Wish Ball Leadership

Katherine & Benjamin Berman and Sophie & Stephen LaMontagne, Georgetown Cupcake

Sisters Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne are the co-founders and co-owners of Georgetown Cupcake, stars of DC Cupcakes and Cupcake Cam LIVE on TLC and best-selling authors of the cookbooks The Cupcake Diaries and Sweet Celebrations.

Inspired by their grandmother, Katherine and Sophie opened Georgetown Cupcake on Valentine’s Day 2008 in Washington, DC. Over the past 15 years, Katherine and Sophie have made Georgetown Cupcake’s DC flagship bakery a destination for cupcake lovers across the globe. With a menu of over 100 different flavors, Georgetown Cupcake ships its cupcakes nationwide.  

Sophie and Katherine and their cupcakes have been featured in publications and programs such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Washington Post, CNN, Better Homes and Gardens, Food & Wine, People, InStyle, Town & Country, NBC's Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and The Martha Stewart Show.  

Katherine and Sophie’s philanthropic efforts include supporting many local and national charities, primarily focusing on women’s and children’s health issues.  Since its founding, Georgetown Cupcake has donated millions of dollars and cupcakes to charitable organizations nationwide.

Laura Szlavin-Niamien & Joel Niamien*, Szinc Consulting LLC | Walton Enterprises

Laura and Joel Niamien were introduced to Make-A-Wish after their daughter Arielle was diagnosed with cancer in 2014. During her treatment, Ari and her family dreamed about her wish – to go on a safari and see her favorite animal, giraffes. Ari’s trip gave the entire family something to look forward to and provided them memories to last a lifetime. It was on this trip to Tanzania that Joel and Laura decided to return one day to hike Kilimanjaro, a symbolic journey to mirror the challenges their family had faced throughout Ari’s diagnosis and treatment.

In 2022, Laura and Joel successfully summited the mountain, bearing a pediatric cancer flag at the peak. It was through this challenge they both realized that connecting with a mission like Make-A-Wish and sharing their story can inspire others as well.

Out of the hardship of Ari’s diagnosis and subsequent treatments, Joel and Laura’s family has gained a cause. They are active in raising funds and awareness for various pediatric philanthropies, including Make-A-Wish. Joel is a member of the Board of Directors for Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic, and he and Laura are committed to helping more wishes come true for children that truly need them. Today, Ari and her sister Alexandra are both happy and healthy, and the Niamien family is a true testament to the power of a wish.