Going Places 2026
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28
Our Going Places annual fundraiser celebrates the talents of our scholars and honors the contributions of our community.
Join us for
Going Places 2026
october 28
6:00 – 9:00 pm
Capital Turnaround
700 M St SE, Washington, DC 20003
Dress Code
Business/Cocktail Attire
Higher Achievement’s Going Places annual fundraiser celebrates the talents of our scholars and honors the contributions of our community. Our scholars are driven and brilliant, and we have a critical opportunity to scale our proven program to meet them at one of the most pivotal moments of their development. The transition from middle to high school is a pivotal point where targeted support can significantly impact a student’s long-term trajectory. Together, we can reach more students through new high school transition supports that will ensure they get into the high school of their choice and thrive once they arrive.
The evening will begin with a 45-minute scholar-led program featuring alumni speakers who embody what becomes possible with the right support at the right time. Following the program, stay to mingle with others in the Higher Achievement community and enjoy food, drinks, and music.
Join us in celebrating our scholars and be part of investing in their bright futures!
Higher Achievement is committed to making our events accessible to everyone. If you require an accommodation or service to fully participate, please fill out this form at least two weeks prior to the event.
Purchase a Ticket or Become a Sponsor
Your support ensures students in our community have access to rigorous academic enrichment, social-emotional skill-building, and caring mentors who support their growth.
Honorees
Each of our honorees has played a pivotal role in shaping, strengthening, and sustaining Higher Achievement. We are grateful for the opportunity to honor their contributions.
Bathsheba Philpott
Bathsheba Philpott, CFRE, is president and principal consultant of Fundraising Guru Consulting LLC, where she partners with nonprofit organizations to strengthen fundraising strategy, build philanthropic partnerships, and expand their impact. With more than 20 years of experience in advancement, she has helped organizations design development strategies and secure transformational philanthropic support. Bathsheba’s connection to Higher Achievement is deeply personal. As a former Higher Achievement scholar and later a mentor in Ward 4, she experienced firsthand how the program builds confidence, academic strength, and leadership in young people—creating pathways of opportunity that can shape a lifetime.
Charlie Mullin
Charlie Mullin is a PhD economist at Bates White who has researched child development in socio-economically challenged communities. When a colleague introduced him to Higher Achievement two decades ago, it was a perfect fit. Charlie was struck by the combination of academics, social mentorship, and leadership skills that level the playing field for scholars, enabling them to graduate college at three-times the rate of their peers. Charlie is a long-standing champion of our Bates White partnership for volunteers and career exposure. In addition, he is a landmark supporter of our endowment, a fiduciary board member, and an advisor on Higher Achievement’s financial strategy.
Stacy Dranginis
Stacy Dranginis grew up in Prince George’s County and attended Duke University, where she volunteered as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, establishing for her the importance and impact of mentorship. Her twenty-year involvement with Higher Achievement spans service on the President’s Council, the 50th Anniversary Committee, and, currently, the DC Metro Advisory Board. Her most personally significant role has been as a mentor at the newly opened Greenbelt Center in 2019, allowing her to witness firsthand the dedication of the extraordinary staff, the academic and personal growth of the scholars, and the magic that happens there.
Recognitions
Thank you to our event sponsors:
Valedictorian
Dan and Stacy Dranginis
Summa Cum Laude
Jay and Nancy Epstien
Magna Cum Laude
Robert and Arlene Kogod Family Foundation
Honor Roll
Dr. Gigi El-Bayoumi
McLaughlin Ryder Investments, Inc.
Committee
Committee
Co-Chair: George Vogelei, CBRE
Co-Chair: Greg Weber, Studio Alliance
Jeb Byrne, Bearfoot Ventures
Janice Cori, Higher Achievement
Jay Epstien, DLA Piper
Wendy Feldman Block, Savills
Galina Ginzburg, MillerKnoll
Matt Johnston, Colliers
Amit Luthra, Barrington Residential
Henry Ross, First Form
Malcolm Shaw, Bellwether Enterprise
Steve Owens, Pizzano Contractors
Lynsey Wood Jeffries, Higher Achievement
Host Committee
James Morgan, Higher Achievement
MaryEva Candon
Kedisha Ebanks
Kirstin Hall
Katherine Roboff
FAQ’s about Going Places 2026
Business/cocktail attire.
Take the Green Line to Navy Yard-Ballpark and walk 10 minutes east on M Street or take the Blue, Orange or Silver Lines to the Eastern Market station and walk 11 minutes south along 7th Street.
There are also several bus stops close to the event space.
Paid parking is available at several nearby lots and there will be complimentary valet parking at the 7th St. entrance to the venue.
Going Places will include simultaneous Spanish interpretation of the program, gender-neutral restrooms, and stairless access to the theatre and event space.