The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) will host its 29th annual Hearts Heroes Gala on Saturday, May 14 at the Boston Marriott Copley Place, and pay tribute to John T. Kerrigan Jr. of Weston, executive vice president of Grubb Ellis Company.
The black tie event is expected to raise $1.5 million for research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications.
Kerrigan has served on the Board of Directors for JDRF’s New England chapter (Bay State branch) for three years. He is personally committed to JDRF’s mission to find a cure for diabetes and its complications, as his wife, Maryjane, has lived with type 1 diabetes since childhood.
Kerrigan also serves as chair of the Corporate Council, whose goal is to increase local corporate support for JDRF events and programs, and has organized multiple award-winning teams for Boston’s Walk to Cure Diabetes.
“We are privileged to honor Jack for his unrelenting passion and commitment to our mission,” said Heidi Daniels, executive director of the New England chapter. “Together, we are making a difference in the lives and futures of everyone touched by this disease.”
Kerrigan has been a part of Grubb Ellis, a leading real estate services and investment firm, for over 30 years. He has most notably been one of Grubb Ellis’ top brokers in the country for the past 20 years.
Previously he was a vice president for Leggat, McCall and Werner, the business director at Forum Corporation, and a sales manager at Xerox Corporation.
In addition, Kerrigan was a part-time professor for Boston College’s undergraduate program as well as Babson College’s MBA program.
He graduated magna cum laude from Boston College in 1972 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration as well as from Babson College with an MBA and high honors.
He and his wife, Maryjane, have been residents of Weston for over 20 years and have a son, Jay, and a daughter, Virginia.
“I feel extremely humbled to have been named this year’s honoree for JDRF’s Hearts Heroes Gala,” said Jack Kerrigan. “I have personally witnessed how this extraordinary event has dramatically impacted JDRF funding. My wife, Maryjane, joins me in working to create a world free from diabetes.”
The Hearts Heroes Gala will include a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception, a live and silent auction, a seated dinner and dancing to the sounds of The Marsels.
Fox 25 News anchors Maria Stephanos and Mark Ockerbloom will serve as event emcees.
