Image Credit: Barbora Hindson

“Supporting the Wellness Gala isn’t just about showing up—it’s about standing behind a mission that matters. Mental health is something so many people are navigating quietly, and events like this create space to bring those conversations into the light. We’re honored to contribute copies of From Broken to Beautifully Broken for every guest, because its message reflects exactly what this night represents: resilience, healing, and the power of being seen. Our goal is simple—to help spark connection, encourage honesty, and remind every person in that room that they are not alone.” — Jessica LaNeve of Sister’s Uncensored Podcast & VIP Book Sponsor for The Wellness Gala

Some events exist solely as blocks on a social calendar, and then, there are others that quietly alter the emotional landscape of a community long after the last glass of champagne has been poured. The Wellness Gala, returning on May 25, 2026, for its second annual gathering at The Rockleigh, belongs unmistakably in the latter category.

At first glance, The Gala possesses all the trademark details that are expected of a grand, modern gala: the robust elegance of The Rockleigh, one of New Jersey’s most distinguished venues; guests dressed to the nines, advocates, tastemakers, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, creatives, community, and figures; Michelin-rated cuisines; top-tier entertainment; and intimate, candlelit interactions taking place under glimmering chandeliers. Yet behind the glamour shines something far more powerful: a collective address that emphasizes the importance of mental and emotional well-being at a time when visibility, achievement, and success often mask silent struggles.

The Wellness Gala has never presented itself as performative philanthropy. Instead, it was conceived to exist as a vulnerable, intimate movement shadowed by the elegance of the evening—a place where susceptibility and status are sanctioned to coexist without contradiction.

Ultimately, that unspoken tension is precisely what gives The Wellness Gala such a profound resonance.

Advocacy for mental health has evolved dramatically over the past decade, yet within affluent communities, particularly, conversations conceptualizing emotional wellness often remain in the background beneath meticulously curated perfection. An unspoken expectation exists among high-achieving individuals: to endure, to succeed, and to appear composed. Conversely, an unspoken disregard exists within this same community toward the millions of individuals living in surrounding suburbs who are afflicted by the consequences of disadvantage. The Wellness Gala aims to challenge these narratives with humanity.

Brick by brick, The Wellness Gala founders, Elisa D’Amelio and Sabrina Cosentino, have built a deeply personal evening that streamlines this cultural expansion by welcoming an entire community into its mission. Their vision isn’t rooted in abstract branding language; it is rooted in survival, healing, experience, and the revolutionary power of connection.

“With only two weeks to go, my heart is filled with gratitude for all the support we have received. We are looking forward to an evening filled with inspiration, hope, and connection. This year brings an incredible sense of accomplishment as we reach our goal of building a true community of support.” — Sabrina Cosentino, Chair-holder & Founder of The Annual Wellness Gala

“Using my voice and telling my journey in its true, honest, and raw form has been a truly humbling experience. Knowing that, by creating relatable moments, I have helped others on their journey toward healing has been my greatest accomplishment. This gala is the culmination of every dream I ever had of making others feel seen and heard. It’s not just a room filled with people dressed up and enjoying a night out. It’s a room with purpose—a room that resonates far beyond May 15th. It’s a room filled with advocates, leaders, and survivors. It’s a room where strangers become your beacons of hope, your shoulders to lean on, and the support system you need to align yourself with success.” — Elisa D’Amelio, Chair-holder & Founder of The Annual Wellness Gala

This authenticity is undeniably The Wellness Gala’s greatest luxury.

By today’s standards, emotional honesty and genuine integrity have become rare currencies. To gather hundreds of established individuals into one room and encourage this community to not only celebrate, but to empathize, reflect, and engage with emotional truth, is no small task.

Elisa D’Amelio has become an overwhelmingly influential voice within the realm of mental health advocacy. Known to many through her literary accomplishments under the name Ella Shae, she has gained a powerfully passionate momentum. Her eagerness to discuss the raw vulnerabilities behind her own healing, personal transformation, and trauma with such a unique, unfiltered honesty has profoundly resonated with audiences who were once exhausted by the oversaturation of superficial narratives about resilience. Elisa portrays the truth in how healing is not linear or glamorous, by presenting the repercussions of trauma as something deeply human: nonlinear, painful, and redemptive.

Sabrina Cosentino brings a complementary dynamic to The Wellness Gala through her personal and professional work behind her foundation and legacy, Within by Sabrina, an adaptive and integrative wellness company that maximizes the emphasis behind whole-person healing—spiritial, physical, and mental. United, the two women dually represent a modern comprehension of wellness that transcends trend culture. Their unique approach isn’t about optimization for aesthetics or appearances; it’s about restoration, sustainability, and reclaiming one’s humanity.

This particular philosophy permeates every facet of the gala.

This beneficiary of The Second Annual Wellness Gala, The Jed Foundation, exemplifies the seriousness of the evening’s intention. Serving as one of the nation’s frontrunning organizations committed to preserving emotional wellness and preventing suicide among teens and young adults, JED’s ethos carries the utmost urgency. During a time when the country’s youngest, most susceptible generations face unparalleled emotional pressures—from social media exposure to academic tensions and cultural uncertainty—the organization’s objective has never been more vital.

Regardless of the gravity of the cause, The Wellness Gala refuses to embrace the traditional sense of emotional heaviness. While the evening will give a nod to intentional elegance, guests are not invited into despondency; they are invited into prospect.

That differentiation matters.

Before this distinction, conversations about mental health typically occurred either in sterile clinical settings or dire moments of crisis. In opposition to these traditional conversation parameters, The Wellness Gala aims to provide an opportunity for the conversation to instead unfold over extraordinary food, joyful music, and ambient candlelight, all while being surrounded by a community committed to redefining a culture where mental and emotional wellness are no longer stigmatized; they’re honored. Each and every experience for The Wellness Gala attendees has been carefully curated. The goal is simple: to ensure guests feel the beauty in healing.

This year’s gala promises one particularly elevated experience: a live culinary showcase of The Only Caviar, founded by Michelin-starred chef Diego Sabino and actor Aaron Paul, known for his iconic role as Jesse Pinkman in Breaking Bad. The Only’s presence adds a distinct and charismatic charm to The Wellness Gala. The Only Caviar will be paired with Vesper, a premium French vodka. The pairing itself feels emblematic: artistically refined and synchronised with accessibility, excellence, and authenticity.

For guests who may be culturally seasoned by attending high-society benefits across the country, from New York to Palm Beach, Los Angeles to the Hamptons, Dallas to Aspen, in New Jersey, The Wellness Gala will offer the same level of class the attendees have come to expect, alongside something refreshingly different. It is neither ostentatious nor self-satisfied. There will be sophistication, certainly, but since The Gala is rooted in genuine emotional sincerity, being present will elevate the significance of not only the cause, but the significance of the people showing up.

That essence of emotional sincerity will be amplified by keynote speaker Emily Crumb, whose story of survival, significance, and advocacy surrounding the nationwide 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number has inspired and saved countless individuals who have found themselves battling mental health challenges. Mrs. Crumb’s presence at The Wellness Gala serves as a reminder that statistics are never simply numbers; they represent families, futures, individuals, and second chances.

Image Credit: Dr. Rachel Goldman

Equally captivating is the gala’s decision to recognize Dr. Rachel Goldman with the honorable Voice and Advocacy Award. Serving as a nationally recognized clinical psychologist, author, and speaker, Dr. Goldman has risen to become an important public voice on the normalization of conversations surrounding mental and emotional wellness through both clinical credibility and heartfelt compassion.

Additionally, a striking intentionality exists behind this year’s partnership with Revelist, the curator of the evening’s wellness ecosystem. In a culture hyper-focused on acceleration and productivity, Revelist prioritizes a massive pause around the concept of rest and emphasizes it as a foundational human need. Their approach feels almost radical. Revelist’s philosophy: people deserve spaces where they can pause without guilt and reconnect with themselves without pressure— which aligns flawlessly with The Wellness Gala’s mission.

In more ways than one, The Wellness Gala epitomizes a broader cultural shift happening among both affluent audiences and everyday people. The definition of luxury today is no longer limited by ideals of acquisition, access, or exclusivity. Instead, true luxury has become tantamount to emotional autonomy, meaningful connection, and overall well-being.

People are no longer only prioritizing where they belong socially; they are coming to terms with whether or not they feel emotionally safe.

The Wellness Gala responds to this internalized question with a new wave of grace.

Perhaps, this response is why so much anticipation has been generated around the evening after only its second year. Guests have overlooked the idea of attending merely to be seen. They are choosing to show up because the evening offers something increasingly rare: sonority.

Curiosity to attend is circulating throughout philanthropic circles, creative industries, wellness communities, and entertainment networks, and a palpable sense of this year’s gala setting the bar as one of the defining social-impact events of the season is rippling through.

The committee behind the event—including Nicole Greco-Peepas, Bridget Mulroy, Maryanne Puccio, Dr. Cayte Castrillon, Hoda Rifai-Bashjawish, Dana Atoot, and Dr. Irene Yeung—deserves acknowledgement not only for organizing the evening, but for aiding in the  cultivation of a habitat where advocacy will thrive, and for serving as the driving force behind a legacy that extends far beyond one single night. Events like this don’t simply materialize aesthetics. They require strategy, mental and emotional labor, coordination, trust, and a sincere commitment to the impact.

“Yes, we’ll be dressed up, but this time, the most important thing we’re wearing is our honesty and support. The Wellness Gala, powered by ReVelist™, is proof that you can show up in a stunning gown and still talk about the hard stuff. We are so excited to see our community coming together for a night that’s equal parts fabulous and real, honoring the incredible Dr. Rachel Goldman, rallying behind The Jed Foundation, and proving once and for all that when you combine community, a purpose and a great outfit…everyone wins.” — Engie Hassan, International Fashion Stylist and Founder of EngieStyle, and Co-Founder of Revelist

Moreover, there is something quietly powerful about the gala’s location. Set to be held within the understated sophistication of Rockleigh, New Jersey—a quiet, residential suburb located just outside the chaotic velocity of Manhattan—the evening feels blissfully nestled above and away from the performative urban frenzy. Guests can indulge themselves in the space to breathe, reflect, and be present.

Perhaps that is the ultimate distinguishing factor that separates The Wellness Gala from the countless other philanthropic events spotted in our calendars, and competing for attention. The Wellness Gala has no competition when it’s bringing the focus back to what matters most.

The Gala doesn’t seek a societal impression; it merely seeks to connect.

By the end of the night, once the speeches have concluded, the dancefloor has dissipated, the lights have brightened, and the music melts into late-night conversations, when the time has come to head home, every single person in attendance will leave with more than memories of an exquisite gala. They will leave carrying fragments of other people’s stories; fragments they will carry for a lifetime. They will leave with a sense of accomplishment after witnessing how vulnerability was transformed into strength. They will leave with the not-so-subtle reminder of how healing is not weakness, and that community—true community—exists even among strangers.

Following Elisa’s book, From Broken to Beautifully Broken, and the momentum brewing since last year’s gala, there is a phrase central to the gala’s message: even when we feel broken, we can become beautifully whole.

This phrase serves as a sentiment of what lingers once the evening ends. It speaks not only to people in crisis, but to anyone navigating the concealed complexities of modern life. Underneath achievements, wealth, and public personas, every single person longs for the same fundamental things: peace, understanding, hope, and belonging.

The Wellness Gala understands that, and it’s understood intimately.

And on May 15, under the glow of The Rockleigh, The Wellness Gala will metamorphose that understanding into something unforgettable.

Image Credit: Barbora Hindson