For Alicia Zarou Scanlon, community is not a buzzword or an abstract concept. It is something to be built intentionally, nurtured, and shared. Born and raised on Long Island, Zarou Scanlon returned home after years living abroad and has carved out professional and philanthropic paths that reflect the same guiding belief: meaningful connections make communities stronger.
Previously, a restaurant owner and art dealer, Zarou Scanlon has spent her career cultivating community and connection. Now, as business co-owner of Karmic Grind in Locust Valley and Oyster Bay, she—alongside business partner Regina Smith—has created more than a successful coffee shop. They’ve built gathering places, as much a feature of their neighborhoods as the people they serve.
Zarou Scanlon added, “We aimed to design accessible spaces, with a low barrier for entry, where neighbors can meet, talk, and form lasting relationships, which is our measure of success.”
Over a cup of coffee surrounded by baby strollers and business professionals, Zarou Scanlon shared that the same commitment to connection is what led her to deepen her involvement with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL), where she now serves as a CSHL Association Director. Introduced to the Laboratory through a Women in Science luncheon, Zarou Scanlon said she was struck by the caliber of the research and the collaborative spirit behind it. She added that visiting CSHL made the Lab’s work tangible, and engaging directly with scientists made the research more compelling.
What resonates most with Zarou Scanlon is the way science at CSHL is motivated by the potential for real-world benefits. She values the open exchange of knowledge among researchers, clinicians, and institutions, as well as the direct link between philanthropy and improved patient outcomes. For donors, she sees this transparency and momentum as powerful motivators.
“Giving to science feels immediate and meaningful, because you can see how it touches lives, often within our own lifetime,” Zarou Scanlon noted. “I feel very privileged to be able to spread the word about what the lab is doing. It’s an extension of my love of community. It’s been very fulfilling to meet people on the board I probably would never have had the chance to come across, likeminded in our love of science, philanthropy, and community.”
Whether fostering connection over coffee or advancing groundbreaking research through philanthropy, Zarou Scanlon exemplifies how leadership rooted in community can create a lasting impact.
Written by: Lisa Cruz, Vice President, Communications | [email protected] | 516-367-6846