Anne Marie Principe

Anne Marie is a 9/11 Survivor and Advocate.

In 2002, she became gravely ill from the toxic dust of Ground Zero and was treated at a special Integrative Medicine Clinic in Lower Manhattan. Together with a team of 9/11 heroes, Anne Marie went on to advocate and raise funds for the facility.  Thousands of sick 9/11 First Responders and civilians were able to be treated free of cost.

She planned, organized, and executed national campaigns on the plight of The Ground Zero Community to raise awareness and mobilize others.

Ms. Principe was the former President of New York From the Ground Up (FTGU), a 9/11 grassroots, small business lobby, which helped breakthrough and redefine HUD regulations. FTGU was instrumental in changing SBA guidelines and reshaping public policy to help deliver federal funds and grant monies to assist small business owners in rebuilding the Ground Zero Community. FTGU was part of the push for 20 Billion in funds promised and delivered by President George Bush.

Anne Marie was a member of the 9/11 Ground Zero Task Force comprised of New York City and State legislators and community leaders.

As a member of the Jon Stewart Team, she advocated for 9/11 WTC legislation HR 1327 and S546, The Never Forget the Heroes Bill, the second-largest health care bill ever passed in our nation’s history.

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Honored by League of Woman Voters as a Woman of Distinction. Honorary co-chair of the Congressional Small Business Advisory Board of NYC for three years. Two national leadership awards from Congress. A 9/11 Manhattan Chamber of Commerce award was presented to From the Ground Up for their leadership and advocacy.

Sebastian Raspanti

Sebastian Raspanti grew up in Queens, New York where he was an acclaimed athlete in multiple sports including Baseball, Basketball, and Hockey. He attended St. Johns University and obtained his BA in History, Business, and secondary education. His real dream was to be a NYC Firefighter. Sebastian's mom and grandmother had been saved by allied forces during WW II and he hoped to become a member of the prestigious NYC Department. He took the Firefighter entrance exam and waited his turn to be called.

He was offered a great position in the marketing department of British Airways where he flourished and excelled; but several years later, he was notified that he had been accepted and assigned to Engine 233/Ladder 176. He loved to serve and was one of the stars of the Hockey Team. Sebastian served for over a decade and was on duty and was one of the first responder heroes of 9/11.

The toxic exposure impacted his career as he became sick from the dust. He became interested in holistic healing and was part of a groundbreaking clinic that treated those who became ill from the toxic fumes. He gave his time as a part of an advocacy team that generated awareness and raised funds to treat thousands of others. He retired from the FDNY in 2008 and became well-versed in functional medicine treatments. Sebastian now advocates privately and publicly for integrative medicine to be incorporated into treatment protocols to improve people’s quality of life.