Champions for Children

Amanda Kloots is a television host, bestselling author, Broadway actress, award-winning fitness entrepreneur, and most recently a finalist on the 30th Season of “Dancing with the Stars”.

A former Broadway dancer and Radio City Rockette, Amanda has performed on a variety of stage, film and TV productions for over 17 years. Her love of dance and fitness led her to work and lead classes at one of New York’s premiere fitness studios. Her active lifestyle and enthusiasm landed her a partnership with Skechers as an ambassador for the brand.

In 2021, Amanda released her memoir, the NY Times bestseller “Live Your Life: My Story of Loving and Losing Nick Cordero” that was co-authored with her sister Anna Kloots and is set to become a movie. Additionally, in December 2022 Amanda’s movie, Fit for Christmas premiered on CBS which she starred in, wrote, and executive produced. In April 2023, Amanda made her foray into the children’s book world with her book “Tell Me Your Dreams”, a heartwarming new bedtime children’s book about the things we can do when we dare to dream.

Most recently, Amanda was a co-host on The Talk, CBS’ Daytime Emmy Award-winning talk show highlighting current events, pop culture, family, celebrity and trending topics of the day. She can now be currently seen co-hosting on the Netflix show Live from the Other Side with Tyler Henry, where she explores personal stories of grief, healing, and the afterlife alongside renowned medium Tyler Henry.

Daniel J. Hilferty is the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Comcast Spectacor and serves as Governor of the Philadelphia Flyers for the National Hockey League. Widely respected as a passionate, dedicated leader in Philadelphia and beyond, Dan directly oversees the company’s full portfolio, including the Philadelphia Flyers, Wells Fargo Center, Spectacor Gaming, and more. 

Hilferty joined Comcast Spectacor after leading Philadelphia’s successful bid to be a host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and continues to serve as Chair of the Board of Directors of Philadelphia Soccer 2026. The 501c3 non-profit organization will serve as the governing body for the city’s Host Committee.  

A highly distinguished CEO with deep roots in Philadelphia, Hilferty was previously at the helm of Independence Blue Cross – one of the nation’s leading health insurers – as its President and Chief Executive Officer for 10 years. During his tenure as CEO, the company experienced unprecedented growth, becoming one of the five largest Blues in the country. 

After retiring from Independence in 2020, Hilferty launched Dune View Strategies – a strategic advisory firm for small and mid-sized healthcare companies. Dune View Strategies advises and invests in small and mid-size healthcare companies and start-ups as they bring their transformational services, technologies and products to market. Built around a team of healthcare leaders, Dune View advises clients on the best strategies for navigating the market and accelerating growth. 

He has also held many other leadership positions throughout his career, including serving as President and CEO of AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies and as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at Mercy Health Corporation, all Philadelphia headquartered companies. 

Highly effective in the Philadelphia community, Hilferty serves as lead Independent Director of Essential Utilities, Chair of Healthpilot and Philadelphia Soccer 2026, and is on the Board of FS Investments Credit Income Fund. In 2015, he served as Co-Chair on the executive leadership cabinet of the World Meeting of Families which brought Pope Francis to Philadelphia. 

Hilferty earned his undergraduate degree from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and a master’s degree in public administration from American University. He lives in the Philadelphia area with his wife, Joan. The couple has five children and four grandchildren. 

M&T Bank is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York, with nearly 1,000 branches and a robust ATM network from Maine to Virginia and Washington, D.C. Through its principal banking subsidiary and Wilmington Trust-affiliated companies, M&T also offers specialized trust and wealth services in the U.S. and abroad.

More than a bank, M&T is a community-focused partner committed to empowering individuals, businesses and neighborhoods. M&T connects people to the capital, insights and relationships that help them achieve their goals, while remaining deeply rooted in the communities it serves.

The M&T Charitable Foundation partners with communities to foster impactful change. Partnerships start by building relationships rooted in trust and understanding. Through grants for nonprofit programs and services, the overall mission of The M&T Charitable Foundation is to establish meaningful partnerships and amplify impact as we build stronger communities across our footprint. We seek to be responsive to the communities we serve, meeting needs locally and centering on all people in everything we do. In 1993, The M&T Charitable Foundation was created to formalize the bank’s philanthropic efforts; to provide a vehicle for the bank’s charitable giving- which now spans 12 states and Washington, D.C.

TaRhonda Thomas joined the Action News team as a reporter in February 2019 and was named Action News’s first Race and Culture Reporter in March 2021. Before coming to Philadelphia, TaRhonda worked as an anchor and reporter in Denver, Colorado. She was also an anchor and reporter in Richmond, Virginia and in Colorado Springs. She began her television career in Morgan City, Louisiana.

TaRhonda is a Louisiana native and an alumna of Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers!). She earned her Master’s Degree in Media, Film and Journalism Studies from the University of Denver. TaRhonda is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. The Emmy-award winning journalist has earned national and regional recognition including an Edward R. Murrow Award and awards from the Associated Press, and the National Association of Black Journalists.

TaRhonda became Gold Star sister when her brother, Chief Warrant Ocer 2 Terry Thomas, made the ultimate sacrifice. For that reason, she is passionate about advocating for Gold Star families, military families and veterans. When she’s not reporting the news, TaRhonda is a busy wife and mom of three very athletic and active kids. She enjoys working out, indulging in skincare, spending time with her family and visiting her parents in Louisiana.

Willie will be present at the VIP reception and cocktail reception.

Willie Randolph was born in Holly Hill, South Carolina, but moved to Brooklyn as a child. In 1972, he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 7th round, where he spent 4 years in their minor league system before getting the call up to the Majors in the 1975 season. Later that year, he was traded to the Yankees. It was as a defensive second baseman that Randolph endeared himself to the Yankee standout. In his first season, he tied a major league record for most assists by a second baseman in an extra-inning game. The following year, he set an All-Star game record for most assists by a second baseman.

By 1979, Randolph led American League second basemen in put outs, assists and double plays. Randolph’s greatest assets were his tremendous speed and his sound judgment. In his major league career, Willie played in five World Series, had over 2,200 hits and had a .276 batting average. 

After retiring as a player, Randolph served as manager of the New York Mets from 2005 to 2008, leading the Mets to a league-best record and the National League Championship Series in 2006. He has also served as an ESPN analyst on Baseball Tonight and as Coach and Manager for Team USA.

Debbie and Charles O’Donnell
Espy and David Neu
Henry and Thea Miller
Karen Phelps Moyer
Pearl Servat and Koti Vadlamudi
Rob Stern and Brit Green

Alexa Colletti – Bittenbender Construction
Angela Vacante – Bittenbender Construction
Casey Kehoe – Revolution Recovery
Courtney Loftus – NY Langone Medical Center
Fred Taffer – Tonbo Promotions
Laura Heely – Cencora
Sheila Turner-Hilliard – Former Eluna Board Chair/Advisor