The first annual Spirit of Beauty Luncheon – to honor industry execs – will take place on Monday, May 12, 2014, at Cipriani 42nd St. in New York City. The networking event will be hosted by the March of Dimes New York Division.

The industry execs that will be receiving Spirit of Beauty Awards are: Sarah Brown, beauty director, Vogue; Mally Roncal, president/founder, Mally Beauty; and Jacquie Tractenberg, president, Tractenberg & Co.

The awards will be presented by Claudia Lucas, merchandising director for Beauty, QVC; hair care and style legend, John Frieda; and beauty entrepreneur, Gail Federici.

Sponsors for the event are Conde Nast, Coty Inc., International Flavors & Fragrances, Hearst Magazines, L’Oreal USA, and Shiseido Cosmetics.

For 39 years, the March of Dimes Beauty Ball had the distinction of being one of the most highly anticipated social events in the cosmetic and fashion publishing industries; raising over $35 million to support the organization.

Shelly Siegel, Executive Director, March of Dimes NY Division, commented:

“With the support of a stellar line-up of business leaders and industry giants, the inaugural Spirit of Beauty Luncheon promises to be the next great chapter in the storied history of an extraordinary event. The success and triumph of the Beauty Ball is an inspiration to us, as we move forward with this new and exciting industry event.”

Funds raised at this year’s Spirit of Beauty Luncheon will help March of Dimes continue the important work it is doing to end prematurity and help give every baby a healthy start in life.

Photos: Left: Sarah Brown, Vogue.com; on Top Right: Jacquie Tractenberg, cropped, from PatrickMcMullan.com; Bottom Right: Mally Roncal, MallyBeauty.com.