Longtime champion of the arts, entrepreneur and philanthropist Trish Kennedy has been named Honorary Chair of the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod’s Prelude to Summer Gala to be held at the Hyannisport Club on Thursday, June 1.
“Trish has been such a staunch advocate and loyal supporter for the arts which has been critical for our sector, especially through the pandemic,” said AFCC Executive Director Julie Wake. “Her giving has not only strengthened the arts on Cape Cod but elevated the Arts Foundation’s work. When someone of Trish’s stature stands with your organization, it reminds you that what you’re doing matters, and it gives you the resources to think strategically about how you can best serve artists and arts organizations in our region. Her impact cannot be understated, and we look forward to celebrating all that she does for the arts at our gala.”
Giving back, Kennedy said, has been a priority for both her and her husband Tom. “Wherever we go, we try to make it better than we found it,” she said.
The couple founded Zudy, which was acquired by Jitterbit in March, and transformed BackOffice Associates from a two-person company into a global software and services business with a staff of 500 worldwide.
While she expressed gratitude for being honored by the AFCC at its upcoming Prelude to Summer Gala, Kennedy wanted to use this moment as platform to encourage more people to think about ways they can give back to the arts at a time when it is still recovering from the pandemic.
“It is our job to help support that and make sure the arts are well-cared for and protected so it can continue to give us this joy,” she said.
“My goal is to open people’s eyes to the fact that they are enjoying this community on the Cape that is really built around the arts,” she continued. “I want to make sure people can live on the Cape and thrive and pursue their art in a successful manner and not struggle. I hate the struggling part because they are doing something so important in the scheme of life.”
Learn more about the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod at www.artsfoundation.org
