Big Bang Gala 2015

April 23, 2015
6:00 pm to midnight

Event Chairs: Kate and Bill Duhamel
Honorary Chairs: Diana L. Nelson and John C. Atwater & Janice and Matt Barger
Vice Chairs: Mary and Jerome C. Vascellaro
Corporate Chairs: Oliver Jenkyn, Visa Inc. & Geisha J. Williams, Pacific Gas and Electric Company

6:00 pm
Cocktail Reception

7:00 pm
Illuminating Conversations
The Big Bang celebrates breakthrough thinkers who are exploring the vital importance of science education in an era when science drives human health and security as well as our economy.

Creating Global Solutions through Science Education
Featuring Larry Brilliant and Janet Napolitano
Morrison Planetarium

STEM: Access and Opportunity for All
Featuring Leila Janah and Adam Messinger in conversation with Sal Khan, Founder of Khan Academy
Tusher African Hall

Larry Brilliant
Brilliant is the former President of Skoll Global Threats Fund and Executive Director of Google.org. He has been recognized as one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People for his ability to convert ideas into social action. Brilliant is Senior Advisor to the Jeff Skoll Group and is currently working on Ebola and polio eradication. He was a key player in the eradication of smallpox, as well as efforts to combat blindness, and is a former professor of epidemiology and international health.

Janet Napolitano
Napolitano is President of the University of California, a leading university system with 10 campuses, 5 medical centers, 3 affiliated national laboratories, and a statewide agriculture and natural resources program. As former Secretary of Homeland Security and Governor of Arizona, Napolitano is a distinguished public servant with a record of leading complex organizations at the federal and state levels.

Leila Janah
​Janah is the founder and CEO of Sama Group, a collection of social ventures that promote economic justice by harnessing the power of technology and social business to give people access to work, education, and health care. Janah is the youngest recipient of the prestigious Heinz Award, and a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum. She has been named one of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs.

Adam Messinger
​As Chief Technology Officer at Twitter, Messinger is responsible for long-term technology direction as well as overseeing Twitter’s technical architecture. Messinger is a passionate champion for empowering women in tech and sits on the board of Girls Who Code, an organization that bridges the gender gap in tech through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

8:00 pm
Seated Dinner

8:30 pm
Big Bang: Party After Dark

Dinner guests merge with Party After Dark revelers to explore the tastes, sounds and creatures of the night. Join us for dancing, dessert, and inspired cocktails all under a spectacular living roof.

Brilliant Beacons (table for ten, $100,000)

• Premium dinner seating with one featured Big Bang Illuminator
• Premium seats to your preferred Illuminating Conversation
• Invitation to join an Academy expedition in 2016

Radiant Beams (table for ten, $50,000)

• Premium dinner seating with one Academy Illuminator
• Premium seats to your preferred Illuminating Conversation
• Invitation to join an Academy expedition in 2016

Shining Stars (table for ten, $25,000)

• Preferred dinner seating
• Preferred seating to an Illuminating Conversation
• Invitation to join an Academy expedition in 2016

Individual Ticket ($5,000 each)

• Premium dinner seating with one Academy Illuminator
• Premium seats to your preferred Illuminating Conversation

Individual Ticket ($2,500 each)

• Preferred dinner seating and a preferred seat to an Illuminating Conversation

All ticket levels include admission to Party After Dark.
Valet parking included for all gala dinner guests.
Reservations will be held at the door.
Value of goods and services for IRS purposes is $300 per seat utilized.