Under the steady and visionary leadership of Betsy Smith, President and CEO of the Central Park Conservancy, the organization continues to steward one of the world’s most treasured public spaces. Since taking the helm in 2018, Smith has elevated the Conservancy’s role as a critical institution in New York City, guiding efforts to manage the Park’s massive daily use, ensuring long-term sustainability, and completing transformative capital projects, such as the soon-to-be-finished Harlem Meer Center.

A hallmark of the Conservancy’s philanthropic calendar, the 2025 Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon took place this spring, once again uniting civic-minded leaders and supporters in celebration of Central Park and the mission to care for it in perpetuity. This annual event, one of New York’s most anticipated fundraising occasions, was held amid the Park’s vibrant spring bloom and underscored the Conservancy’s reliance on private philanthropy to fund nearly $100 million of annual Park care and maintenance.

This year’s luncheon was co-chaired by Ranika Cohen, Bonnie Comley, Jenna Segal, and Julia Power Weld, four dynamic women who brought their considerable expertise, passion, and high-net-worth networks to the table. Throughout the planning and execution of the event, the 2025 co-chairs played a crucial role in expanding the Conservancy’s donor base, helping to ensure that the Park continues to thrive as a green sanctuary for more than 42 million visitors annually. Their dedication was evident not only in the luncheon’s impressive turnout but also in the spirit of generosity it inspired.

As guests gathered beneath the iconic tent on the Park’s East Side, the event served as both a celebration of the Conservancy’s achievements and a reminder of the ongoing need for stewardship. Smith, in her remarks, paid tribute to the extraordinary legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted and to the community of donors, volunteers, and staff who make the Conservancy’s work possible.

Thanks to Betsy Smith’s leadership and the contributions of Tracey Huff and the 2025 luncheon co-chairs, this year’s event was a resounding success, reinforcing Central Park’s role as the heart of New York City and the Conservancy’s unwavering commitment to its care. The May luncheon raised over $4 million for the Central Park Conservancy’s vital programs.