Ken & Linda Mortenson Receive The Kitty Carlisle Hart Award of Merit for Lifetime Achievement

The Kitty Carlisle Hart Award of Merit for Lifetime Achievement
was established by TGF in 1998 to honor Ms. Carlisle Hart for her
remarkable career as a grande dame of the theatre, her service
to the Foundation’s public education campaigns, and her years of
living gracefully through her personal challenges with glaucoma.
Ms. Hart was the first recipient, and she presented the award at
every gala until her death in 2007 at age 96.
The Carlisle Hart Award is given to accomplished people who are
living with eye disease, and/or the people and organizations who
champion them. Erik Weihenmayer, Kirby Puckett, Aaryn Landers
Lamb, President George H.W. Bush, Cecil M. Payne, EBONY
magazine, Tom Sullivan, Ronnie Milsap, Christopher Gardner,
Governor David Patterson, John Patrick Shanley, Elliot Erwitt,
Joseph Lovett, Steve Tyrell, STRONG-CUEVAS (Elizabeth de
Cuevas), Dr. Bruce Spivey, H.E. Ambassador Francis M. Deng,
Joseph M. La Motta, and Ron Chernow have received the award
at previous TGF galas.
The Glaucoma Foundation is honored to present this year’s Kitty
Carlisle Hart Award of Merit for Lifetime Achievement to TGF
Board members Barry Friedberg and Kenneth Mortenson, and
their spouses Charlotte Moss and Linda Mortenson for excellence
and integrity in their chosen professions, exceptional philanthropy,
and dedication to our mission to improve the lives of glaucoma
patients around the world.
Kenneth Mortenson retired as Managing Director at
Oppenheimer Capital in 2000. He is a graduate of Carleton
College with an MBA from the University of Michigan
and began his career at Comerica Bank in Detroit where
he worked for 12 years before moving to New York and
joining Oppenheimer Capital in 1981.
Mr. Mortenson serves on the Leadership Council of Partnership With Children, a
non-profit agency that makes social work services available to children in New York
City public schools. He joined the board of TGF in 2004 and is director of the finance
committee.
Linda Mortenson was a Managing Director at Oppenheimer Capital where she worked
for fifteen years as an Equity Research Analyst and Portfolio Manager. She oversaw
the investment management of client portfolios totaling $10 billion. Prior to that she
worked at the Investment Bank, Keefe, Bruyette and Woods, where she was a bank
stock analyst.
She has also worked as an auditor with a public accounting firm. She is a Certified
Public Accountant and a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Linda holds an MBA in Finance from New York University where she graduated with
honors. She also holds a BS degree in Accounting from SUNY Binghamton where
she graduated summa cum laude.
Linda is currently Chief Financial Officer for the charity Hope for Education Ghana
which provides financial support to aspiring nurses and teachers in that country. She
also serves as a mentor for disadvantaged youth in the NYC area. In the past, she
has volunteered on numerous occasions at her son’s school and with the following
charities: Visiting Neighbors, God’s Love We Deliver and The Friends Shelter.