August 21, 2024
St. John’s University will hold its 27th Annual President’s Dinner on Wednesday, October 30, at the New York Hilton Midtown. St. John’s President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., will host the University’s premier fundraising event of the year, which begins with a reception at 6 p.m.
The President’s Dinner brings together generations of alumni, as well as University benefactors, faculty, administrators, staff, members of the Board of Trustees and Board of Governors, and other members of the extended St. John’s family—and most importantly, students—to raise funds for scholarships, especially for those students most in need. Over the last 26 years, the President’s Dinner has raised more than $55 million in scholarship support.
Since its inception in 1998, the President’s Dinner has been an annual celebration of what makes St. John’s University unique: the vibrant combination of scholarship and service. This special occasion is also the venue for the presentation of the highly regarded Spirit of Service Award to outstanding people and organizations that exemplify the Catholic and Vincentian values that are at the heart of St. John’s mission.
“St. John’s University continues to make a difference in the lives of the students that we serve by creating transformative opportunities and providing an uplifting Catholic and Vincentian educational experience,” said Fr. Shanley. “This most special event helps support students and provides an opportunity to recognize outstanding honorees for their inspirational service to St. John’s and the broader community.”
The Spirit of Service Award is bestowed to alumni and friends who embody the University’s Catholic and Vincentian values in their life and work. These select individuals serve as role models as they incorporate St. John’s values into their lives in a meaningful way. Many past Spirit of Service Award honorees will be in attendance as the University celebrates the 27th anniversary of the dinner.
This year’s honorees are:
Christopher Concannon ’92MBA
Christopher Concannon ’92MBA has been Chief Executive Officer of MarketAxess since April 2023. Prior to serving as Chief Executive Officer, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer from January 2019 to April 2023. He has deep and critical knowledge regarding automated trading, the delivery of innovative technology solutions, market structure, and clearing operations.
Mr. Concannon has extensive experience leading companies in the global exchange industry. He previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Cboe Global Markets, Inc., one of the world’s largest exchange holding companies, until 2019; it was a position to which he was appointed upon Cboe’s acquisition of Bats Global Markets, Inc. in 2017. Until the acquisition, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Bats Global Markets, which he joined in December 2014 and where he successfully launched Bats’s initial public offering in 2016.
Mr. Concannon has more than 20 years of experience as an executive at Nasdaq, Virtu Financial, and Instinet, and as an attorney at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP and the US Securities and Exchange Commission. He earned a B.A. from The Catholic University of America, an M.B.A. from St. John’s University, and a J.D. from The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law.
Frank DellaFera '81P
Frank J. DellaFera, R.Ph. ’81P, and his wife, Janet DellaFera '81CBA, founded Fera Pharmaceuticals in 2009. The company’s mission is to keep vital treatment choices alive for people who need them.
While the company’s focus is eye care, other therapeutic areas of need are also addressed. Prior to building Fera, Mr. DellaFera held the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President of Sandoz US, one of the world’s largest and most successful generic pharmaceutical companies. Before his appointment to CEO at Sandoz US, he served as Vice President, Sales and Marketing, for the organization. Mr. DellaFera was Vice President, Sales and Marketing, at Eon Labs, which was acquired by Sandoz.
Earlier in his career, he held several sales, marketing, and business development positions for various emerging pharma companies. He began his career at Eli Lilly and Company.
Mr. DellaFera earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions (now the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences) at St. John’s University.
He currently serves as an Association Director for Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and is a member of the Cancer Institute Advisory Council at the Northwell Health Foundation and the Board of Governors for St. John’s University. Additionally, he previously served on the Board of Directors for Grenville Baker Boys & Girls Club for 10 years.
Donna '82CBA and Robert Drummond '82CBA
Donna and Robert Drummond met as children, became high school sweethearts, and continued their relationship as students at St. John’s University, where Donna earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting in 1982, and Robert his degree in Business Management in the same year.
Donna, a Certified Public Accountant, has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Expense Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer at Northwell Health since 2002. There, she leads Northwell’s commitment to achieve net zero emissions, and serves on the US Health Care Climate Council.
After several years in the technology field, Robert changed careers. He was a social studies teacher for the New York City Department of Education. Subsequently, he worked for the Diocese of Rockville Centre, NY, as a religion and social studies teacher.
Catholic education is a cause the pair have supported throughout their lives, including the Tomorrow's Hope Foundation. Robert served as a Music and Youth Ministry Leader at St. Raymond's Parish, East Rockaway, NY.
Donna has served on several boards throughout the years. She was Folk Group Leader at Our Lady of the Snows Parish, Floral Park, NY; President of the St. John’s chapter of Theta Phi Alpha; Treasurer for the Sodality of Our Lady; and School Board member at St. Raymond’s Parish, and has served with several health-care organizations related to her responsibilities at Northwell.
Daniel J. Finnegan '84CBA
Daniel J. Finnegan served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer of Booking Holdings Inc. (formerly The Priceline Group Inc.) from 2009 until his retirement in 2018. There, he played a key role in seamlessly integrating multiple, high-profile acquisitions. Today, he is a member of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee Chair for StubHub and Kiwi.com (a Czech-based online travel company).
He also served as an ex-officio member of Booking’s Group Management Board. He previously held the positions of Controller and Chief Accounting Officer from October 2005 to January 1, 2009, and Chief Compliance Officer with the company from April 2004 to October 2005.
Mr. Finnegan served as Chief Financial Officer for CS Technologies, Inc., a technology consulting company, and Chief Financial Officer and Controller for the North American division of Coty Inc., a manufacturer of cosmetics and fragrances. He began his career with KPMG LLP, where he served in the audit practice for nine years.
Mr. Finnegan is a Certified Public Accountant. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from St. John’s University in 1984.
For more information, visit St. John’s University President’s Dinner.