Philanthropist-Jean-Shafiroff-Roshni-TIAAwards

Philanthropist Jean Shafiroff Honored as Woman of the Year

Philanthropist Jean Shafiroff Honored as Woman of the Year at the Roshni TIA Awards Gala




for Raising Awareness of Young Women with Autism.

Philanthropist Jean Shafiroff at the Roshni TIA Awards Gala for Raising Awareness of Young Women with Autism

Philanthropist-Jean-Shafiroff-Roshni-TIAAwards
Philanthropist Jean Shafiroff Roshni TIAAwards

The Raising Awareness of Young Women with Autism, a nonprofit 501C3 organization, honored philanthropist Jean Shafiroff with the 2018 Women of the Year Award at the Roshni TIA Awards Gala at the Hotel Pierre in New York City. Presenting Mrs. Shafiroff with the prestigious award was her good friend U.S. Representative Carolyn Maloney who acknowledged Jean’s significant impact and contributions towards women’s rights and well-being. The Roshni TIA Awards Gala was the first nonprofit initiative for Raising Awareness of Young Women with Autism which received amazing support from up to 350 attendees.

Notable attendees included: Jean Shafiroff, Martin Shafiroff, U.S. Representative Carolyn Maloney, Dr. Rashmee Sharma, Mani Kamboj, Tonino Lamborghini, Ginevra Lamborghini, actressLindsay Lohan, Bollywood actor Rohit Roy, Lauren Lawrence, Nick Kavallieratos, Maryann Kavallieratos, Vicky Tiel, Patricia Kluge, Brian Trudell, Cynthia Trudell, Shakti Jauhar, Ami Shah Nagarajan, Kamesh Nagarajan, NY State Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright, Thara Natalie and Jay Sean.

The honor is awarded to iconic and inspirational individuals who have carved their own niche in their respective fields. Jean Shafiroff was an exceptional recipient for the 2018 Woman of the Year award, among other inspirational achievers honored at the gala. Shafiroff accepted her honor in a sparkling Oscar de la Renta gown with a layered tulle skirt that was hand-embroidered in India. A philanthropist, activist, humanitarian, author of Successful Philanthropy: How To Make A Life By What You Give and spokesperson for several charitable causes, the spectrum of Jean’s philanthropic work includes improving the lives of underserved populations, women’s rights and well-being, health care, animal welfare and resources for children in need.

The exclusive, invitation-only black-tie gala benefits Young Women with Autism who struggle to find an engaging vocation that fits their skillset. For the past 15 years the women-owned nonprofit, Raising Awareness of Young Women with Autism, has worked passionately to create awareness for young women with autism and find a solution to securing the right engagement to match their interests and skills.

About Jean Shafiroff

Jean Shafiroff, philanthropist, activist, humanitarian, and author of Successful Philanthropy: How To Make A Life By What You Give, is at the vanguard of a new movement of modern philanthropists. Jean’s philanthropy goes beyond financial contributions and includes the gifts of extensive time and knowledge. Through her work, she encourages and seeks to empower all individuals to become philanthropists so that they can build the fulfillment of giving into their lives.

A volunteer fundraiser, leader and spokesperson for several charitable causes, the spectrum of Jean’s philanthropic work includes improving the lives of undeserved populations, women’s rights and well-being, health care, animal welfare and resources for children in need, in addition to other causes. Jean serves on the boards of New York City Mission Society, French Heritage Society, Couture Council (Museum of the Fashion Institute of Technology), Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services (20+ years), Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation Honorary Board, Southampton Bath & Tennis Club’s Charitable Foundation, and Global Strays.  In addition, Jean is an Ambassador for the American Humane Society and the Ambassador-at-large for the Southampton Animal Shelter.  She is a New York Women’s Foundation Board Alumna who remains very active with the Foundation and women’s issues.




Widely recognized for her philanthropic work, Jean has been recognized and featured in numerous publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Gotham Magazine, The New York Times, Hello, Hola, New York Social Diary, Avenue, Hamptons Magazine, and The Huffington Post, among others.

Jean works closely with the multiple causes she supports. Each year she chairs numerous galas and hosts events benefiting numerous not-for-profit organizations. She is well-known for her leadership in raising money for many charities, including the Southampton Hospital, New York City Mission Society, New York Women’s Foundation and the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation.  Jean is often a guest speaker on TV and radio shows throughout the country.  The subjects she speaks about include philanthropy, human rights, fashion and animal welfare.

Jean has been honored by several organizations including the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, New York City Mission Society, Youth Counseling League, Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services, Surgeons of Hope, The Ellen Hermanson Foundation, Pet Philanthropy Circle, Animal Zone International, NYC International Film Festival, 2018 Women’s Leadership Awards hosted by NY State Assembly Woman Rebecca Seawright, and Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation.

Jean holds an MBA from the Graduate School of Business at Columbia University and a BS in physical therapy from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She has worked both in public finance and private partnerships on Wall Street. Prior to that, she was a physical therapist at St. Luke’s Hospital in New York City. Jean is married to Martin Shafiroff, an investment advisor, and together they have two daughters who share their mother’s interest in charitable causes. Jean and her family reside in both New York City and Southampton, NY.

For more information about Jean Shafiroff, please visit: www.JeanShafiroff.com

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About Raising Awareness of Young Women with Autism

Two-thirds of young people with autism had neither a job nor educational plans during the first two years after high school.  This is a statistic that needs to change.  RAYWA is determined to ensure that young women with disabilities will have the opportunity to show off their unique skill sets, and become an asset to a company.  Far too many young adults with autism are denied the chances to get the education they need to obtain a steady job.

In order for people on the autism spectrum to be able to contribute their skills to the community, businesses and organizations need to break down the barriers that prevent people on the autism spectrum from demonstrating their specific talents, and supporting different companies. Hiring adults on the autism spectrum could in fact benefit businesses, however, most are unaware of this. Though many organizations have taken to steps to employ disabled people, it is important to study how these efforts succeeded, or failed.  This information can be used to help people with autism on a larger scale. Unemployed people with autism are often not given a chance to use their talents to benefit an organization, and it is important we as a community find ways to allow people on the autism spectrum to contribute to a business’ success.




(Photo Credit: Krista Kennell/©PMC)