CLASS NOTES

1955

Stanley Hodges, Wellesley, Mass., celebrated his 100th birthday on January 12, 2021.

1980

Joel G. Cohen, Esq., Bedminster, N.J., served as the president of the Somerset County (N.J.) Bar Association for the 2019-2020 fiscal year.

1983

In June 2020, Alan Sobel, Rockaway, N.J., was appointed president of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants.

1985

Holly (Raymond) Gagnon

Aydar, P ’20, Buffalo, N.Y., is senior strategic adviser for Spectrum Gaming Group, leading its strategic planning initiative. The gaming industry veteran also serves as a distinguished fellow at the University of Nevada Las Vegas International Gaming Institute. She has held senior leadership positions in finance, IT and operations, working for major gaming operators that include Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts International, as well as four Native American-owned operations. The alumna reports: “I’m actively promoting women and leadership, through my involvement with Global Gaming Women and with the Committee for Economic Development’s Women and Leadership Committee.”

1986

35th Reunion

Jim Pate, Saco, Maine, was featured in “‘How do you deal with that pain?’: Funeral directors in uncharted territory during pandemic,” which appeared in the Lewiston Sun Times and the Portland Press Herald. In the article, Pate talks about the struggle to help families find a way to mourn their losses in the time of COVID-19 and how that is taking an emotional toll on funeral directors and the communities they serve. The alumnus is the longtime funeral director at Dennett, Craig and Pate Funeral Home in Saco.

1992

Jennifer Greene, MBA, Winchester, Mass., has joined SV Design as a project manager for the Beverlybased company’s interiors team.

Sean Quigley and Mandy Weatherby tied the knot on May 16, 2020, in Canton, Ga. The couple is living in Ball Ground, Ga.

1993

After feeling hopeless at the hands of the pandemic, Chris Maxwell, MBA ’98, West Palm Beach, Fla., took a five-month road trip west, across the country. The journey was a proving ground for his brainchild, OfficeToGo. The product, which Maxwell developed, is a mobile “tiny office” that supports remote work and learning. It can be parked in a driveway or used on the go. He reports that the trip was “nothing short of amazing” and invites fellow Falcons to learn more: http://ojala.com/ initiatives/officetogo.

1997

Amy McCorkell married Wesley Thomas on October 10, 2020. “Our planned wedding was canceled due to COVID-19,” writes the alumna, “so we decided to stick with our original date and got married in our backyard.” The couple lives in Valley Lee, Md. Tiffany R. Warren, Bronx, N.Y., is now executive vice president and chief diversity & inclusion officer for Sony Music Group.

1999

Marshall-Ben Tisdale, Groton, Mass., has served as an Edward Jones financial adviser in Westford for the past 16 years. In January 2021, he was named a principal with the firm’s holding company, The Jones Financial Companies LLLP. Tisdale was one of 161 individuals tapped for the role, from among 50,000plus associates across the United States and Canada.

2000

Guilda Hilaire, Dedham, Mass., was selected to serve on the ANA Email Experience Council (EEC) Board, which is composed of leaders in the email marketing community who share best practices and set the strategic direction for their peers. Hilaire writes, “I was selected based on my leadership, peer recommendations, contributions to the industry and extensive experience in the email marketing industry.” Bill McGoldrick, MBA, Norfolk, Mass., orchestrated a virtual performance by 14 of Boston’s best musicians. The guitarists, keyboardists, drummers and other artists covered “People Got to be Free” by the Rascals. Says the alumnus: “People need to be singing now, more

(2000, continued)

than ever — and music is needed now, more than ever.” Listen at bentley.edu/ got-to-be-free. Angela Nuss, Braintree, Mass., has earned the Distinguished Toastmaster award, the highest honor that Toastmasters International bestows. It recognizes a superior level of achievement in communication and leadership. Nuss is director of special projects at Jay Nuss Realty Group.

2001

20th Reunion

Brad Champion, Westwood, Mass., of The Bulfinch Group has been designated a Five Star Wealth Manager. The annual honor goes to financial managers identified through data from industry peers and firms. The research includes a survey of more than 3,000 registered financial services professionals and all local financial service companies registered with FINRA or the SEC.

Joelle (Cannon) Denham, Wakefield, Mass., has been named CFO at commercial real estate firm Bulfinch. She will oversee financial operations for the Bostonbased company, managing over $2.5 billion in real estate assets.

2002

In 2020, Shant Banosian, Belmont, Mass., became one of the first mortgage originators ever to fund $1 billion in a single year. He was the No. 1 mortgage originator in the United States for both 2018 and 2019.

Elizabeth A. (Alberti) DeBassio, MSFP, MSPFP,

West Hartford, Conn., was named a Five Star Wealth Manager for 2020. The organization Five Star Professional and Connecticut Magazine collaborate on the awards program, which recognizes wealth managers in more than 45 markets throughout the United States and Canada. DeBassio is a managing adviser at Connecticut Wealth Management LLC. In October 2019, MJ DiBerardino, Newington, Conn., was promoted to CEO at Cloudnexa Inc.

Michelle (Holzman)

Fraioli, Norwood, Mass., was named vice president and COO of Acadia Management Company in Boston.

2004

May Lim, MSIAM, Hong Kong, China, has published her first book, set in that city and titled No Reserves. “Within a few days, it rose to 61 on Amazon’s Top 100 Asian American Literature list,” reports the alumna, who describes the work as “deliciously colorful ‘chick lit’ about the jewelry auction industry.” Its heroine works for the world’s most prestigious auction house and must answer a perennial question: Can you achieve career success without losing too much of yourself in the process?” Lim is a jewelry specialist whose résumé includes posts at Christie’s and Bonhams.

Joseph Mondillo, Scarsdale, N.Y., joined AAON in November 2020 as director of investor relations. The company is a leading manufacturer of heating and cooling products.

2005

Melissa Nazar and Scott Chandler ’09, MSF ’10 tied the knot on July 11, 2020, at Christopher Columbus Park in Boston, Mass. The two had planned a wedding in Killington, Vt., with 150-plus guests, but pivoted to host a 15-person event in the city. Fellow Falcons who joined their special day included Jenny Ehalt and Shaun DeLong ’08. The happy couple is living in Dorchester, Mass. Amanda R. Phillips, Wayland, Mass., is a partner in the Business Litigation Group at Robinson + Cole, working out of the firm’s Boston office. The alumna is a CPA and experienced commercial litigator with a background in accounting, technology and business.

2006

15th Reunion

Nahomi (St. Fort)

Carlisle, Billerica, Mass., was appointed chief equity and compliance officer for Bunker Hill Community College. Ross Kukish, Peterborough, N.H., has been a business partner with Greeley Farms Landscaping LLC for nine years. “Our company is celebrating its 15th anniversary and we would like to share this milestone with everyone we know!” writes the alumnus, noting that the firm serves more than 350 customers in the state’s Monadnock region and beyond. Visit greeleyfarms.com to see their work.

2007

Meghan (Bouchard)

Agnew, Sturbridge, Mass., was named among 25 Emerging Leaders for 2020, in an annual list compiled by Modern Healthcare. Honorees are age 40 or under who have made significant contributions in the areas of innovation and financial, operational and clinical excellence. Agnew is the interim chief financial officer (CFO) and associate CFO for Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

Blake Reynolds, Attleboro, Mass., was selected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Young Leaders group of the nonprofit CoreNet Global. The organization, which represents more than 11,000 executives in 50 countries, works to advance the practice of corporate real estate, through professional development opportunities, research, conferences, networking and more. Reynolds is office operations manager for tech company Zerto, with responsibility for its offices in the Americas; Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and the Asia-Pacific-Japan region.

2008

Liza Connolly and Tyler Heishman, Weston, Conn., are proud parents of twins. Daughter Dylan and son Leo were born September 17, 2020, joining 2-year-old Lucy. Chris Ronzio, Scottsdale, Ariz., was named a finalist for the Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 Mountain Desert Region Award by Ernst & Young LLP. Criteria for the honor included overcoming adversity; financial performance; societal impact and commitment to building a values-based company; innovation; and talent management. Ronzio is founder and CEO of Trainual, an all-in-one training and knowledge platform.

2009

Scott Chandler, MSF ’10

and Melissa Nazar ’05 tied the knot on July 11, 2020, at Christopher Columbus Park in Boston, Mass. The two had planned a wedding in Killington, Vt., with 150-plus guests, but pivoted to host a 15-person event in the city. Fellow Falcons who joined their special day included Jenny Ehalt ’05 and Shaun DeLong ’08. The happy couple is living in Dorchester, Mass.

Courtney (Somerville)

Rahamin, MSA ’10, Sagamore Beach, Mass., and husband Andy ’10 are proud parents of Ashton Jason, born April 30, 2020.

Samantha (Feinberg) Raynor, MBA ’10

and husband Jason, Guilderland, N.Y., welcomed baby boy Brooks on May 2, 2020.

Jasmin Sultana, Paris, France, married Jonathan Rousselle on October 3, 2020, in the French region of Picardie.

2010

Andy Rahamin and wife

Courtney (Somerville) ’09,

MSA, Sagamore Beach, Mass., are proud parents of Ashton Jason, born April 30, 2020.

2011

FOLD 10th Reunion

Nicholas and Lauren

(Paglierani) Aquino, MST

’13, Watertown, Mass., welcomed their second son, Joseph Vincent, on May 9, 2020. He joins brother William.

2013

FOLD

Kathryn Burgner married Sean Fitzgerald at their home in Westford, Mass., on October 24, 2020. The couple celebrated with family only, due to COVID-19 guidelines. A reception with fellow Falcons is in the works for next year.

SPOTLIGHT:

TAILORING BY ALGORITHM

BY MARY K. PRATT

Monica Mohan ’11 and Wendy Qiu ’12 are giving the alterations industry a makeover, with the launch of their internet tailoring platform, May’d Fit.

The objective: to perfectly fit clothing to each client, regardless of its brand, style or size — and to provide that service in a convenient, contactless and fun fashion.

May’d Fit customers upload two photos of themselves and fill out a one-time, multiple-choice fit questionnaire. The company uses proprietary algorithms to generate more than 50 unique body measurements; these help tailors to nip and tuck the clothing that customers mail in. Returned items are 100% customized to the client’s size, shape and fit preference.

Mohan and Qiu say they are updating an antiquated industry. That objective is right on trend with the business world’s focus on digital transformation. They also aim to transform how women think about clothing — and themselves.

“Tailoring is not a luxury but a necessity,” explains Mohan. “It offers women the opportunity to take advantage of our unique shapes and to feel comfortable and confident in our bodies.”

Both women bring professional and personal experiences to the venture.

Mohan, who holds an MBA and JD in addition to her Bentley degree, worked as a law firm associate before becoming an entrepreneur. Her first company, Nail’d It, is a Boston-based booking platform for nail services. Mohan also draws on insights from her father’s family business: making suits and other professional apparel for men. She saw the confidence that made-to-fit clothing bestows on its wearers.

Qiu worked in commercial real estate as a director and retail advisory associate, before moving full time to May’d Fit. She remembers her mother hemming her clothes as a kid. “It was like magic. I felt so much better because my clothes went from doing my body a disservice to fitting perfectly.”

The Alpha Phi sorority sisters launched in beta mode in 2020, having built their business model and the technology before the pandemic hit. They have used the intervening time to refine their processes, while also pivoting to sell face masks to help communities in need; 20% of sales benefit the nonprofit Loveland Foundation, which supports communities of color. Looking ahead, they envision partnering with retailers so shoppers can send new purchases straight to May’d Fit for tailoring.

Mohan and Qiu are gearing up for a 2021 launch as the economy reopens, believing their service is on point as the world sheds its sweatpants for a wardrobe upgrade.

Says Qiu: “The ethos of our brand is women’s empowerment, and feeling good and comfortable in our bodies and in our clothes.”

May’d Fit partners Wendy Qiu ’12 (l.) and Monica Mohan ’11

SPOTLIGHT:

CHOCOLATE WITH A CONSCIENCE

BY MARY K. PRATT

Fatima-Zohra Hakam ’16, MBA ’18 believes in the power of chocolate.

The Morocco native, who as a child collected sweets in a drawer alongside her homemade cards describing their qualities, has started her own confectionery to make and sell fine chocolate — with social responsibility a key ingredient.

Launched in 2019, ZORA aims to educate as much as delight.

“Similar to wine and coffee, chocolate has many flavor notes and aromas,” says Hakam, who’s eager to introduce people to the wonders of fine chocolate. Moreover, she wants to draw attention to the cultivation of cocoa and those who grow it.

“A sustainability course at Bentley opened my eyes to the poor labor practices and working conditions at many cocoa farms,” says the former Marketing major, who is sourcing her chocolate from West Africa, which grows 70% of the world’s cocoa.

Like her appreciation for sweets, an entrepreneurial mindset dates back to childhood. As she puts it: “I always wanted to create something from nothing, something from scratch.”

After finishing her MBA, Hakam volunteered with the nonprofit Fine Cacao and Chocolate Institute while crafting her business plan. She chose Ghana to supply ZORA ingredients and committed to sourcing from women, supporting economic empowerment programs, and adhering to fair-trade policies.

Hakam entered production development in early 2021, working with a French chocolatier on recipes and a U.S. bean-to-bar facility for manufacturing and production. Plans are to start offering chocolate this fall through the ZORA website and select retailers. A portion of proceeds from each sale will contribute to educating young girls in rural Ghana, as part of the company’s Women’s Economic Empowerment Program.

All of which means she can call ZORA “guilt-free chocolate” and know that it’s true.

(2013, continued)

Dennis Lagace, MSF ’14

and Olivia Prentiss ’16 were married on September 26, 2020, on Crane Beach in Ipswich, Mass. The couple shares: “Due to the pandemic, our Bentley representation was limited, but we hope to celebrate our first anniversary with family and friends based on our original plan.” The newlyweds reside in Essex, Mass.

Ashley (Osborne) Yantz,

MSA, Boxford, Mass., is now a tax manager in the private client services group at Baker Newman Noyes.

2015

FOLD

Anthony Carter and wife Nathalie, Framingham, Mass., welcomed daughter Chloe in August 2020. Abigail Davis and Lubomir Svetiev were married on December 18, 2020, at Church Landing in Meredith, N.H. The pandemic kept attendance at 25 guests, but Falcon representation was strong nonetheless. The 13 alumni included the bride’s mother, Sam (Rollins) Davis ’87, P ’15, ’17/’18, and sister, Julia Davis ’17, MST ’18.

2016

FOLD 5th Reunion

Olivia Prentiss and Dennis Lagace ’13, MSF ’14 were married on September 26, 2020, on Crane Beach in Ipswich, Mass. The couple shares: “Due to the pandemic, our Bentley representation was limited, but we hope to celebrate our first anniversary with family and friends based on our original plan.” The newlyweds reside in Essex, Mass.

2017

FOLD

Nicholas Dipoto, Somerville, Mass., has joined Crestwood Advisors, a boutique investment and wealth management firm with offices in Massachusetts and Connecticut. The alumnus is an operations specialist.

Dawn St. Angelo, MSA ’18

and Christopher Pawlowski exchanged vows on October 10, 2020, in Rhode Island, surrounded by their closest family members. They hope to celebrate with a larger contingent of family, friends and fellow Falcons on their one-year anniversary. Mr. and Mrs. Pawlowski reside in Barrington, R.I., and will be honeymooning in the Hawaiian Islands.

2020

FOLD

Grant Buchanan, Holliston, Mass., created Film Friendzy, a social media app for movie watchers. His inspiration was the many movies he and friends found themselves watching during the pandemic lockdown.

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

Familiar Trail, New Direction

Hiking with his father a few years ago, J.D. McPhee, MSA ’19, confided that he wasn’t satisfied in his marketing career and wanted to study accounting.

BY MARY K. PRATT

The family patriarch — John ’83 — proposed a deal: Enroll at Bentley and he’d cover the cost.

“I knew the level of academic rigor it has, the career counseling and the job placement it has,” says John, who at graduation would join accounting firm KMG in Boston, which would become KPMG. “I told J.D., ‘This is why you go there.’”

The advice echoed some that John himself received when scouting for colleges in 1970s. A friend of his father’s was a bank CFO with a degree from Bentley.

“He told me to get into accounting because it’s the language of business,” John remembers. “It was a good recommendation.”

J.D. admits that the field did not appeal to him early on. He studied marketing at the University of Colorado and worked in advertising for a year after graduating in 2017.

“I should have paid more attention to what my father was saying,” says J.D., who has since come around to seeing accounting as “the backbone of business.”

His talent for math and appreciation for the rules-based nature of accounting also factored into J.D.’s decision. And as much as he appreciated his father’s financial offer, the university’s strong academic program and career services were final selling points.

The similarities between father and son don’t end with Bentley.

In September 2019, J.D. became an audit associate in the Boston office of KPMG; the firm had recruited him on campus, shortly after he started classes. (J.D.’s sister also works there.)

John was the first in his cohort to earn his CPA credential, and J.D., who received his CPA license in early 2021, was among the first in his KPMG class to do so.

Last year, the 60-year-old McPhee retired as a partner in the San Francisco office, after 37 years at KPMG in Audit and Deal Advisory. And while J.D. is just starting out, he shares his father’s faith in a Bentley education.

“Bentley is going to continue to pay dividends down the road — no matter what path I take in the future.”