November 3, 2026

Saatva Founder and CEO Ron Rudzin Honored at PENCIL’s 2026 Celebration of Success Gala

At PENCIL, Inc.’s annual Celebration of Success Gala, Saatva Founder and CEO Ron Rudzin was honored alongside fellow honorees Henry Rubio, president of the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators (CSA), and The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) for their contributions to expanding educational opportunities for New York City public school students. Saatva proudly supported the evening as a Diamond Level Sponsor.

Founded in 1995, PENCIL is a New York City nonprofit dedicated to connecting public school students with business and civic leaders through mentorship, career exploration, and professional development opportunities. Its annual Celebration of Success Gala recognizes the individuals and organizations helping create meaningful connections and open doors for the next generation.

In his acceptance remarks, Ron expressed gratitude for the recognition, crediting the Saatva team for its shared commitment to giving back. He reflected on how the company’s growth and expanding retail presence created opportunities to deepen its community involvement, particularly in the neighborhoods it calls home. Ron also emphasized the reciprocal value of connecting young people with business leaders: while students gain exposure to career opportunities and the skills needed to succeed, businesses benefit from developing a stronger pipeline of future talent.

“We’re helping young people find their way and find great success in their lives, while also helping businesses in New York have a greater pool of candidates to choose from,” said Rudzin.

Ron also praised PENCIL’s leadership and mission, highlighting the importance of hands-on engagement in creating lasting change. As he shared, writing a check is easy, but actively getting involved makes a meaningful difference. He encouraged others to support PENCIL and its work bringing students and the business community together.

The recognition marks another milestone in Saatva’s longstanding partnership with PENCIL, which began in 2019 and has engaged more than 750 New York City public school students through mentorship, career exploration, leadership development, and workplace learning opportunities such as the annual Principal For A Day® experience. Through its continued support, Saatva remains committed to expanding access to meaningful experiences and helping prepare the next generation of leaders.

This work is part of Saatva’s Professional Dreamer™ initiative, which reflects the company’s broader commitment to investing in the next generation through meaningful opportunities, mentorship, and restorative sleep. Saatva’s Diamond Level sponsorship of the gala and Ron’s recognition underscore its continued dedication to community engagement and creating pathways for New York City students to thrive.