The Mohawk Valley Community College Foundation, Inc., has welcomed three new members to its Board of Directors, strengthening its leadership in advancing student success and community impact. The Foundation plays a vital role in generating alternative revenue to help MVCC adapt to rapidly evolving societal, technological, and academic needs while addressing shifting community demands. Board members guide fundraising efforts that enhance the student experience and expand opportunities for the College to grow and innovate.
Susan Keehle, a lifelong Oneida County resident and graduate of Utica College of Syracuse University,
brings decades of professional experience spanning student loan administration, banking,
payroll, training, and quality assurance. Alongside her husband, Kevin, Keehle served
as executor of the Francis A. Wilcox estate — the largest philanthropic gift in MVCC
history. In this role, she worked closely with multiple educational institutions during
the estate distribution process and collaborated directly with MVCC staff to establish
several impactful endowed funds. These include the Francis A. Wilcox Presidential
and Exceptional Student Scholarships, which provide full-tuition support to students
graduating in the top 10% of their high school class, as well as two additional scholarships
supporting returning adult learners and students enrolled in non-credit programs through
MVCC’s Center for Corporate and Community Education. Through this work, Keehle developed
a deep understanding of MVCC’s mission, scholarship programs, and student needs. She
and other family members remain actively engaged with the College, regularly returning
to campus to attend the annual Scholarship Dinner and celebrate student success at
the Wilcox Scholarship Brunch. Keehle’s professional background provides valuable
insight into the financial challenges facing today’s students, while her experience
stewarding transformative philanthropic investments and her commitment to expanding
educational opportunities make her a strong asset to the MVCC Foundation.
Bernard J. Turi, Esq., brings extensive experience in law, insurance, and risk management. After beginning
his career in private legal practice, he joined Utica Mutual Insurance Company in
1987 as a Senior Claims Specialist in the Errors and Omissions Department. Over more
than three decades, he advanced through numerous leadership roles, culminating in
his service as General Counsel, General Auditor, and Chief Risk Officer until his
retirement in 2023. During his tenure, Turi was named an officer of the company and
progressed through the ranks of Assistant Vice President, Vice President, Senior Vice
President, and Executive Vice President. He also served for more than 10 years as
Chair of the Utica National Group Foundation Screening Committee. A graduate of Niagara
University with a bachelor’s degree in political science, Turi earned his Juris Doctor
from the Syracuse University College of Law. He served as Chair of the New York Insurance
Association in 2014 and 2015, was a longtime member of its Board of Directors, and
currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the New York Property Insurance
Underwriting Association. Turi was appointed by the New York State Superintendent
of the Department of Financial Services to the New York State Insurance Advisory Committee,
serving three consecutive three-year terms. He is admitted to practice law in New
York State and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.
Amit Tandon is the founder and CEO of Rekursor, Inc., an enterprise artificial intelligence company
focused on developing reliable, trustworthy AI solutions for organizations. He is
the inventor of patent-pending technology that enables AI systems to improve over
time and deliver consistent results across healthcare, education, and finance. In
addition to his work at Rekursor, Tandon is the creator and editor of “The Scroll,”
a widely read AI and technology newsletter followed by thousands of investors, executives,
and innovators since its launch in 2020. He previously worked as an investment banker
and financial services entrepreneur in Manhattan and is self-taught in programming,
bringing a rare blend of technical expertise and business strategy to his work. Tandon,
who earned a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, is passionate about helping
organizations use AI responsibly to improve efficiency, strengthen funding and better
serve their communities.
About the MVCC Foundation
The Mohawk Valley Community College Foundation, Inc., was established in 1966 to secure private sector support to supplement and enhance public funding at Mohawk Valley Community College. The Foundation is a 501 c(3), nonprofit corporation that solicits, accepts, manages, invests, and distributes contributions and communicates with donors and prospects. It serves as a repository for all private, non-governmental gifts and support received on behalf of the College. In 2024-2025, the Foundation raised $1.59 million in donations and awarded 385 individual scholarships totaling $411,869 to 205 MVCC students. Learn more.