Veronica de Piante x The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering

Veronica de Piante partners with The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to support pioneering breakthroughs for young adults with cancer.

This year, the partnership deepens as we sponsor the MSK Collectors Preview at TEFAF New York. Rooted in shared values and a sense of responsibility, the collaboration highlights how art and collecting can drive meaningful philanthropic support.

What draws you to an art piece—instinct, story, or something else?


With art, initially I’m drawn by the image or shape. Whether it’s representational or abstract, some forms immediately speak to me. Once the piece has my attention, I want to know everything about it.

For more traditional, representational works, I love the story. For example, there is an exhibit at the Yale University Art Gallery right now, Keeping Alive the Remembrance: Commemorating America's Founding, 1776–1876, that was curated in honor of The United States’s 250th anniversary. The works masterfully tell the story of the 10 years that redefined the global landscape and laid the foundation for the world we know today.

For abstract works, it’s so exciting when the colors, shapes, and mood hit me in my gut. There are some thematic threads I’m interested in, so sometimes I seek out artists or works from a certain period or provenance, but I have to love what I’m looking at.

It’s also exciting to learn about an artist’s path and process; the knowledge always deepens my appreciation for the artist’s work as a whole.

How do you see the relationship between art, collecting, and philanthropy?

I was a History of Art major in college, so studying and being with art has always been important to me. My husband and I started collecting art in a more purposeful way when we bought our first home.

One of the works we purchased was a Hans Hofmann oil that I loved. Hofmann was both an acclaimed artist and a very influential art teacher who taught many of the most renowned 20th century artists.

His dual legacy spoke to me as a student of art history, so much so that my husband and I donated his work to the Yale University Art Gallery. The gift felt very “full circle” to me given that it was at Yale that I developed my passion for art and art history.

It was the perfect marriage of art, collecting, and philanthropy, and I love that the work is currently on display for everyone who visits the museum to see.

What part of the work at MSK feels most meaningful or impactful to you?

Serving as President of The Society of MSK and working to help MSK achieve its mission to end cancer for life is a true honor. MSK is a global leader in cancer research and treatment, and The Society focuses on raising funds for MSK’s top priorities in patient care, early cancer research, and public education about the prevention, early detection, and treatment of cancers.

Philanthropy fuels MSK’s groundbreaking work, so The Society’s role within MSK has never been more important or more impactful than it is today.

I am deeply grateful to The Society’s members and supporters for all they do to allow us to fulfill The Society’s mission and support the extraordinary institution that is MSK.

What draws you to an art piece—instinct, story, or something else?

For me, it always begins with instinct—I have a very immediate, emotional recognition when something feels is right. But what sustains that connection is the story.

I’m drawn to pieces that carry a sense of place, of authorship, of intention. I enjoy dreaming about how something was made, who made it, and what it’s meant to evoke over time.

The most compelling pieces, to me, are the ones that reveal themselves slowly—they’re not just decorative, they’re narrative. They become part of a larger dialogue between past and present, which is something I care deeply about..

How do you see the relationship between art, collecting, and philanthropy?

I see them as inherently intertwined. Collecting, at its best, is an act of stewardship—it’s about supporting artists, preserving creativity, and giving important work a platform to be seen and experienced.

Philanthropy extends that idea outward. It ensures that access to beauty, culture, and expression isn’t limited.There’s also something quite powerful about using collecting as a vehicle for impact. When you’re intentional about what you acquire and how you share it, you’re contributing to a broader ecosystem. Whether that’s through exhibitions, partnerships, or direct support, it becomes less about ownership and more about participation.

I think, especially now, there’s a growing responsibility among collectors to think beyond the walls of their own spaces and consider how their choices can benefit our wider community.

What part of the work at MSK feels most meaningful or impactful to you?

What resonates most deeply with me about Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is the intersection of innovation and humanity. Their level of scientific advancement is extraordinary and unparalleled, of course, but what truly stays with you is the care—the way every detail is considered through the lens of the patient experience.

I’m especially moved by the work that supports not just treatment, but quality of life. The idea that environment, comfort, and even moments of beauty can play a role in healing feels very aligned with how I think about hospitality. It’s about creating spaces that uplift people during all walks of life - whether those be joyful or incredibly difficult moments.

To be able to contribute, even in a small way, to an institution that is constantly pushing boundaries while maintaining such a deep sense of compassion is incredibly meaningful.

It reminds us that impact isn’t just measured in outcomes, but also in how people feel along the way.

From May 12th to 22nd 2026, 10% of proceeds from all sales: online and in-store will support Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.