Carol A. and Denis P. Kelleher '65CBA, '91HON have embraced the
Vincentian charism of caring and concern for others in ways that
make a real difference in the lives of those among us whose needs
are great. Active supporters of numerous charitable and
community service organizations at the local, national and
international level, the Kellehers are shining examples of the
uniqueness that flows from walking in the footsteps of St. Vincent
de Paul.
Spirit
of Service Award Video Presentation
Currently Chief Executive Officer of Wall Street Access, a
diversified financial services organization with membership in the
New York Stock Exchange and SIPC (Securities Investor Protection
Corporation), Denis Kelleher arrived in America from Ireland on
January 26, 1958 and began what would become a stellar financial
services career two days later as an entry-level employee at
Merrill Lynch. In 1968 he followed the path of
entrepreneurship and founded Ruane Cunniff and Co., Inc., serving
as President for the next nine years. Looking ahead to the
next horizon, Mr. Kelleher founded the Discount Brokerage
Corporation of New York City in 1976, where he remained until
assuming his current position in October 1980.
A former Chairman of St. John’s Board of Trustees, Mr. Kelleher
has received numerous honors and awards, both in the United States
and Ireland, including an Honorary Doctor of Law degree from the
National University of Ireland (Maynooth). He is a recipient
of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the 2006 Gold Medal from the
American Irish Historical Society, the first “The Family of
Brendan” Award from St. Brendan’s College in Ireland and the P’TACH
(Parents for Torah for All Children) Humanitarian
Award. In 2005 he received the singular honor of being
named Grand Marshal of the New York City St. Patrick’s Day
Parade.
One of the region’s most dynamic community leaders, Carol
Kelleher is the Director of the Denis and Carol Kelleher Charitable
Foundation, a philanthropic organization devoted to improving the
quality of life for the disadvantaged, particularly through
improvements in education, human services and the arts. She
has been instrumental in the development efforts of Mount Manresa,
a Jesuit retreat house on Staten Island and is a sponsor of the
Inner City Scholarship Fund “Be A Student’s Friend”, with a special
interest in Latino immigrant school children on Staten
Island. In May, St. John’s University President Rev.
Donald J. Harrington, C.M. presented Carol Kelleher with the
President’s Medal for her outstanding commitment to St. John’s and
to philanthropic endeavors on Staten Island. Fr. Harrington
took special notice of her involvement with Project Hospitality, a
homeless services organization whose goals reflect a philosophy
similar to the mission of the University.
Throughout their lives Carol and Denis Kelleher have been ardent
supporters of St. John’s. Their exceptional generosity is
manifest by their membership in The Founders Society, the
University’s most elite and prestigious donor recognition group,
reserved for those who have made cumulative lifetime gifts of $1
million or more to St. John’s. The Kelleher Center on the
University’s Staten Island campus stands as a lasting tribute to
this wonderful couple.
The Kellehers are the proud parents of three children and the
grandparents of eight grandchildren.