The Annual Rutgers/LEAP Gala was established in 2000 in order to inform and excite the Camden community about the Alfredo Santiago Endowed Scholarship and to galvanize fundraising efforts on its behalf. The Gala remains the primary vehicle for scholarship fundraising and each year it generates thousands of dollars for the endowment through private and corporate donations, ticket sales, and revenue from our Silent and Live Auction.
In the last 20 years, this formal black tie event has brought university, business, and community partners together and has emphasized the necessity of creating more higher education opportunities for Camden youth. In recognition of their support for the Scholarship and for the city, the Gala has awarded the Rutgers/LEAP Leadership Award to individuals, corporations, and stakeholders whose investments in the community are changing lives and revitalizing Camden.
2022
Vernon and Shirley Hill
Founders, Commerce Bank
Founders, Metro Bank, London
Elizabeth Dale, Ed.D.
Chief Business Development and Investor Relations Officer at StartUp Health
Dr. Preston Lindsay
Founder of The Lindsay Group Co.
Alumni Honoree
2021
Steven Korman
Founding Partner, Korman Communities
Linda Richardson Korman
Founder, Richardson
2019
James Spalding
Advisor to the Board of Directors,
Financiera el Comercio and Former Paraguayan
Director, Itaipu Binacional Dam
Joseph F. Coradino,
Preit – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Trustee Since 2006
Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon
Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico
Jennifer Young
Government Affairs , Verizon, New Jersey
2018
Sharon Hammel
Senior Vice President and Chief Retail Officer, Republic Bank
Dr. Patrick T. Harker
President and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
Dr. Kris Singh
President and CEO, Holtec International
Martin Perez, Esq.
Founder and Former President Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey
David M. Velazquez
President and CEO, PEPCO Holdings
2017
Robert E. Curley III
South Jersey Market President, TD Bank
Joseph Dominguez
Executive Vice President for Governmental and Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy
Exelon Corporation
Angela M. Snyder
Chief Executive Officer
Fulton Bank of New Jersey
2016
Susan N. Story
President and Chief Executive Officer, American Water Company
Joseph H. Jacovini
Member, Senior Leadership Team; Chair of Strategic & Financial Planning, Dilworth Paxson LLP
Daniel J. Hilferty
President and Chief Executive Officer Independence Blue Cross
AIREKO and The Tustin Group
2015
Charisse R. Lillie
Vice President, Community Investment, Comcast Corporation
President, Comcast Foundation
Joan N. Stern
Partner in the Public Finance Practice, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC.
Richard P. Miller
President & CEO, Virtua
2014
Philip Murphy
Former U.S. Ambassador to Germany
Richard L. Wright
Chief of Staff to Former NJ Governor Jim Florio
Dr. Ali A. Houshmand
President, Rowan University
Gerard P. Cuddy
CEO President, Beneficial Bank
2013
Robert Menendez
U.S. Senator of New Jersey
Nelson A. Diaz
Lawyer, Partner of Dilworth Paxson Law Firm in Philadelphia
Quinton Aaron
Actor, Played the role of “Big Mike”in the Oscar Nominated film
The Blind Side
Luis Garcia, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus, Rutgers University–Camden
Lloyd Freeman
Associate, Archer & Greiner P.C., Attorney at Law
2012
Honorable Sila M. Calderón
Former Governor, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
Mr. James H. Carll
Archer & Greiner
Ms. Alma l. Saravia
Flaster/Greenberg P.C.
Ms. Mary t. Sheil
17 A Joyce Kilmer Associates
2011
Mr. José E. Fernández
Omega Overseas Investments Corp.
Mr. Angelo J. Genova,
Genova, Burns & Giantomasi
Mr. Hernán Guaracao
AL DIA News Inc.
Mr. J. Michael Schweder
AT&T
Mr. Alan F. Stein
Rotary International (#7640)
2010
Mr. Peter J. Burke, Jr.
Brandywine Senior Living
Ms. Elizabeth G. Christopherso
The Rita Allen Foundation
Ms. Brenda Ross-Dulan
Wells Fargo & Company
2009
Mr. Ralph LaRossa
President & COO, PSE&G
Dana Redd
Mayor Camden NJ
2008
Mr. Dennis M. Bone
Verizon New Jersey
2007
Mr. Joseph Lizza,
Susquehanna Bank
Ms. Linda Rohrer
The William G. Rohrer Foundation
Ms. Deborah Rosado Shaw
Dream BIG Enterprises, LLC
2006
Melinda Holman
President & CEO Holman Enterprises
2005
Gualberto Medina
Executive Vice President
CBRE Brokerage Services
2004
Senator Jon Corzine
U.S. Senator from NJ Former Governor
Congressman Robert E. Andrews
First District of New Jersey
Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald
New Jersey Legislature, Dist. 6
Dr. David P. Beck
Former President Coriell Institute for Medical Research
2003
Susanne Svizeny
Regional President, Wachovia Corporation
Ross Danis,
Program Director Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation
John Matheussen
President & CEO Delaware River Port Authority
2002
Vernon W. Hill II
Former Pres. & CEO Commerce Bank (TD Bank)
2001
Jerry Buckley
President Campbell’s Soup Foundation