Save the Date for Next Year’s Awards Ceremony & Dinner!
Thursday, April 15, 2027
2026 Franklin Institute Awards Ceremony & Dinner Highlights
The 2026 Franklin Institute Awards paid tribute to our namesake and America’s first citizen scientist, Benjamin Franklin, by honoring eight of the greatest minds in science, engineering, and industry. The week culminated in the black-tie Awards Ceremony & Dinner, emceed by TFI’s Chief Astronomer Derrick Pitts. We are grateful to our event leadership, Awards Corporate Committee Chair David Greed of KPMG, and Host Committee Chairs Steve and Michelle Kelly. Thanks to our generous sponsors, supporters, and guests, we raised $1.1 million to support our mission to make informal science and technology education more equitable and accessible by providing free and deeply discounted admission for students and teachers from Title I schools and youth and families from under-resourced communities. Thank you for your generosity!
View the 2026 Photo Galleries
Password: bensbifocals
Presenting Sponsor
Awards Week Sponsor
Marsha and Jeffrey Perelman
Awards Committees
Awards Corporate Committee
David Greed, Chair
KPMG
Mimi Drake, Vice Chair
Cerity Partners, LLC
Steven Asplundh
Asplundh Tree Expert, LLC
Suchit Bachalli
Unilog, Inc.
Jeewat Bijlani
Quaker Houghton
Renee B. Booth, Ph.D.
Leadership Solutions, Inc.
James F. Dever, Jr.
Bank of America
Michael Forman
Future Standard
Chris Fralic
First Round Capital
Chris Franklin
Essential Utilities
Dixieanne James
Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals
Lisa D. Kabnick
Retired, Troutman Pepper
Jami McKeon
Morgan Lewis
Rob McMenamin
Bank of America
Joe Meterchick
PNC Bank
Bob Moore
Crossbeam
Arlen Shenkman
UKG
Michael Vennera
Independence Blue Cross
Awards Host Committee
- Stephen and Michelle Kelly, Co-Chairs
- Sandra K. Baldino
- Roz Basra
- Christine and Wade Berrettini
- Heather and Fritz Bittenbender
- Maureen Brennan-Miller
- Amanda M. Bruno
- Anthony and Tara Bucci
- Marci and Ian Comisky
- Christine Clelland, M.D., MBA, FAAFP
- Alice M. Dagit
- Michael DeSimone and Susan Hughes, M.D.
- James F. Dever and Lynn G. Dever, M.D.
- Barbara Eberlein and Jerry Wind
- Jennifer and Chris Franklin
- Andrea and Bruce Freundlich
- Ed and Sharon Gaffney
- Grete and Martyn Greenacre
- Mimi T. Greenly
- Jacqui and David Griffith
- Thanuja Hamilton, M.D. and Nicholas Perugino
- Linda Hauptfuhrer
- Sally and Dick Henriques
- Hollie and Jamie Holt
- Jenny Hourihan and John Bailin
- Barbara Klock, M.D. and Salem Shuchman
- Jackie and Eric Kraeutler
- Molly and Ken Lawrence
- Charisse R. Lillie and Thomas McGill
- Bret Logue
- Amy and Bryan MacIntyre
- Sandy and David Marshall
- Thomas and Linda McCarthy
- Marie McCormick, Ph.D. and Patrick McCormick
- Leanne M. and Rob McMenamin
- Karen F. Minyard
- Amanda B. Mucklé
- Denise and John Philipp
- Cynthia D. Rugart
- Eric Rugart
- Eckart W. Schwarz, M.D.
- Melissa and Tom Trala
- Brandt Welker
- Lyn Wiesinger
- Monica and Michael Wondrasch
- Lisa and Paul Yakulis
- Karen Zimmer Paul, M.D., MPH
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the timeline for the event?
Event Schedule:
- 5:30 pm - Cocktail Reception
- 7:00 pm - Ceremony
- 8:30 pm - Seated dinner
- 9:30 pm - Dessert & Dancing
Do I need a ticket to enter?
No. Tickets will not be mailed in advance. They will be distributed upon arrival at check-in and will include ceremony seating and dining room assignments.
Where can I park?
This event is valet-only. Please see the street map that details how to approach the building.
There will be a designated valet lane on 20th Street in front of the museum.
- When approaching the valet lane, please make sure you are traveling southbound on 20th Street. Complimentary valet parking is available at this entrance only.
- The Franklin Institute garage is not available for self-parking.
- U-turns in front of the museum are not permitted.
What should I wear?
The Franklin Institute Awards is a black-tie event.
My guest list has changed or I can no longer attend. What should I do?
If you are sponsoring a table, you may change guest names in the portal until April 22nd. Otherwise, please contact Audi Brunson at abrunson@fi.edu with changes.
For event information, contact:
Tegan Aherne-Dixon, Manager, Development Events
tahernedixon@fi.edu
215.448.1352
For information on sponsorships, contact:
Casey Satell, Director of Development
csatell@fi.edu
215.448.2378