Enzo Biochem, Inc
The Ram's Horn Award for Corporate Leadership
Accepting for Enzo Biochem, Inc., Kara Cannon - Chief Operating Officer
Kara Cannon is a P&L leader with deep marketing, sales, and operations skills. She has over 30 years of experience in the life sciences industry at Enzo Biochem, Inc., Pall Corporation, and Dynal Biotech. Ms. Cannon’s technical expertise combined with her ability to connect international teams has delivered powerful results throughout her career.
Currently, Ms. Cannon is the Chief Operating Officer of Enzo Biochem (NYSE: ENZ), a publicly traded life sciences company with global operations (2022 to present). Previously, she was the Chief Commercial Officer of Enzo Biochem (2017-2022) and joined Enzo Biochem in 2010 as the Head of Global Commercial Operations for the Life Sciences Division (2010-2017).
After earning a Bachelor’s degree in biology from Franklin and Marshall College, Ms. Cannon started her career at Dynal Biotech (1990-2000), joining this start-up business as it launched operations in the US. This foundational experience exposed her to myriad corporate disciplines, including marketing, sales, operations, product development, and technical support.
She held progressive commercial roles at Pall Corporation (2000-2010), where she led global marketing, as well as the diagnostics and biotechnology segments.
Ms. Cannon is passionate about fostering talent for the future and serves of the Board of Directors for Farmingdale State College and acts as an advisor to the School of Health Professionals at New York Institute of Technology.
Enzo Biochem, Inc
Global Life Science Company Servicing the Community for over 45 Years
Enzo Biochem has been a leader in innovation and product development to support a diverse range of needs in biomedical research and healthcare for over 45 years. With a comprehensive portfolio of 20,000 high-quality products including antibodies, genomic probes, assays, biochemicals, and proteins, Enzo supports the work of academic research centers and industry partners who are shaping the future of healthcare around the world. The company’s proprietary products and technologies play central roles in all areas of translational research and drug development, including genomic analysis, protein analysis, cellular analysis, tissue analysis, and small molecule chemistry. Enzo has a broad and deep intellectual property portfolio, with patent coverage across a number of key enabling technologies. During the pandemic, executed under Enzo’s School and Institution Testing (“SIT”) Program, Enzo provided the necessary level of safety for students, staff, and faculty to return to campus, with Farmingdale State College being the first academic institution to leverage Enzo’s expertise.
Clyde Vanel ’97
The President's Award for Alumni Leadership
NY State Assemblyman - District 33
Assemblyman Clyde Vanel serves as the Chair of the Subcommittee on Internet and New Technology and Chairs the Committee on Oversight, Analysis and Investigation. He has sponsored numerous landmark bills, such as legislation to create a robotics, automation and artificial intelligence commission; license high-risk AI systems; and create a cryptocurrency and blockchain study task force. He is focused on emerging technologies and works to close the digital divide among marginalized communities.
Vanel is an attorney, entrepreneur, and pilot from Queens. He is the owner and operator of Vanel Law Firm, P.C., where he practices intellectual property and business law. Vanel is also an internet entrepreneur operating TrademarkReady.com, a service focused on trademark filings and intellectual property protection. Vanel has extensive entrepreneurial experience, including owning and operating a restaurant and lounge, Vanel on First, in Lower Manhattan for five years. Vanel works to expose the next generation to STEM careers. Vanel is also the founder of the New York Metro chapter of the Black Pilots of America, Inc. The organization trains and exposes the community and youth to the field of aviation.
Vanel serves as a member of the MIT AI Policy Forum and frequently lectures and presents on issues including artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, international policy, and intellectual property.
Vanel earned a Juris Doctor from Boston University School of Law, where he was the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Science & Technology Law. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Administration and an Associate of Applied Science in Aerospace Technology from Farmingdale State College, where he served as the Student Government President.
Serving as the Assembly Member for the 33rd District of New York since November 8, 2016, his district includes Cambria Heights, St. Albans, Hollis, Queens Village, Bellerose, and parts of Floral Park. Vanel was raised in Cambria Heights, New York, with nine siblings, Vanel is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
This past year, Assemblyman Vanel secured two allocations of funding totaling $500,000 to support Farmingdale State College Professional Pilot students with scholarship funding to reduce the financial burden of flight time instruction fees.
Professor Allison Puff
The President's Award for Faculty Leadership
Professor, Visual Communications Department
Farmingdale State College
An educator, administrator, and accomplished freelance designer, illustrator, and entrepreneur, Allison Puff has contributed a great deal to Farmingdale State College and to the community at large. Currently the Academic Program Manager, she has helped faculty across the College develop sixteen new programs and revise fourteen. She has also served as Associate Provost, Associate Dean of the School of Business, and Chair of the Visual Communications Department. Highlights of her time in administration include working with faculty to implement an Applied Learning graduation requirement, spearheading the College’s successful Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement award, and supporting the development of the first fully online programs at FSC.
A staunch proponent for the arts across the campus, Puff was the founding member of FSC’s Public Art Committee and has long served on the Artists and Lecturers Program Board and the Writing in the Disciplines Committee. Her teaching is equally outstanding, earning her both the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Farmingdale Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Puff has also co-chaired the American Institute of Graphic Design’s National Design Educators Steering Committee and served on the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum Education Board.
She received her MFA in “Illustration as Visual Essay” from the School of Visual Arts in New York City in 2000 and earned two BAs, one in English and Communications and one in Illustration. She is a Full Professor of Visual Communications.
Don Mahalli '21
The President's Award for Student Leadership
Valedictorian for the Class of 2021
Farmingdale State College
Don Mahalli graduated Summa Cum Laude from Farmingdale State College with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management and minors in Politics and Legal Studies. Achieving a perfect GPA, Don was named Valedictorian for the Class of 2021 and received the Student Award for Academic Excellence, the TRIO Director’s Award, and the State University of New York Association of Council Members and College Trustees Excellence and Student Initiative Award. On campus, Don was the President and Founder of the Law Club, the Secretary for the Art and Design Club, a tutor in the Math Center, a Senator for the School of Business, and a member of TRIO. In the future, Don hopes to create a non-profit Vineyard in Israel that employs both Israelis and Palestinians. Lastly, Don enjoys baking bagels, making wine, and ghost hunting.