Wednesday, October 7, 2026
The seventh annual RVC Blue Speaks “Light it Up Blue” Gala recognized a corporate honoree for the first time in the organizations’ history. Flagstar Private Bank was praised for its ongoing commitment to community service and inclusion, particularly for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
The gala, a signature fundraising event for the nonprofit, brought together supporters, advocates and families affected by autism. Since its founding in 2017, the organization has raised more than $600,000 for autism-focused initiatives, including research, sensory-inclusive programs and scholarships. This year’s event, on April 26, continues to benefit from the generosity of longtime supporter Butch Yamali, president and CEO of the Dover Group, who has again donated the full cost of the event.
“We’re honored to be named Gala Honoree by RVC Blue Speaks,” said Rich Raffetto, senior executive vice president and president of Flagstar Private & Commercial Bank. “Their dedication to supporting individuals with autism is inspiring. At Flagstar, we believe in the power of community and are proud to support organizations that make a real difference in people’s lives.”
Flagstar Private Bank, a division of Flagstar Bank, N.A., was honored for its community engagement and recent actions to support individuals with ASD. In partnership with the Winters Center for Autism — another RVC Blue Speaks collaborator — Flagstar Bank has hired three adults with autism who completed training at the center and continue to work at the bank.
“Having the longtime support from organizations like Flagstar Private Bank, through its parent company, Flagstar Bank, and Lucy Iannucci, SVP and Group Director, is critical to our mission,” Tony Cancellieri, co-founder of RVC Blue Speaks, said. “As we learned more about their collective commitment to impacting their communities in meaningful ways, we wanted to recognize their efforts and celebrate their commitment to diverse communities.”
Olivia Hurd was also honored at the gala as the “Person of Courage,” receiving recognition and a citation for her advocacy.
Founded by Rockville Centre residents Anthony and MaryLou Cancellieri following their grandson Louis’s autism diagnosis at age two, RVC Blue Speaks has emerged as a leading force for autism awareness on Long Island. The organization has donated thousands to support programs at the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Mount Sinai, Adelphi University’s Bridges Program, the Hagedorn Little Village School in Seaford and Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital.
Among its local initiatives, RVC Blue Speaks helped fund two Vecta sensory machines for use in the emergency department at Mount Sinai South Nassau. The devices create calming environments for individuals with ASD in stressful medical settings. The group is also supporting the development of a sensory space in the hospital’s new Feil Family Pavilion.
In addition to medical partnerships, the organization works directly with local municipalities. In collaboration with the Village of Rockville Centre and the nonprofit KultureCity, RVC Blue Speaks helped the Rockville Centre Police Department become New York’s first certified sensory-inclusive law enforcement agency. Each April, the group leads a village-wide “Light It Up Blue” campaign to promote autism awareness.
For more information about RVC Blue Speaks and its initiatives, visit RVCBlueSpeaks.org.
