2025 Norman Vincent Peale Awards for Positive Thinking

On the evening of Wednesday, October 15, 2025 the Blanton-Peale Institute & Counseling Center hosted the 2025 Norman Vincent Peale Awards for Positive Thinking. During this very special celebration, we introduced new President & CEO, Dr. Shawna Aarons-Cooke, and honored two incredible mental health advocates: Chryssie Whitehead and Kirsten Wrinkle of In My Own Little Corner Productions.

An annual event, the Norman Vincent Peale Awards serves as the primary fundraiser and celebration of our mission, raising critical funds in support of Blanton-Peale’s urgent work to provide quality holistic mental health care, education, and training with global impact.

As we celebrate 88 years of empowering programs and services, we thank our Board of Trustees, Host Committee, Ambassadors, sponsors, donors, and attendees. 

If you have not yet had an opportunity to support Blanton-Peale's mission to increase access to quality holistic mental health services, education, and training, please donate today! 

Ambassadors

Dr. Shawna Aarons-Cooke

Dr. Shawna Aarons-Cooke

James & Natalie Venetos

James & Natalie Venetos

Drs. Stephanie & Lawrence Bailey

Drs. Stephanie & Lawrence Bailey

Elizabeth Peale Allen

Elizabeth Peale Allen

Pepper & Cliff Peale

Pepper & Cliff Peale

Lauren McGill

Lauren McGill

Michelle Muñoz-Machen

Michelle Muñoz-Machen

Kelsanah Wade

Kelsanah Wade

Colin Laughlin

Colin Laughlin

Jack Griem

Jack Griem

Dr. Marcelo Gomes

Dr. Marcelo Gomes

Dr. Kismyth Shuler

Dr. Kismyth Shuler

As champions for mental health and wellness we support the mission of Blanton-Peale and ask you to join us by sponsoring this innovative and historic organization.

Support Blanton-Peale Today

Special Thanks To:

SECOND NYC
(Venue)

Designatronix

Nicholas Carter
(photographer/videographer)

Phil Christie Inc.

The Solutions 2810

Wilson Marshall PR + Events

$241,432.58

achieved

$275,000.00

goal

of your goal reached

Recent Activity

Board of Trustees

Elizabeth Peale Allen, Chair

Casey R. Kemper, Vice Chair

Colin Laughlin, Treasurer

Lauren McGill, Secretary

Dr. Shawna Aarons-Cooke, President & CEO

Rev. Dr. Kimberly Anderson

John M. Griem, Jr.

Davis L. Harris, Esq.

Julia Kang-Reeves

William H. Kinn, Jr.

Michelle Muñoz-Machen, Esq.

Cliff Peale

Kelsanah Wade, Esq.

Rev. Dr. James J. Wisecup

Emeriti: Henry Kang & John Rorer