YOU ARE INVITED TO CELEBRATE
Join us for an unforgettable evening at the VoicesAlive gala as we celebrate 25 years of furthering our mission: “Transforming Orange County through artistic excellence and the power of community, amplifying queer voices, and building bridges for all LGBTQIA+ people.”
Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
Anaheim White House, 887 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92805
Honoring the 2026 Rich Cook Community Bridge Award Recipients
Carrie Freitas and Zeena Dhalla
Enjoy an elegant evening featuring a Cocktail Reception, Live and Silent Auctions, and Special Performances by MenAlive and PrideAlive.
Get Your Tickets
Tickets are $250 per person and include the cocktail reception, dinner, entertainment, and access to our live and silent auctions. Seating is limited, so we encourage you to reserve your place early.
Become a Sponsor
Your sponsorship makes this celebration, and everything MenAlive and VoicesAlive do throughout the year, possible. From presenting sponsorships to spotlight moments during the program, there is a way to partner with us that fits your organization.
Download our full sponsorship package for details on all available opportunities, or reach out directly to discuss a custom partnership.
To discuss a custom sponsorship arrangement, email Valerie Ousley, Executive Director.
2026 Rich Cook Community Bridge Award Recipients
Carrie Freitas and Zeena Dhalla
The Rich Cook Community Bridge Awards are presented annually to honor individuals in the community who have made a positive impact on and within the LGBTQIA+ community. The award continues to recognize distinguished community members who personify the mission of VoicesAlive.
Carrie Freitas
Carrie Freitas is the founder and CEO of KTM Agency, an Orange County public relations and communications firm, where she has spent more than 30 years helping organizations tell stories that inspire action and strengthen communities.
A lifelong storyteller and communicator, Carrie has also been a proud ally of the LGBTQIA+ community since high school. She has been honored to support organizations and causes, including VoicesAlive, The Trevor Project, PFLAG Newport Beach, Project Open Hand, and the LGBTQ Center Orange County, through fundraising, advocacy, and philanthropy.
Her commitment is also deeply personal. Carrie is the proud mother of a transgender son, whose courage, authenticity and resilience continue to inspire her every day. She considers it one of life's greatest privileges to stand beside him and the broader LGBTQIA+ community in the pursuit of dignity, equality and belonging for all.
Carrie is especially grateful for VoicesAlive and its mission of creating connection, hope and healing through music, work she believes has the power to change hearts and lives.
She lives in Newport Beach with her husband and is a proud mom, stepmom and grandmother.
Zeena Dhalla
Zeena Dhalla believes that lasting wellness extends far beyond physical health—it also requires inclusive organizations and deeply connected communities. Guided by this philosophy, she founded Ladera Valley Pride, building the LGBTQIA+ nonprofit from the ground up. Through her leadership, the organization has launched numerous initiatives that foster connection, increase visibility, and strengthen civic engagement throughout the region.
Professionally, Zeena is a premier Postural Alignment Specialist, Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist, Personal Trainer, Pilates Instructor, and the Founder of VerticAlign Posture & Ergonomics in Orange County, California. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Northwestern University and is the co-author of the Random House/Penguin book Sculpt and Shape: The Pilates Way. Her expertise has been featured in Pilates Style Magazine, OC Metro, and the Orange County Register.
Zeena's commitment to leadership extends well beyond her profession. She has chaired multiple major school fundraising campaigns, consistently more than doubling fundraising results, and has dedicated 13 years to serving as a Girl Scout troop leader and advisor. During that time, she has mentored multiple Girl Scouts as they successfully earned their Girl Scout Gold Awards, the organization's highest achievement.
Whether she's helping individuals eliminate pain through better posture and ergonomics, building healthier workplace cultures, or creating spaces where people feel seen and connected, Zeena is driven by one mission: empowering people and communities to thrive physically, emotionally, and socially.
Season Sponsors
Rich Cook Community Bridge Award Recipients
2026 Carrie Freitas, Zeena Dhalla
2025 Paul Doyle, Liz Hawkins, Jeanne Pepper
2024 Alex Mohajer, Jeff Whittiker
2023 Katie Porter, Bob Gunn
2020/2022 G.C. Brad Brafford, Dr. Karyl Ketchum, Al Roberts
2019 Felicity Figueroa, Karen Zfaty
2018 Carl Jordan, Mike Fuhr
2017 Joe Hodulik, Sarah Kasman
2016 Bao Nguyen
2015 James Vaughn
2014 Rich Cook
2013 Miguel Conniff, Laura Kanter
2012 Robin Voss, Pearl Jemison-Smith
2011 Dr. Max Schneider & Ron Smelt, John Chiang, Dan Choi
2010 John Alexander, Barbara Venezia, Bruno Serrato, Katherine Darmer
