Honorees

Dr. Bloom started his career in industry working as an economist. He subsequently became an educator and administrator for the New York City public schools. Given his background in economics and education, he later joined Teachers College, Columbia University as a research director. He led a federally funded project focused on answering the question: does increased funding improve the outcomes of urban schools? From 1983 through 1990, he was a member of the administration of New Jersey’s Governor Thomas Kean serving as an assistant commissioner in the Department of Education. He was responsible for managing many of the department’s initiatives and achieved the following outcomes: changed state-wide competency testing from minimum basic skills to higher order skills; established the first statewide curriculum content standards; initiated statewide pre-school programs; established over 20 model urban effective schools; and, initiated the first high school academies for science and technology.

In July 1990, Dr. Bloom began his 30-year career at NJIT as a Vice President. NJIT is the state’s poly-technical university, baccalaureate through PhD. In 1998, Dr. Bloom was appointed the inaugural Dean of the Albert Dorman Honors College, in addition to his vice president responsibilities. He led the Honors College growth to over 700 scholars who came from 15 states and several foreign countries. The combined average SAT score (math and reading) was over 1525, and these honors STEM students were in the top 7 percent of high school graduates. Today, it is ranked among the nation’s top 10 honors colleges. Its students are recognized as national award winners, e.g., Fulbright, Goldwater and NSF Graduate Fellowships.

Appointed NJIT’s 8th President in 2011, using “Vision 2020,” an aggressive strategic plan, with the help of many, he was responsible for growing the STEM enrollments because the demand for these students exceeds the supply. In 1990 the enrollment was about 5,000 students, today it is over 12,000 students. To prepare students for the rigors of the STEM disciplines, particularly students from lower socio-economic households, Dr. Bloom expanded the pipeline of precollege programs, grades 4-12. These programs and other initiatives have resulted in NJIT being recognized as among the top 20 national universities for graduating minority engineers. Dr. Bloom and his team had completed a $200 million fundraising campaign, added a million square feet of teaching and research facilities, appointed 130 new faculty, grew the research expenditures from less than $80 million to over $160 million, 215 patents and 70 pending, and created an NJIT corporation, the New Jersey Innovation Institute to partner with companies, government and other universities for the purpose of economic development. It developed a start-up company that generated over $70 million though the sale of the company. NJIT’s annual economic impact for the state of New Jersey was reported as over $2 billion.

NJIT was named in the New York Times report and Forbes Magazine as the #1 university in the nation for alumni economic mobility, moving students from the lowest quintiles of family income to among the highest quintiles of earnings. Under Dr. Bloom’s leadership, a similar accolade was achieved in 2016 when NJIT was reported by PayScale as being #1 in the nation for its alumni ROI, return on investments, when comparing the low cost of education to their high starting and mid-career salaries.

Dr. Bloom is presently serving on the Board of Newark Beth Israel Hospital, Caucus Educational Corporation, and NJIT’s Center for Precollege Education, and an advisor to Cardinale Enterprises for the development of an education and MS research campus. Dr. Bloom has received many state and national awards “Educator of the Year” by the New Jersey R&D Council, NJBIA “Executive of the Year,” “Ellis Island Medal,” and the US Air Force “Civilian Medal for Service.” He has also been the recipient of national and state federal, foundation and corporation grants.

Dr. Bloom holds a master’s degree and a doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University. He also earned masters and baccalaureate degrees from Hunter College of the City University, New York City.

Leon K. Baptiste is the CEO of LB Electric. Leon received his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). Leon has more than 38 years of experience of electrical engineering and construction. Leon began his career at Nordling Dean, starting as an intern and working his way through a variety of roles that enabled him to learn the business from the ground up. Within the decade, he exceled within the electrical industry and rapidly rose throughout the ranks leading to his promotion to VP of Business Development. His tenacity and commitment allowed him to set out on his own. In 1999, he founded LB Electric, an electrical contractor and engineering firm offering a full spectrum of services. His expertise includes designing Power quality distribution systems, design High Voltage system, Traction Power DC system, installation of solar and photovoltaic, Wind Turbine, EV Charging and Battery Storage renewable energy. Leon has been the construction electrical lead for major electrical projects in New Jersey and New York. Contracts in New Jersey include Prudential Center; Meadowlands Arena; and the PANYNJ’s Harrison Station, Port Authority Substation 9, and Newark Liberty International (EWR) New Terminal A. New York contracts include East Side Access, South Ferry Traction Power, Long Island Railroad (LIRR) 3rd Track Traction Power, Verrazano bridge tolling, and the New Mario Cuomo (Tappan Zee bridge).

Mr. Baptiste believes that with success comes the responsibility to give back, which inspired him to launch the LB Training Center that aids college students, inner-city youth, and re-entries in solar energy education and technologies. Leon also serves as chairman of NJIT’s ECE Industry Advisory Board, a member of the African American Chamber of Commerce, NJIT’s Board of Visitors, Port Authority NY/NJ mentor protégé and the NJIT’s EOP Industry Advisory Board.

Komal Dangi, the esteemed CEO and Founder of Synkriom and VeriKlick is renowned for her remarkable ability to cater to the needs of both customers and employees. With a successful IT career spanning over 15 years and the launch of six startups on a global scale, Komal is not only a seasoned professional but also a fervent advocate for women and marginalized communities. She is pivotal on the board of directors for the Asian Indian Chambers of Commerce, serving as Vice President of Growth of Strategy. She was also the Director-Supply Diversity and actively supported the Chambers Diversity initiatives. She is also associated with the Department of Labor, NJBIZ, and has judged several Awards for them.

Komal's academic achievements include a Master's in Computer Science and an MBA from NJIT. Her outstanding contributions have earned her numerous awards, including the AAPI Women's Leader, NJ Lions, New York State Assembly Recognition, NJBIZ, and DigiTech. Engaging in community service, she is a dynamic member of the NJ Lions Club, where she passionately promotes STEM education among younger generations and serves underprivileged Communities.

Richard is a founding member of NeST Technologies Corp. and has served as the company's Chief Commercial Officer since its founding. In that capacity, Richard leads all revenue generation and strategic planning for the company, and oversees all technical operations for the insurance and banking/finance practices. Richard is also the Chairperson of the Board of Visitors for the Albert Dorman Honors College at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), a member of the C-Suite Board of New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII) and has served on the Boards of The Viscardi Center, The National Business and Disabilities Council, Ruh Global, Inc, and the Runway of Dreams Foundation.

Made Scientific is a leading U.S.-based cell therapy contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in the development, manufacturing, and release of autologous and allogeneic cell therapy products for clinical- and commercial-supply. Headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey, Made Scientific combines the agility of a specialist CDMO with the deep technical expertise to deliver reliable and scalable solutions, supported by their long-term strategic backer, GC Corporation, a global leader in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.