12th Annual Fall Fête
Friends House Party Saturday September 27, 2025
Benefactors Dinner Wednesday October 15, 2025
Join us for two fundraising events celebrating 12 years of the IPA’s design-driven initiatives addressing social, physical, and environmental inequities in our city. Both events will be held at the IPA's Block House on Governors Island – a 10-minute ferry ride from downtown Manhattan.
Friends House Party | Saturday September 27, 2025
Join us for a night of music and celebration!
Tickets available now!
Benefactors Dinner | Wednesday October 15, 2025
Join us for a spectacular dinner by award-winning food-focused artist Zacarias Gonzalez.
5:00-7:00pm: Reception
Indulge in light fare and refreshments while viewing house activations by our 2025 Fall Fellows. Opening remarks begin at 6:00pm.
7:00-9:00pm: Dinner
Enjoy a deliciously crafted dinner experience – not to be missed!
Travel note: Ferries run between Manhattan and Governors Island every 30 minutes. For our guests’ convenience, the last ferry departing from Governors Island to Manhattan is at 10:30pm. Please visit govisland.com for ferry schedules and more information.
Tickets available now!
Friends House Party | Saturday September 27, 2025
Join us for a night of music and celebration!
Tickets available now!
Benefactors Dinner | Wednesday October 15, 2025
Join us for a spectacular dinner by award-winning food-focused artist Zacarias Gonzalez.
5:00-7:00pm: Reception
Indulge in light fare and refreshments while viewing house activations by our 2025 Fall Fellows. Opening remarks begin at 6:00pm.
7:00-9:00pm: Dinner
Enjoy a deliciously crafted dinner experience – not to be missed!
Travel note: Ferries run between Manhattan and Governors Island every 30 minutes. For our guests’ convenience, the last ferry departing from Governors Island to Manhattan is at 10:30pm. Please visit govisland.com for ferry schedules and more information.
Tickets available now!
Our 2025 Honorees
Michelle de la Uz is the Executive Director of Fifth Avenue Committee, Inc. (FAC) and has over 25 years of experience in public and community service. Michelle oversees the organization’s mission and comprehensive programs advancing economic, social and racial justice that serve more than 6,000 people with low- and moderate-incomes; a budget of over $10 million and several non-housing affiliate corporations with annual budgets of over $9 million, real estate assets over $260 million, and a housing development pipeline of over 1,750 units, representing $1 billion in total development costs. She serves on several boards including the national board of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and is the Chair of the New York Housing Conference. Additionally, Michelle served as a City Planning Commissioner on the New York City Planning Commission from 2012-2021.
Maria Perbellini is the Dean of the School of Architecture and Design at the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) and a tenured Professor of Architecture. Before joining NYIT, Perbellini held key academic leadership roles at Texas Tech University (TTU), where she served as Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Chair of Instruction in the College of Architecture. She has also taught at the University of Texas at Austin and served as a visiting faculty member at Yeungjin Junior College in Taegu, South Korea. Perbellini is the co-founder of Pongratz Perbellini Architects, an internationally recognized, multidisciplinary design practice. Her contributions to architectural education and practice have received awards and honors, including the AIA Long Island Educator Award, the World Urban Campaign UN-Habitat City Changer recognition, the Integrated Scholar Award from TTU’s Office of the Provost, the TTU Outstanding Researcher Award, the Alumni Association New Faculty Award, and the Global Vision Award.
