Jean Shafiroff
Philanthropist of the Year
Jean Shafiroff, philanthropist, is actively involved as a volunteer fundraiser and leader of several charitable causes. Her managerial skills, compassion, generosity and enthusiastic dedication are among her strongest traits. She possesses a remarkable ability to connect different charitable groups with interested people and resources. Jean’s particular interests include charities related to women, health care, animals and the people of the cities she calls home.
Jean’s hands-on involvement with the multiple causes she supports is one of her strongest traits. Each year she chairs numerous galas and host events benefiting not-for-profit organizations. She has chaired numerous galas including ones for New York Women’s Foundation, Southampton Hospital, NYC Mission Society, Southampton Animal Shelter, French Heritage Society, JBFCS, Lighthouse International, American Cancer Society, Southampton Bath and Tennis Club’s Charitable Foundation and Solar One.
Jean is particularly known for her leadership in raising money for the Southampton Hospital. In 2010, 2011 and 2013 she served as the chairwoman of the Southampton Hospital’s Annual Summer Galas, which collectively raised $5.4 million ($1.7, $2 and $1.7 million, respectively).
She sits on the boards of The New York Women’s Foundation®, NY Mission Society, JBFCS (20+ years), French Heritage Society, The Couture Council, Lighthouse Guild Advisory Board, Southampton Bath & Tennis Club’s Charitable Foundation and Southampton Animal Shelter Honorary Board.
As a result of her philanthropic work, Jean has been honored by several organizations. In 2009 Jean was honored at the Centennial Gala of the Youth Counselling League. She was honored in May 2013 at the Jewish Board Family and Children’s Services’ Annual Gala and received the Madeleine Borg Lifetime Service Award. In March 2014, she was honored at the New York City Mission Society Gala and received the Dina Merrill Hartley Public Service Award. In May 2014 Surgeons of Hope honored her at their annual dinner. The Ellen Hermanson Foundation honored her and the President of Southampton Hospital, Robert Chaloner, at its annual fundraiser in June 2014, at the home of Ellen and Chuck Scarborough. In July 2014, she was honored by the Pet Philanthropy Circle along with Georgina Bloomberg, Amanda Hearst and Best Friends Animal Society. In November 2014 she was honored by Animal Zone International at the Argos Fall Benefit.
Jean is well known for organizing and underwriting a number of charity luncheons for various causes. She has hosted and underwritten several luncheons for The New York Women’s Foundation®, featuring former board president Diana L. Taylor. Jean has also given several large luncheons for Southampton Hospital.
In tandem with her philanthropic responsibilities, Jean has also hosted events in honor of the entertainment industry both in New York and Los Angeles. In 2011 she held an event for Oscar winning actor Colin Firth prior to receiving his Hollywood Walk of Fame Star for The King’s Speech. In 2012 she hosted a luncheon in association with The Weinstein Company for Michelle Williams and Kenneth Branagh’s film My Week With Marilyn. In July 2014, she hosted a star-studded post-screening party for the film A Long Way Down, starring Pierce Brosnan.
Jean enjoys writing and has had numerous articles published in Social Life Magazine. She has also written for and been published in Hamptons Magazine, Gotham Magazine and Avenue Magazine (online). She is passionate about style and fashion, and was featured on the Chic Index and Hamptons Magazine’s Best Dressed list (in 2012). She has been featured on the magazine covers of Social Life magazine (August 21, 2015 & August 22, 2014), Resident Magazine (May 2014 & 2015), Resident Magazine Hamptons Edition (June 2013), 25A Magazine (July 2015) and Hampton Sheet (July 2012). In September 2010, New York Magazine, in their article entitled “Who Runs New York?”, named Jean as the 4th Most Photographed Person in New York City. Gotham Magazine (December 3, 2012) described Jean in their “100 Most Powerful New Yorkers” article, as “one of the first ladies of philanthropy”.
Jean holds an MBA from the Graduate School of Business at Columbia University and a BS in physical therapy from Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons. She has worked both in public finance and private partnerships on Wall Street. Prior to that, she was a physical therapist at St. Luke’s Hospital in New York City. Jean is married to Martin Shafiroff, an investment advisor, and together they have two daughters, Jacqueline and Elizabeth, who share their mother’s interest in charitable causes. They reside in New York City and Southampton.