Fisher to honor Rochester business and nonprofit leaders at commencement

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St. John Fisher University will recognize three distinguished leaders from the Greater Rochester community during its 72nd Commencement ceremonies in May, highlighting careers defined by service, leadership and regional impact. 

Philip Yawman, outgoing chair of the University’s Board of Trustees, will receive an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters. Karen Zandi, president and CEO of the Mary Cariola Center, and Dr. Peter C. Carpino, former president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes, will each be awarded the University’s President’s Medal. 

University President Dr. Gerard J. Rooney emphasized the collective impact of this year’s honorees, noting their leadership has strengthened institutions across the region while advancing innovation and community well-being. 

“Their careers demonstrate what it means to lead with purpose, from guiding organizations through growth and innovation to championing those most in need,” he said. 

Yawman brings more than three decades of executive and entrepreneurial experience to the recognition. Most recently serving as president of Cooley Group, he led the organization through a period of growth and cultural recognition, earning accolades as a top workplace both statewide and nationally. His broader career includes leadership roles at Annese & Associates, co-founding Choice One Communications, and serving as general manager of Frontier Communications’ Rochester operations. 

A long-standing member of Fisher’s Board since 2000, Yawman has played a pivotal role in shaping institutional strategy and governance. His civic engagement extends to organizations such as the Rochester Area Community Foundation and the Monroe Community College Foundation, underscoring his deep ties to the region. 

Zandi’s tenure at the Mary Cariola Center since 2012 has been marked by expansion and innovation in services for individuals with complex disabilities. Under her leadership, the organization has strengthened its role as a regional and statewide leader in specialized education and support services. A major milestone during her tenure includes securing a transformative $25 million gift in partnership with B. Thomas Golisano and the Golisano Foundation. 

With a background spanning more than 25 years at Hillside Children’s Center, Zandi has also been a key advocate for policy and funding support through her leadership with the statewide 853 Coalition. Her recognition reflects both organizational growth and her broader influence on systems serving individuals with special needs. 

Carpino’s career spans over four decades across nonprofit leadership and higher education. A first-generation college graduate and Fisher alumnus, he held senior leadership roles at United Way locally and nationally, ultimately serving as president and CEO in both the Lehigh Valley and Rochester markets. During his tenure in Rochester, he helped launch ROC the Day, a 24-hour digital giving campaign that has generated more than $13 million for hundreds of nonprofits. 

He also played a foundational role in advancing collaborative initiatives such as the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative, aimed at addressing systemic drivers of poverty. Following his retirement, Carpino founded THECARPINOGROUP, LLC, advising organizations on strategy, governance, and development. 

The honorees will be recognized across three ceremonies: Zandi during the Wegmans School of Nursing undergraduate ceremony on May 8; Yawman during the undergraduate ceremony for the School of Business and School of Arts and Sciences on May 9; and Carpino during the graduate ceremony later that same day.  

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