Joy Cappel Scholars Network

Joy Cappel helped shape Rockland during a period of profound transition and left a legacy that continues to influence the company today. Trained as an illustrator at the Philadelphia Museum School of Art, she began her career at Wanamaker’s, where her sense of independence, creativity, and discipline defined her work. After the sudden passing of her husband in the early 1970s, Joy stepped into a life she had never planned for and took responsibility for a young and fragile Rockland. Without formal scientific training, she committed herself to learning the business, guiding a struggling start-up into a trusted global partner for antibody-driven research.

Joy was known for her clarity of judgment and her ability to recognize potential in others. She gave people room to grow, encouraged new ideas, and believed that scientific progress depended on curiosity, rigor, and collaboration. Her leadership shaped Rockland for more than three decades and helped build the foundation that supports our work today. The programs that carry her name honor this legacy and continue her belief that investing in emerging scientists can change what becomes possible in the life sciences.