On a beautiful Sunday, the Beverly Hilton’s International Ballroom was filled with the energy of 500 accomplished women united by a common cause. While the setting spoke of luxury and high fashion, the atmosphere carried something deeper: the unmistakable feeling of women coming together to support those who need it most. At the centre of this gathering stood Tess Mann, whose own story of reinvention mirrors the hope she wants to inspire in others.
The former FBI special agent, who spent 20 years investigating criminal cases, now creates couture pieces that serve as armour for modern women. Her journey from federal law enforcement to fashion design isn’t just unconventional—it’s a testament to how personal purpose can find expression in unexpected places.
When Purpose Meets Couture
Tess Mann’s two-decade career in federal law enforcement was grounded in psychology and criminology, with a focus on psychopathology. That analytical precision now informs her approach to fashion design, where she channels her understanding of female empowerment into architectural details and flowing silhouettes. Her Tess Mann Atelier creates pieces that combine strength with elegance, drawing from her investigative background to craft clothing that empowers women.
‘Being chosen as the exclusive designer for such a meaningful event was truly an honour,’ said Mann, whose Sophisticate Collection took centre stage at the 17th annual A Pink Pump Affair. ‘A Pink Pump Affair represents the perfect intersection of fashion and purposeful philanthropy, values that align beautifully with our brand’s mission of creating exceptional pieces for life’s most significant moments.’
The fashion show, themed ‘SNN in Wonderland,’ concluded with Mann’s bridal collection—a deliberate choice that symbolised hope and new beginnings for the families the event supports.
More Than Glamour: The Pink Pump Affair Legacy
Since 2009, A Pink Pump Affair has brought together women from diverse professional backgrounds: entrepreneurs, attorneys, philanthropists, bankers, physicians and entertainment industry executives. The high tea luncheon, fashion show and awards ceremony has become one of Southern California’s most anticipated philanthropic events, but its impact extends far beyond the Beverly Hilton’s ballroom.
The Special Needs Network, which organises the annual event, operates the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities on the Martin Luther King Jr. Medical Campus in South Los Angeles. This facility serves as a beacon for families in the historic Watts, Willowbrook and Compton neighbourhoods, providing comprehensive medical and developmental services to primarily Medi-Cal recipients and low-to-moderate income families.
The centre’s services include Applied Behavior Analysis therapy, early intervention programmes and family support services. What makes their approach particularly effective is the emphasis on parent education, ensuring that therapeutic gains made at the centre are reinforced at home and in the community.
This year’s Women of Distinction Awards recognised four remarkable women who embody the spirit of supporting children and families with developmental disabilities. Award-winning recording artist Shanice received the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Habitat for Humanity Greater LA President and CEO Erin G. Rank was honoured with the Innovator Award for her leadership in community development.
Attorney and board director Shannon Nash received the Trailblazer Award, and fashion designer and entrepreneur Galina Sobolev was presented with the Visionary Award. Each woman’s work demonstrates how individual commitment can create ripple effects of positive change in their communities.
The awards ceremony, emceed by CBS anchor Pat Harvey with celebrity auctioneer Kym Whitley, highlighted the personal connections that drive effective philanthropy. These aren’t distant benefactors writing cheques—they’re women who understand that real change happens when you invest in relationships and community.
Fashion as a Force for Good
The effectiveness of charity fashion shows lies in their ability to combine entertainment with meaningful fundraising. Fashion-focused fundraising events particularly appeal to women’s groups by creating stylish, empowering experiences that attract donors who might not otherwise engage with traditional charity appeals.
For A Pink Pump Affair, the fashion element serves multiple purposes. It creates an aspirational experience that justifies higher ticket prices, attracts media attention that amplifies the cause, and provides a platform for storytelling that connects donors emotionally to the mission.
‘This year’s fashion show, headlined by Tess Mann, beautifully reflected the essence of our mission—to celebrate and uplift women while advocating for children and families with developmental disabilities,’ says Areva Martin, founder and president of Special Needs Network. ‘The artistry, empowerment, and elegance on display were a perfect mirror of what A Pink Pump Affair represents: fashion with a purpose, style with substance.’
Beyond the Runway: Crisis Response
This year’s event carried additional weight as a portion of proceeds supported families impacted by the January 2025 Pacific Palisades and Altadena fires. The devastating blazes destroyed approximately 7,000 buildings in Altadena and 6,800 in Pacific Palisades, displacing tens of thousands of families.
The Special Needs Network’s response to the fires demonstrates how established charitable organisations can quickly pivot to address urgent community needs. By extending their reach beyond autism advocacy to assist families facing unexpected crises, they’ve shown that meaningful community-focused philanthropy requires both focused expertise and flexible compassion.
The community response to these fires has involved multiple organisations working together to provide immediate relief and long-term rebuilding support. For many affected families, having children with developmental disabilities added layers of complexity to an already traumatic situation.
The Real Impact of Gathered Women
What makes events like A Pink Pump Affair effective isn’t just the money raised—it’s the network of relationships built and sustained. When 500 accomplished women gather annually, they create connections that extend far beyond a single afternoon. These relationships become the foundation for ongoing support, advocacy and community building.
The Special Needs Network’s model of combining direct service delivery with community fundraising creates a powerful feedback loop. Donors can see exactly how their contributions translate into services for families, while service recipients understand that their community is invested in their success.
For women like Tess Mann, participating in events like these represents more than professional visibility—it’s an opportunity to align business success with personal values. Her shift from FBI agent to fashion designer might seem dramatic, but both roles involve serving others and creating safety in different ways.
The afternoon concluded with Mann’s bridal collection, models walking the runway in flowing gowns that spoke to hope and celebration. In a room full of women who had spent hours discussing autism services, fire relief and community support, the image of brides felt like a promise: that despite challenges, there are still reasons to celebrate, still futures worth building.
As the last model left the runway and the applause faded, the real work continued. The funds raised would go directly to supporting families who need comprehensive autism services, crisis intervention and community support. The relationships built would sustain this work long after the last pink pump was stored away.
For attendees, the question isn’t whether they’ll return next year—it’s how they’ll stay involved in the months between. The most meaningful philanthropy happens not in ballrooms but in the daily decisions to support organisations that make a difference. The fashion show ends, but the purpose continues.
