Corporation, served as their 2018 Dinner Chair. Henry R. Kravis, Co-Chairman and Co-CEO KKR and SEO Board Chairman, presented the awards to this year's three honorees, Roger C. Altman, Founder and Senior Chairman, Evercore; Jeff T. Blau, Chief Executive Officer and Partner, Related Companies; and Joseph Bae, Co-President and Co-Chief Operating Officer KKR and SEO Alumnus '93, who were recognized for their professional achievements and deep commitment to philanthropy.

Six SEO Scholars, high school and college students from New York City and San Francisco, took the stage to share their stories of overcoming adversity in their personal lives, and how SEO is helping them to succeed on their journeys to and through college. To learn more about the SEO Scholars program, watch the video here. To learn more about SEO's Career, Law, and Alternative Investments programs, watch the video here.

SEO also seized the opportunity to debut the new brand – a tagline, look, and feel – which represents 55 years of innovation, growth, and impact. The common theme that runs through each of their programs is that of seizing every opportunity. Through all of SEO’s programs, they ensure participants are prepared to meet existing standards, reach their full potential, and seize every opportunity – whether on their path to college graduation, or to careers in coveted industries. And so, SEO now stands for more than just Sponsors for Educational Opportunity. SEO stands for Seizing Every Opportunity.

At the Annual Awards Dinner, they premiered a new video featuring SEO participants and alumni, which tells how SEO propels human potential through each of its programs. Click through for an inside look at the event!

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