Want to ensure you throw a good birthday party? Make sure you’ve got great entertainment. For Pathfinders for Autism, that meant bringing in the Goo Goo Dolls for a private concert as it celebrated its 25th year.
Some 300 folks turned out for the event, first gathering in the lobby of the M&T Bank Exchange for a cocktail hour. There, they mingled with friends and offered congrats to B.J. Surhoff and his wife, Polly Winde Surhoff, who co-founded the nonprofit to provide support to people with autism and their families.
Then, it was into the hall for the concert, which kept most of the crowd on their feet… and maybe even dancing.
As far as birthday presents went, Pathfinders scored big on that front – collecting some $1.4 million for its new Community Connections program, which will expand the organization’s efforts throughout the state.
From left - Jennifer St. John, retired Baltimore news anchor, Ed St. John, St. John Properties founder/chairman, Mary Beth Marsden, artist, and Mark McGrath, Ameriprise Financial financial advisor, at Pathfinders for Autism's 25th Anniversary Celebration. (Sloane Brown)University of Maryland president/CEO Dr. Mohan Suntha joined Pathfinders co-founder B.J. Surhoff on stage prior to the concert, to help raise additional funds for the organization's new Community Connector program. (Sloane Brown)
From left - Allyson Gordon, MedStar Health clinical director of telehealth and Innovation, Jason Gordon, business consultant/QC2 managing partner, Mark Bearman, Herbert Bearman Foundation COO, and Lindsay Bearman, MedStar Health certified registered nurse anesthetist, at Pathfinders for Autism's 25th Anniversary Celebration. (Sloane Brown)November 6, 2025: Guests had a chance to grab a little nourishment - both liquid and solid - at a reception prior to the concert. (Sloane Brown)November 6, 2025: From left - Pathfiinders for Autism co-founding board members Polly Winde Surhoff, current board member, and B.J. Surhoff, board president, at Pathfinders for Autism's 25th Anniversary Celebration. (Sloane Brown)
From left, Jordan Surhoff Simini, Sinclair digital project manager, Matt Simini, Cytora delivery manager, Mason Surhoff, librarian, and Kendall Surhoff, MedStar Georgetown medical laboratory scientist, at Pathfinders for Autism's 25th Anniversary Celebration. (Sloane Brown)Nobember 6, 2025: From left - Fran Soistman, retired eHealth CEO, and Alyce Marie, Me & Mr. Jones Band lead singer, at Pathfinders for Autism's 25th Anniversary Celebration. (Sloane Brown)November 6, 2025: Shawn O'Meara, Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland director of finance, Shali Bowry, Deb Trautman, American Association of Colleges of Nursing CEO, and Dr. Gaurav Kumar, LifeBridge Health pediatrician, at Pathfinders for Autism's 25th Anniversary Celebration. (Sloane Brown)
From left - Brandon DeCaro, Talogy business development executive, Bic DeCaro, eXp Realty realtor, Ava Nguyen, AVA HOMES owner, and Dan Nguyen, Cisco Systems solution architect, at Pathfinders for Autism's 25th Anniversary Celebration. (Sloane Brown)November 6, 2025: The Goo Goo Dolls rock the M&T Bank Exchange at the Pathfinders for Autism's 25th Anniversary Celebration. (Sloane Brown)November 6, 2025: While everyone had a seat at the concert, the high energy vibe had most folks out of them. (Sloane Brown)
November 6, 2025: The Goo Goo Dolls perform at the Pathfinders for Autism 25th Anniversary Celebration. (Sloane Brown)From left - Jason Hisley, Cake by Jason owner, and Tyler Stiff, shipbuilder, at Pathfinders for Autism's 25th Anniversary Celebration. (Sloane Brown)A packed house greeted the Goo Goo Dolls at the M&T Bank Exchange. (Sloane Brown)
From left, Butler Corner Clothing colleagues - Elizabeth LeVanis, CFO, Courtenay Arendt, manager/buyer, and Hope Birsh, owner - and Meg Whiteford, Packard Center for ALS Research senior associate director of development, at Pathfinders for Autism's 25th Anniversary Celebration. (Sloane Brown)The Goo Goo Dolls take center stage at the Pathfinders for Autism's 25th Anniversary Celebration. (Sloane Brown)November 6, 2025: Attendees enjoyed a cocktail hour in the M&T Bank Exchange Lobby, before filing into the main hall for the concert. (Sloane Brown)
November 6, 2025: From left - Becky Galli, founding board member/columnist/author, and Bobby Cronin, fine wine professional, at Pathfinders for Autism's 25th Anniversary Celebration. (Sloane Brown)From left - Dillon Flaherty, Masterpeace Solutions software developer, Michelle Flaherty, T. Rowe Price events manager, Maru Fava, event committee member/T. Rowe Price experience and corporate event senior manager, and Andrew Fava, AJ Fava Produce Company president/owner, at Pathfinders for Autism's 25th Anniversary Celebration. (Sloane Brown)Chea Weltchek, Counseling & Wellness Collective therapist, and Milan Devon, David S. Brown Enterprises vice president of construction, at Pathfinders for Autism's 25th Anniversary Celebration. (Sloane Brown)
Friday, Nov. 21 Under $2500 Benefit Exhibition & Sale Event Benefits Maryland Art Place
MAP, 218 W. Saratoga St.
6-10 p.m
Tickets $40 mdartplace.org/events
Saturday, Nov. 22 Holiday Party Benefits Sharp Dressed Man
Baltimore Streetcar Museum, 1901 Falls Road
7-11 p.m.
Tickets $75 sharpdressedman.org/2025-holiday-party
