Catholic Health Chairman Salvatore Sodano Recognized As Distinguished Leader on Long Island

Catholic Health today announced that Long Island Business News has selected Salvatore (Sal) Sodano, Chairman of its Board of Directors, as a 2024 Hall of Fame inductee. The annual award recognizes the most distinguished leaders in the Long Island business community whose work has changed their industry and the greater business landscape.

“It is a great honor to be inducted into the Long Island Business News Hall of Fame,” said Sodano. “I feel very fortunate to have spent a significant part of my career here on Long Island—including over two decades in leadership roles with Catholic Health. My roots on Long Island are deep, and we are fortunate to have so many great companies in this region.”

The honorees were selected by Long Island Business News in collaboration with an external panel of business leaders curated by Hofstra University. Other inductees for 2024 include prominent figures from various sectors, including education, research, law, marketing, retail and technology.

“The 2024 Hall of Fame members are outstanding leaders,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, managing director of BridgeTower Media/Long Island Business News. “What they focus their attention on really matters; what they say is important; and what they do makes a difference for many on Long Island and beyond. Their commitment to excellence through personal achievement, mentoring and community awareness and action is impressive. We at Long Island Business News congratulate this year’s Hall of Fame inductees.”

Sodano currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Catholic Health (CH), one of the largest employers on Long Island, where he provides strategic direction and governance for this nationally recognized health care system. He has been Chairman since 2015 and has held various board officer roles since 2007, having been involved with CH since 2001.

In addition, Sal serves as an independent public director of Associated Capital Group (parent of Gabelli & Company), where he is also Chairman of its Audit Committee. He has been a director since 2015 and previously held roles as Vice Chairman and lead director. From 2014 to 2017, he served as Vice Chairman and an independent director of the Board at Gabelli Securities, Inc., where he also chaired the Audit Committee.

Between 2016 and 2020, Sal served as Vice Chairman at Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE: BR), a fintech company recognized as an S&P 500 leader and named as one of Fortune’s Most Admired companies. 

Prior to this, Sal served as the Sorin Distinguished Teaching Fellow at Hofstra University, where he also held the role of Senior Executive Adviser to the President. He was the Dean of the Frank G. Zarb School of Business and chaired Hofstra’s Board of Trustees for three consecutive one-year terms. Since 2005, Sal has been a faculty member and Executive-in-Residence at the Zarb School, holding academic appointments as an adjunct Full Professor in the Management and Finance departments. Additionally, he was appointed Chairman of both the Business and Academic advisory boards of the Center for International Financial Services and Markets of the Zarb School.

From 1999 to 2005, Sal served as Chairman and CEO of the American Stock Exchange while also being a member of the Board of Governors of the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD). During that time, he held several key positions at NASD, including Vice Chairman, COO and CFO.

Throughout his career, Sal has earned numerous honors and awards for his contributions to business, leadership and academic achievement. He holds an M.B.A. in Finance and a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting & Economics from Hofstra University.