The Corning Award for Excellence
The most prestigious award presented by Corning Incorporated and The Business Council of New York State, Inc., is a magnificent piece of original Steuben Glass, handcrafted by masters in Corning, New York, and given each year to a New Yorker who has demonstrated an outstanding level of accomplishment and a deep and sustaining commitment to the people of New York State.
Congratulations to Our 2025 Corning Award Winner: Dr. Marsha Gordon
As leader of Westchester County’s largest and most influential business organization, Dr. Gordon has more than 25 years of experience in community, commerce and connections. Under her leadership, the BCW has tripled its membership which includes leading global companies who call Westchester home, major hospitals and health care organizations, educational institutions, entrepreneurially owned companies, hundreds of mid-size and small businesses, as well as more than 150 not-for-profits. The organization offers numerous programs, information resources and services to meet the needs of the County’s diverse business community and is a leading advocate for business and economic development across the Hudson Valley Region and New York State. She is a widely recognized authority on the business climate in Westchester and a highly effective connector of businesses of all sizes and community-based organizations.
In addition to heading the BCW, she served as president of Build the Bridge Now, which played a crucial role in fast-tracking the construction of a new Tappan Zee Bridge after more than a decade of inaction. Governor Hochul appointed Dr. Gordon as co-chair of the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Council, resulting in $815,000 of new investment for infrastructure, workforce training, and economic development, including the life sciences, health care and advance manufacturing sectors. She was recently named as the third most powerful person in Westchester County by City & State NY and included in the Power 100 list of New York State Economic Development Professionals.
Dr. Gordon has led The Business Council of Westchester in numerous impactful initiatives, including the launch of a robust data exchange used by businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations; the development of the Westchester Innovation Network (WIN), which promotes innovation as a foundation for economic development with a focus on health care, technology, and ed-tech; and a regional Talent Recruitment Campaign connecting employers with top talent.
She is a founder of the Westchester Business Hall of Fame, which over the last 24 years has honored more than 300 businesses and nonprofit organizations, recognizing their excellence and lasting impact on the regional economy. She also launched the BCW’s Global Leadership Laureate Award, recognizing individuals whose work has had a global impact including Hillary Rodham-Clinton, Regeneron Founders, Leonard Schleifer & George Yancopoulos, Former CEO of PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi, and Cardinal Timothy Dolan.
This year she oversaw the launch of the organization’s BCW Podcast Network, which has quickly drawn more than 40,000 listeners, amplifying the voices of regional leaders and changemakers, and the creation of its Clean Energy Action Coalition, a multi-sector initiative focused on advancing clean and sustainable energy solutions across Westchester and beyond.
Dr. Gordon serves on multiple boards and task forces including Vice President of the Business Council of New York State; the Executive Committee of the Westchester-Putnam Workforce Investment Board which focuses on worker job placement and talent recruitment for employers; and a member of the New New York City panel appointed by Governor Hochul to reimagine NYC economy post-pandemic. She is an active member of the Westchester Community Orchestra, reflecting her deep commitment to the region’s cultural and civic life.
Prior to joining the BCW, Dr. Gordon was President/CEO of MetroPool, a not-for-profit organization that promotes alternative transportation options, and led the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce. She holds a BA from Brooklyn College, an MBA from Marist College, and a Doctorate in Business Administration from Pace University.
Dr. Gordon will be presented the Corning Award at our Annual Meeting Awards Dinner on Thursday, September 18th.
Previous Corning Award Winners:
John Catsimatidis (2024); Kathryn Wylde (2023); Eric Mower (2022); G. Thomas Tranter (2021); H. Carl McCall (2020); Nancy L. Zimpher (2019); Stanley S. Litow (2018); Brian T. McMahon (2017); Michael J. Doyle (2016); David F. Smith (2015); Roger A. Hannay (2014); Kevin Burke (2013); Kirk P. Gregg (2012); Linda S. Sanford (2011); James R. Houghton (2010); Paul Speranza Jr. (2009); Joseph L. Bruno (2008); Alair Townsend (2007); Robert Catell (2006); Daniel A. Carp (2005); Amo Houghton (2004); Lewis Golub (2003); Carl T. Hayden (2002); Roland W. Schmitt (2001); Richard P. Mills (2000); Erland E. Kailbourne (1999); Robert B. Wegman (1998); Judith S. Kaye (1997); John J. Phelan, Jr. (1996); Barber B. Conable, Jr., (1995); James W. Kinnear (1994); Muriel Siebert (1993); Hugh L. Carey (1992); David Harden (1991); Raymond T. Schuler (1990); Warren M. Anderson and Stanley Fink (1989); Edmund T. Pratt, Jr. (1988); James D. Robinson III (1987); Franklin A. Thomas (1986); Kitty Carlisle Hart (1985); Frank T. Cary (1984); Clifton Garvin (1983); David Rockefeller (1982); Richard R. Shinn (1981); Melvin C. Holm (1980); and Walter A. Fallon (1979).