The 2026 Denim & Diamonds Spotlight
Saturday, April 25, 2026
5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Martin L. Doordan Institute
John and Cathy Belcher Pavilion
An Exclusive Evening of Inspiration and Impact
Join us for the inaugural Denim & Diamonds Spotlight, an intimate and unforgettable evening featuring legendary swimmer Katie Ledecky, 14-time Olympic Medalist and 23-time World Championship Gold Medalist, in conversation with Emmy-award winning journalist, Frank Sesno.
Together, they will reflect on Katie’s record-breaking journey, including her remarkable world records, and explore the role perseverance, purpose, and mental health resources play at the highest levels of competition and within our own community.
This elevated dinner program will bring guests closer to the mission through powerful storytelling, meaningful dialogue, and a shared commitment to expanding access to mental and behavioral health services.
An Intimate Evening
With extremely limited seating, Denim & Diamonds Spotlight offers a unique opportunity for early sponsors to engage in a more personal and impactful event setting. This one-of-a-kind evening is available exclusively to early sponsors and provides an inspiring prelude to the larger Denim & Diamonds Bash.
Featured Speakers
Katie Ledecky
Katie Ledecky is the most decorated U.S. female Olympian in history and one of the most accomplished swimmers of all time. A 14-time Olympic Medalist, including nine gold medals, and a 21-time World Championship Gold Medalist, she has set numerous world and American records throughout her career.
In 2024, Katie became the first woman in Olympic history to win the same individual event at four consecutive Olympic Games. Her achievements in international competition, collegiate athletics at Stanford University, and global leadership in sport have earned her widespread recognition, including multiple Female Athlete of the Year honors and a New York Times bestselling memoir, Just Add Water.
Beyond competition, Katie is deeply committed to advancing education initiatives, particularly in STEM and leadership development for girls.
Frank Sesno
Frank Sesno is a professor at the School of Media and Public Affairs and Executive Director of the George Washington University Alliance for a Sustainable Future, a university-wide initiative focused on climate change, environmental justice, and sustainability.
An Emmy Award–winning journalist, Sesno spent more than two decades at CNN as a White House correspondent, anchor, Washington Bureau Chief, and special correspondent, covering presidential campaigns, global conflicts, and major historical events including the September 11 attacks and the inauguration of Barack Obama.
He has produced and hosted numerous documentaries for CNN, PBS, and The History Channel, and is the founder of Planet Forward, a platform for student reporting on climate and sustainability. He also hosts public broadcasting programs on the health of the Chesapeake Bay and community resilience.
Sesno is the author of "Ask More: The Power of Questions to Open Doors, Uncover Solutions, and Spark Change", sharing his expertise and love of interviewing through his course The Art of the Interview. He has interviewed five U.S. presidents and numerous global leaders, and continues to convene conversations on democracy, media, and civil discourse.
The Night Shines Brighter With You
There are so many meaningful ways to be part of the Denim & Diamonds Bash. Whether by attending the event, joining us as a sponsor or committee member, making a donation, or simply helping spread the word about this important cause, every act of support makes an impact.
From all of us at LHAAMC and the LHAAMC Foundation Board of Directors, thank you for your generosity, your care, and your commitment to brighter, healthier futures for all.
