An Evening of Inspiration
There is no better way to describe St. Joseph’s University, New York’s sixth annual Esse Non Videri Gala Awards Dinner than as elegance at its finest.
The sparkle of champagne glasses and polished silverware. The glitz of a dazzling ballroom, filled with guests dressed to the nines in formal attire. Smiles, laughs, reunions and introductions filling the hall with an aura of positivity and sophistication.
Hosted at the Garden City Hotel on Nov. 6, the black-tie-optional event was attended by more than 180 guests and helped raise over $200,000 in support of student scholarships.
Inspiration was the theme of the evening. The gala attracted members from every corner of SJNY’s community to celebrate six distinguished alumni who embody the University’s five pillars of integrity, intellectual rigor, spiritual depth, social responsibility and service.
The alumni recognized throughout the night demonstrate a commitment to leadership and evolution, whether it be in their professional lives or in service to their communities and those around them.
Adding to the magic of the evening was the announcement of a new endowed scholarship in memory of SJNY professor and associate chairperson for the Health Administration Department John Sardelis. The scholarship was established by Gala Honoree Amy Loeb ’06, MBA ’12, Board of Trustee Member Susan Sommerville ’90, R.N., M.A. and their respective families.
This year’s honorees included Dr. Amy Loeb ’06, MBA ’12, recipient of the President’s Esse Non Videri Award; Lisa Gatti ’90, recipient of the Excellence in Social Impact Award; the Rev. Cynthia A. Liggon ’02, Lifetime of Leading Award recipient; and Eileen Conway ’23, MSW ’25, Elizabeth Knecht ’24, MBA ’25, and Dhiraj K. Chaudhary ’22, each of whom were presented with the Rising Star Award.
During Dr. Loeb’s speech, she quoted President Theodore Roosevelt’s famous passage, “Man in the Arena,” encouraging the students of St. Joseph’s University to have the courage to be in the arena and to work not just for a life of success but also a life and career of impact.
Each honoree was introduced by a current SJNY student, emphasizing the importance of the gala’s mission to support scholarships and invest in the next generation.
Among this year’s student presenters were scholarship recipients Alessia Azinedari ’27, Xavier Belfon’28, Ryan Byczek ’28, AJ Esposito ’27, Gianna Gallo ’26, Katherine Hanson ’29, Zach Josema ’28, Reanna Noon ’27, Brielle Nelson ’28, Katie Romano ’28 and Isabella Tomiana Muccio ’30.
This Year’s Honorees
PRESIDENT’S ESSE NON VIDERI AWARD
Dr. Amy Loeb ’06, MBA ’12
Senior Vice President and President
Peconic Bay Medical Center at Northwell Health
As Senior Vice President and President, Amy Loeb, Ed.D., MBA, RN, is responsible for all strategic initiatives and operations for Peconic Bay Medical Center and the Peconic Bay Medical Group — a leading facility on Long Island’s East End.
Dr. Loeb started her career at Northwell Health in 2005 as a registered nurse at Huntington Hospital and has since assumed progressively senior leadership roles.
She most recently was deputy executive director, responsible for leading day-to-day operations, where she drove significant improvements in patient experience, clinical quality, patient safety and external hospital ranking surveys.
During the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, Dr. Loeb coordinated all aspects of clinical surge capacity planning and execution, business recovery and institutional safety, helping ensure access to hospital care for 250,000 community members.
Dr. Loeb has received numerous awards for scholarship and leadership and is a frequent lecturer. She holds a bachelor’s in nursing, an MBA in Healthcare Management from St. Joseph’s University, New York and a Doctor of Education from Columbia University’s Teachers College.
EXCELLENCE IN SOCIAL IMPACT AWARD
Lisa Gatti ’90
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Pal-O-Mine Equestrian
Lisa Gatti is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pal-O-Mine, a nonprofit organization dedicated to using equine-assisted programs to inspire, educate and empower individuals in the community.
Her lifelong passion for horses and teaching began in childhood and evolved into a professional career focused on helping others through innovative and therapeutic approaches. Understanding the demands of running a successful nonprofit, Gatti has pursued ongoing education in business management, nonprofit leadership and entrepreneurship.
Between 2015 and 2021, she served as secretary of the Board for Autism Communities, advocating for vocational support for individuals on the autism spectrum aging out of the school system. In 2019, Gatti also was appointed to the Town of Islip Disability Advisory Committee to advise local government on key issues affecting the special needs community.
Gatti is a recognized leader whose work has garnered multiple awards, including the 2020 Women of Distinction and Distinguished Service Award from the Town of Islip and finalist honors for the Imagine Awards in the Leadership Excellence category.
LIFETIME OF LEADING AWARD
Rev. Cynthia A. Liggon ’02
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Church of Riverhead
A fourth-generation member of the First Baptist Church of Riverhead, Rev. Cynthia A. Liggon is a distinguished faith leader, educator and community advocate whose life and career exemplify servant leadership, dedication and impact.
In 2026, she made history as the first woman installed as Senior Pastor in the church’s century-long history. Prior to assuming this role, she served for many years as Assistant Pastor, helping guide the congregation’s spiritual growth while expanding the church’s outreach and community programs.
Rev. Liggon’s commitment to service extends far beyond the church walls. She has served as a chaplain with the Suffolk County Department of Corrections and has been deeply involved in prison ministry, providing guidance, counseling and hope to incarcerated individuals.
Rev. Liggon has built partnerships across faith, civic and nonprofit organizations to address community needs and create meaningful opportunities for others.
As a proud St. Joseph’s alumna, Rev. Liggon embodies the values of integrity, service, leadership and social responsibility that define the University’s mission.
RISING STAR AWARD
Eileen Conway ’23, MSW ’25
Social Worker
Turning Point Specialized Services
After working as a nurse for more than 29 years, Eileen Conway decided to return to school and attend St. Joseph’s University, New York, where she earned her undergraduate degree in 2023 and her Master of Social Work in 2025.
Now working as a social worker for Turning Point Specialized Services, Conway is also the head of several outreach programs in her community, including one that centers on educating school systems in Suffolk County about the dangers of sex trafficking.
As one of her many responsibilities, Conway regularly collaborates with influential figures such as high-ranking judges, lawmakers and law enforcement officials, coming up with new ways to inspire hope and endorse change for today’s youth.
With a dedication to serving those in need, Conway remains selfless in her endeavors, dividing her time between her clients and many social initiatives to make a difference in her community.
RISING STAR AWARD
Elizabeth Knecht ’24, MBA ’25
Director of Business Administration
Benchmark Senior Living
For Elizabeth Knecht, creating a sense of community means everything. It was her love for forging connections that prompted her promotion from Program Director to Director of Business Administration for Benchmark Senior Living, where she works closely with various departments to develop programs that promote a culture rooted in collaboration, engagement and service.
Remaining close to her SJNY roots, she has collaborated with professors from the University’s Therapeutic Recreation Department, inviting students to design and lead programs serving residents, and allowing them to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting.
Knecht has also helped merge her sorority’s philanthropy with relationship building to foster meaningful connections across diverse groups of individuals.
With all she has accomplished, Knecht continues to push the boundaries of exceptional care and support, proving herself as an invaluable asset and a force for change for her residents and those in her community.
RISING STAR AWARD
Dhiraj K. Chaudhary ’22
Senior Associate Engineer
KKR Financial Services Company
Dhiraj Chaudhary is an accomplished technology professional whose academic excellence and leadership at St. Joseph’s University, New York, laid the foundation for a successful career in software engineering and artificial intelligence.
A graduate of SJNY Brooklyn’s Mathematics and Computer Science program, Chaudhary distinguished himself as an honors student, Presidential Scholar, Dean’s List recipient and active member of the ACES program as an international student from Nepal.
Since graduating in 2022, Chaudhary has built an impressive career in software engineering. He currently serves as a Senior Associate Engineer at KKR, where he contributes to engineering solutions involving large language models (LLMs), multi-agent systems and data platforms.
His combination of academic achievement, student leadership, professional success and ongoing engagement with SJNY makes him an outstanding young alumnus and a strong representative of the University’s commitment to developing future leaders in STEM fields.
Event Photos
