Inaugural Signature Gala 2023
Wednesday, November 29th
7:30 pm – Program and Dessert
63rd Street and Park Avenue
New York CITY
Bob Woodruff
ABC News Correspondent
Honoring
George D. Yancopoulos
Board Co-Chair, President And Chief Scientific Officer, Regeneron
George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D.Board Co-Chair, President and Chief Scientific Officer, Regeneron
George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., President and Chief Scientific Officer, has built Regeneron for nearly 35 years alongside President and Chief Executive Officer Leonard S. Schleifer, M.D., Ph.D. Regeneron invents life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Its unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to nine FDA-approved treatments and approximately 35 product candidates in development - almost all of which were homegrown in its laboratories. Dr. Yancopoulos is the holder of more than 100 patents and a principal inventor of Regeneron’s medicines, including Eylea® and Dupixent®, which are two of the world’s top 10 leading medicines in 2022. He is the key driver of Regeneron’s unique science-driven culture and successful drug discovery and development engine, which encompasses industry leading antibody technologies as well as a diverse set of genetics medicine approaches.
After graduating as valedictorian at Bronx High and Columbia University, Dr. Yancopoulos received his M.D. and Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics from Columbia University. During his career, Dr. Yancopoulos has been the 11th most highly cited scientist in the world, was elected to both the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Sciences and was elected as a Fellow by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). In 2019, Dr. Yancopoulos was awarded Columbia College's Alexander Hamilton Medal, the highest honor awarded to a member of the Columbia College community for distinguished service and accomplishment in any field of endeavor. In recognition of Regeneron’s work in developing a COVID-19 treatment, Dr. Yancopoulos was named on Fortune’s World’s 25 Greatest Leaders: Heroes Of The Pandemic and received the Prix Galien Roy Vagelos Pro Bono Humanum Award for Global Health Equity Business Council of Westchester’s Global Leadership Laureate Award along with Dr. Schleifer.
Beth Stevens
afya board co-chair
Beth StevensAfya Board Co-chair
Beth has been involved with Afya from its earliest days in a basement warehouse without heat. She was introduced to Afya by her daughter, who was inspired by a talk Danielle gave to her synagogue youth group. Beth was equally inspired, and over the next few years, the entire family participated in supply collections, warehouse projects, travel to Haiti, and more. Being able to witness the growth of Afya and the vast number of lives Afya has touched has been truly rewarding.
Following an early career in the financial markets, Beth has focused on non-profit organizations focusing primarily on children, health, and education, such as Prep for Prep, the Afya Foundation, and the Serious Fun Children’s Network. Her experience includes fundraising, grant writing, program development, and marketing. Through her work with the Afya, Beth has traveled to Haiti, Tanzania, and South Africa on numerous occasions, where she has participated in projects on the ground, met with senior government officials, vetted partners via site visits, and developed a deep appreciation for the power of listening and giving.
Beth also spent nine years as a trustee at the Rye Country Day School in Rye, NY, while her children were students at the school. She served in several capacities, including on the Executive Committee, as Development Chair, and as the Co-Chair of a major Capital Campaign.
Beth graduated from Brown University in 1983 with a BA with Honors in Law and Society. She also received an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business in 1992. Beth worked at Drexel Burnham Lambert in commodities sales and trading. She spent the next ten years at Citibank, initially in Private Banking, working with high-net-worth individuals, and subsequently in Institutional Fixed Income Sales, focusing on the mortgage and asset-backed securities markets.
Beth has three adult children and lives in New York and enjoys spending her free time traveling, practicing yoga, and taking advantage of NYC’s endless art, cuisine, theater, and cultural events.
Cameron Beach
Cameron BeachVolunteer
Cameron Beach is a 24-year-old New Yorker who has volunteered at numerous nonprofits, including Afya, where he has been a committed volunteer for over a year. Cameron likes to perform a range of tasks at Afya but particularly enjoys sorting and cataloging supplies to be sent. Having quickly developed a strong understanding of Afya processes, Cameron occasionally shares his working knowledge by training new volunteers.
Outside Afya, Cameron interned at the New York Blood Center, assisting technicians with tests and research projects, and volunteered at Feeding Westchester and New York Cares, packing lunches and providing food bank services. Cameron works at Asurion, where he delivers and helps customers set up and activate their replacement phones, which Cameron enjoys for the same reason he likes volunteering at Afya: he loves helping others.
James Fallon
James FallonVolunteer
James is a 29-year-old volunteer at the Afya Foundation. James is the front desk person, or “bouncer,” whose duties include directing people where to go in the warehouse, accepting donated items to be shipped around the world, and checking in volunteers and groups. James enjoys being the first impression at Afya! He is very outgoing and charismatic. Some of James’ interests are traveling, reading non-fiction biographies, and watching the New York Giants.
His past jobs include being a Microsoft Peer Instructor at the Center for Career Freedom in White Plains, an Intern at the Westchester Independent Living Center in White Plains, a Patient Visitor at the Jeanne Jugan Senior Residence, and an Administrative Summer Intern at the Chappaqua Central School District Office. Also, James graduated from Empire State College SUNY with a B.A. in Human Services in 2017. James’ dream job is to work in a human services department, where he would be doing public speaking one day. His motto is: "We are all the same, but we are all different."
karen he
karen heVolunteer
Karen He is a 25-year-old volunteer who joined Afya via the POINT program and just celebrated her 2nd anniversary! Karen loves interacting with Afya occupational therapy students and friends, sorting medical supplies and bags by size, and working on varied projects that OT students assign—like laminating awards for high school students for our annual summer celebration. Karen also loves organizing and organizing part of the supply closet to make it easier for everyone to use.
Karen comes from a large family that includes her grandparents, sisters Helen and Michelle, and her parents. She loves her family’s home-cooked meals, to catch up with her family about work and her friendships, and to travel. Karen also enjoys diamond paintings and swimming, which she finds to be great exercise and relaxing!
max rubin
Max RubinVolunteer
Max Rubin is a 24-year-old volunteer at Afya who recently graduated from the Bridge Program at the College of Mount Saint Vincent. Max started at Afya as part of his college internship and organizes, labels, counts, lots, shelves, packs, and sorts supplies. He also monitors items for quality control. Max brings his positive, supportive attitude and strong work ethic to his internship each week. He loves working at Afya because he feels he is truly helping people there.
Prior to attending CMSV, Max graduated high school from The IDEAL School of Manhattan and the GROW program at The Riverview School. Max also completed Project SEARCH in East Sandwich, Massachusetts, and Project Forward at Cape Cod Community College, where he was the graduation speaker. Max is currently a bag room facilitator at Siwanoy Country Club. When not working or volunteering, Max loves playing golf, drumming, watching sports, and learning about sports history.
