On May 19, The Architectural League will present its highest honor, the President’s Medal, to Elise Jaffe + Jeffrey Brown in recognition of their extraordinary impact on architecture and design. Their visionary philanthropy has shaped the field for over three decades, supporting studios, publications, exhibitions, and prizes that have advanced some of today’s most influential voices in architecture. 

The League will honor Elise Jaffe + Jeffrey Brown at a gala dinner held in the Crossing of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Manhattan. There, we will celebrate their shared commitment to an expansive culture of architecture and honor Jeffrey’s memory. Together, Elise + Jeffrey have championed work that is deeply curious and optimistic—always asking what’s next for the built environment and those who shape it. Now more than ever, we must take up and advance their cause, promoting creative, critical, future-oriented work in every way we are able.

Please join us in celebrating Elise + Jeffrey and supporting the League’s mission by attending this special evening, co-chaired by Deborah Berke, Amanda M. Burden, Sarah Herda, Jing Liu & Florian Idenburg, Michael Maltzan, Jennifer Newsom & Tom Carruthers, and Karen Stein.

Benefit Leaders

The League thanks the Benefit Leaders of the President’s Medal Dinner for their generous commitments as of April 18, 2025. All donors will be recognized with gratitude in our printed event materials on May 19.

Patrons
Mary and Brad Burnham
Sciame Construction, LLC

Advocates
Arup
Bloomberg Philanthropies
Columbia GSAPP
Diller Scofidio + Renfro
Alexandra and Paul Herzan
Elise Jaffe + Jeffrey Brown
KPF
Paratus Group
RAMSA | Robert A.M. Stern Architects
Yale School of Architecture

Sustainers
Alloy
Architecture Research Office
The Bernard & Anne Spitzer School of Architecture of The City College of New York
Amanda M. Burden
Cynthia Davidson and Peter Eisenman
Sharon Davis
Field Operations
Fogarty Finger
Rosalie Genevro and Armand LeGardeur
GFP Real Estate
Agnes Gund
Frances Halsband
Steven Holl and Dimitra Tsachrelia
Mary Margaret Jones, Hargreaves Jones
Ken Smith Workshop
Lauren Kogod and David Smiley
Leroy Street Studio
Carol Loewenson
Thomas Robinson, LEVER Architecture
Rockwell Group
SO – IL
SOM
Susan T. Rodriguez | Architecture • Design
Thornton Tomasetti
Toshiko Mori Architect PLLC
Billie Tsien
TYLin
Alan Wanzenberg
Marion Weiss & Michael A. Manfredi
Tod Williams
Carol and Mark Willis

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Support

The League is grateful to the following sponsors for their generous donations and in-kind services:

Spirits by Fort Hamilton Distillery
Flowers by Ora La Casa de Las Flores