Co-author of The Big Moo--Donna Sturgess of GlaxoSmithKline -- at Book Signing and Silent Auction Fundraiser 3/24

Inspiring business stories from 33 of the world's best-known and most successful business leaders was the order of the day on Friday evening, March 24, as the Durand Foundation hosted a fundraising Book Signing and Silent Auction event for The Big Moo: Stop Trying to Be Perfect and Start Being Remarkable. This unprecedented, book collaboration debuted in October at number eight on the Wall Street Journal's Best Seller Business Book list, and has remained in the Amazon.com 100 list. Held at the Spinner residence, in Haddonfield, the event benefited Special Needs Children and Adult Clients of Durand Academy & Community Services' vocational day center, group homes and K-8 school, throughout the tri-county area.

Donna Sturgess, one of the authors (along with Tom Peters, Malcolm Gladwell, Seth Godin, and other business gurus), Vice President of Innovation & Strategic Planning for GlaxoSmithKline, was the honored guest. Sturgess works out of the company's Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Consumer Healthcare offices, marketing consumer brands, like Aquafresh toothpaste. At the March 24 event, Sturgess shared what it takes to successfully bring a new product into a highly competitive marketplace, speaking from her vantage point working for a worldwide leader in the pharmaceutical and consumer marketing industry.

Guests enjoyed wine and canapés as Sturgess signed copies of her book, which were available for sale. A dynamic speaker, Sturgess shared anecdotes about making the book with such renowned business leaders as Malcolm Gladwell, writer for The New Yorker and author of The Tipping Point and Blink; Mark Cuban, owner of the NBA Mavericks, founder of Broadcast.com, and Hdnet.com; Robyn Waters, who turned Target Stores into a style mecca; Seth Godin, The Big Moo's editor, and author of seven international bestsellers; Alan Webber, co-founder of Big Moo Fundraiser/Durand Fast Company magazine; Tom Peters, the best selling business book author of all time, and the other innovative business leaders, who make up "The Group of 33" Authors.

One hundred percent of all book proceeds go to charity. In fact, the authors have already channeled enough money to build a school in Nepal. Corporations are a big contributor to the book's success, by purchasing enough copies for all staff members. Microsoft alone bought 15,000 copies for its employees.

According to Durand Academy & Community Services Executive Director Ray Cristofoletti, "the evening was an energizing blend of great inspiration, insightful business wisdom, fine food and wine, and the goodwill that comes from giving back to those in need."

Donna Sturgess, Vice-president of Innovation & Strategic Planning for GlaxoSmithKiline, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and co-author of The Big Moo: Stop Trying to Be Perfect and Start Being Remarkable, was the guest of honor as a Durand Foundation fundraiser, held on March 24th.