Kate Spade New York Backs New Mental Health Initiative at Annual Summit

The summit at The Shed served as the launchpad for The Irina Foundation, a project spearheaded by Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady, the creative force behind the hit series Heated Rivalry. Designed to foster belonging through arts and sports, the new organization focuses on supporting LGBTQIA2S+ individuals and underserved youth communities. By aligning with the creative team behind the series, Kate Spade New York aims to reach younger generations through the same storytelling mediums that have already built a loyal audience for the show.

Beyond the donation, the event featured a series of panel discussions involving industry experts, advocates, and cultural figures such as Antonia Gentry and Rachel Reid. Taryn Bird, Executive Director of Social Impact at Kate Spade New York, noted that the brand’s decade-long investment in mental health stems from the belief that emotional well-being is the bedrock of personal empowerment. Alongside corporate partners including Spotify, Pinterest, and lululemon, the summit emphasized collective action, with Harry’s also joining as an early contributor to the new foundation. The day concluded with a focus on the intersection of community, resilience, and economic wellness, framing mental health as a critical, ongoing priority.