Bentley Magazine Spring 2020

Why being an entrepreneur is easier — and harder — than ever

BETWEEN THE LINES

You know we’re all about stories here. They hit pause on lives in progress and aim to add something to yours: a new perspective, a surprising insight, an unexpected smile. The best ones bring even more.

Which brings me to Peterson Philippe ’20 and Manyang Kot Mangar ’10. Last spring, we wrote about Peterson and others who were the first in their immediate family to attend college. That prompted two readers to reach out with support, encouragement and, says Peterson, “general life advice.”

Mario Rivera is a vice president at UBS and board member of the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA, which has a very active chapter at Bentley). Osmar Monteiro ’98 is a VP at State Street and former Management major. Like them, Peterson plans to build a career in finance. Growing up, he tells me, “I never had a male role model. Now I have two.”

You may remember Manyang Kot Mangar from the Winter 2018 issue. He came to this country in 2001 and has returned only briefly to his native Sudan. Recently, we learned that the alumnus had succeeded in bringing his wife, Atong, and their 5-year-old son, Chep, to live with him in Connecticut. Two of Manyang’s allies here, Executive Director of Career Services Janet Ehl and retired Associate Dean Jane Ellis, visited the reunited family in November. The gifts they brought along from campus colleagues included warm clothing for Atong and Chep’s first New England winter.

These updates point to our core purpose, which is connecting people — with opportunities and each other. The common-ground topics in this issue include starting one’s own company, serving in the military, joining a student organization and celebrating four-legged family. We hope one or more strikes a chord.

In closing, to Peterson and Manyang: All good wishes for your lives in progress. And to all of you: Keep the stories coming.

Magazine

Editor

Susan Simpson

Interim Senior Director

Strategic Communications

John McElhenny

Writers

Michael Blanding

Deblina Chakraborty

Hayden Field

Molly Mastantuono

Mary K. Pratt

Kristen Walsh

Kevin Wong

Creative Director

Greg Gonyea

Senior Associate Director

Creative Services

Claire S. Anderson

Art Direction & Design

Juliana Friere

Multimedia Producer

Kevin Maguire

Associate Director

Print and Production

Judy Metz

Executive Director

Advancement

Communications

Terry Cronin

Senior Associate Director

Advancement

Communications

Caroline Cruise

Associate Director

Content Development

Kristin Livingston

Communications Specialist

Molly McKinnon

President

Alison Davis-Blake

Vice President

University Advancement

Maureen Flores

Interim Vice President

Marketing and Communications

Christopher Joyce

ARTFUL ADMISSION

I graduated high school in 1957, had a year at Northeastern, another at BU, and started courses in the fall of 1959 at Miami. It soon occurred to me that marketable skills might come in handy if I ever expected to feed, clothe and house myself.

I thought Bentley might be a quick route to that end. I wrote asking for an admission interview. Whew ... yes ... someone would see me. No mention of who, until I walked in and gave my name. Yes, I was scheduled and the president expected me ... the PRESIDENT?

In I went. There was this distinguished New Englander-type (I thought) painting on a good-size easel. We exchanged a little small talk, then my curiosity got the better of me. I started edging around so I could see what he

HERE SAY

was painting. It was a palmetto … a very large cockroach. The rendering was so good that I couldn’t help blurting out “Oh, wow, a palmetto!”

He looked up at me, smiling. Small talk probably included that I’d had a couple intro accounting courses and “got the debit-credit thing.” He said something like, “Well, if you get that and have the breadth to get this, you probably have enough vision/capacity to catch up. You’re OK’d for second semester.”

And my very rewarding work/life in community-based health and human services got its start!

Lou Simons ’66 Nashua, N.H.

SERVICE CALLS

We receive Bentley Magazine and I appreciate all the stories about successful alumni starting their own businesses and doing well in the business field. However, I think your magazine could benefit from alumni who did not take the traditional path but are still successful in their careers.

My husband, Timmy Donahue, graduated from Bentley with his BS in Marketing in 2006, magna cum laude, and then with his MS in Marketing Analytics in 2007. During that time, he was also on the football team. He went on to New England Law, Boston, and graduated in 2010, cum laude.

Timmy served in the U.S. Army as a judge advocate for eight years. While on active duty, he deployed to Afghanistan, where he worked as an operational law attorney. This summer, he transitioned to the Reserve and was promoted to the rank of major; he continues to serve his local community. Timmy is barred in both Massachusetts and New York, and serves as a public defender in Queens.

Ashley Ludovicy-Donahue Rego Park, N.Y.

Timmy Donahue ’06, MSMA ’07 and wife Ashley upon his return from Afghanistan in March 2017. Others who played Falcon football in 2006 and went on to military service are First Lieutenant Timmy Grovenburg ’10, MBA ’11, currently deployed with the 101st Airborne, and Captain Kevin Doherty ’09, now stationed in Ft. Myer, Va., with the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment.

Stories of Bentley veterans continue on page 37.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BENTLEY ARCHIVES AND THE ALUMNUS

in Waltham, Massachusetts, 10 miles west of Boston. For more information, visit bentley.edu.

Art was an avocation for President Maurice Lindsay ’24.

HIGH SPIRITS

Diwali, the South Asian Festival of Lights, was part of Bentley’s annual celebration of dance, food and traditions from around the world.

PHOTO BY JAMISON WEXLER

PRESIDENT FROM THE

their hospitality in making my visits memorable, and I am continually amazed at the reach and impact of a Bentley education.

Yet as student populations, jobs and career paths change, it’s important that business educators change, too. With new resources on campus like our recently launched Badavas Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning, I’m proud to say that Bentley continues to evolve to meet the needs of tomorrow’s students.

In this issue, you’ll read about entrepreneurs whose vision and courage allowed them to identify a market need and create a solution. Like any good entrepreneur, Bentley continues to adapt to keep up with — and stay ahead of — the needs of the marketplace.

what we teach students and how we teach it. With a Bentley education, our students won’t just understand the business world, they’ll help shape it.

In today’s competitive world, it’s not enough for colleges and universities to simply have the standard set of tools to educate tomorrow’s leaders. Instead, educators need to adopt that same entrepreneurial spirit you’ll see highlighted in this issue — the ability to continuously innovate when it comes to creating and delivering academic programs and offerings.

One of my favorite activities as president is traveling to see firsthand the impact our alumni are having around the world. In the last few months, I’ve enjoyed visits with alumni in Kuwait, the Philippines, Japan, Greece, Spain and the U.K. I’m grateful for

Over the past year, we’ve developed a strategic plan that will make sure Bentley continues to be a leader in business education well into our second century. With valuable input from our entire community, and unanimous approval by the Board of Trustees, we’re proud to unveil Strategic Plan 2020-2025, our framework to reinvent both

After all, we’ve been reinventing business education for over a century. When Harry C. Bentley opened his school in 1917, he did so in the spirit of innovation, by addressing a market need for skilled accountants. Today, we’re keeping that spirit alive by identifying what tomorrow’s world will demand and preparing our students accordingly. Empowered by a Bentley education, there’s no limit to the impact they will make in the U.S. and around the world.

Bentley Elects New Trustees

BY KEVIN WONG

The Board of Trustees has elected two new members, expanding skill sets and perspectives within the governing body. Gordon A. Pulsifer ’80, P ’08 ’19 and Caryn Beck-Dudley, JD join the board as Bentley enters the new decade and begins launching initiatives in support of its new strategic plan.

Pulsifer has worked in the real estate industry for close to four decades. He is founder, president and CEO of First Resource Companies, a real estate development and management investment firm based in Hanover, Mass. A member of the Class of 1980, he holds a BS in Accountancy and is a certified public accountant. His sons, Brenton and Michael, earned Bentley degrees in 2008 and 2019, respectively.

Beck-Dudley brings extensive experience leading

business programs at schools including Florida State and Utah State universities. In her current post, dean of the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University, she engages the community to implement strategic initiatives. Beck-Dudley holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Utah State University and received her JD from the University of Idaho College of Law.

“I’m glad to have Gordon and Caryn join us and look forward to the fresh outlook they’ll bring to our decision-making process,” says board chair J. Paul Condrin ’83, P ’19 ’22. “Their addition comes at an important time for Bentley, as we continue to position the university as a leader in transformative business education.”

Pulsifer and Beck-Dudley will serve three-year terms and can be re-elected.

Manfredi Family Establishes Finish Line Grant Fund

BY KRISTIN LIVINGSTON

Steven ’73 and Christine (Smith) ’73 Manfredi, P ’10, who have made significant gifts to Bentley through the years, have committed $1.5 million to create the Finish Line Grant Fund. It will award scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 to undergraduates who encounter financial hardship on their way to completing their degree.

“It can be difficult for some students to get over the finish line with funding their education,” says Steve, a trustee emeritus whose 13 years of service include chairing the board from 2012 to 2018. “Chris and I want to help students with financial challenges that could potentially disrupt their academic career. For every dollar we prevent a student from borrowing, we make it easier for that student long term.”

In addition to lessening the debt burden

SPEAKING IN HARMONY

for students and ensuring those in good standing can complete their Bentley education, the Finish Line Grant Fund will free up other financial aid dollars to help more students in need.

“We know the value of a Bentley education,” says Steve, whose daughter, Laura (Manfredi) Barclay, is a member of the Class of 2010. “With these grants, we are telling students, ‘Don’t stop now — you’re close! Continue to work hard and the opportunities and rewards will follow.’”

“Steve and Chris’s expendable grant fund will impact students in need right away,” says President Alison Davis-Blake. “The new fund further demonstrates their commitment to our school and its students, from their first year through graduation.”

The Manfredis have been generous

Bentley supporters for decades. They were founding donors of the Gloria Cordes Larson Center for Women and Business and among the first cohort of Great Benefactors, donors whose lifetime gift commitments to Bentley total $1 million or more.

“Less debt will provide students a measure of relief, allowing them to focus on what they need to do to launch a successful career,” says Steve. “Hopefully, that student will someday be in a position to pass it on.”

to be part of the global economy. “If you are poor and don’t have a voice, you are very susceptible to extremism. If you have a good job, perhaps you preserve that security by buying a home and raising a family. That is where education can be very helpful.”

The Bentley Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Center coordinates student tutors, who use video conferencing to teach Afghan students like Haroon Ehsan.

“Our discussions helped me open my mind to new ideas, cultures and beliefs,” says Ehsan, who enrolled in Pax Populi at age 15.

are all just people made of the same stuff,” says Kalish, who is now studying for an MS in Finance.

“It’s easy to forget what a blessing it is to pursue higher education,” adds fellow tutor Mary Sullivan ’22 (left), a Public Policy major. “Through Pax Populi, I’ve grown more grateful and also recognized a passion for social justice.”

BY KRISTEN WALSH

An online English tutoring program by Bentley students for students in Afghanistan offers more than language lessons; it promotes peace in a country at war.

Robert McNulty, director of programs for Bentley’s Hoffman Center for Business Ethics, launched the program Pax Populi (Latin for “the People’s Peace”) in 2009.

Learning English, he says, opens opportunities for Afghans

The education goes both ways. Bentley tutor Jacob Kalish ’20 had expected cultural differences to overshadow the tutor-student relationship.

“I could not have been more wrong. After breaking down the surface-level barriers, we

The program prompted Ehsan to “set higher goals” for himself. Instead of following the traditional path of working after high school to help support his family, he is studying politics at the American University of Central Asia.

“I learned there are people who genuinely care about my country and want to help us, despite my people’s terrible experiences with exploitation by outsiders,” he says. “It gave me hope.”

THE FALCON FILES

BY JAIMIE FRITZ, UNIVERSITY ARCHIVIST

Organized Over Time

The first Bentley student organizations were fraternities: Both Kappa Pi Alpha and Beta Tau Alpha established chapters in 1922. The proliferation slowed in the 1940s, when male enrollment declined because of World War II. Female students in the Day Division created the first sorority — Delta Omega — in 1944. (1)

Greek organizations gained a reputation for creative fundraising:

n A “tub pull” by Tau Kappa Epsilon members in the early 1970s ferried a willing volunteer through downtown Waltham to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. (2)

n In 1972, members of Beta Tau Alpha took turns dribbling a basketball from Waltham to Worcester to raise money for charity. (3)

The Newman Club was Bentley’s first spiritual organization, established in 1962. Early members included several Catholic nuns, who attended Bentley to learn to manage the finances of their parishes and convents. (4)

Publishing on campus blossomed in the early 1960s. Students launched a yearbook in 1961, known variously as The Vale and Blue and Gold. The student newspaper started around the same time (1960) and has been called The Bentley News, The Gadfly, The Inferno and, now, The Vanguard. (5)

The International Relations Club began in 1967 and included several non-U.S. students attending Bentley. Today’s much-larger population of international students has inspired groups celebrating African American, Brazilian, Caribbean, Chinese, Indonesian, Italian, Korean, Latino, South Asian and Vietnamese cultures, among others. (6)

In 1998, the campus chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants organized the first Bentley Business Bowl, now a major annual event here. The association provides career and networking opportunities for students of color. (7)

What began as the Bentley Drama Club in the 1960s is now a chapter of national theater honor society Alpha Psi Omega, whose members have been entertaining the campus community for decades. Less well-known is the Experimental Theater Club, which put on avant-garde dramatic productions in the 1970s. (8)

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THINGS

YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

VAPING

BY MOLLY MASTANTUONO

Electronic cigarettes have sparked debate since their introduction in 2008. Concerns flared last summer as a mysterious lung ailment, now dubbed EVALI, hospitalized several thousand Americans and led to more than 50 deaths. A panel discussion, led by a cross-section of faculty members, considered the legal, social and health implications of vaping. Here are highlights.

E-CIGARETTES WERE BORN OF GOOD INTENTIONS.

Many adult smokers have successfully used the devices to curb cigarette use. Dhaval Dave, Stanton Research Professor of Economics, cites recent findings that vaping devices were twice as effective as nicotine patches, gum or prescription drugs at helping smokers quit. But, as he points out, adult smokers constitute a small portion of e-cigarette users. Most are teens and young adults, of whom 40% had never before used tobacco products.

THERE’S CONFUSION ABOUT INGREDIENTS.

In one study, two-thirds of young users said that vaping liquids do not contain nicotine. In fact, virtually all do — along with other toxic ingredients. Zoe Wagner, lecturer in natural and applied sciences, notes that flavoring agents, while approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for oral consumption, haven’t been tested to determine if they are safe to inhale.

USE BY HIGH SCHOOLERS IS RAMPANT.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 25% of high school students use vaping devices. Nearly half do so because of the appealing range of flavors, such as cotton candy and bubble gum. Studies also show that teens and young adults are more likely to use traditional cigarettes and other tobacco products once they start vaping.

MAKERS ARE TARGETING YOUTH.

Unlike traditional cigarettes, which are bound by strict advertising regulations, e-cigarettes are widely promoted through radio, TV and social media. The latter category, which includes mobile ads and YouTube, is particularly effective in reaching a young audience. Associate Professor of Law Liz Brown warns that companies which expressly target younger consumers are engaged in negligent and even fraudulent marketing, since e-cigarette use is illegal for Americans under age 18.

REGULATION IS LARGELY LACKING.

Most alarming, say Dave, Wagner and Brown: lack of industry oversight. The FDA has regulatory authority via the Tobacco Control Act of 2016, but has yet to enact policies around e-cigarette manufacture, marketing or consumption. Absent federal regulations, state and municipal agencies have imposed their own, from restricting sales to outright bans. The growing number of EVALI cases has kindled greater support for federal oversight, with proponents demanding the FDA take action.

Banking Diversityon

to the different roles in the field and help them stand out in the application and interview process.”

Joining him in delivering the Wall Street Boot Camp are Derek Abdelmaseh ’09, MST ’12, associate, Technology M&A Investment Banking Group, Lazard; Nick DiGeronimo ’09, MSF ’10, vice president, Municipal Finance Department, Barclays; Christopher DiPietro ’08, vice president, Investment Banking Division, Canaccord Genuity; and Garrett Stephen ’09, director, Direct Lending Platform, THL Credit. Dumbuya worked through Bentley’s Pulsifer Career Development Center to implement the program.

INSIDE SCOOP

Sessions run from November to April and include insights into the structure of an investment bank and various job functions, visits to Boston and New York City investment banks, and mentoring and guidance during the recruiting process.

“I’m drawn to the fast-paced and ever-changing work style, making huge deals and being around ambitious people,” says program participant Yuening (Nicole) Lyu ’22 (far left), a Computer Information Systems major. “I was surprised to see the diversity of majors, cultures and backgrounds in investment banking these days.”

Finance major Cameron Tierney ’22 (near left) traces his interest in the field to having a grandmother who liked to invest and watching entrepreneurs pitch to potential investors on TV’s Shark Tank.

Alumni mentor a new generation for Wall Street

BY KRISTEN WALSH

Investment banks are changing the way they find young talent: Recruiting at an elite list of target colleges is giving way to an open process that will attract candidates who are more diverse. A new program at Bentley, developed by Abubakr Dumbuya ’07 (center), aims to prepare this new wave of applicants.

“Moving beyond the colleges where

investment banks have historically recruited eliminates initial bias for students at a non-target school,” says Dumbuya, an executive director at JPMorgan Chase & Co., whose focus is helping corporations use derivatives to manage interest rate and foreign exchange risk. “I want to take it a step further for Bentley students, by exposing them to alumni who can speak

“I hope to gain industry knowledge from people who have the inside scoop,” says Tierney, a member of the student-run Bentley Sustainable Investment Group and the Investment Banking Club.

Both plan to use the experience to prepare for an internship — a critical first step in landing a job in investment banking. Dumbuya, for example, completed summer internships at Bank of America, after his sophomore and junior years; he joined the bank’s Analyst program upon earning his BS in Economics-Finance. JPMorgan, which he joined in 2017, made headlines last year for changing its recruitment process.

“The shift benefits everyone,” he says. “In addition to opening up the pipeline for previously disadvantaged applicants, banks are leveraging a wider diversity of talent — in thought, race, gender, sexual orientation and mobility, for example — that benefits the company.”

PHOTO BY KEVIN MAGUIRE

Cue the confetti. As a senior event manager with the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, Mariela Spillari ’10 helps organize the famed Rose Bowl Parade — a New Year’s Day tradition featuring floral floats, equestrian groups and marching bands. The Guatemala-born alumna was raised in New York, inspired by the tenacity of her mother, a house cleaner, and the optimism of her father, a restaurant worker. After graduation, she returned to organize events for Macy’s, including the iconic Thanksgiving Day Parade. She also produced the 2019 LA Pride Parade.

Townie Spirit Pasadena is such a tight-knit community; the parade has almost a townie heart to it — but on a large scale of course. There is an incredible energy as people start coming in the week leading up to the parade and the Rose Bowl Game: fans of the teams that are playing, horse lovers who are there to see the equestrian units, marching bands from all over the world. It’s not just a parade, it’s an entire week of events.

Band Fan For the Rose Parade, the bands are my favorite part of everything because the stories they come in with are really incredible. Some are from developing countries and they start fundraising a year and a half in advance to get here. This year, we helped support a float for the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. There were 100 marchers in suffragette costumes — really impactful!

Penchant for Planning I became passionate about planning events at Bentley, through the Campus Activities Board. All the late-night organizing for Spring Day was tiring, but I enjoyed getting really close to my classmates. I met Stephanie Logan [Class of 2005] who worked in Partnership Marketing for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and someone said, “You would probably like what she does.” They were right! She became my first manager.

Test Flight The Macy’s parade balloons are test-flown in South Dakota to see if all the details are accurate. It’s very private and closed to the media. One year, with a SpongeBob balloon, I turned to my boss and said, “I think his left pupil is a little off, and his tie doesn’t look right.” And he was like, “Sure, sure.” Then the designers walked in and said the exact same thing. I looked at my boss like, “I told you!” Those small moments helped build confidence in my career.

Uptown Energy On parade day, we worked with the float captains to get all the float escorts into costume. We’d say, “Oh, this gentleman isn’t going to fit into the stick of butter, so he has to be a piece of toast.” It’s cool to be down by Macy’s, where the parade ends, but I always suggest people go uptown; the atmosphere there is just unparalleled.

From the Heart With the Pride Parade, there’s more diversity among participants and I aim to stay educated on how I refer to or address everyone I interact with. It’s just an added layer that seldom applies to events with Macy’s or the Rose Parade! One of the volunteer managers once said, “At the very end of the day, you must be kind, because this could be the only day someone experiences kindness their whole year.” I still get emotional thinking about that.

As told to Michael Blanding

PHOTO BY ROBERT BECK BE NTLEY MAGAZ

By Hayden Field

t 8 years old, Crystal Cave ’09 knew how to read analytics reports. She dreamed of business school. And in her grandfather’s office, she often played at being CEO of a company.

The man she called “Poppy,” Robert Higgins, founded wholesale record distributor Trans World Entertainment Corporation. On February 14, 1972, he walked into a bank with an idea and walked out with a loan, proceeding to grow the company from an initial $30,000 to an IPO in 1986. Though he has since passed away, the company still operates upward of 200 brick-and-mortar stores under multiple brand names.

And Cave, the founder and CEO of size-inclusive clothing brand Poppy Row, is a long way from playing pretend.

The decades between their ventures have been good for entrepreneurs. There are new sources of capital emerging every day, by way of online funding platforms and venture capital firms. The rise of e-commerce has lowered the barrier of entry for founder hopefuls. And social media makes it easier to reach a like-minded audience and build a community.

Entrepreneurship today is also markedly more difficult than in the past. There’s an overwhelming sense of sameness in pitch after pitch. New technology is siphoned off into tired buzzwords peddled by founders and sought out by investors. And for any kind of product or service, the market is likely already flooded with competitors.

But take heart, say experts including Bentley alumni. The obstacles to entrepreneurship have been rearranged regularly for decades, and there’s no sign they’ll stay put in the future. Here’s a look at the current landscape by founders who’ve experienced it firsthand.

The barriers to entrepreneurship today haven’t fallen so much as shifted.

As always, the smart money is on those who understand the landscape and are willing to go all-in.

READY SOURCES OF CAPITAL

LOWER BARRIERS OF ENTRY

hether you’re spending $100 or $100,000 to start your company, the money has to come from somewhere — and research suggests that 90% to 95% of entrepreneurs who hire require financing to launch their businesses. Though the top three sources of capital are savings, business loans and personal credit cards, founders have other vehicles for getting where they need to go: crowdfunding websites, revenuesharing platforms, grants, accelerators, incubators and more. Investors, who are always looking to outperform the market, often monitor these outlets to seek out new ideas and meet potential founders where they are. Venture funds are launched regularly via new crops of angel investors and recycled capital, and the constant cycle of startup acquisitions and IPOs means there’s a lot of cash on the move.

Cave launched Poppy Row through Kickstarter (“a great way to validate the brand need”). Heather (Currier) Baker ’94, founder of GH2 Fitness and Training, took an alternate approach: She and her husband, Ross, funded their gym via a business loan, retirement funds and savings.

Over the past decade, the typical dollar amount of an early-stage funding round has increased dramatically. According to research on 21 of the top venture firms, in 2018, the average seed round hit $5.6 million, compared with $1.3 million in 2010. Over the same time period, the average Series A round increased at a similar rate. Last year’s total amounted to $15.7 million, more than three times that of 2010.

One byproduct of venture firms raising ever-larger funds: They’re investing in later funding rounds with larger sums of money. Companies are taking longer to go public, sometimes opting to stay private and raise amounts like $500 million from the private sector.

“The need to go public for the purpose of raising capital to fuel growth has significantly diminished,” says Mike Mangini ’01, managing director of VC firm SignalFire.

The capital landscape for entrepreneurs could likely transform again. That’s partly due to industry hot topics like open markets and blockchain, which would theoretically allow anyone to invest in an idea, with no minimum threshold.

Share your story at magazine@bentley.edu

very month in the United States, three out of every thousand people launch a business. Other data from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation pegs early-stage entrepreneurship at close to a 20-year high in 2017. Why the influx of new founders? Some entrepreneurs cite a lower barrier of entry to starting a business, largely due to advances in technology.

When Samantha Sorabella ’17 started her business — a brand featuring Cape Cod-inspired photography and jewelry, with Instagram as its primary platform — she knew the first step in locating a relevant audience would be connecting with local shops, businesses and photographers on social media. She attributes those partnerships, which led to giveaways and ads, as a driving factor in the account’s growth to 51.3K followers. After finding a business on Instagram, Sorabella can make initial contact, send sales pitches, and provide data and statistics from past partnerships, all without scheduling an in-person meeting. The approach saves her precious time as an entrepreneur — and she believes it’s led 4-year-old Capeology to much faster growth than it would have seen otherwise.

“It’s a way for your customers to see what you’re up to 24/7 and create that brand loyalty and trust that’s really going to set you apart from competitors,” she says of social media. “Even if you’re selling the same thing, if a client feels like they trust you more or resonate with your brand more, they’re going to go with you at the end of the day.”

Those perks are largely applicable across the retail sector. New businesses can start selling without any kind of physical presence, and entrepreneurs can build an audience online first with less capital (and less risk).

“That’s the biggest thing, that there’s just a lower barrier to entry in the sense that anybody can start any business,” says Cave. “Now you can launch brands completely digitally, which is what I’ve done, and not have a retail presence, not do wholesale.”

The myriad resources available to entrepreneur hopefuls goes beyond dollars. Since 2004, the number of Google searches for “how to start a business” has stayed fairly constant — but the number of results returned has grown exponentially. Whether your venture is based in photography, retail, health care, technology or another sector, there are countless articles, videos, podcasts, Q&As, step-by-step guides and communities online that can help save time and avert trial and error.

In cities across the country, you could go out every single night to a different event offering resources for entrepreneurs, says Woody Benson ’80, a venture partner at Launch Capital.

“There are so many people who want to give back in the form of

podcasts, books, lectures, advice and office hours,” he says. “There are so many tools and support groups available that really didn’t exist years ago.”

This democratization of access applies even to tech startups. Whether you’re building an app, platform or other service, “lowcode” or “no-code” solutions have unlocked options for people who aren’t trained as developers. And if you do build something that goes viral? In the past, it would almost certainly crash without complex server infrastructure that you’d built yourself (or spent a significant sum hiring someone else to build). Over the past decade, cloud computing — or storing and processing data by way of remote servers instead of a local or personal one — has made it easier to grow your startup and its user base without experiencing crashes.

Mangini recalls spending tens of thousands of dollars on servers while building one of his former companies. “It’s mind-blowing,” he says. “If you unpack what cloud computing brings to the startup ecosystem, anyone can easily scale technical infrastructure, leveling the playing field in a tremendous way.

“People are able to build startups faster, reach customers more effectively and, really, more than ever, fail fast. That is so important when you’re building something: to try something, tease it out, figure out what works and what doesn’t, and continue to iterate until you’ve found something the market actually wants.”

NO NEW IDEAS UNDER THE SUN

n other ways, starting a company today is more difficult than ever before.

Janak Joshi ’00, MBA ’01 knows how hard it is to sell a startup idea. During his first job out of college, he pitched to a venture capitalist and was denied more than 100 times.

“In the late ’90s in Boston, entrepreneurship was thriving, but it was old-school and pretty brutal,” says Joshi, who’s now CTO of Life Image, a health care network for sharing images and clinical data. “This was Shark Tank on steroids.”

Benson, for his part, has been investing in founders for almost two decades. In his experience, entrepreneurship happens in waves — every five years or so, a new crop of startups aims to transform an industry.

In fact, he says, it’s possible to track burgeoning industries and technologies by the entrepreneurship waves that sparked them: microcomputer, cloud mobile social, enterprise software and software as a service (SaaS), social media, on-demand consumer services and, currently, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI).

“The reason venture capital funds are called ‘vintage funds’ is they’re sorted by year, just like fine wines,” says Benson. “These

waves generate these vintages that are marking the peaks of the journey. An idea that looked absolutely ridiculous 10 years ago may look great now.”

But alongside waves, there are troughs, and it can be difficult for an early-stage company to make it in an environment where only about half of new establishments survive five years or longer, according to estimates by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

That means it’s vital to examine the driving reasons behind the desire to start a business: Does it skew toward the potential glamor of working for yourself, or is it a nagging feeling that it’s your responsibility to bring a new product, service or solution into the world? In a bull market that’s more than 10 years old, and alongside an exploding tech ecosystem, it’s easy to idealize launching a company.

“There are more and more people who are trying to start businesses because of the ‘shiny object’ of starting a business versus having an innate burning desire to go solve a problem and doing anything you can to get to that endpoint,” says Mangini. “Starting a business is wickedly hard and scaling one is even harder. It consumes your entire existence for the period of time that you’re building it. Know that you’re going to go all-in or not — and now’s a greater time than ever to do that — but give yourself a real clean gut-check on your motivations for doing so.”

Since the word “entrepreneur” is an umbrella term that can be construed in many different ways, it’s important to clarify which type someone is referring to (or offering guidance for).

As Mangini puts it: “There are many different flavors of ‘entrepreneur.’” One might be following your passion to open a coffee shop; another might be running multiple franchise locations of a national brand. For his part, Mangini seeks out tech entrepreneurs he believes are on track to build something transformative.

When it comes to great ideas, it is easy to believe there’s nothing new out there. “It’s really hard to have new ice cream flavors invented that aren’t combining old ice cream flavors,” says Benson. “It’s very hard to find something today that’s really unique.”

Mangini confirms that, over the past few years, he has listened to thousands of similar-sounding pitches. One of his biggest takeaways? Many of the most transformative ideas seem simple and obvious. You might think, I can’t believe this doesn’t already exist, or, Surely someone else has thought of this. Ultimately, he says, it comes down to timing, team and execution.

If you’ve got the drive and a plan you believe in, good news: Many investors prioritize investing in people over ideas. Benson is currently interested in areas like automation of the world’s ships and waterways, machine learning, AI and fintech, but he says the entrepreneur behind a business is a better indicator of its potential value.

“I just try to find really interesting people who want to do really interesting things in big and dynamic ways and build big, profitable companies,” says Benson. “It’s always people first. Next-generation opportunities meet visionary entrepreneurs.”

“Starting a business is wickedly hard. It consumes your entire existence for the period of time that you’re building it.”

MIKE MANGINI ’01

OVER-SATURATED MARKETS

eather Baker had always been interested in fitness, and after giving birth prematurely, she wanted to stay home with her newborn and remain active at the same time. She invited friends to join her to work out in her basement and bring their newborns; within six months, more than 50 people were part of the group. Before long, Baker was launching her very own gym.

She has welcomed expansion (members now number 550) but also wants to maintain the level of personalization and flexibility that drew people to her basement in the first place. So GH2 Fitness and Training operates from 4:45 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., offers classes between 30 and 45 minutes in length, and accepts client requests for additions like core classes, spin and Olympic lifting. Another recent addition: a protein shake and coffee bar inside the gym.

“We have a lot of competition,” says Baker. “We have to be different.”

When it comes to fintech, e-commerce and a whole host of other budding areas of entrepreneurship, experts say personalization is the future if you want to stay competitive. The rise of audience data collection — American firms likely spent more than $19 billion in this category last year — has been a boon for companies large and small. All can now make educated decisions on how to personalize customer experience, right down to the product or service being sold.

And today’s consumers demand personalization on an almost unprecedented scale. Research from Epsilon, a global marketing firm, suggests that 80% of people are more likely to buy when brands offer personalized experiences.

In the retail sector, digitally native brands are now making use of physical stores to personalize consumer shopping experiences

— likely on a larger scale than would be possible through an onlineonly experience, says Cave.

In her own business, she aims to accommodate a wider range of sizes and, through that, create more precise and personalized clothing pieces. That personalization extends to the customer service experience. Poppy Row recently incorporated a visual chatbot that allows image-sharing between customer service agents and customers, even offering styling tips and enabling women to put together outfits as part of the chat experience.

Cave recalls the days when department store employees remembered frequent shoppers’ names and past purchases. In her view, emerging technologies will allow for a greater degree of human connection and personalized interaction that we currently lack.

“On a daily basis, we’re getting so much information; it’s hard to remember everything,” she says. “These containers can remember it for you and provide prompts, like the best personal assistant ever.”

Personalization can also help people see your brand as “less robotic,” says Capeology’s Sorabella. Her Instagram-centric business solicits audience opinions through polls and direct messages — for example, asking followers whom they’d like to see the account work with next.

“Then it feels like they have a say in selecting what’s to come,” says Sorabella, who works hard to partner with the recommended companies.

The upside of saturated markets: more choices for consumers. In particular, Mangini is excited for the coming “tidal wave of innovation,” as startups aim to help humans live better lives. In enterprise, commerce, logistics, health care, banking and even personal decision-making — it’s all being disrupted.

“Every day, we see entrepreneurs who have a look of no-fear in their eyes, willing to step up, take a chance, fail if they need to, for the prospect of leaving their mark on an industry,” says Mangini. “Improving humanity: That’s a theme we’re going to — I hope — see a lot more of over the next 10 or 20 years.”

Listen and Learn

In Bentley’s new podcast — How I Made It eight alumni entrepreneurs and execs discuss building their businesses, careers and second acts. Listen at bentley.edu/howimadeit

“We have a lot of competition. We have to be different.”

HEATHER (CURRIER) BAKER ’94

Next-Gen Founders

Bentley is a tried-and-true launching pad for student businesses. Check out

these current ventures.

As told to Kristen Walsh and Molly Mastantuono

JEFE CLOTHING

An apparel company offering bold, vibrant and elevating designs

Founders Marketing majors Leonardo Paul ’20 (right) and Joshua Elysee ’21

Launched September 2018

Passion for Fashion Paul and Elysee attended the same charter school in Cambridge, Mass., where they bonded over a mutual dislike for the sameness of the required uniform. In fourth grade, Elysee paired a tie with his polo shirt. On monthly dress-down days, Paul would coordinate outfits inspired by his favorite musicians. At Bentley they discovered a shared dream to launch a clothing line.

PEOPLE COLD BREW

What’s in a Name? The Spanish word jefe (pronounced hefay) translates as “boss” but has a deeper meaning. “A boss is someone who simply gives directions, whereas a jefe is more a leader who guides people in the direction they should be going and encourages them to continue growing,” says Elysee. “We want our company philosophy and our fashion to help inspire people to reach their full potential.”

A company selling canned cold-brew coffee

Founder Aman Ailani ’20, a Management major with a concentration in Entrepreneurship

Launched January 2020

Born for Business As a child in Dubai, Ailani sold dates harvested from palm trees in his backyard. In sixth grade, he persuaded a friend — and talented artist — to join him in creating comic books, which they sold to classmates for 25 cents apiece.

DREAMS OVERDUE

Due Diligence Ailani’s 30-page business plan outlines everything from product design and production to distribution and marketing. Grab-and-go drinks as a category grew by 54% last year, he points out, and industry sales are projected to hit $1 billion by 2022. “Coffee is something millions of people consume every day, whether the economy is lean or booming.”

A company that runs immersive trips for young people to Colombia, Guatemala and Costa Rica

Founder Rina Rabinovich ’21, a Management major with a concentration in Entrepreneurship and minors in Chinese and Information Design and Corporate Communication

Launched October 2018

Global Inspiration Before starting at Bentley, Rabinovich opted for a gap year of experiential learning. She set off from Vietnam on a 14-month backpacking trip to 28 countries. It deepened her appreciation for other cultures — and inspired her resolve to start a travel-focused business.

Journey to Self-Discovery To deliver similarly life-changing trips for other young people, Dreams

Overdue takes care of all the details, from accommodations to meals to activities. The latter includes pursuits like surfing and zip-lining along with language lessons, yoga and meditation. “I provide an environment that allows for self-reflection,” Rabinovich explains, helping travelers “grow into the best versions of themselves.”

PHOTOS (TOP AND CENTER) BY KEVIN MAGUIRE AND COURTESY OF THE STUDENT

WISDOM

Keys to growing a woman-owned business

Interview by Kristen Walsh

Photography by Joy LeDuc

Women in 2019 owned 42% of U. S. companies. But there is every reason to believe that their businesses won’t grow at the same rate as those owned by men. That’s largely because women receive a very small share of the billions invested in startups each year. The $3.3 billion that all-female founding teams received in 2019 represents just 2.8% of capital investment across all startups, according to data collected by PitchBook. Here, Bentley management professors and alumnae discuss the hurdles facing female entrepreneurs.

Tatiana Manolova is a management professor whose research and teaching interests include strategic management (particularly competitive strategies for new and small companies), international entrepreneurship and management in transitional economies. Her work also explores the new-firm creation process, and growth and financial strategies among women-led businesses worldwide.

Marianne Lancaster ’88 used personal savings and a loan from a longtime mentor to launch Lancaster Packaging out of her home in 1989. Today, the wholesale packaging distribution and procurement services company operates a 14,000-square-foot facility in Hudson, Mass., serving industrial manufacturers and U.S. aerospace and defense companies. It has ranked among The Boston Globe’s top 100 female-led businesses for 10 years.

Kyleen “Ky” Keenan ’09 and a co-founder started Not Your Sugar Mamas chocolate company in 2011 with an investment of $500 each and $10K from a family friend the following year. Today, the brand is sold nationwide and operates a shop on Martha’s Vineyard. Keenan co-wrote the book Chocolate Every Day and recently founded Frankie’s, a plant-based café and food truck specializing in gluten-free breads and nut-based cheeses.

Linda Edelman

is a professor and chair of the Management Department. She studies entrepreneurship with a focus on new ventures and on women, including readiness for early-stage investment in firms with women-led management teams and readiness for early-stage angel funding in firms with gender-diverse management teams.

FOR FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS

» Start before you are ready. Let go of perfectionism.

» Ask for money early and often. Be bold.

» Look for the money you need first from friends and family, second from crowdfunding and lastly from venture capital.

» Understand the stereotypes and biases, and prepare to deflect them and use them to your advantage.

» Accept that when you give away equity for growth capital, you are also giving away control.

» Consider buying a small business to add to yours, as a strategy to grow.

What are barriers for women entrepreneurs around funding a business?

Tatiana Manolova: Looking at womenowned businesses in the U.S. — and more or less around the world — women aren’t growing their businesses at the same rate as men. Research points to early-stage growth financing: Women do not get as much growth financing, debt or equity. It’s a billion-dollar question for the economy.

Linda Edelman: Our research has looked at women who applied for angel investing — early-stage money. They have an idea and customers; they want growth and are looking for about $250K. We found that men ask a year to 18 months in, whereas women hold off three or four years before they ask for that same financing. Many women are asking later and missing a critical window of opportunity.

What is the pitching process like for women?

Manolova: One study of a pitching competition found that potential investors asked men promotion-type questions: how they will reach milestones and what are the plans for growth. Women were asked preventiontype questions: will the company break even, for example, or what happens if you lose a key manager in the organization. If women can immediately flip a preventiontype question to respond with a promotiontype answer, that helps a lot.

Marianne Lancaster: A lot of it also has to do with discrimination against womenowned businesses. For the first 15 years of business, I had people outright refuse to give me money. I heard comments like “If you don’t have a husband” and “Is your father co-signing?” Most of my financing came from a special state or government program focused on filling the gap for financing women-owned businesses.

Kyleen Keenan: I agree. I have been asked questions by investors that a man wouldn’t have been asked: my custody arrangements for my daughter and proof of where I would reside. It put me on the defensive instead of focusing on the company’s strong profitability and national business plan. I’m shocked this is still happening in the industry.

Are there other biases at work?

Lancaster: Unfortunately there is a stigma that minority-owned “brown businesses” are not strong; they are hired only to fill a company’s diversity quota. Being a woman of color, I feel like I have had to succeed 10 times over before being taken seriously. When I have an account, I can’t just meet the specifications; I have to go above and beyond and many times my profits are lower because I’m putting so much into that account just to hold on to it and prove that I can retain it. I wasn’t shocked because I have experienced this throughout my life. It put me in survival mode and made me want to succeed all the more.

Edelman: That combination of being an entrepreneur and a woman of color is a real problem in business and beyond. Since 2009, startups led by black women have raised $289 million in venture/angel funding, with much of that coming in 2017. This represents .0006% of the total raised in tech venture funding since 2009.

Is there a difference in launching a business in a female- versus maledominated industry?

Manolova: Wealth creation is always high on the list of motivating factors whether you talk to men or women entrepreneurs. But women also talk about other things, like being autonomous and making a difference, which sets them a bit apart from what we find motivates men.

Sometimes women can play the stereotypes to work in their favor. Anytime a women-led business pitches about social or environmental responsibility, all of the nurturing qualities typically associated with women get the ear of the audience and sound very credible and authentic.

Keenan: With chocolate it worked in our favor: being holistic and healthy chocolate, environmentally sustainable. However, food in general and in the grocery channel — when you are dealing with scaling growth — is a very male-dominated area. Most grocery buyers are male, most people making the decisions in distribution are male. When really scaling growth, we had a lot of prospective male investors who seemed like they wanted to help us, but who instilled fear that we couldn’t do it ourselves.

How can female entrepreneurs counter gender bias?

Edelman: Bentley is a great place to have this conversation because we have so many young women who are going into finance. Statistics show if a woman is making a pitch and there are women in the audience, she is more likely to be considered.

Lancaster: I actually tried out a technique to prepare by researching the bios of the investors so I could have an idea of potential unconscious bias they may have. I set up my presentation thinking about what someone would ask so I could address it beforehand.

Ky and Marianne, what do you wish someone had told you starting out?

Keenan: I wish someone had told me to strengthen my own self-trust, follow my intuition more and to pay myself first. Despite having raised money, we were always worried to spend it. We ended up spending money on other people when we could have done the job better. In the end that left us burned out.

Lancaster: I wish that, in starting my business, I had focused on identifying who the target customer really is. Instead, I went with all the companies looking to hire woman-owned and minority-owned businesses. If I had a better understanding of my target customers at the outset, I could have grown faster by focusing on smaller, higher-margin accounts.

KYLE YORK ’05 IS REWRITING

THE PLAYBOOK ON TECH INVESTING

York lives in Bedford, N.H., with his wife, Katie (Shosho) ’05. The couple, who met in a Bentley marketing course, has three children.

By Deblina Chakraborty

Photography by Kevin Maguire

What Kyle York ’05 needed to disrupt the venture capital world came, in part, from a sporting goods store.

The co-founder and CEO of York IE helps tech startups grow without falling into the common traps of burning tons of capital or losing control to investors. And his approach in this high-stakes pursuit is rooted in the small athletics equipment business that his parents ran for 45 years in Manchester, New Hampshire.

“It’s a new-age spin on what we grew up witnessing,” says York, noting there was more to Indian Head Athletics than met the untrained eye.

“Yes, my parents had the retail sporting goods store. Then they had the team sporting goods store. Then they had the screen-printing-embroidery-uniforms business. Then they owned the building, and a separate space across from an arena in downtown Manchester, where they did parking. What to the outside world was one thing, was actually four independent companies.”

Growing up, York and his four brothers pitched in with various aspects of the business: working retail or printing T-shirts or helping with the parking lot detail. Along the way, they learned the power of a good work ethic and the value of being deeply involved in the community.

Those principles — efficient growth, hard work, strong community ties — helped Indian Head Athletics survive some of its biggest challenges, including the onslaught of big-box sporting goods stores in the 1990s and the advent of online shopping.

TECH BECKONS

Still, York knew early on that he wouldn’t make a career in sporting goods.

“I learned from my parents that success is not necessarily about being the smartest person in the room. It’s about being the most prepared and the hardest working,” he says. “They wanted us to build our own careers on that foundation.”

Those lessons — and an eye for the right opportunities — led York to his calling in the technology industry. He interned

at an education software company called WhippleHill for several years while studying at Bentley. Within a couple years of graduating, York was in California running their West Coast sales and marketing operation.

Then came a call from a high school classmate who had co-founded Dyn, a New Hampshire-based company specializing in domain name infrastructure. He wanted York to be its first sales and marketing leader, and someone who would almost act as an additional founder as they evolved.

In York’s time there, the Dyn team grew from 15 to 500 employees working with some of the biggest Internet brands. They scaled the business from about $3 million in revenue to $100 million before selling it to Oracle in 2016, for a rumored $600 million. And they did it all without raising venture capital for the first few years — a rare feat for a startup.

“That startup world was much more about who can raise the most money and become a billion-dollar unicorn overnight,” he says. “We said, no, there’s a more pragmatic, thoughtful way to scale. We learned you could still scale a company effectively with a lot of those family-business-like values.”

York applied a similar approach as an adviser and angel investor to several startups before launching York IE. That foundational business perspective — which bears a resemblance to the core values on which his parents built their company — is a kind of antidote to the market pressures that exist in the tech world right now.

“There’s the idea that you need to pour tens of millions of dollars into a company to get it off the ground,” he explains. “We’re not saying don’t raise some capital. I mean, we’re an investment company. We’re just saying, raise the money you need. Maintain control of your startup.”

New Hampshire, not Silicon Valley, is home base for York IE. The company also bucks venture capitalist tradition by not taking a management fee. Instead, they take carried interest from their investment. It’s like a commission on the upside, York explains.

“It’s a very different model,” he says. “We think it aligns much closer with the entrepreneur than with just the money people.”

For example, if they put in $500,000 and the gain off that investment is $5 million, York IE would take a percentage of only that gain. So, they succeed only if the entrepreneur does. Whereas a traditional venture firm might raise a $250 million fund and then charge a 2% management fee to all the people or firms that provided that money. That, in essence, puts venture capitalists to work for their investors, York points out.

York IE’s strategy in working with companies goes beyond cashflow. He and his partners also act as consultants to the startups they invest in, offering up their years of experience in the technology industry to leadership teams who are just getting their business off the ground.

“It’s not just writing checks and putting dollars into companies,” he says, “but actually adding value — bringing expertise, resources and time.”

They’re also building a market research and analysis platform to power their own deal-making decisions and help support York IE’s portfolio companies.

“It uses various data sources, social channels, machine learning and natural language processing to gain insight into markets and companies,” York explains, noting plans to sell the platform to entrepreneurs and investors.

A FOREVER COMPANY

York IE launched in September 2019 and, at this writing, has fielded proposals by more than 300 startups — eight of which they are funding. The alumnus hopes it will be for him what eludes many in the tech industry: a forever company.

The family legacy continues in other ways as well. York and his brothers have relaunched the original business as YORK Athletics Mfg., an online shoe retailer. He wears their performance footwear every day — a tangible reminder of his roots as he works with today’s business leaders.

“What’s more entrepreneurial than working with dozens and dozens of entrepreneurs?” he asks. “That energy and that environment — that sort of culture — is incredibly inspiring.”

CLASS NOTES

PHOTO BY ASHLEY MCCABE

Bentley fans young and younger swooped in for the first-ever Falcon Weekend. More photos on page 34.

1950

Edward Caras, San Simeon, Calif., retired in 1990 from an executive post at Northrop Aircraft (now Northrop Grumman). “I believe I was the youngest student in the Class of 1950, as most of my classmates were World War II veterans,” writes the alumnus, who is still going strong at age 89.

1972

James D. Vooys, Schenectady, N.Y., has been re-elected treasurer of Shriners Hospitals for Children — Boston. He assumed the role in January 2019 in addition to serving on the Board of Governors since 2011. He notes that there are 22 Shriners Hospitals nationwide “providing specialized pediatric care in a familycentric environment and regardless of the patient’s or family’s ability to pay.”

1980

40th Reunion

Joel G. Cohen, Esq., Bedminster, N.J., a Falcon Society member when he was at Bentley, was elected president of the Somerset County Bar Association for the 2019-2020 fiscal year.

Brian Shultz, MBA ’87, Danvers, Mass., writes: “Fast forward 24 years, seven years on the Y2K project, and IT jobs with the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the Kennedy School of Government, I retired from Harvard in 2013 at the age of 56. I was able to apply the finance principles that I learned in my MBA program to my personal finances to prepare for an early retirement. I am indebted to Bentley College for my entire working career.”

The very busy alumnus has gone on to create an eBay business, Boomer Boys Toys, selling wares from the 1960s through the 1980s. He collects classic cars and built a post-and-beam barn to house the car and toy collections; he also volunteers at Grace Chapel, House of Hope, and his former high school, St. John’s Prep. The latter will honor Shultz at its 2020 Gala, for his volunteer work.

“I am also a Bentley ‘True Blue’ donor, having given to the school for 38 consecutive years.”

1985

35th Reunion

Mark Semanie, Bel Air, Md., was appointed president, mid-Atlantic market for WesBanco Bank, after it acquired Old Line Bank, where he had been executive vice president and COO since 2013.

1991

Kirk S. Zurosky, Charlotte, N.C., has added “author” to his résumé. The practicing lawyer for more than 20 years wrote a series of seven books; the first released this spring under his own publishing imprint.

“Perhaps it was my degree in Business Communication, or reading my Bentley Magazine about what other grads are doing, but I decided to embrace my love of fiction writing, and combine it with my love of entrepreneurship,” writes the alumnus, whose venture includes a website with book-related merchandise. “It has been quite a fun process, at the ripe old age of 50, starting a business and learning about the world of publishing, book marketing, e-commerce and the like.”

1992

Michael Vencel, Oceanport, N.J., was promoted to president at Comport Consulting Corp.

2002

Michael De Marchena and wife Sarah Joy (Mutchler) ’05, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., welcomed daughter Daniella Joy on June 12, 2019.

Christie (Jean-Baptiste) Lindor ’02 and husband Karel, Milton, Mass., are proud parents of son Rowan Isiae Chrysostome, born October 2, 2019.

Kevin Lyons and wife Jennifer, Waltham, Mass., welcomed Coleby Michael Kush on September 17, 2019. He joins big sister Charli.

Deniz Ozturk, Brookline, Mass., celebrated her marriage to Christopher “Chris” M. Brown with two ceremonies: on October 13, 2018, in Manchester-by-theSea, Mass., Chris’s hometown; and on September 6, 2019, in Izmir, Turkey, Deniz’s native country. She shares that Natalie (Berschneider) Wiweke gave a toast “reminiscing about how we met at our freshman orientation.”

2003

Diana Takach, New Canaan, Conn., created Me Do, a line of unisex, seamless and sensory-friendly clothing basics aimed to teach preschoolers how to dress themselves.

“I started the brand in 2018 after spending much time in the digital and e-commerce world of fashion and beauty,” says the former Falcon field hockey player.

“I truly wanted to bring a purposeful and functional product to the space that helps all children, but is

made specifically for those fighting sensory and development challenges.” Learn more: medoinc.com

2005

15th Reunion

Jennifer (McDonough)

Casey, MBA ’13 and husband Bryan, Jersey City, N.J., welcomed Noah Patrick to the world on August 24, 2019.

Sarah Joy (Mutchler)

De Marchena and husband

Michael ’02 welcomed daughter Daniella Joy, on June 12, 2019. Sarah also reports that she was promoted to vice president of the Investment Management Division of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC in West Palm Beach.

2006

Bridget Mayer Briggs was elected partner in the Philadelphia office of Blank Rome LLP. Her practice focuses on corporate, white-collar and class-action defense litigation, notably, counseling clients on Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act matters, Bank Secrecy Act compliance, False Claims Act, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, collateralized debt obligations, government contracts, civil and criminal forfeiture, breach of contract, fraud and business torts. She is a director for the Homeless Advocacy Project and a member of Blank Rome’s Recruiting Committee.

2007

David, MSA ’08 and Lisa (Buesking), MSA ’08 Cawley, Arlington, Mass., are proud parents of Samantha, born August 5, 2019. She joins big brother Drew.

2008

Arden Brust and Matthew Hergott wed on September 21, 2019, at Longlook Farm in Stanbornton, N.H. They were joined by Kara (Desmond) Godin ’07, Courtney (Lynch) Luongo, Kristen (Thuerk) Prior ’09, Amanda (Albertian) Smith ’07, Lorraine Tracy ’07 and Bentley swim coach Mary Kay Samko. “We all swam together in college,” writes the bride, “so it was a great reunion, especially seeing Coach MKS! Miss that lady!”

Anthony Congelosi and Lyndzee Walz were married on October 5, 2019, in Rock Hill, N.Y. Many fellow Falcons were part of their special day.

Christina Sadowski, MST ’11 married Andres Rosello on August 24, 2019, in York, Maine. The many alumni who attended included former volleyball players. The couple lives in Boston, Mass.

2009

Garrett Stephen and wife Pamela (Newell) ’10, Wayland, Mass., welcomed bundle of joy Landon on May 1, 2019.

David and Justine (Lathrop) Soares, San Francisco, Calif., said hello to their first child, baby girl Bella Rayne, on July 29, 2019.

Ian and Meghan (Bernier) Walch, Franklin, Mass. are proud parents of Cecily Grace, born on August 5, 2019. Dad reports: “Cecily briskly came into this world seven minutes after arriving to the hospital — the same one we were sent home from earlier that day!” She joins big brother Jameson as a future Falcon.

2010

FOLD 10th Reunion

Dan Merica married Monica Alba on July 27, 2019, at West Shore Cafe and Inn in Homewood, Calif. He writes: “The entire weekend is exactly what we had dreamed of: We organized a long hike the day before, we celebrated in the heart of Squaw Valley the night before the wedding, and made it official on the shores of Lake Tahoe on the afternoon of July 27 with a handful of fellow Falcons in attendance.” The couple lives in Washington, D.C., where both are political reporters — he with CNN and she for NBC.

Thomas Powell married Arielle Scoglio on May 26, 2019. The couple celebrated with many fellow Falcons on their big day.

Pamela (Newell) Stephen and husband Garrett ’09, Wayland, Mass., welcomed bundle of joy Landon on May 1, 2019.

2011

FOLD

Gerly Adrien, Everett, Mass., won the at-large race for Everett City Council, becoming the first woman of color and ethnicity to serve on the council.

Daniel and Kimberly (Markowitz) Bonamassa, Brooklyn, N.Y., welcomed baby boy Nicholas James on April 22, 2019.

Robert “Bobby” Linskey and Alexis Terra ’12, MSA ’14 wed in Newport, R.I., at Oceancliff Resort on September 20, 2019. Nearly 40 fellow Falcons were on hand to celebrate.

2012

FOLD

Ken DeSimone, MST ’16 and Erika Glidden ’13, MBA ’16 wed on October 5, 2019, at the Stone Mountain Arts Center in Brownfield, Maine. They are living in Wilmington, Mass.

Olivia DiLorenzo, MBA ’17 married Zach Marginsky ’14 on October 5, 2019, in Newport, R.I. The couple had quite the crew to celebrate with, as more than 30 Bentley alumni joined their special day.

Emily (McDonald) Horovitz, MBA ’18 and husband David, Bergenfield, N.J., welcomed Audrey Kathryn on November 21, 2019.

Laura Petrucelli and Edward Koskey wed on September 28, 2019, at Whitby Castle in Rye, N.Y. Guests included fellow Falcons Kevin Brown ’08; Gina McClary; Frank Reiman ’10, MBA ’11; Marissa ScicchitanoReiman; Jonathan Walton; Casey Winkler; and Lauren Wisniewski.

Alexis Terra, MSA ’14 and Robert “Bobby” Linskey ’11 wed in Newport, R.I., at Oceancliff Resort on September 20, 2019. Nearly 40 fellow Falcons were on hand to celebrate.

Jimmy Tully married Alli Bayko on September 21, 2019, in Ipswich, Mass.

Kyle Zizik, MST ’13 and Stephanie DiBona, MSFP ’13 were married on September 20, 2019, in Bedford, N.H. Reports the bride: “Many Falcons were part of our big day: friends from school, faculty members, and family who attended Bentley!” The couple lives in Hudson, Mass., with their puppy, Reggie.

2013 FOLD

Alyson K. Bisceglia and Brandon J. Ryan wed on August 31, 2019, at Zukas Hilltop Barn in Spencer, Mass. Fellow Falcons in attendance included father of the bride Albert L. Bisceglia ’77, MSF ’85, MST ’94, P ’13, Jessica Wanczyk and David Chen ’12. The couple lives in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Erika Glidden, MBA ’16 and Ken DeSimone ’12, MST ’16 said “I do” on October 5, 2019, at the Stone Mountain Arts Center in Brownfield, Maine. They are living in Wilmington, Mass.

Maxwell Rick, MSA ’14 and Stacey Raap ’14 wed on June 1, 2019, at Lion Rock Farm in Sharon, Conn. More than two dozen fellow Falcons joined them on their special day. The couple lives in Brighton, Mass.

Steve Spittler, Charlotte, N.C., is among 15 professionals from around the world honored as Emerging Leaders for 2019. The recognition is by Internal Auditor, the award-winning international magazine published by the Institute of Internal Auditors. Spittler is a senior IT internal auditor at LPL Financial.

2014 FOLD

Jared Bilodeau, MSF ’15, MSFP ’15 married Olivia Regan ’16 on August 3, 2019.

Krista Hakala married Michael Sullivan on September 14, 2019, in Kennebunkport, Maine. Many fellow Falcons joined them on their special day. The bride writes that the lead singer of their wedding band, Encore, was familiar to many guests: Adam Payne, who was an adjunct professor in Bentley’s Management

Department. The couple lives in Burlington, Mass.

Jason Knight and Justine Andrews ’15 were married on September 21, 2019, in Nobleboro, Maine. They were joined by 20 fellow Falcons as they tied the knot. The couple is living in Raleigh, N.C.

Zach Marginsky and Olivia DiLorenzo ’12, MBA ’17 wed on October 5, 2019, in Newport, R.I. The couple had quite the crew to celebrate with, as more than 30 Bentley alumni were part of their special day.

Krystin Pashby married Glen Shaw, MSA ’15 on October 12, 2019, at the Oceanview of Nahant. The bride writes: “We met at Bentley during the first week of our freshman year in 2010!”

Stacey Raap and Maxwell Rick ’13, MSA ’14 wed on June 1, 2019, at Lion Rock Farm in Sharon, Conn. More than two dozen fellow Falcons joined them on their special day. The couple lives in Brighton, Mass.

2015 FOLD 5th Reunion

Justine Andrews and Jason Knight ’14 were married on September 21, 2019, in Nobleboro, Maine. They were joined by 20 fellow Falcons as they tied the knot. The couple is living in Raleigh, N.C.

Melanie Lily-Buster, Playa Vista, Calif., was named to the 2019 list of Rising PR Stars 30 & Under, as part of the PR People Awards sponsored by PRNEWS. She is a senior account manager for Berbay Marketing & PR.

2016 FOLD

Sally James married James “Jimmy” Halliday on August 31, 2019, at Wychmere in Harwich Port, Mass., surrounded by lots of fellow Falcons. She writes: “We met our first night freshman year, on August 30, 2012, and have been together ever since!” The couple bought a house in Pocasset, on Cape Cod, where they will live year round.

Olivia Regan married Jared Bilodeau ’14, MSF ’15, MSFP ’15 on August 3, 2019.

2018 FOLD

Katherine Smith, MBA married Scott Cameron on August 25, 2018, in Jamestown, R.I. Many fellow Falcons attended, including Bedriye Akson, MBA; Chrismaldi (Vasquez) Casado ’07, MBA; Pauline Chhooi, MBA; Mary Beth (O’Neil) Crowley ’86, MBA; Susel Saldivar Herrera, MBA; Melissa Sanders, MBA; and Juliana Sarzosa Varona, MBA The couple is living in Newton, Mass.

2019

FOLD

Jordan D. Ellerbe, Boston, Mass., joined the Bulfinch Group as a financial representative in December 2019.

FOLD = Falcons of the Last Decade

Send us your notes and photos! bentley.edu/class-notes

A MESSAGE FROM DAVID SCHEIGOLEIT ’93 Chair of the Global Alumni Board

Bentley’s ambitious strategic plan is in motion, and we are truly excited by President Davis-Blake’s vision for the future of our alma mater. This new plan captures the strengths, distinctiveness and traditions of Bentley and provides a road map to take the university to the next level. If you haven’t seen what the president has in store, read more and watch the video at bentley.edu/strategic-plan.

I am certain you will be impressed and want to be part of this transformation.

As the governing body of the Bentley University Alumni Association, the Global Alumni Board (GAB) is made up of 11 alumni from three continents with a common passion: helping alumni connect with Bentley,

SPOTLIGHT: KEN FOO ’99, MSF ’01

BY KRISTIN LIVINGSTON

and each other. We work with the university to offer events around the world, career services, on-campus celebrations like Reunion and Falcon Weekend, and more. I know I speak for all of us when I say that this unique connection to Bentley is truly special.

This spring, the GAB will be accepting nominations for alumni to join our board. If you, or a fellow alumnus, are interested in serving on a board that provides an invaluable voice for alumni and helps drive engagement with our alma mater, please consider submitting a nomination using the form at bentley.edu/nominate-gab.

Above all, we’re here to give you a voice. So, please reach out anytime at gab@bentley.edu.

If you don’t know Ken Foo, you might think his mantra comes straight off an inspirational coffee mug. But in fact, the alumnus has dived into every opportunity that’s come his way — or, as he puts it, “rolling with whatever comes along and having fun.”

Foo was born in Taiwan and, by age 18, had also lived across Asia and the West Coast. He headed to Waltham for his Bentley bachelor’s degree, but, like many international students, needed to find a creative way to fund his tuition. He paid for his master’s by credit card, deftly moving the balance to zero-interest cards to avoid fees. While knowing this wasn’t a “sound financial plan,” he says, “I had no choice.” Thankfully, within a year of starting his first job, in investment banking, Foo had paid off every balance.

He later joined a venture capital firm downtown and, along with investing in

technology startups, jumped in to serve as acting CFO for a few software startups.

“But really I was ‘VP of Everything Else’: HR, IT, accounting, sales operations, facilities, legal,” he says of his role until the startups became more mature companies. One example is IBRIX, which grew to nearly 200 staff before its sale to HP.

Today, Foo and his family make their home in San Francisco; you can find him at Autodesk living up to his mantra, and more.

This fall, he joined the Global Alumni Board (above). He also created a scholarship fund for international students, like Pearl Opara ’23 (at left), to help them avoid the financial risks he took as a student. Lifting others up, Foo says, is a privilege.

“I’ve been very blessed all my life,” he adds. “Now I want to be a blessing to someone else.”

“No mountain is too high. No water is too deep.”

PHOTO (TOP) BY BRIAN SMITH

Your Bentley

BROTHERS ON THE GREEN

Golf has united Kappa Pi Alpha members for decades. John Taylor ’77 documents an outing in August at Sterling Golf Club (top photo) that brought together alumni who graduated during the 1970s. Another KPA contingent (directly above) hosted its sixth annual tournament in 2019. Proceeds went toward buying two sets of junior golf clubs for the program First Tee, run out of Dorchester’s Franklin Park. “Local youth learn the game and all the etiquette that goes along with it. At its height in spring and summer, the program may have as many as 80 kids per day,” reports Michael Falotico ’98. “We decided this will be our main initiative every year from now on.”

BANNER CAREERS

Sharon Torosian ’83, Duxbury, Mass. (left) and Carol (Pawlukiewicz) Shachat ’83, Mansfield, Mass., showed their Bentley pride and recalled their early years launching careers. Shachat recently joined Burns & Levinson Asset Management in Boston, as an operations specialist. Torosian is a director at the U.S. Treasury Department, Office of Inspector General and marks 28 years of employment.

“Once a Falcon, always a Falcon!” she writes. “We will continue our celebrations for Bentley for many more years!”

MERRY AND BRIGHT

The holidays brought together, from left, Jessica (Durfee) Bender ’08, West Point, N.Y.; Kristina (Aufiero) Nodine ’08, MBA ’10, Quincy, Mass.; and Katelyn (D’Eramo) Campbell ’08, Burlington, Mass.

Pics!

SPIRIT SISTERS

Former Bentley cheerleaders, from left, Nicole Raggio ’09, MBA ’11, Jersey City, N.J.; Kimberly Tyrrell ’09, Randolph, Mass.; Lisa Stewart ’06, Medford, Mass.; and Janine Covello ’07, MBA ’09, Eastchester, N.Y., reunited last May at Vandal in New York City.

PRIDE OF PLACE

In September, friends gathered for a housewarming party in Boston’s Southie neighborhood. Back, from left: Ben McElduff ’18; Molly Gwizdala ’17; Annie McConville ’18; Alexandria Steinmann ’18; Lyndsee Thompson ’18; Lauren Giacomazzi ’18, MSA ’19; George Mokas ’18; Amanda Jajaga ’18; Dan Ryan ’18. Front: Abigail Eisner ’18, Brianna Ryan ’18, Mary Ponziani ’18.

AIMING HIGH

Mark Milewski, MBA ’00, West Hartford, Conn., summited Indonesia’s 16,024-foot (4884 m) Mount Carstensz Pyramid, on the island of New Guinea. He reached the top on August 15, 2019, thereby completing his goal to summit the highest mountain on all seven continents.

TEXAS TOAST

A third annual girls’ trip took Gamma Phi Beta alumni to Austin over Labor Day Weekend in 2019. Back, from left: Bridget Long ’12; Lauren Steinbrecher ’12; Danielle LeRose ’14; Kelly Mavroides ’14; Dale Lasorsa ’14; Erica Metz ’13, MSA ’14; Briana Wolff ’14. Front: Maggie Russo ’14, MBA ’15; Emily Niedbala ’16; Domenique (Hogan) Riedel ’13.

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5. Krista Hakala ’14 and Michael Sullivan ’14

6. Arden Brust ’08 and Matthew Hergott

7. Jared Bilodeau ’14, MSF ’15, MSFP ’15 and Olivia Regan ’16

8. Deniz Ozturk ’02 and Christopher Brown

9. Dan Merica ’10 and Monica Alba

10. Ken DeSimone ’12, MST ’16 and Erika Glidden ’13, MBA ’16

11. Robert “Bobby” Linskey ’11 and Alexis Terra ’12, MSA ’14

12. Jason Knight ’14 and Justine Andrews ’15

13. Anthony Congelosi ’08 and Lyndzee Walz

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1. Christina Sadowski ’08, MST ’11 and Andres Rosello

2. Olivia DiLorenzo ’12, MBA ’17 and Zach Marginsky ’14

3. Kyle Zizik ’12, MST ’13 and Stephanie DiBona ’12, MSFP ’13

4. Laura Petrucelli ’12 and Edward Koskey

14. Sally James ’16 and James “Jimmy” Halliday ’16

15. Katherine Smith, MBA ’18 and Scott Cameron

16. Alli Bayko ’12 and Jimmy Tully ’12

17. Krystin Pashby ’14 and Glen Shaw ’14, MSA ’15

18. Stacey Raap ’14 and Maxwell Rick ’13, MSA ’14

19. Alyson K. Bisceglia ’13 and Brandon J. Ryan

20. Thomas Powell ’10 and Arielle Scoglio

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Future Falcons

Daniel ’11

5. Samantha, daughter of Lisa (Buesking) Cawley ’07, MSA ’08 and David ’07, MSA ’08, with brother Drew

6. Cecily Grace with mother Meghan (Bernier) Walch ’09, father Ian ’09 and brother Jameson

7. Bella Rayne, daughter of Justine (Lathrop) Soares ’09 and husband David ’09

8. Ryan Andrew, son of Kristyn (Marasca) Cohen ’05 and husband Daniel ’05

9. Audrey Kathryn, daughter of Emily (McDonald) Horovitz ’12, MBA ’18 and husband David ’12

10. Coleby Michael Kush, son of Kevin Lyons ’02 and wife Jennifer

11. Daniella Joy, daughter of Sarah Joy (Mutchler) De Marchena ’05 and husband Michael ’02

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1. Rowan Isiae Chrysostome, son of Christie (Jean-Baptiste) Lindor ’02 and husband Karel

2. Noah Patrick, son of Jennifer (McDonough) Casey ’05, MBA ’13 and husband Bryan

3. Landon, son of Pamela (Newell) Stephen ’10 and husband Garrett ’09

4. Nicholas James, son of Kimberly (Markowitz) Bonamassa ’11 and husband

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SPOTLIGHT: LAURA ALDRICH ’91

BY MARY K. PRATT

Laura (Wallace) Aldrich can bank on celebrity status to help her make a licensing deal: She works for Drew and Jonathan Scott, hosts of the Property Brothers series on HGTV and reigning home-lifestyle gurus.

“My objective is to connect fans with products that bring the renovation experience they love on TV to reality in their own homes,” says the former Marketing major.

As executive vice president of licensing, Aldrich sets the division’s strategic vision at Scott Brothers Global, whose many ventures include developing TV and Web content and marketing home goods such as furniture. The position is new as of mid-2018 and she is the first to hold it.

“The celebrity element is part of what makes this a fun experience,” says Aldrich. “The brothers are exactly like you see them on TV — family-oriented guys, very smart and business savvy.”

A typical week may find her bouncing from company headquarters in Nashville to Boston, Los Angeles and Mexico City. She often meets with the Scotts as they film at various locales, to strategize on product and service partnerships with other companies.

SPOTLIGHT: CURTIS MCLAUGHLIN ’08

BY MARY K. PRATT

Like many fellow millennials, Curtis McLaughlin has a résumé packed with different job titles. The difference: His are based at a single company.

“I have been here for 11 years, but each has been drastically different,” says the alumnus, who interned with Ernst & Young LLP as a rising senior and joined its staff upon graduating in 2008. He’s now a partner.

The New York native credits EY for opportunities to explore many disciplines and learn about different companies and industries. These experiences, coupled with his own drive, put McLaughlin on the fast track.

Graduating into the Great Recession only fueled his work ethic. “I didn’t want to be on anyone’s radar for being less than perfect. It motivated me to be a top performer.”

Indeed: McLaughlin earned a Bentley graduate degree in Accountancy and

became a CPA while working in EY’s Boston office. Next came a post as manager in its office in the Cayman Islands. Two years later, in 2014, he moved to the New York City-based Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS) practice, which advises on control programs and emerging standards.

“That was very attractive to me,” he says, “to be seen as an expert who can help our clients.”

When EY was looking to build an FAAS practice on the West Coast, McLaughlin stepped up as senior manager. He was named partner in 2019 and now joins another partner to oversee a team of 34, based in Los Angeles and San Francisco, which

“I would describe us as a startup,” Aldrich says, adding that fast-growing sales drive everything from office space expansion to a rising headcount.

The experience is a growth opportunity for her as well. Aldrich moved into licensing after decades in retail and consumer products.

Most recently, at Fortessa Tableware Solutions, she led the consumer products division, and developed licensed product lines including Scott Living tableware. That deal prompted the brothers to recruit Aldrich for their company.

The alumna and her husband, Michael ’91, have two adult daughters and moved from Virginia for her new job. She has completed an Ironman Triathlon, several half marathons and, with a recent 5K in Hawaii, capped her goal of racing in all 50 states.

The same kind of stamina helps Aldrich at work. As she says, “The brothers have no shortage of good ideas for the company.”

serves the western U.S. region.

LA is also home for McLaughlin, his wife and their 2-year-old twin boys. He’s active with the Black Professional Network and several other professional and charitable initiatives within EY. And he continues to keep an eye on the horizon.

“I can’t tell you what I’ll be working on in three months or three years,” he says, “and that’s still what is exciting to me.”

Lessons in Connection

Peter Henderson ’83, MBA ’92 and his wife, Susan (Armstrong) ’84, MBA ’88, encouraged their three children to follow their own passions, whether it was the sports they decided to play or the colleges where they wanted to study.

“Find what feels right for you,” Peter would always say.

BY MARY K. PRATT

It came as a surprise, then, when son Kevin ’19 chose not only a business path, but also one that began at their alma mater.

Kevin visited Bentley as a junior at Lincoln-Sudbury High — and was drawn to its competitive classes, inviting culture and more. “I saw that Bentley was a strong, prestigious school that would put me in a great position to start a career in business,” says the former Corporate Finance and Accounting major.

The visit also impressed a certain couple who, more than 35 years ago, met at Bentley and got engaged by the campus pond.

“It was fun for us to see how things have changed, such as the larger campus and new facilities,” says Susan, whose great-uncle attended when Bentley was a Boston-based accounting school.

Other experiences crossed the generations. They all lived in the Tree dorms — specifically, Oak — at some point as undergraduates. It was Peter who, with a friend, started a “student ambassador” program to help introduce prospective students to Bentley; Kevin joined the program and went on to become its president.

Both parents are excited to see the school that propelled their careers forward do the same for Kevin.

“Having Bentley on my résumé has been a very good thing,” says Peter, a CPA who serves in several corporate treasury and finance roles for New Balance Athletics.

Susan is controller and HR manager at The Kenneth D. Anderson Company Inc., a pension-consulting and third-party administration firm. For Kevin, an internship at Woodside Wealth Management turned into a full-time post as an associate adviser.

The Hendersons’ ties to Bentley haven’t ended with Kevin’s graduation. Father and son are involved with newly launched Falcons of the Last Decade (FOLD). Peter hosted the group’s first gathering.

“It was so interesting to hear what all these 20-somethings are doing professionally and personally, and compare it to what Susan and I were doing at their age,” he says. “There were both significant commonalities and differences.”

Kevin attended the event. “I’ve seen how networking with alumni can really help students think more critically about what they want to do with their career,” he says. “Seeing my father engage with Bentley as an alumnus has motivated me to stay involved in the community that has provided our family with so much.”

In fact, the family already has another Bentley Commencement in its sights: Kevin’s cousin, Lydia Henderson, is a Data Analytics major poised to graduate in 2021.

The Hendersons, from left, dad Peter ’83, MBA ’92; siblings Diana, Kevin ’19 and Scott; and mom Susan (Armstrong) ’84, MBA ’88.

A Falcon First

At Bentley's inaugural Falcon Weekend last fall — which combined Homecoming and Family Weekend activities into one — alumni visited with old friends, families met their students’ friends and roommates, and Flex got to hang with Falcons present and future.

SAVE THE DATE FOR 2020: October 30 to November 1

Celebrate your BENTLEY REUNION this spring

Class of 1970 and the Blue and Gold Society

April 17 to 18, 2020

Let the good times roll during a fun-filled two days on campus!

Classes of 2000 and 2005

May 2, 2020

Catch up with friends and classmates during a night out in Boston — Bentley on the Town — for your 15th and 20th Reunions.

Classes of 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2010, 2015

May 29 to 31, 2020

Come back to campus to celebrate with friends and classmates!

Not in a reunion year? We still want to see you back on campus! Join us for the Back to Bentley picnic on Saturday, May 30.

In Memoriam

1940

James Sylvia

1942

Lawrence Masse

1946

Abigail Mahoney

1947

Edmond O’Toole

Arty B. Smith Jr.

1948

Paul Petersen

1949

Lydia Hawes

Melvin Hawes

1950

Marvin Katz

Fred Trafton

Jean (Peters) Lorenzen

1953

Herbert Littlejohn Jr.

1955

Henry Heath

Walter Jennings

John Woodbury

1956

John McEvoy, P ’88

John Pavlik

1957

Richard Hannigan

John Joakim Jr.

Edward Lovins

Donald Paxton

James Rattigan

1958

Thomas Barnes

David Leavitt

Ernest Richard

1960

James Barrett Rose (Gibson) Daley

Daniel Dorgan

Frederick Mariani

1961

John Pierzchala

1963

Charles Verge

1964

Bob Kettinger

Donald Nicholson

1965

Edward Wolniewicz

1966

Frederic Katz, MST ’82

1967

Esther Forgetta

Robert McLaughlin

1969

Francis DiCicco

Robert Wilkie

1970

Bruce Bank

Joseph Powers

Mark Skaletsky, Former Trustee

Dennis Sullivan Jr.

1972

Francis Gagne

Townsend D. Thorndike III

1974

Robert Labelle

Robert Malecki

1976

Gary Hendershot, MSF ’87

1977

Rev. Dudley Roy Adams

1978

John “Jack” Connors, MST, P ’91

1980

Joseph D. Ramaci Jr.

James Samples

1981

Donald Zekan

1982

Maureen (Dullea) Berkowitz

Carl Lagreca, MST

Joseph Priscella, MST

1983

James Beatrice

Gregory Zupfer, MSF

1984

Thomas Kimball

James Reardon

1987

Meredith Morgan, MSCIS

1989

Frederick Schwer

1990

Emily Ryan

2006

Mark Herz

2020

Max Evensen

Parents and Friends

Bradford Allen, Former Professor, Mathematical Sciences

Joseph Eldridge, Former Carpenter, Facilities Management

Joseph Kane, Former Adjunct Assistant Professor, Mathematical Sciences

Claudio Kraus, Former Professor, Economics

Gertrude McGinty, Former Secretary, Office of Career Planning and Placement

Dennis Picard, P ’94, Trustee Emeritus

Phyllis Russell, Former Management Instructor, Center for Continuing Education

David P. Simon, P ’15, Former Stanton Professor of Finance

SERVICE CALLS

Leonard “Lenny” Christo ’02

I attended Bentley and graduated with a degree in International Studies. At the same time, I was an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadet at Boston University, which paid for me to attend Bentley on scholarship.

In 2002, I received my commission as a 2nd lieutenant and started my career as a military intelligence officer. I spent time in Iraq, Afghanistan and Korea. On one of my Iraq assignments, I was attached to the MultiNational Security Transition Command – Iraq, Coalition Military Assistance Training Team. My role was combat adviser. When I arrived in Iraq, I checked in with the team. Army Brigadier General Steven Salazar (West Point graduate) requested me, by name, to join a specialized team as “Force Generation” (FORGEN) officer, because I had graduated from Bentley and he had worked with “great officers” from Bentley. FORGEN officers are responsible for developing, organizing, training, equipping and sustaining the Iraqi military. Eight months later, I departed Iraq with a 200-person joint force capable of working alongside coalition counterparts as a fighting force.

The photo is from Iraq in 2008, at a pass and review parade of the team consisting of Iraqi army, navy and air force. My current role in health care leverages lessons I learned at Bentley and in the U.S. Air Force to effectively navigate the system’s complexities to deliver patient-centered care.

The alumnus is a patient experience specialist at Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo, Texas.

Although I knew studying business would be essential for any career, I always had an interest in military service. After finishing my senior year, I began my time in the Army stationed at Fort Drum, N.Y., with the 10th Mountain Division. I was encouraged by my superiors to apply for Officer Candidate School in part because of my Bentley degree. I reached out to Professor Emmy Roth and have no doubt that her letter of recommendation propelled me into OCS and eventually into the Army’s finance branch. My first assignment was to run a bank on Camp Humphreys in South Korea.

I leaned on many skills developed at Bentley to successfully serve in a multitude of roles and units within the Army. I finished my time at Fort Campbell, Ky., with the 101st Airborne Division, before deciding to transition to civilian life. I am pursuing my MBA at Boston College and will work in product marketing at an international software company upon graduation in May.

Bentley has been the springboard for my life. I learned a great deal in the classroom, made lifelong friends and met my wife, Lindsey Albert. Most importantly, having a Bentley degree enabled me to become an officer in the United States Army. This is the distinction I am most proud of and will be for life.

I would highly recommend that any recent or soon-to-be Bentley graduate look at joining a branch of the military. There are many jobs and the benefits are hard to beat during and after service.

A recent magazine story about the military service of Paul Donahe ’69 inspired these notes from other veterans.

Eric Johnson ’13

1. Pup of Melissa Nazar ’06

2. Nash makes his home with Nikki-Lynn (Boath) Rosbrough ’13

3. This “big Bentley hockey fan” belongs to Cara Partridge ’17

4. Bentley, the French bulldog pup of Colleen (Wasil) Cushman ’09

Pride and Paws

10. Luke watches Bentley hockey on TV with Lynn Wolf ’88, MBA ’00

11. Pup of alumnus Tim Sullivan

12. Biscuit’s Falcon family includes Jim ’89; Nicholas ’12, MSF ’14; Joseph ’15; Robert ’17; Steven ’19 and Giulia Morgan

13. Bubba and Kevin Papili ’16

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5. Rocky belongs to Traci (Wimet) Coleman ’98

6. Gretzky, from Minnesotan Katelyn Petronack ’21

7. Pup of Laura Murphy ’10

8. Pup of Rich Silver ’89

9. Loyal companions of Darren Agarwal ’11 and wife Kristina (Jellin) ’11, MST ’12

175 Forest Street Waltham, MA 02452 USA