Human Rights Campaign to Honor Actress Jane Krakowski, Fashion Designer Daniella Kallmeyer and LGBTQ+ Advocate Juli Grey-Owens at the 2026 Greater New York Dinner

NEW YORK — Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization – proudly announces Jane Krakowski, Daniella Kallmeyer and Juli Grey-Owens as honorees for the 2026 HRC Greater New York Dinner, taking place on February 7th in New York City. Actress Jane Krakowski will be honored with HRC’s Ally for Equality Award for her work uplifting LGBTQ+ stories and her commitment to equality. Renowned fashion designer Daniella Kallmeyer will be receiving HRC’s Visibility Award recognizing her accomplishments bringing LGBTQ+ visibility and inclusivity to the fashion world. This year’s recipient of the HRC’s Community Impact Award is Juli Grey-Owens, who has been a tireless champion for transgender rights, playing a crucial role in expanding key protections for transgender New Yorkers. 

The event will also feature appearances from actors Tituss Burgess and Louisa Jacobson, and the iconic voice of the NYC Subway, Bernie Wagenblast, will serve as a special guest announcer. HRC President Kelley Robinson will deliver remarks on the fight ahead for LGBTQ+ equality, and comedian and Out 100 honoree Dana Goldberg will host a live auction. The Dinner will be held on Saturday, February 7th, 2026, at the New York Marriott Marquis.

“I am thrilled to honor Jane Krakowski, Daniella Kallmeyer and Juli Grey-Ownes, three incredible advocates who share our mission to create real, meaningful change for the LGBTQ+ community,” said HRC President Kelley Robinson. “Their talents have helped to bring LGBTQ+ joy, brilliance and stories to the forefront, bridging gaps in representation and expanding awareness of critical issues. At a time when communities across the country are uniting to push back against the weaponization of our government, we look forward to coming together in New York to mark the fight forward for full equality.” 

Jane Krakowski is an award-winning triple threat actress best known for her role as Jenna Maroney on the Emmy Award-winning network comedy “30 Rock.” She was honored with four Emmy nominations for her work on the show, as well as a collective 2009 Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. She was most recently seen in “Elsbeth” and as the showstopping Bobbie Flanagan in Apple’s musical series “Schmicago”, a follow up to the critical and popular hit “Schmigadoon!” in which she also starred. She also received a Golden Globe-nominated for her portrayal of Elaine Vassal on the award-winning “Ally McBeal”, a Critics Choice Award and an Emmy nomination for her role as Jacqueline White on “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” She also played Mrs. Dickinson in Apple’s hit series “Dickinson” and Miss Shields on FOX’s “A Christmas Story LIVE.” Most recently, Jane was seen in Mary Todd Lincoln’s ‘bratty curls’ in Cole Escola’s critically acclaimed, hit Broadway show “Oh, Mary!” 

She earned a 2003 Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award and an Outer Critics Circle Award for her portrayal of Carla in the Broadway musical “Nine,” and a Tony nomination for “Grand Hotel.” She won an Olivier Award while starring in “Guys and Dolls” in the West End and starred in the Encores! revival of “Damn Yankees.” In 2012, Krakowski released her solo debut album, “The Laziest Gal in Town,” a CD recording captured during her cabaret nightclub debut at the Park Avenue hotspot, Feinstein’s at Loews Regency.

“I feel incredibly privileged to work in a profession that uses storytelling to empower people, build understanding, and honor our shared humanity,” said ally and actress Jane Krakowski. “I’ve been fortunate to spend much of my life and career in spaces shaped by LGBTQ+ artists, audiences, and imagination, and I’m deeply grateful for the extraordinary LGBTQ+ talent I’ve had the honor to work alongside, and for all that this community has given me. At a time when voices are being silenced and rights are under attack, I am proud to stand with the LGBTQ+ community and fight for the equality we all deserve.” 

Daniella Kallmeyer is a New York–based designer and the founder of her eponymous label, Kallmeyer. A graduate of the London College of Fashion with a focus on tailoring, she honed her craft at luxury houses with the likes of Alexander McQueen, Proenza Schouler, and Luca Luca. She founded Kallmeyer in 2012 with a vision for seasonless, impeccably tailored pieces defined by consideration, strength, and quiet sensuality—prioritizing quality and accessible luxury over trend and speed.

For more than a decade, Kallmeyer has cultivated a devoted and diverse clientele drawn to her thoughtful approach to wardrobe building, where utility and elegance coexist. The brand is anchored by two retail stores in New York City, each with personalized and distinguished environments for customer experience and community engagement, and surrounded by hand-made furniture and carefully curated details. Beyond design, Daniella is deeply committed to community building, fostering meaningful relationships through intimate brand experiences and collaborations. In 2025, she was nominated for CFDA American Womenswear Designer of the Year, recognizing her growing influence and distinct voice in American fashion.

“What we wear is often the first way we introduce ourselves to the world — and how we ask to be seen,” said LGBTQ+ designer Daniella Kallmeyer. “As a designer and a queer woman, I understand that experience firsthand. Designing a wardrobe for a life of pride, authenticity, and strength resonates with more than just the LGBTQ+ community, but from the clothes you wear to who you love, living in your truth is not only liberating, it’s essential. My work seeks to support the opportunities for leaders, creators, and all unique individuals to put their best selves forward in a world where we are often asked to shrink. I am grateful for this recognition and to be joined alongside others who are fighting to expand queer visibility and inclusion.”

Juli Grey-Owens, a New York State transgender activist, is the founder and Executive Director of Gender Equality New York Inc (GENY), a non-profit corporation whose mission is to advocate for transgender, gender non-binary, and intersex New Yorkers through education, advocacy, and empowerment. She was a Lead Organizer behind the campaign to pass the New York State transgender civil rights bill known as the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), which was successfully passed and signed into law by Governor Cuomo in 2019. In 2017 she was recognized by City & State New York magazine as one of the “10 People Making a Difference for LGBT New Yorkers” and in 2019 she was again recognized by City & State magazine in their Pride Power 100 list which recognizes the most influential figures in the LGBTQ community in New York. She also serves on the Suffolk County Executive’s LGBTQ Advisory Board and the Town of Huntington LGBTQ+ Task Force. Grey-Owens also serves on the NYS Division of Human Rights Hate and Bias Prevention Long Island Regional Council.

“I am pleased to be joined with New York’s brightest advocates who share a vision for a future where every LGBTQ+ person can live freely and authentically without fear. When we come together, lean on each other and leverage our power and resilience, we can make this vision a reality,” said transgender activist and founder and Executive Director of Gender Equality New York Inc Juli Grey-Owens. “We are facing a critical moment in our movement, facing an administration that is spreading lies about who we are, undermining our humanity and working to push us back into the closet. But we have been fighting for generations and will continue to fight for the rights we deserve in this great state and beyond.” 

This year’s HRC Greater New York Dinner will bring together HRC’s most active advocates, members and supporters in the greater New York area to raise crucial funds in the fight for LGBTQ+ equality. Tickets and further information are available at hrc.im/newyorkdinner.

Due to limited space, only members of the media who have been credentialed in advance will be allowed entrance. 

To apply for media credentials to cover this event, please fill out the credential application form by February 4th, 2026

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people, with 3.6 million members and supporters. The HRC Foundation (a 501(c)(3)) works to ensure LGBTQ+ people are safe, seen and supported where it matters most: at school, at work and in every community across the country. From the courtroom to the classroom, from Congress to corporate America, HRC and the HRC Foundation build power through partnerships, storytelling, and action—working to create a future rooted in equity, freedom and belonging for all LGBTQ+ people.

###