Molloy University welcomed members of campus and the broader community on Sept. 18 for The Conversation, an annual signature event bringing together forward-thinking leaders for meaningful dialogue around leadership, purpose and impact. This year’s program, “Purpose-Driven Leadership: Nurturing the Soul for the Role,” explored what it means to lead with intention while sustaining the personal well-being necessary to make a lasting difference.
The event featured a keynote address from Catherine Canadeo, a nationally recognized health and wellness thought leader, executive advisor, integrative functional nutritionist and CEO of Catherine Canadeo Health & Wellness Corp. With more than 15 years of experience across academic, healthcare, nonprofit and corporate environments, Canadeo works with leaders, educators and organizations to cultivate purpose-driven leadership, resilience and sustainable well-being.
A sought-after keynote speaker, Canadeo has worked with organizations including Hightower, Bank of America, KPMG, Enzo Biochem and Girl Scouts of the USA. She also serves as Health & Wellness Ambassador for the Coalition for Hemophilia B and Wellness Ambassador for Our Lady of Mercy Academy. Central to her work is the belief that supporting individuals as whole people allows them to lead with greater purpose and create a more meaningful impact on those around them.
The program also celebrated Molloy students whose academic achievement, leadership and ambitions embody that commitment to purposeful impact.
Ocean Financial Federal Credit Union Business Student Scholarships
Established in 2025, the Ocean Financial Federal Credit Union Business Student Scholarship supports students enrolled in Molloy’s School of Business, with preference given to Finance majors. Recipients must maintain a cumulative index of at least 3.0, demonstrate financial need and complete an essay exploring the importance of financial institutions supporting the communities they serve through outreach and philanthropy.
Eduardo da Rosa Sostisso is pursuing a double major in Economics and Business Analytics at Molloy while serving as Treasurer of Student Government, a Head Resident Assistant and an Orientation Leader, among other roles on campus. A former student-athlete who played soccer for the Lions for two years, Sostisso is also gaining professional experience as a wealth management intern at Morgan Stanley.
Sabrielle Tetteh, a Bronx native and second-generation college student, is studying Accounting at Molloy. Raised in a single-parent household, Tetteh developed an early commitment to financial responsibility and helping others. Inspired by her experiences, including service work in Panama, she hopes to pursue a career in forensic accounting, combat financial fraud and promote financial literacy.
The Patricia A. Calcado Graduate Business Scholarship
Established in 2015, the Patricia A. Calcado Graduate Business Scholarship honors Calcado’s legacy of professional achievement and commitment to Molloy’s mission of service. Throughout her 30-year career in business, Calcado remained a dedicated alumna, serving on the Business Division’s Business Advisory Council and contributing her time, expertise and talents to organizations throughout Long Island. The scholarship is awarded annually to an MBA student.
This year’s recipient, Oscar Jaquez, originally came to the United States from the Dominican Republic as an international student and collegiate volleyball player before transitioning into coaching. His experiences in athletics, along with his faith, helped shape his approach to leadership and adaptability. After earning his bachelor’s degree in business administration, Jaquez continued his education at Molloy and is now pursuing an MBA in Business Analytics, combining his competitive drive with a growing career in business and technology.
Together, the keynote discussion and recognition of this year’s scholarship recipients reflected the central message of The Conversation: meaningful leadership is not defined solely by professional achievement, but by the purpose, values and sense of responsibility that guide it. By bringing established leaders together with students pre paring to make their own mark, the Sept. 18 program offered a reminder that leadership is both an opportunity to grow personally and a responsibility to create a positive impact on the communities we serve.
