Ridgefield Library's 12th Annual Great Expectations Gala

The 2026 Great Expectations Gala will honor Tizzie and Tom Mantione with the Hope H. Swenson Visionary Award for their years of leadership, support and service to the Library’s vision and mission. You can expect an evening filled with good cheer and laughter amongst friends, great music – including a live set by two special guests – cocktail hour, cuisine by Gallo Ristorante, and a rockin' after-party with DJ and dancing. Join us on Saturday, May 30, 2026!

Pictured here: Honorees Tizzie & Tom Mantione (center) with Gala Co-Chairs Woody & Suni Harford (left) and Catherine & Chris Desmarais (right)

About The Honorees

Tizzie and Tom met while working at Merrill Lynch in Stamford and were married in 1999. They chose Ridgefield as their home for raising a family. Tom continued his career at UBS as Managing Director, Private Wealth Management, while Tizzie focused on raising their two children Nico and Jax. Together they spent many hours at the Library participating in story times, summer reading programs and checking out a countless number of books. This led to Tizzie’s desire to give back to the Library by serving on the Library’s Board of Directors for six years, three as Treasurer. Tizzie served in multiple volunteer roles for numerous Ridgefield organizations and is currently Board Member and Treasurer of A.C.T. of CT. Tom has served as Cubmaster of Pack 116 and also organized Christmas Tree pickup for Boy Scout Troop 116 for many years. Most recently, Tizzie and Tom founded Launching Life’s Leaders in June 2022, a non-profit dedicated to supporting youth through Scouts and education. Farther afield, Tizzie and Tom have served on many Committees supporting many causes including Americares and Mill River Park in Stamford, CARE Desert Mountain in AZ and Texas Children’s Hospital in TX. Nearest and dearest to their hearts, Tom and Tizzie have participated in the Pan Massachusetts Challenge for over 30 years, a cycling event dedicated to curing cancer. They are also two-time Ironman triathlon finishers! For the past three years, they have spent the winters at their home in Vero Beach, FL where they have become active in Habitat for Humanity, the Riverside Theater and children’s story time at a local bookstore.

Tizzie and Tom have served as Co-Chairs of two Library Galas and now it is our turn to celebrate their dedication and contributions to the Library as well as their generous hearts supporting non-profits in Ridgefield and beyond.