Golisano Foundation’s 40th Anniversary
On October 2nd, 2025, the Golisano Foundation celebrated its 40th Anniversary at the Golisano Institute for Business and Entrepreneurship. Over the past 40 years, Tom Golisano and the Golisano Foundation have become beacons of hope for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through remarkable philanthropy and unprecedented partnership, blueprints for change and systemic shifts towards a more inclusive world have ignited a movement of profound impact. Together, with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities leading the way, we are breaking down barriers and silos, imagining all possibilities.
Move to Include™ is a multimedia initiative founded in 2014 as a partnership between WXXI Public Media in Rochester, NY (a PBS member) and the Golisano Foundation. Move to Include™ was designed to promote inclusion in all facets of life for people with intellectual and physical disabilities. Through programming and special events, WXXI and the Golisano Foundation are building a more inclusive community by inspiring and motivating people to embrace different abilities and include all people in every aspect of community life.
A special thank you to WXXI for creating the Golisano Foundation’s video capturing Tom Golisano’s pioneering spirit and the Golisano Foundation’s positive impact touching millions of lives.
Award Ceremony at the 40th Anniversary
Special Olympics’ Global Golisano Health Leadership Awards
This year’s ceremony, held during the Foundation’s 40th anniversary celebration, honored the fifth cohort of global leaders.
Dr. Kellye Knueppel (Wisconsin, USA)
An optometrist who has been integral to the growth of the Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Foundation Opening Eyes® program for over 24 years, training hundreds of professionals and overseeing more than 9,000 vision screenings.
Dr. Toh Teck Hock (Malaysia)
A pediatrician and national advocate for inclusive health policy, who was part of the group that founded the Agape Center, consisting of a developmental clinic that has successfully integrated children with and without disabilities into mainstream education, while also shaping national policy through roles in Malaysia’s Ministries of Health and Education.
Dr. María Teresa Barán Wasilchuk (Paraguay)
Paraguay’s Minister of Health, who has made inclusive health a national priority, driving transformative progress in both policy and practice to better serve people with IDD.
Dr. Simeon Afolabi (Nigeria)
An audiologist and founder of BSA Speech and Language Centre, who has transformed inclusive hearing care in Nigeria by training over 1,700 healthcare professionals and students to better serve people with IDD.
Dr. Yousef Alawadhi (Kuwait)
A dentist who has led the establishment and expansion of Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® screenings across Kuwait.
Ulster University (Northern Ireland)
A leading institution in inclusive health education and research, equipping future health professionals with IDD-focused training, advancing community-based health initiatives, and driving policy partnerships to improve healthcare access and outcomes.
Dr. Shamsiya Murat (Mongolia)
A pediatric ophthalmologist at Mongolia’s only public children’s hospital, who has expanded inclusive eye care by translating and promoting Special Olympics screening guidelines now widely used by medical professionals.
Golisano Foundation’s Move to Include Awards
Tom Clark
Trustee Emeritus, Golisano Foundation
Ann Costello
Inaugural Golisano Foundation Executive Director
Annmarie Hill
Chief of Health Operations, Special Olympics
Norm Silverstein
President & CEO Emeritus,
Karen Zandi
President & CEO,
Event Program and Photos
We thank you for being an instrumental part of this transformative and collective effort as well as sharing in the event’s special celebration. Please see the event program and photos from the evening below.