RAY DALIO NAMED GRAND MARSHAL OF 82ND COLUMBUS DAY PARADE; AMBASSADOR LEANDRO RIZZUTO AND DR. EVELYN C. GRANIERI HONORED

Distinguished Leaders in Finance, Diplomacy, Business, Medicine and Education to Be Celebrated During America’s 250th Anniversary Year

NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, August 17, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The Columbus Citizens Foundation is proud to announce Raymond T. Dalio, founder and mentor of Bridgewater Associates, philanthropist, and bestselling author, as the Grand Marshal of the 82nd Annual Columbus Day Parade, an honor bestowed in recognition of his extraordinary philanthropic contributions and support of the Foundation.

Dalio’s son, Matt Dalio, will proudly represent his father at the Annual Columbus Day Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Monday morning and at the Parade that follows along Fifth Avenue. Matt Dalio is the Founder of Endless and CEO of Endless Studios, where he works to ensure people can become creators, not just consumers, of technology by learning to build video games. Working with global partners, he aims to expand access to digital skills, creativity, and career pathways worldwide.

The Foundation will also recognize two distinguished honorees: Ambassador Leandro Rizzuto, U.S. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States, and Evelyn C. Granieri, M.D., MPH, MSEd, a renowned geriatrician and Emerita Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.

As the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, the 2026 Columbus Day Parade will honor the enduring contributions of Italian Americans to the history, culture, innovation and success of the United States.

A global macro investor for more than 50 years, Ray Dalio founded Bridgewater Associates out of his two-bedroom apartment in NYC and ran it for most of its 50 years, building it into the largest hedge fund in the world under his leadership. He is now in a stage of life in which he wants to pass along and help people learn about principles that have helped him, especially in markets and the economy. His innovations in investing—including risk parity, alpha overlay and the All Weather portfolio—have transformed the way institutions manage capital worldwide.

Beyond finance, Dalio has served as a trusted advisor on global economic and policy matters and was named by TIME magazine as one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World.” He is also the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Principles: Life and Work; Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order; How Countries Go Broke: The Big Cycle; and Principles for Navigating Big Debt Crises.

A graduate of C.W. Post College and Harvard Business School, Dalio is also a dedicated philanthropist whose work focuses on expanding opportunity in education, healthcare and finance, as well as supporting ocean exploration and conservation initiatives. He and his wife, Barbara, have been married for more than 40 years and have three grown sons and eight grandchildren.

Ambassador Rizzuto is a distinguished diplomat, accomplished business leader and dedicated philanthropist. Currently serving as U.S. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States, he has also served as the U.S. Consul General to Bermuda and remains a trusted advisor to numerous public policy and business organizations.

Beyond his diplomatic service, Ambassador Rizzuto built a remarkable career at Conair Corporation, rising from warehouse operations to Senior Vice President, expanding the company’s global footprint to over 125 countries and personally earning 25 U.S. patents and bringing to market over 1,000 new products.

Ambassador Rizzuto has also been a transformative leader in the professional beauty industry. He founded and published Style Source Magazine and served as Chairman of the Professional Beauty Association. Through decades of corporate leadership, public service and charitable involvement, he has earned widespread recognition as a visionary executive, respected statesman and champion of civic and community engagement.

Dr. Granieri is a geriatrician and Emerita Professor of Medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. She is also an Affiliate Professor of Medicine at the City University of New York School of Medicine and the Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing.

Throughout her distinguished career, she has served as Chief of Geriatrics at the Bronx VA Hospital, Deputy Chair for Education at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and inaugural Chief of the Division of Geriatric Medicine at Columbia University.

An internationally recognized educator and mentor, Dr. Granieri has received numerous honors for her contributions to humanistic medicine and geriatric education. She serves on the boards and committees of national organizations and is a dedicated member of the Columbus Citizens Foundation Medical Scholarship Committee. She considers the greatest honors of her career to be caring for frail older adults and mentoring future generations of compassionate healthcare professionals.

The Columbus Day Parade, the world’s largest celebration of Italian American heritage and culture, will take place along Fifth Avenue on Monday, October 12, 2026, beginning at 11:30 a.m. It is the centerpiece of Columbus Celebration Weekend, October 9–12, which also includes the Foundation’s Gala at Cipriani Wall Street on Saturday, October 10, and a Wreath-Laying Ceremony honoring first responders and public servants on Sunday, October 11. Together, these events celebrate Italian American heritage while supporting the Foundation’s educational and philanthropic mission.

The Parade traces its roots to 1929, when Generoso Pope led Italian Americans from East Harlem to Columbus Circle, and was formalized as an official celebration in 1944. This year marks its 82nd anniversary.

Last year’s Grand Marshal was Joe Moglia, former Chairman and CEO of TD Ameritrade and former Head Football Coach at Coastal Carolina University. Previous Grand Marshals have included Sophia Loren, Frank Sinatra, Massimo Ferragamo, Lidia Bastianich, Joe DiMaggio, Mario Andretti and many other distinguished Italian American leaders and cultural icons.

ABOUT COLUMBUS CITIZENS FOUNDATION

Columbus Citizens Foundation is New York City’s leading Italian American nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering an appreciation of Italian American heritage and achievement. Through a broad range of philanthropic and cultural activities, the Foundation provides opportunities for advancement to deserving Italian American students through its scholarship and grant programs. The Foundation organizes New York City’s annual Columbus Celebration and Columbus Day Parade, which has celebrated Italian American heritage on Fifth Avenue since 1929.

Media Contact

Taylor Taglianetti | Impact Marketing Manager
Columbus Citizens Foundation
+1 212-249-9923 ext. 242
ttaglianetti@columbuscitizens.org

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