Richard Baker, governor and executive chairman, Hudson’s Bay Company, and Brian Kelley, president and CEO, Keurig Green Mountain, Inc., will be honored by the Housewares Charity Foundation (HCF) during its 18thAnnual Housewares Charity Foundation Gala on Monday evening, March 9, during the 2015 International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago.
Baker and Kelley will receive the Humanitarian of the Year awards during the Gala, which will be held at Navy Pier, beginning with a reception at 6 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), the HCF’s legacy charity, and Save the Children, an organization that invests in childhood – every day, in times of crisis and for the future. In the United States and around the world, Save the Children gives children a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. Since the first gala in 1998, HCF has raised more than $27 million and has been credited with donating $21 million to BCRF. For the last five years, the HCF has raised record amounts of more than $2 million each year.
Co-chairs for the 2015 event are Phil Brandl, president and CEO of the International Housewares Association (IHA), and Ken O’Brien, senior vice president, merchandising, QVC, Inc. In a collaborative effort among industry manufacturers, retailers and allied industry partners, the non-profit HCF hosts this annual event to raise funds for critical causes, unite the housewares industry and honor its leaders. Honorees are selected for their humanitarian efforts and exceptional leadership.
Along with the honoree tributes, the evening includes auctions and entertainment. The Gala will begin with a cocktail reception featuring 10 tasting stations hosted by Chicago-based James Beard Foundation chefs, including Paul Kahan, Blackbird; Jimmy Bannos, Jr., The Purple Pig; Rick Bayless, Frontera; Rohini Dey, Vermilion; John Hogan, River Roast; Stephanie Izard, Girl & the Goat; Thomas Lents, Sixteen Restaurant; Mindy Segal, HotChocolate; Bruce Sherman, North Pond; and Takashi Yagihashi, Slurping Turtle. Dinner will feature a three-course meal designed by Tony Mantuano, chef/partner, Spiaggia Restaurant & Lounge.
The Honorees
Richard Baker has been governor of Hudson Bay’s Company (HBC) since July 2008 and chairman of Lord & Taylor since July 2006. He recently was named executive chairman of HBC. Established in 1670, HBC is the longest continuously running retail company in North America. With a portfolio of more than 320 stores, HBC operates Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor, Hudson’s Bay, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH and Home Outfitters. In addition, Baker, with his father, is owner of the National Realty & Development Corp., a real estate development company that owns and manages a portfolio including shopping centers and corporate business centers in 20 states. A graduate of Cornell University, he also serves as non-executive chairman of the Retail Opportunity Investments Corporation and on the Board of Trustees at Cornell University.
Brian Kelley became president and CEO of Keurig in December 2012. Kelley began his career in sales and marketing at Procter & Gamble, where he worked his way up through brand management. He went on to become vice president and general manager, Sales and Distribution, at General Electric Appliances before becoming president of the Lincoln/Mercury division of Ford Motor Company. Before joining Keurig, Kelley was the chief product supply officer for Coca-Cola Refreshments and was named president of Coca-Cola Refreshments in September 2012. Kelley joined Coca-Cola in 2007 as president and general manager, Still Beverages and Supply Chain North America. Keurig, known for its award-winning beverages, innovative brewing technology and socially responsible business practices, is a monumental supporter of Save the Children.
BCRF was founded by Evelyn H. Lauder in 1993. Ms. Lauder, a champion for advancing the world’s most promising research to eradicate breast cancer, passed away in November 2012 in New York City.
For more information about the HCF, its honorees and its charities, please visit www.housewarescharity.org or contact Paul Murphy at 508.272.0717 or pimurphy11@gmail.com.
