Foundations in Education announces 2025 Gala Committee Chairs
January 7, 2025 | Foundations in Education | Media Mentions News
Bridgeport, CT – December 12, 2024 – Foundations in Education (FIE) is pleased to announce Allison Reiling and Michele Mitola of Fairfield, Connecticut as the 2025 Foundations in Education Gala co-chairs. This year marks Foundations in Education’s 10th year, and the Gala is a culmination of a year of celebration.
Foundations in Education’s premiere fundraising event will be held at Woodway Country Club in Darien, Connecticut on Thursday, May 1, 2025. Proceeds from the Gala benefit Foundations in Education in their mission to provide tuition assistance for low-income children and innovation grants for teachers in the classroom. Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano, fifth Bishop of Bridgeport, along with Thomas E. McInerney, FIE past Board Chair, will be honored.
Allison Reiling, an FIE trustee since 2023, is the Executive Director of the Lautenbach Family Foundation. There she manages over 35 scholarships and relationships with various educational institutions. Allison is also a part of the School Volunteer Association in Bridgeport tutoring elementary school children. She is actively involved in her children’s schools. Prior to her current role, Allison earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Modern Languages from Providence College. She worked at IBM in various HR roles, with her most recent role being within the HR Finance division. Allison lives in Fairfield with her husband, Christopher, and their children.
Michele Mitola joined the FIE board in 2018. She is Vice President, Strategic Planning and Development at the Children’s Scholarship Fund in New York City, a non-profit that provides children of low-income families in areas nationwide with tuition assistance in grades K-8. She earned her law degree from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law and undergraduate degree from Union College in Schenectady, New York. She is a member of St. Pius X Parish and resides in Fairfield, CT with her husband John and their two children.
Allison and Michele are joined on the Gala Committee by Barbara Ripp of Greenwich, Lisa Ferraro of New Canaan, Jennifer St. Victor-de Pinho of Ridgefield, Nancy Howe of Stamford, and Joe Purcell of Westport. The auction will feature auctioneer Pat Tully, by popular demand. Proceeds support the mission of FIE, including tuition assistance through the Bishop’s Scholarship Fund as well as Innovation and Leadership Grants for teachers and administrators.
To sponsor the Gala or to learn how you may support Foundations in Education, visit www.foundationsineducation.org or contact Emily Carriero at emily@foundationsineducation.org. If you wish to volunteer with the May 1st Gala, please call Emily at 203-416-1671.
Headquartered in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Foundations in Education’s mission is to strengthen and transform the mission of Catholic education in the Diocese of Bridgeport by providing tuition assistance to families in need, supporting innovation in academic programs, and fostering opportunities for the professional development of school leaders.
Since its founding in 2015, FIE has distributed more than $26 million in tuition assistance to over 13,000 students. The organization has awarded over $920,000 since 2017.