Join Us
Friday, April 19, 2024
7:00 PM – Midnight
Terrace on the Park
Flushing Meadows Park, New York
Dress to Impress
We would like to thank our Gala Sponsors
Meet Our Honorees
Judy Clarke Turner '58
Treasurer
The William H. and Judith C. Turner
Family Foundation Inc.
Judy Clarke Turner started at Garden in 1952 and remembers her time fondly. Her father served as PTA President and was good friends with Headmaster Henry Roberts. She recalls getting to know Mrs. Flowers, one of our founding leaders. She graduated in 1958 but never forgot Garden. Though she moved to New Jersey, Judy’s legacy lived on with her nephews attending in the 70s.
Attending Mt. Holyoke College, Judy majored in Economics and Sociology. In college, she worked at Crossley-SD Surveys, becoming manager in the processing department. On a blind date fix-up from another Garden Alum, she met her future husband Bill, and after some time back in Queens, they moved to NJ, where they welcomed sons Chris and Andrew. As a young mom in Montclair, she worked in various local establishments, joined PTA, and served as Cub Scout leader. In 1979, she became a quality manager at a company which was an early adopter of computerized printing and spent several years there before devoting herself entirely to service.
She volunteered for the Red Cross, driving those in need to doctor appointments, food shopping every week for a roster of homebound clients, and running an active blood bank until the mid-90s. Judy became involved in the Montclair Foundation, which awards grants to organizations ranging from food banks, music and arts, and various support groups for all ages. For a decade, she chaired the membership fund for the Van Vleck House and Gardens.
To say service is in Judy’s blood is an understatement, and to say Garden is important to her does not do her devotion justice. Judy has reached out to Garden over the years to see how she could support the school and has made significant contributions to Garden’s efforts. Her most impactful gift came last year when Garden was awarded a prestigious grant from the EE Ford Foundation. The timing was perfect for Judy and her husband to provide the lead gift of $50,000, propelling the matching challenge for the entire community. The community swiftly rallied around the goal, and we all were inspired by Judy’s leadership.
Her passion for Garden has helped transform the Arts here. Some schools must ask alumni to support them, but Judy reached out and said, “What can I do for you?”. This fall, students entered the Turner Family Arts Center – more than 2000sf of new UD arts space. The Center includes multiple studios, a special media arts room, a gallery, and an unparalleled collection of artist books. Garden is excited to honor such a special alum and tell such a unique story about the power of service and the impact of generosity as we celebrate our Centennial.
Denise L. Pease '70
Member
Presidential Advisory Commission on
Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans
Denise L. Pease began at Garden in 1967 and proudly recalls being among the first merit scholars in our history. After Garden, she attended Suffolk Community and then Columbia University. Denise has gone on to a dynamic career as a senior government executive, developing impactful and sustainable policies that improve the lives of people, particularly those living in low- and moderate-income communities, through greater access and opportunities.
Her talent for identifying problems and finding viable solutions has gained the respect of national and international government, business, and community leaders. Pease served as the Northeast and Caribbean Regional Administrator at the GSA in the Obama-Biden Administration. Through her leadership, the region succeeded in increasing minority business participation, returning the federal government to the World Trade Center site, and reconstructing federal facilities and services after Hurricane Sandy. She also served as the NYS Deputy Superintendent of Banks and the NYC Assistant Comptroller for Commercial Banking. In both positions, she created and implemented policy initiatives that increased banking services to underbanked and unbanked communities.
A disability advocate, Denise developed and advocated for those with epilepsy and breast cancer. Denise earned a BA from Columbia University. She has furthered her pursuit to develop innovative, sustainable solutions to the economic disparity found in communities through the completion of advanced studies at internationally renowned educational institutions, including Executive Management training at the European Institute of Business Administration (INSEAD) Paris – Strategic Management of Financial Structures Programme. She has received numerous awards and recognition for her accomplishments, including serving as a National Urban Fellow at the Bernard Baruch School of Public Administration and as a Charles H. Revson Fellow on the Future of New York at Columbia University.
Denise devotes her time to working with organizations to ensure future generations have lives with possibilities, including her work with UN Women, the Disability Council of the DNC, the Greater Queens Chapter of the Links, Inc., and serving as a Life Member of NAACP and Heritage Member of the Claude B. Govan Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. In 2023, she was appointed to President Biden’s Presidential Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans.
Denise contacted Garden to see how she could help the school meet its future goals. She credits Garden with launching her and sees her opportunity at Garden as a bridge to her future, a future she dreams of for others. In that spirit, Denise contacted Garden to advocate and support the next generation of scholars. We are proud to honor Denise for her accomplishments and devotion to Garden and supporting the next generation of students.
Eric Diamond '79
Chief Operating Officer
NKSFB, LLC
Eric Diamond grew up in Rego Park, Queens. He began attending Garden School in 1973 and remained at Garden for middle school and high school, graduating in 1979. For the Diamonds, Garden was an important place for many members of the family. Both his brother Peter (class of 1983) and his sister Jennifer (class of 1987) also attended and graduated from Garden. In fact, their mother, Carole, even taught in the Garden Kindergarten.
After leaving Garden School, Eric earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Virginia. After that, he moved to Los Angeles where he attended the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law and then Eric went on to practice.
Following an eighteen (18) year career as a practicing attorney in Los Angeles, Eric moved into the real estate field where he was a successful real estate developer leading several different companies engaged in multi-family, industrial, and commercial real estate. For the past five (5) years, Eric has served as the Chief Operating Officer of NKSFB, LLC, the nation’s largest business management firm.
Eric is a Past President of Sinai Temple and serves as Chairman of the synagogue’s Cemetery Management Committee. He is also a director of the University Chapter Fraternal Home Corporation (Alpha Epsilon Pi at the University of Virginia). Eric is a former director of both the Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services (Los Angeles) and the Alpha Epsilon Pi Foundation (Indianapolis, IN). Eric and his wife Debbie have been married for thirty-one (31) years. They have two sons, Jason and Jeffrey who also live in Los Angeles.
Eric remained in touch with Garden even as his life developed on the west coast. He always thought of Garden as the place that started it all and when he learned of the passing of a former classmate, Eric contacted Garden and posed a challenge – if we could raise $25,000, he and his wife, Deborah, would match it for a project in honor of Mitch Slater. He then facilitated a discussion with another alum who agreed to do that same. This was the first capital matching challenge at the school in recent history and the Garden community did not pass up the opportunity. Quickly, the matches were exceeded, and the school began work on The Mitch Slater Fitness & Wellness Center, which transformed our fitness and athletics programs through some major renovations to key spaces. Service is in Eric’s blood too, and we are so pleased to honor him in our Centennial year for his impact, his connection, and his outreach on behalf of the school.
Meet Our Event Chairs
Dr. Elizabeth Crum P'31, '36
2024
Dr. Elizabeth Crum
Matthew Helsing '17
2024
