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Knock Out Abuse Will Sparkle Again for their 25th Silver Year Fundraising Gala
The New Chairman Announcement

WASHINGTON, DC—Nothing is more powerful than women supporting other women. Strong women
throughout the community are continuing to lift others up. Knock Out Abuse Against Women is no
exception to this growing movement.

Co-founders Cheryl Davis Masri and Jill Sorensen are proud to announce the 2018 chairwomen for this
year’s event. Longtime supporters of the organization, Denise Grant, Ann Walker Marchant and Norma
Ramsey have all done their part to support women in need whether it is in the workplace or amongst
friends. As leaders in the community, each of these women has used their voice to help others who have
not been able to use their own.

As someone who is committed to helping others succeed, Denise Grant has always been involved in
charity. She is a board member for multiple non-profit organizations working to help improve the
performing arts industry such as, the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts and the Avalon
Foundation. Combining her passion for charity with her success in the business world, Grant is also a
member of the board of directors for the Bryce Harlow Foundation as well as a member of the Economic
Club of Washington. Grant has been in leadership positions for multiple companies including the
Washing DC location of Russell Reynolds Associates, an executive search firm. She is also the founder of
Overlook Strategies, a company that helps other companies and non-profits to improve their own
effectiveness and leadership. As someone who has experienced the competition of the high-ranking
workforce, Grant is an advocate for the employment of more women in C-suite positions.

Ann Walker Marchant has been involved in Knock Out Abuse for many years. She was the chairwoman
in 2005 and is back to once again plan a successful fundraising event. A longtime advocate for giving
back, Marchant is also on the board for the National Trust for the Humanities and a trustee at George
Washington University. As a member of the Women’s Forum for the Global Economy and Society, she is
a supporter of contributing to global initiatives. Using her knowledge of global issues and her passion for
helping the community, Marchant is the founder and CEO of The Walker Marchant Group, a strategic
communications firm with a focus on companies that influence public opinion and global issues.
Through her work with Knock Out Abuse and other organizations, Marchant is a leader in the
community and the fight for gender equality and diversity while promoting opportunity for all.

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No stranger to Knock Out Abuse either, Norma Ramsey, the 2003 chairwoman, is again returning to
promote kindness towards women. As a devoted philanthropic, Ramsey has had a large role in several
organizations including her own, The Ramsey Foundation, which is dedicated to improving children’s
education and healthcare. She is committed to making the world a better place by serving on the board
for the Inova Health System Foundation, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, the Wolf
Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts as well as many others. Honored in 2004 with the Larry King
“Spirit of Life Award”, Ramsey has always been a champion for helping people achieve a better life.

Knock Out Abuse

Since 1993, Knock Out Abuse Against Women has been raising money to combat domestic abuse and
support the victims. Raising over $9 million in its 25 years, KOA has provided funding to shelters for
women and children whose lives have been shattered by abuse, poverty and homelessness. Proceeds
also go to offering valuable life skills, housing, counseling, education, job placement and legal protection
to women and children in need throughout the Washington DC community. For more information on
Knock Out Abuse, please visit www.knockoutabuse.org or contact Rebecca Magnuson, Event Manager at
(202) 223-1906.

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