2026 Gala Co-CHair

Michele Sherman Entner is a dedicated community volunteer and philanthropist with a longstanding commitment to supporting organizations that enrich the cultural and civic life of New York City and the Hudson Valley. She has served on the steering committee of the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine for nine years, helping advance its mission to bring the healing power of music to patients, families, and healthcare professionals.

 

Michele's love of music and philanthropy began in childhood. Her family's business, Nat Sherman International, was a cherished third-generation New York City institution for more than ninety years. She grew up in an environment where music, hospitality, and generosity naturally came together. The Nat Sherman flagship store was known not only for its cigars but also for its welcoming atmosphere, complete with a piano where customers would gather to play music and enjoy one another's company.

 

Her grandfather, Nat, was a gifted entertainer who delighted friends and patrons by singing at his favorite New York City restaurants, while her father, who studied drums with legendary jazz drummer Gene Krupa, nurtured a deep appreciation for music that wove itself into family life. The love of music and the arts became a central part of her own family life, as she and her husband passed those traditions on to their children.

 

Within the family business, Michele directed many of its philanthropic efforts, supporting organizations that served veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and numerous community causes. She has also served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, generously contributing her leadership, compassion, and commitment to strengthening the communities she serves.

 

Today, Michele continues to champion organizations whose work improves lives through healthcare, music, the arts, and community service, carrying forward a family tradition of generosity, civic engagement, and the belief that music has the power to bring people together and promote healing.