On March 21, glamorous Southamptonite Jean Shafiroff hosted a celebration at her Park Avenue apartment to celebrate the publication of her first book, “Successful Philanthropy – How to Make a Life by What You Give.” The book shares great tips on how we can incorporate philanthropy into our own lives, and features an introduction from Georgina Bloomberg, who made a special guest appearance to toast Jean with guests including: Geoffrey Bradfield, Suzette Charles, Rita Cosby, Curtis Ellis, George and Hillie Gurley, Roy Kean, Carl Kempner, FOX News correspondent Rick Leventhal, Anne Rapp, Stan Rumbough, Randi Schatz, Martin Shafiroff, Daisy Soros, Zang Toi and Mortimer Zuckerman.

Successful Philanthropy is a practical guide to modern giving that redefines philanthropy for today’s era. Far beyond making monetary donations, philanthropy today encompasses giving time and knowledge, resources that can be just as valuable as financial contributions.

Midway through the event Jean gathered the attendees and made a short speech talking about her inspiration for writing the book. She said, “when you give, you get, and what you get is the reward of knowing that what you are doing is making the world a better place.” She then thanked representatives from many of the foundations she works with including: Robert Chaloner, President of the Southampton Hospital, Elise McCabe-Thompson, President of the NYC Mission Society, Valerie Steel, Head of The Couture Council, Steve Bernstein, President of Southampton Hospital Board, Anna Oliveira, President of NY Women’s Foundation, Yaz Hernandez, President of Couture Council, Elizabeth Stribling, Chairman at French Heritage Society, and also the Southampton Animal Shelter.

At the event, Georgina Bloomberg discussed how she paired her background as an equestrian and as a philanthropist to launch her charitable venture, The Riders Closet. In addition, the book features a foreword by Scott Elkins, US Campaign Director of the Margaret Thatcher Scholarship Trust at Oxford University and CEO of SE Advisors, who salutes author Jean Shafiroff for encouraging others to “help bring about change,” through the text and her philanthropic initiatives in any way possible.

Jean Shafiroff is considered to be at the vanguard of a new movement of modern philanthropists. She is a volunteer fundraiser, leader and spokesperson for several charitable causes and serves on the boards of New York City Mission Society, New York Women’s Foundation, French Heritage Society, Couture Council (Museum of the Fashion Institute of Technology), Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services (20+ years), Southampton Animal Shelter Honorary Board, and Southampton Bath & Tennis Club’s Charitable Foundation.

Often noted for her beautiful ball gowns, Jean Shafiroff also holds an MBA from the Graduate School of Business at Columbia University and a BS in physical therapy from the Columbia University 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.