By Sissi Garland
Dr. Sam Nappi, ScD (h.c.) ’24, and Mrs. Carol Nappi are partners in life and purpose, united by a shared belief in advancing education, healthcare, the arts, and global understanding. Together, their vision reflects a rare combination of entrepreneurial innovation, compassion, and commitment to humanity’s progress. As founder and chairman of Alliance Energy Group, Dr. Nappi has built one of the nation’s pioneering electric power generation companies, serving more than two million households. Yet the couple’s success in business is only part of their story. Through their shared leadership of World Harmony Productions, they have collaborated with Grammy-winning artists and major studios such as Netflix and DreamWorks to use the arts as a force for social awareness and unity. Their Broadway project Stick Fly, coproduced with Alicia Keys, reflects their dedication to storytelling that amplifies important conversations about equality and inclusion. The Nappis’ philanthropy spans continents and causes. They supported the digitization of more than one million of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s papers at the King Center in Atlanta and helped establish Syracuse University’s Cold Case Justice Initiative, which investigates racially motivated civil rights– era cases. Their Education for Employment (EFE) initiative has created over 35,000 jobs for young people across the Middle East and North Africa, giving communities economic opportunity and hope for the future. Their passion for healthcare has transformed lives across generations. The Nappi Longevity Institute at Upstate University Hospital leads groundbreaking research on Alzheimer’s and neurodegenerative diseases, while their support for institutions such as St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Christina M. Nappi Surgical Tower expands access to care and strengthens community health systems. In the arts and humanities, the Nappis continue to champion peace and dialogue. Their “Common Ground for Peace” symposium brought together His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Nobel Laureates, and 30,000 participants, followed by a concert featuring international artists. Their collaboration with Voices of Afghanistan on Tales of Afghanistan: Love Songs for Humanity celebrates cultural preservation and resilience through music. At Barry University, Dr. and Mrs. Nappi’s generosity reflects their belief in education’s power to inspire transformation and service. Their support of Barry’s Earth Sustainability Initiative embodies their commitment to shaping a more just, sustainable, and compassionate world. Through their partnership, the Nappis demonstrate how leadership grounded in empathy and vision can shape lasting change. Their legacy stands as a powerful reminder that when purpose and philanthropy unite, the impact can reach far beyond generations and borders.