Spring Villanova Business Magazine 2023

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF VILLANOVA BUSINESS

The Helen and William O’Toole Dean

Joyce E. A. Russell, PhD, P ’23

Assistant Dean, Talent & Staff Development, Community & External Outreach

Cathy J. Toner, JD, MJ, ’23 MSCM

Associate Director of Communication and Editor

Shannon M. Wilson

Contributors

Ellen Kranick

Amy Swift

Sharielle Rodriguez ’23 VSB

Meghan Winch ’15 MA

Principal Photography

Melissa Kelly

Design and Production

Matthew Schmidt Design

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A Special Message from Dean Russell

As I reflect on my time as dean, I am incredibly proud of all that we have accomplished over the past seven years. We have elevated the reputation of VSB as a top business school (see page 2 for current rankings and pages 6–7 for the latest achievements of our award-winning faculty); launched a five-year strategic plan, which will help ensure our future success; created world-class learning spaces at Bartley Hall with the addition of the Gmelich Lab for Financial Markets, new study spaces and the Laboratory for the Advancement of Interdisciplinary Research; completed two highly successful reaccreditations of our Business and Accounting programs; and strengthened our portfolio of graduate and executive programs, bringing real-world experience and expertise to the classroom, including through our executive-in-residence program (see page 11).

Most importantly, our success is due to the people who make up our community. We have continued to engage with our passionate alumni, and we recruited and retained outstanding teacher-scholar faculty and dedicated staff. We all work together to strengthen our VSB community as a top workplace in Greater Philadelphia and as a community that puts students first, ensuring everyone feels welcomed and included. And we did all this despite a global pandemic.

The future of business education at Villanova is indeed bright. I am confident VSB will continue to be a leader among business schools, providing excellence not only in business acumen, but also in the competencies required for leaders of the future: professional and ethical leadership; working with diverse, global teams; and effectively using data, analytics and technology. Let’s continue to lead boldly into the future to create leaders who, like those before us, will make a significant impact on society.

I came to Villanova because of its values, and I am proud to have played a role in strengthening VSB while building on our Augustinian Catholic foundation. I am deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to be part of the history of business education at Villanova.

Thank you for your support of me, our vision and our entire VSB community.

Joyce E. A. Russell, PhD, P ’23

The Helen and William O’Toole Dean Professor of Management Villanova School of Business @VSB_Dean

As my term as dean comes to an end, I have never been more proud to be part of the VSB community. It has been particularly meaningful for me to serve as dean as we celebrated our 100th anniversary this year. Building on the rich legacy of our history, we have continued to be restless in our quest for continuous improvement while staying rooted in our Augustinian Catholic mission.”

National Rankings

The VSB undergraduate program has been ranked among the top 20 business programs in the nation by Poets&Quants for Undergrads, ranking No. 14 among business schools. VSB performed exceptionally well for career outcomes, achieving the No. 12 spot. VSB’s Online MBA (OMBA) also ranked highly, coming in at No. 23 in the nation.

Fortune ranked VSB’s Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) No. 9.

U.S. News & World Report ranked VSB among top schools in the nation with two top 20 placements. VSB has earned top honors consistently in the Best Graduate Online Business Programs for MSBA and Master of Science in Church Management (MSCM) programs, both coming in at No. 16 this year. The OMBA also ranked highly at No. 19, further demonstrating VSB’s ability to deliver an exceptional learning experience regardless of the modality, and the MBA ranked No. 25. Additionally, the OMBA was recognized for several specialty areas, including No. 9 for Marketing, No. 22 for Business Analytics and No. 23 for Veterans.

Justin G. Gmelich ’90 VSB Selected as the 2023 Recipient of The Rev. Joseph C. Bartley, OSA Alumni Medallion

During VSB’s 100th anniversary celebration on May 4, VSB awarded Justin G. Gmelich ’90 VSB with The Rev. Joseph C. Bartley, OSA Alumni Medallion, the highest distinction VSB can bestow upon alumni. It is awarded annually to recognize those who have distinguished themselves in their careers while demonstrating extraordinary service to their communities and to VSB.

Gmelich, co-CIO at Millennium Management, has long demonstrated his dedication to the University. He served as the chairperson of Villanova's Board of Trustees from January 2021 to December 2022, served as vice chair from 2017–2021, and has been a member since 2011. He is also a former member of the VSB Dean’s Advisory Council and, in 2019, his family made a $3 million commitment to create the Victoria and Justin Gmelich ’90 Lab for Financial Markets.

Villanova University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, ’75 CLAS, and Justin G. Gmelich ’90 VSB

100 YEARS of Excellence in Business Education

Throughout the past academic year, the VSB community celebrated its 100th anniversary in many memorable ways. It has been humbling to look back on all that VSB has accomplished over the past century. From our early years as the Division of Commerce and Finance to currently offering seven undergraduate majors, two undergraduate co-majors, 10 minors, eight graduate programs and several executive programs, as well as hosting five Centers of Excellence, we have certainly come a long way. VSB is now one of the top business schools in the country with more than 43,000 alumni worldwide.

It has been an unforgettable year celebrating everything that makes VSB so special: our rich history, our amazing students and alumni, and our dedicated faculty and staff. Here are some highlights:

October 2022

August 2022

VSB Time Capsule

In February, on the 100th class day, students, faculty and staff wrote messages and submitted items to include in a time capsule that will be preserved for future Villanovans.

VSB Fest

We kicked off the anniversary celebration with VSB Fest last August, on the 100th First Day of Classes. With food trucks, music and games, it was a great start to the year.

Homecoming

Over Homecoming weekend in October 2022, VSB celebrated with 100th anniversary prizes, swag and treats for guests, and sponsored the football game where Bob Mulhall '80 VSB was presented with an official game ball to honor his longstanding support of Villanova and his role as co-chair of VSB’s 100th Anniversary Committee.

Flash Day of Service

In January, VSB held a Flash Day of Service, writing hundreds of cards and making flower arrangements for the local chapter of Meals on Wheels.

Community Celebration

Our commemoration culminated in the Community Celebration held on May 4. More than 300 guests attended to celebrate the past 100 years and toast to the next 100 years of excellence in business education!

May 2023

In celebration of our 100th anniversary, we collected stories on our website of 100 problem-solvers, changemakers and humble servant leaders who live their VSB values and make a difference in their communities and around the world. Here is a sampling of these stories.

Gerald Dougherty, CPA, ’58 VSB

Professor Dougherty was an accounting graduate who returned to teach at VSB for 56 years—more than half of the school’s history, and longer than any other faculty member. Prior to his passing in February 2018, he estimated he taught about 25,000 students over the years through courses, trainings and seminars.

The Rev. Joseph Farrell, OSA, ’85 VSB, ’19 MSCM

After graduating from VSB in 1985 he joined the Augustinian order and is now vicar general of the Order of St. Augustine. He was previously associate vice president for Mission and Ministry and an adjunct faculty member. Through his ministry, he strives to share the teachings of St. Augustine and the messages of hope and consideration of the poor and vulnerable members of society.

100 STORIES

Christine Dorfler ’97 VSB

A former women’s lacrosse player and Army veteran, Dorfler now serves as the CFO of the NFL. Prior to joining the NFL, she was CFO at NBC Universal, where she helped establish a Veterans Network. She currently mentors veterans transitioning into the workforce, working women establishing a career, and working parents on balancing work and family life.

Sister Angela Marie Mazzeo, CSFN, ’06 MBA

Sister Angela Marie is the superior general of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in Rome. In her position, she is responsible for an international congregation that spans 140 communities in 14 countries on five continents. She completed her MBA—an experience she recalls as enriching, in particular the ethics and leadership courses.

Seema Vishnoi Kesselring ’08 EMBA

Kesselring brings a dedication to education, innovation and adoption of digital technologies to her career and volunteer work. She serves on boards for various women’s leadership organizations and has stayed a member of the VSB community by serving as a board member, president and chair of the VSB Executive MBA Alumni Board.

Ramon Jones ’91 VSB

Jones is chief marketing officer at Nationwide and has been committed to service throughout his life. He serves on the Mount Carmel Foundation in Ohio, which funds efforts to reduce poverty, including providing urgent medical care for underinsured people. Jones also works with VSB's Center for Marketing and Consumer Insights to help diverse and underrepresented students feel a sense of belonging in marketing.

Chris Gheysens ’93 VSB

Gheysens is the president of Wawa and was guided by a calling to servant leadership in the establishment of The Wawa Foundation, Wawa’s philanthropic arm. Since 2014, Wawa and The Wawa Foundation have contributed $125 million to local communities through serving and supporting more than 6,000 nonprofit partners. Gheysens also serves on Villanova University's Board of Trustees to continue to move the University forward.

Linda Coleman ’78 VSB

Coleman’s Accounting degree took her to a number of companies before a chance opportunity led her back to her alma mater. She returned to Villanova in 1996 and found her purpose leading Villanova’s Center for Access, Success and Achievement (CASA). CASA provides holistic support and a sense of belonging to underrepresented and first-generation students.

OF IMPACT

Manny Paulino ’18 VSB

Paulino has a gift for serving others. During the pandemic, he assisted elderly members of his community with home maintenance projects. While at VSB, Paulino was a peer advisor, helping new students acclimate to campus, and also worked in the University Career Center as a career assistant. Paulino is currently a finance manager for the Hershey Company and is part of the VSB Alumni Mentor Program.

Maria Espinoza ’22 VSB

Espinoza sought to ignite change as an undergraduate by creating a more inclusive environment for students of color and co-founding the Society of Women of Color in Business at VSB. After graduation, Espinoza joined PwC as an audit associate and continues her work in inclusion and belonging, bringing financial awareness and literacy to others in pursuit of a more just and caring world.

Read more inspiring stories by scanning the QR code above.

The timeline illustrating VSB’s first 100 years is on display in Bartley Hall.

Faculty Achievements

VSB boasts world-class faculty members who are nationally recognized experts in their fields. They excel across the board—in research, instruction and innovation—and provide insightful commentary on a multitude of business related topics both nationally and locally.

Denise

KPMG Endowed Professor in Accounting

Dr. Downey co-authored “International Rotations in Globally Networked Public Accounting Firms: Implication for Audit Quality.” This paper aimed to understand the unique role secondments play in the public accounting setting and their effect on audit quality.

Beth

Professor, Marketing & Business Law

Corinne Post, PhD

The Fred J. Springer Endowed Chair in Business Leadership and professor, Management & Operations

Recognized as a 2022 Affordable Learning Champion by Affordable Learning Pennsylvania

Associate teaching professor, Economics

Won the 2023 Midyear Meeting Best Paper Award in the international accounting section of AAA

“It is humbling to receive the best paper award from the International Accounting Section of the American Accounting Association (AAA). This project is really fun to work on, and it is rewarding to see other academics appreciate its unique lens.”

Dr. Jeffords was recognized for his efforts to limit textbook costs and account for environmental impacts. He successfully advocated to adopt an open (or electronic) textbook in his introductory courses and has leveraged e-resources in homework and quizzes through Villanova’s current learning management software. His efforts have eliminated course materials for 120 to 180 students each year.

Dr. Vallen’s research focuses on issues related to consumer well-being, focusing specifically on the ways various marketing stimuli—such as labels, choice sets and product attributes— impact decision-making and outcomes. She has been recognized by several teaching and research awards, sits on multiple editorial review boards, and has been published in numerous journals.

Received 2022 Award for Responsible Research in Management

Named one of the Top 50 Undergraduate Professors by Poets&Quants

Dr. Post received the award for her article “The Influence of Female Directors on Product Recall Decisions.” This award is co-sponsored by the Fellows of the Academy of Management and the Community for Responsible Research in Business and Management. The annual award recognizes and celebrates high-quality published scientific research that addresses critical issues in business and society.

Hanes Downey, PhD

Chris Jeffords, PhD

Vallen, PhD

Two New Endowed Appointments

Three VSB Faculty Members Assume Major Editorial Roles

Michael Pagano, PhD, the Robert J. and Mary Ellen Darretta Endowed Chair in Finance and professor, Finance & Real Estate; Jeremy Kees, PhD, the Richard J. and Barbara Naclerio Endowed Chair in Business and professor, Marketing & Business Law; and Beth Vallen, PhD, professor, Marketing & Business Law, have assumed major editorial roles at two leading journals.

Dr. Pagano is now co-editor of The Financial Review, along with Tina Yang, PhD, a former VSB faculty member. Dr. Kees and Dr. Vallen are the new co-editorsin-chief at the Journal of Public Policy and Marketing, one of the flagship journals of the American Marketing Association.

Kevin D. Clark, PhD

Department chair and professor, Management & Operations

This professorship will enrich and develop opportunities within areas of innovation and entrepreneurship at VSB. Dr. Clark’s research focuses on areas of innovation, entrepreneurship, knowledge creation and strategic decision-making, particularly within the context of entrepreneurial technology firms. Dr. Clark joined VSB in 2001 and has won several research and teaching awards.

Rabih

Associate professor, Finance & Real Estate

Dr. Moussawi’s research focuses on the areas of institutional investors, exchange-traded funds, hedge funds and corporate governance. The theme of his research is to understand the unintended consequences of financial innovation on our society.

Dr. Moussawi joined VSB in 2014 and his work has been featured in several leading academic journals and media outlets.

“Serving as editors of these prestigious journals is a tremendous accomplishment and further proof of the excellence of VSB faculty. Their scholarship is respected and sought after by industry leaders, policymakers and academic colleagues,” says Jonathan Doh, PhD, associate dean of Research and Global Engagement, Herbert G. Rammrath Endowed Chair in International Business, co-faculty director of the Moran Center for Global Leadership and professor of Management and Operations.

In addition to these appointments, VSB has several faculty who have served in high-level editorial roles with other leading journals. Charles (Ray) Taylor, PhD, the John A. Murphy Endowed Chair, professor, Marketing & Business Law, has been editor of the International Journal of Advertising since 2008. Janice Sipior, PhD, professor, Accounting & Information Systems, has been editor of Information Systems Management since 2007. Dr. Doh was editor-in-chief of Journal of World Business from 2014 to 2018 and general editor of Journal of Management Studies from 2019 to 2022, and he is currently editor for Journal of International Business Studies

Moussawi, PhD

Named the Carmen and Sharon Danella Endowed Professor in Business Innovation

Named the Katherine M. and Richard J. Salisbury Jr. Endowed Professor in Finance

Michael Pagano, PhD Jeremy Kees, PhD Beth Vallen, PhD

Q&A

with Dean Russell

Q Dean Russell, what are some of your proudest accomplishments?

I was attracted to VSB based on its Catholic values and its strong legacy of developing business leaders who make a positive impact on the world. Our tagline, “Building business leaders for a better world,” is one that I genuinely believe in. It is critical for business schools to produce ethical servant leaders who can work collaboratively to help solve complex, societal problems. Our world depends on us.

My goal was to work with all of our stakeholders to create a vision and strategic plan that would help us strengthen the reputation of VSB as a premier business school rooted in our values. People commonly heard me say “We don’t want to be just another business school, but rather one with values.” This would enable us to produce the leaders that society critically needs.

Joyce E. A. Russell, PhD, P ’23, the Helen and William O’Toole Dean of VSB, completes her term as dean July 31. She was the first woman dean and the fourth longest-serving dean in the 100-year history of business education at Villanova. She will remain at Villanova as dean emeritus and professor of Management. We spoke with Dean Russell about her reflections on her past seven years serving as dean.

As the entire University was moving from a strong regional brand to a larger national reputation, it was important for VSB to also do the same. To that end, I led the creation of a comprehensive five-year strategic plan tied to our mission and rooted in our values. This strategy focused on enhancing our international research reputation, diversifying our community, and enhancing the competencies of our students so that they would be better prepared for the jobs of the future. We have made significant progress, illustrated by the greater diversity of our community, the enhanced prominence of our faculty’s research, and the high rankings of our portfolio of programs.

People are the most important part of a culture and the successful implementation of a strategy, so I focused on recruiting and retaining diverse, top-talent staff and teacher-scholar faculty. We were successful in these efforts, and we have about 120 full-time faculty and 60 staff who are committed to our Augustinian mission and represent various backgrounds and perspectives. People and relationships are important not only within VSB but also across the University, so I have worked hard to be a strong partner and am proud of the relationships we have built across campus. I absolutely love working with them. These partnerships have also led to the creation of more interdisciplinary programming to solve complex challenges in a changing world.

To implement a strategy, you need to create the systems and infrastructure to support your community. You have to make courageous decisions and secure the

resources that your people need to be successful. You also have to reward work that aligns with the mission and strategy. For our faculty to become even stronger teacher-scholars, I was able to create the Dean’s Teaching Innovation Grants and provide significantly more research support for faculty to enable them to continue to conduct cutting-edge research and bring that into the classroom.

I am especially grateful to our alumni who supported our programs and created our endowed and named positions for our faculty. This has been a powerful tool for retaining our outstanding teacher-scholars. For our staff, I created a Staff Advisory Council to enhance employees’ voices and gain insights on how we could continue to make VSB a top workplace in Greater Philadelphia. I’m so pleased with all we’ve accomplished, including high engagement and satisfaction of our staff.

I feel fortunate to be working alongside them.

I am particularly proud of our efforts to elevate our VSB brand as a top business school in the country for not only undergraduate education, but also graduate and executive education, and for recruiting and retaining excellent students. We have also continued to build strong relationships with our alumni and corporate partners and have enhanced our Centers of Excellence and Advisory Councils. Our media efforts highlighted VSB faculty, alumni, students and programs, which strengthened our international brand and visibility.

I am gratified that we were successfully reaccredited twice during the past seven years and complimented on the impressive work that we have collectively done.

Carrying out our mission also means we need to be involved in giving back to our communities. I spearheaded efforts for our leaders, staff and student ambassadors to learn more about our Augustinian Catholic mission. Additionally, by strengthening VSB’s participation in community service, we made a stronger impact in our regional area and demonstrated that businesspeople can contribute meaningfully to address societal problems. It has been wonderful to see our faculty, staff, students and alumni work side by side to help others in our communities and to live our Augustinian Catholic mission.

Finally, I am proud to have led VSB through the global pandemic and many challenging years in higher education by ensuring that our team had everything they needed to continue to put students first. And did they ever—through sleepless nights and tireless devotion, our VSB community was there for our students. I am so appreciative of all of them. They are heroes.

Q What will you miss most about your role as dean?

I will miss working closely with our alumni and employers, with our collaborative campus leaders, and with my leadership team and our outstanding faculty and staff to make changes that have a significant impact on the student experience. It has been an absolute joy to partner with all of them for the good of our students and community.

VSB has the distinction of being one of the only 2% of business schools in the world accredited in both business and accounting.

Dean Russell and her daughter, Julia ’23 VSB, enjoyed graduation together.

Question and Answer with Dean Russell (continued)

QWhat legacy do you hope to leave for the VSB community?

I believe in the power of every single person as a force for change. It has always been important to me to meet with every individual we hired because I believe every person can make a difference in our students’ lives and in the strength of our community. We all have an important role to play in ensuring our students have an outstanding experience where they all feel welcomed, cared for, supported and mentored. It’s not just about academics, but about providing a culture and environment where everyone thrives.

I am also an advocate for all of our staff and our faculty, whether part-time or full-time and at all levels and ranks. Every person matters and should be respected and valued for their individuality and their contributions.

I have tried to lead by faith and with energy, passion and positivity—and hopefully I have inspired others to do the same through my example.

QWhat are you looking forward to after your term ends?

Professionally, I am excited to focus more on my passions of writing, teaching, executive coaching, consulting and serving on corporate boards. Personally, I am looking forward to spending more time with family and friends traveling and on other adventures. Each day is a gift from God and an opportunity to live life fully, so you can be sure I will be doing that!

It has been an honor to serve as the Helen and William O’Toole Dean and I appreciate all of the support I have received. I feel so blessed to be part of this special Augustinian Catholic community. \v/

“This may sound simple, but I try to live as a role model to show pride in Villanova and what we stand for.”

Executives in Residence

The Executive in Residence program was created by Joyce E. A. Russell, PhD, P ’23, the Helen and William O’Toole Dean of VSB, as part of VSB’s strategic plan, to continue efforts to provide students with the cuttingedge knowledge, skills and competencies they will need to be competitive in tomorrow’s business environment. Each executive has a distinguished track record of success and shares their expertise to assist with curriculum development and execution and to instruct, advise and mentor students.

Eric Compton brings 35 years of experience in the consumer goods and medical device/diagnostics industry. He teaches in VSB’s undergraduate program and assists with marketing/business development of the Certificate in Healthcare Design & Innovation executive education program.

Arup Das ’16 MBA is a data science and AI strategy executive with over 30 years of experience. He works to develop and instruct artificial intelligence and machine learning curricula at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Stephen DeAngelis ’88 VSB has nearly 30 years of experience in financial services, including financial technology and sales. He teaches courses designed to enhance students’ communication, leadership and professional skills.

Jerome Heppelmann brings almost 20 years of portfolio management experience to teach VSB’s student-managed fund courses and support student finance clubs and associations.

Steve Padovano ’89 VSB is the director of the Applied Quantitative Finance program. He has revamped the student finance and investment groups, helped design and build the Gmelich Lab for Financial Markets, and mentors students in preparation for roles on Wall Street.

Patrick Roche ’91 VSB brings over 30 years of experience in accounting, business and technology to inform the integration of data, analytics and technology within the accounting curriculum. He teaches courses at the graduate accounting level and leads the Strategic Accounting Initiative Task Force.

Villanova Appoints Wen Mao, PhD, as the Helen and William O’Toole Dean of the Villanova School of Business

Villanova University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, ’75 CLAS, announced the appointment of Wen Mao, PhD, as the Helen and William O’Toole Dean of the Villanova School of Business, effective August 1, 2023. Dr. Mao’s career spans more than three decades and encompasses roles as an academician, scholar and administrator. This key appointment is the result of a rigorous national search led by a committee of faculty, administrators, students and alumni.

Helen and William O’Toole Dean of VSB

We look forward to sharing more about Dr. Mao and her vision for VSB in the next edition of Villanova Business

“The Executive in Residence program plays an important role in helping to bridge theory with practice. By sharing their unique experience and perspective, the executives provide invaluable expertise to help prepare our students for the future of work.”

–Joyce E. A. Russell, PhD, P ’23, the

Villanova is a special place for me. I have great pride for what our community has collectively achieved, and I am eager to continue serving VSB in this new capacity."

Going Green with the Centers of Excellence

The Centers of Excellence became the first certified green office in VSB and the second on campus alongside Environmental Health and Safety at Stone Hall.

The University’s Office of Sustainability created the Green Office Program to expand sustainability engagement among employees. The program includes three levels of certification and provides suggestions for how offices can decrease environmental impact:

– The use of rechargeable batteries and smart power strips

– Omittance of balloons and harmful materials

– Reduction of printed material

– Proper disposal of waste and recycling

“The entire office has come together to learn of new ways to reduce, reuse and recycle, which has required dedication, group participation, and openness to evaluate and change long-held habits. We encourage each office on campus to ‘go green’ to improve campus for future generations,” said Sharon Ballard, program coordinator, VSB Centers of Excellence.

Bartley briefCASE

Congratulations to this academic year’s Bartley briefCASE Challenge winners. The VSB juniors had three days to prepare a proposal to address real-world business problems; the competition began with nearly 50 teams and spanned three rounds.

The fall team proposed a winning solution for Google Assistant as it competes in the voice-assisted technology space.

Fall 2022 Winners

Carson Frederick

Brianne Keegan

Claire McBlain

Jack Withstandley

The spring team proposed how Mastercard could best position itself during the technology-fueled disruption of the payments landscape.

Spring 2023 Winners

Liam Adipietro

Katie Christine

Thomas Coman

Sarah Geormaneanu

Ally Daley, Chesley Turner, Dan Guertin, Gloria Angel, Carly Gulasarian, Kim Cahill, Sharon Ballard. Not pictured: Jessica Taylor, Lauren Higgins, Meredith Lockyer

Fall 2022 winners: Carson Frederick, Brianne Keega, Claire McBlain. Not pictured Jack Withstandley

Two VSB Students Selected as Poets&Quants 2022 Best & Brightest Business Majors

Jonah Gavino ’23 VSB and Megan Kempf ’23 VSB were selected as Poets&Quants 100 Best & Brightest Undergraduate Business Majors of 2023. Poets&Quants invited the Top 50 undergrad business programs around the nation to select students who are poised to make an impact as the future leaders of the business world.

Jonah Gavino ’23 VSB

From San Diego, Calif., Gavino earned a double major in Accounting and Business Analytics. An Augustinian Scholar, he was involved across campus, serving as vice president of Villanova’s Filipino American Student Association, a teaching facilitator for the Villanova University Honors Program and a trivia writer for Villanova University Quizzo.

Throughout his undergraduate career, Gavino served as a student worker in the VSB Communication & Marketing Office and as an accounting intern at Hazard Construction. He commends VSB for its collaborative environment where he learned the “importance of leveraging each other’s strengths and hearing others’ perspectives” to find success. After graduation, Gavino will complete an accounting internship at KPMG in Seattle before returning to Villanova to complete his Master of Accounting with Data Analytics and earn his CPA.

Cathy J. Toner, JD, MJ, '23 MSCM, assistant dean, Talent & Staff Development, Community & External Outreach, said, “Jonah is an excellent student, a creative thinker, a positive person, and committed to making the world a better place.”

Megan Kempf ’23 VSB

Kempf, of Princeton Junction, N.J., graduated Summa Cum Laude and earned an Honors BBA degree with a double major in Finance and Business Analytics with minors in Real Estate and Engineering Entrepreneurship. This St. Augustine and Global Honors Scholar served as committee leader of the Honors Program Student Advisory Board, council member for the Dean’s Undergraduate Student Advisory Council, founder and CEO of the Engineering Entrepreneurship Alumni Mentorship Network, brand manager of Villanova Women in Tech, and portfolio manager for the Villanova Wildcat Investment Fund.

She was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society and the Alpha Sigma Gamma Real Estate Honor Society, participated in the Cornell Undergraduate Women in Investing Stock Pitch Competition, placed first in the Global Accounting Firms Case Competition, was a national semifinalist in the KPMG Ideation Challenge, and earned Dean’s List all eight semesters. She interned at FTI Consulting and at The Blackstone Group. After graduation, Kempf will begin working as an analyst at The Blackstone Group.

Enhancements to Graduate and Executive Programs

VSB continues to expand and improve graduate and executive-level programs in support of our mission to develop agile leaders who are able to solve the new and complex challenges of a changing business environment.

The Professional MBA now offers maximum flexibility for working professionals to choose where and how they learn: online, in person, in a hybrid format or as part of a cohort. Students can tailor their learning to fit their busy lives, and still benefit from the community and support Villanova is known for—with small class sizes that allow for maximum interaction with faculty and peers.

The program curriculum will prepare business leaders for the future with courses in emerging technologies such as applied artificial intelligence and machine learning, data and analytics, and innovation and entrepreneurial thinking.

Capstone projects—with a focus on global engagement and social responsibility and rooted in our Augustinian values—remain a core component of the MBA program, as developing a global perspective and understanding the social impacts of strategic decision-making is more critical than ever.

The Master of Science in Analytics (MSA) has been renamed the Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) to better reflect the business focus of the program. Among the top online graduate business programs in the country, the MSBA offers a flexible, online degree in the latest analytics technologies and business practices.

MSBA students acquire the skills to not only collect and analyze data, but also to transform it into actionable intelligence to make better data-driven business decisions.

The program format has been modified with added flexibility for students to choose electives to customize their learning. Guidance from senior business executives and faculty members continues to inform course offerings to reflect the skills that organizations most urgently need to meet current and evolving business trends.

VSB and the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing (FCN) jointly launched the new Certificate in Healthcare Design & Innovation this spring. The online executive educa tion program provides health care leaders with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to manage the increasing complexities of the health care landscape.

Drawing on the expertise of faculty from FCN and VSB, the non-credit program provides leadership and technical skills specific to the health care industry. The program consists of four courses: the economic forces and policy shaping health care; reimagining the health care supply chain; digital health and analytics; and systems and design thinking for health care innovation.

The interdisciplinary approach to the program gives learners the tools to examine complex health care issues from various perspectives.

The Professional MBA and the Future of Work

Master of Science in Business Analytics

Certificate in Healthcare Design & Innovation

Real Learning, Real Success

The DiLella Mulroy Real Estate Student Managed Fund

In 2018, VSB and the Daniel M. DiLella Center for Real Estate launched the Daniel M. DiLella and Thomas M. Mulroy Real Estate Student Managed Fund. The Fund’s purpose is to promote a hands-on learning experience for students to research, evaluate and underwrite potential investment opportunities introduced by Villanova alumni and connected real estate firms. Villanova was the first University to offer such a fund—investing real assets in actual real estate deals—to undergraduate students.

Since the Fund’s inception, student fund managers have successfully invested in nine opportunities across various asset types—office, industrial, life science, retail and residential—in multiple states. Three of the Fund’s realized investments have generated returns that have far exceeded expectations, yielding an average rate of return of 32.4%. Student involvement with the Fund has also grown, starting with five students in 2018 and expanding to 32 student analysts and fund managers.

32.4% AVERAGE RATE OF RETURN FOR THREE OF THE FUND'S INVESTMENTS

The DiLella Center team continues to introduce innovative and strategic ways to enhance the student experience while also maintaining the Fund’s performance. Students are guided by Business Fellow Phil Guida ’09 VSB, co-founder and managing principal at Arileus Capital, a private commercial real estate investment firm. After completing their due diligence, students present their findings to the Fund’s Investment Committee—a team of industry leaders who provide feedback on each opportunity. The DiLella Center’s operating advisory council, the Nova Next Council, also provides support. According to Jessica Taylor, director of the DiLella Center, one of the distinguishing features of the Fund is that the University, an accredited institutional investor, is the official investment entity. Earnings are perpetually reinvested back into real estate education at Villanova, rather than to individual investors.

To share investment opportunities or learn more about the Fund, contact Jessica Taylor at jessica.taylor@ villanova.edu.

Our students gain invaluable real-world experience that is a clear differentiator to prospective employers. At the same time, alumni have created a program that ensures students will continue to have those same educational opportunities in the future.”

– Jessica Taylor

Director of the DiLella Center

A Passion for Business Building: License Plate Designs

Michael Tufankjian ’23 VSB was raised in a start-up culture.

“On my father’s side, my great-grandparents owned a service station, which led them to open a car dealership, since expanded into a network of family-owned dealerships. My grandparents on my mother’s side owned and operated a dress design and manufacturing business. And my mother creates custom picture frames, sold in Neiman Marcus stores nationwide,” Michael Tufankjian '23 VSB notes.

Intrigued by the prospect of building his own company, Tufankjian pursued business classes at Wellesley (Massachusetts) High School. At the dealership one day, he came across a box of discarded license plates. “I took the plates home and cut them up with tin shears,” he remembers, creating decorative signs from the letters and numbers. License Plate Designs (LPD) was born. Distribution was his first challenge. “I visited over 20 stores before finding one that would carry my product,” he remembers. Today, LPD products are sold in 10 stores in the Northeast.

Meeting VSB’s Dean Joyce Russell opened a door to the next phase of LPD’s development. “I attended a VSB open house and introduced myself to Dean Russell,” he notes. “She took a genuine interest in me and my business, and connected me with professor Keith Wright, who shared his experiences as an entrepreneur. I could see how engaged VSB faculty members are with students and their ideas.”

“Michael exemplifies entrepreneurial spirit,” notes Dean Russell. “He came to VSB with a fully operational business and the drive to push it farther.”

Patrick Maggitti, PhD, provost and professor of Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship, and Gerard Olson, PhD, professor of Finance & Real Estate, also served as important mentors for LPD’s next phase: introduction of license plate-themed pillows. “I wanted to expand the brand and outsource production,” Tufankjian reflects. He creates image files, including custom designs, and works with production facilities in California and North Carolina.

Through his internship with Villanova Athletics, Tufankjian gained experience in college bookstore merchandising. LPD is now licensed by the Collegiate Licensing Company and is an approved vendor with Follett Higher Education Group, the nation’s largest campus store operator. LPD pillows are currently available at Villanova, Lafayette, Babson and Boston College bookstores, as well as online at licenseplatedesigns.com. LPD revenue increased 102% in 2022, and 25% of profits are donated to Boston Children’s Hospital.

Tufankjian plans to continue growing LPD after graduation, even as he begins his career as a sales planning and operations associate for Fenway Sports Management and the Boston Red Sox. “I am extremely grateful to my family and mentors, who understand what it takes to build a business; their advice, motivation and inspiration have helped me take LPD farther than I could have imagined.”

I’ve enjoyed seeing Michael grow his network, take advantage of opportunities and develop his skills at Villanova. It’s an honor to play a small role in the development of innovative student entrepreneurs like Michael.”

OTHERS TO DO SO AS WELL.”

GROW MY BUSINESS AND INSPIRE

TO VSB, I AM CONFIDENT IN MY ABILITY

–MICHAEL TUFANKJIAN ’23 VSB

–Villanova University Provost Patrick Maggitti, PhD

Supporting Catholic Education— Giving with Impact

About 20 years ago, Joseph F. Delaney III ’85 VSB, P ’21 heard three pieces of advice regarding philanthropy:

1 Give to an organization where you can make an impact.

2 Go back to your hometown and give locally.

3 Give of your time as well as your money.

Joe took these suggestions to heart and reached out to Villanova.

Over the past two decades, Joseph F. Delaney III ’85 VSB, P ’21 and his wife, Nancy Smith Delaney ’85 VSB, P ’21, have made several gifts to the University and have served on multiple advisory councils. Earlier this year, Joe was elected to Villanova’s Board of Trustees and the couple donated a seven-figure amount to establish the Delaney Family Faculty Research Fund and the Fixed Income Student Managed Fund.

In thinking about their charitable giving goals, the Delaneys say the theme has always been supporting Catholic education. Joe and Nancy are both products of Catholic schools, and looking back, they see how foundational that was to their lives. “Catholic values are very important to us, especially in an increasingly secular world,” Joe explains. “Villanova is doing an incredible job in not only delivering a world-class business education, but one that is rooted in strong Augustinian values. We are happy to support that mission.”

They both pursued careers in banking and finance after graduating from VSB. Joe is currently partner and chief financial officer at Phibro LLC, a global energy company focused on renewable asset development and trading. Before joining Phibro, he co-founded Waterville Capital LLC and multi-strategy hedge fund Old Lane LP. Nancy began her career at Public Financial Management in Philadelphia before being recruited to join a specialized lending group for what is now Wells Fargo. Nancy then founded a mortgage brokerage business, which she managed for many years before focusing full time on raising their two children, Caitlyn ’21 VSB and Christopher.

The Delaneys had previously made gifts to VSB’s student-managed investment fund, the Wildcat Fund. Their gift to establish the Fixed Income Student Managed Fund gives students a new opportunity to gain experience with fixed income investing and is one of the few of its kind at the undergraduate level.

They have been able to see first-hand the benefits of the Wildcat Fund through their daughter Caitlyn, who was involved with the fund for four years and served as its president. “Students who work on the Wildcat Fund gain invaluable real-world experience and skills,” the Delaneys explain. Both Delaneys have served as alumni advisors to the Wildcat Fund. Nancy says it is rewarding to share her experience as a female executive with the students. “Finance has traditionally been a male-dominated field but there are now a lot of exciting opportunities available to women.”

The Delaney Family Faculty Research Fund provides research support for faculty, with preference for faculty in the Finance Department. According to the Delaneys, “We want to help VSB remain on its vibrant path and compete at the highest levels among business schools. Whether that be through faculty or student support, we are committed to furthering the VSB mission of developing business leaders for a better world.”

From Disarray to Order: Top Shelf Designs LLC

As high school seniors, triplets Billy McGloin ’21 VSB, Jessica McGloin ’21 CLAS and Melissa McGloin ’21 CLAS visited over 30 colleges in search of the right school. “Villanova was at the top of each of our lists,” remembers Billy. They arrived on campus to new roommates and different majors: Honors Economics and Business Analytics for Billy; Honors Political Science with a business minor for Jessica; and Honors Political Science with a double concentration in Global Business and PPE (Politics, Philosophy, Economics) for Melissa. Right away, there was a storage issue. “I’m an over-packer,” Melissa confesses. “There wasn’t enough space in my dorm room for my TV, books and décor.” Even Billy, who brought less, struggled to keep his books and electronics organized. To add space to his dorm, he built a shelf to fit over the school-provided desk hutch. After seeing how well it worked, Jessica and Melissa wanted one too, and soon “our friends were asking where we got them, and we knew we had something viable,” says Melissa.

Inspiration came from numerous sources. “VSB’s Competitive Effectiveness course taught us how to strategically develop marketing plans and manage team projects, and VSB professors Mike Peters and Tim McCulloch offered invaluable insights,” Melissa notes. Jessica remembers Ann Miller, the Daniel J. Hogarty Jr. ’61 Director of the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, provided helpful feedback for their business plan.

As the pandemic loomed, the siblings went all in on Top Shelf Design, LLC (TSD). They received funding from IIE and VSB’s Davis Fund. They decided to pursue TSD full time after graduation and formally launched in August 2022. As an approved vendor at Villanova, they are gearing up for this year’s backto-school season. “We’re using everything we’ve learned at Villanova as we delve into patent applications, consumer research, website design and insurance procurement,” says Melissa. Plans are in progress to promote TSD to over 60 U.S. universities.

Expanding on their initial prototype, TSD now designs, builds and sells the Dorm Buddy™ and Dorm Buddy Plus™ shelves to help other students maximize space and stay organized.

BEFORE

AFTER

All three currently manage TSD while pursuing graduate studies. Billy reflects on the advantages of co-founding a business with siblings, saying, “We have the same strong work ethic and we understand and can rely on each other’s strengths.”

Jessica notes, “We never know what the next challenge will be, and we love that, especially resolving it together.”

Jessica McGloin ’21 CLAS, Billy McGloin ’21 VSB, and Melissa McGloin ’21 CLAS

NAVAJO PROUD

ROBERT FELSON ’22 MBA

IS DRIVEN BY THE MISSION OF EMBRACING HIS HERITAGE AND ITS VALUES WHILE ALSO ADAPTING AND MOVING THE NEXT GENERATION FORWARD.

Honoring Heritage with a Mission to Ignite Change

When Robert Felson ’22 MBA attended graduation last year, it was only the second time he had been on Villanova’s campus, as Felson lives in New Mexico and participated in the online MBA program. “I stuck out like a sore thumb—but in a good way,” Felson recalls, relating how his family’s Navajo attire drew a lot of curiosity and questions.

According to his tribe’s records, Felson is the first member of the Navajo Nation to receive an MBA from Villanova.

After growing up on a reservation in New Mexico, Felson became the first in his family to attend graduate school. After obtaining his degree, he went to work for the Navajo Agricultural Products Industry (NAPI), where he is currently a market and research analyst. NAPI was created by the Navajo Nation Council as an enterprise to operate the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project. The purpose of NAPI is to create business opportunities for the Navajo people, specifically in the agriculture industry.

A few years ago, Felson knew he was ready for additional challenges personally and professionally. He was inspired by a famous quote from Navajo Chief Manuelito, who said: “Education is the ladder. Tell my grandchildren to take it.” Felson knew that pursuing an MBA would be the next right step for him. He was drawn to Villanova by its goal to ignite change and wanted to be part of an institution that aligned with his personal values and beliefs.

Felson says his MBA has given him the skills and flexibility to help the Navajo community in diverse ways. Outside of his work with NAPI, he also consults with various Navajo organizations to provide guidance on organization management, sustainability and marketing. He is driven by the mission of embracing his heritage and its values while also adapting and moving the next generation forward. “I am striving to make a difference and provide a beacon of hope for younger generations,” he explains. “I was just a young kid playing in the dirt in my small reservation community. Now I am an alumnus of one of the top business schools in the country. Opportunities are limitless. You must find the inspiration that gives you the purpose to achieve and excel. Simply ‘ignite the change’ you want to be.”

Photo: Brad Trone

Time to Talk: Workplace Culture

Manuela Priesemuth, PhD, associate professor of Management & Operations at VSB, began investigating corporate cultures after earning a PhD from the University of Central Florida. This evolved into research on toxic workplaces, in which employees are subjected to threats, ridicule and demeaning comments.

Dr. Priesemuth's work has been featured in Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Management, and Harvard Business Review.

A career trajectory was sparked during her graduate studies at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb. “I studied business so I could earn a universal degree,” that could be applied in the U.S. as well as her native Germany, she says. But she was most interested in her psychology courses. “When I took Organizational Behavior as an MBA student, I realized, ‘This is it!’”

Dr. Priesemuth’s research detailed the organizational costs of abusive supervisors, including decreased morale, satisfaction, productivity, and commitment to the job and the organization. “If employees excuse abusive behavior by saying, ‘This is just the way things are,’ it is ingrained in the culture and will likely proliferate,” she explains.

Toxic workplace stories are now even more visible than before. “Social movements have changed how people respond to this phenomenon,” she observes. “People talk more. Social media, video and audio recording make it easier for victims and observers of abusive behavior to share stories and gather support.”

Dr. Priesemuth's work looks at how employers can root out this behavior. She found that most perpetrators stopped mistreating others after seeing their own social worth decline. Turns out, abusing others comes at a social cost. However, supervisors with psychopathic tendencies were less likely to stop abusive behaviors following social rejection.

“Focusing on organizational fairness, ethics and ethical behavior is necessary. Employees pick up cues in two ways: formal signals (for example, performance systems and public comments from executives) and informal signals (such as interactions between managers and employees, and role models). Informal signals have a more profound impact on employees,” she notes.

In 2021, Dr. Priesemuth was named the inaugural VSB faculty director for Ethics and Social Responsibility. These disciplines are a focus area for business schools generally and now a part of the accreditation process, but she asserts, “they’ve always been part of the VSB mission. We excel at pushing for the development of business leaders who are concerned about the greater good.” Dr. Priesemuth is helping to further weave ethics and social responsibility into the curriculum as well as research and teaching.

Outside work, her international family keeps her busy. “My husband is French, I am German, our oldest son was born in Canada and our following three children were born in the U.S.,” she remarks. A trip to France and Germany is planned for this summer. “We are looking forward to seeing family and sharing our cultures with the kids.”

30 million U.S. workers believe their workplace is toxic.*

*According to research conducted by MIT Sloan School of Management.

We all have a radar for fairness and ethics.”

– Manuela Priesemuth, PhD Associate Professor of Management & Operations

VSB Dean’s Advisory Council (DAC)

The DAC provides advice and guidance to Joyce E. A. Russell, PhD, P ’23 the Helen and William O’Toole Dean of VSB, on important strategic initiatives under consideration.

Michele Etzel ’87 VSB; Past Chair

CFO and Executive Vice President National Graphics, Inc.

Christine Dorfler ’97 VSB; Chair

CFO and Executive Vice President NFL

Greg Wilson ’95 VSB; Vice Chair Managing Director Goldman Sachs

Kenneth Bodmer ’87 VSB; Vice Chair President and VP, Wellpartner

340b Services

CVS Health

Madeleine Barber Esq. ’85 VSB, ’88 CWSL, ’92 CWSL

Deputy CFO CBRE

Jennifer Barbetta ’95 VSB Chief Operating Officer and Senior Managing Director Starwood Capital Group

Eileen Barker ’93 VSB Former General Manager IT Cosmetics

Arthur Batson III ’98 VSB President & CEO Lucas Tree Expert

Anthony Chiarello ’77 CLAS Founder, Principal & Managing Director Lighthouse Maritime Advisors LLC

Susan Ciccarone ’95 VSB Partner

Further Global Capital Management L.P.

Peter Cieszko ’82 VSB, P ’20 Retired Head of Strategic Development

American Century Investments

Brian Collie ’95 CLAS Partner and Managing Director Boston Consulting Group

Stephen Delaney ’91 VSB Partner, Audit and Assurance Services, Office Audit Leader–Philadelphia Deloitte LLP

Dante D’Egidio ’94 VSB Partner/Assurance Leader, Chesapeake Market Segment EY

Justin DiGaetano ’02 VSB Founding Partner and Principal Fidato Partners

George Eberle ’87 VSB, P ’23 Partner PJT Park Hill

Richard Furtek ’91 VSB, P ’18, ’20, ’23 Principal Furtek & Associates

Michael Grossi ’91 VSB CEO and Board Member Operative

Alana Hoskin ’00 VSB Vice President, Global Audit and Chief Risk Officer Nike

Debbie Kolman P ’23 Retired Investment Banker Goldman Sachs

John D. Leahy ’75 VSB

Retired President

KIND Healthy Snacks

Greg Mancini ’95 VSB Co-Head Global Research and Portfolio Manager Nuveen Investments

Clare McGrory ’97 VSB, ’08 EMBA CFO and Chief Compliance Officer Atairos

Katrina McCloskey Mead ’93 VSB

Institutional Portfolio Manager

MFS Investment Management

Christopher E. Morris ’84 VSB

Vice Chairman, Investment Banking Wells Fargo

Karin A. Risi ’94 VSB, ’99 MBA Managing Director, Head Retail Investor Group The Vanguard Group, Inc.

Michael Russomano ’79 VSB

Retired President and CEO, Global Business Head Nestlé

Brian Scanlon ’94 VSB Founder Acuitas Advisors

John Samuel Shamsey ’91 VSB

President Evoke Navience

Kevin M. Sherlock P ’23, ’26 Managing Director Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Scott M. Steel ’01 VSB

Chief Operating Officer, Investment Solutions

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

Terence Sullivan ’95 VSB

Global Head of Financial Institutions Group UBS

Marc Tilker ’82 VSB, P ’24 President and CEO Marathon Group LLC/BEI Hawaii

Brian Vescio ’97 VSB

Head of Structured Credit –Managing Director StoneX Financial Inc.

Valerie Wieman ’92 VSB Assurance Partner PwC

Timothy Zuber ’96 VSB, P ’19, ’20 Partner, Tax KPMG

HOW CAN YOU HELP SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF VSB?

By making a gift to the Villanova School of Business, you are helping us provide a transformational experience for our students, elevate our faculty research and enrich our community in countless ways. Your support allows VSB to be entrepreneurial and move in the competitive space of top-tier business schools by providing superior student services through the Clay Center, supporting worldclass faculty, enhancing classrooms and technology, and funding the Centers of Excellence.

You can choose to support any of our five featured designations.

To support VSB, please contact Brendan Glackin, director of Major Giving, at brendan.glackin@villanova.edu.

1 Villanova School of Business Fund

Dean’s Fund for Strategic Initiatives

VSB’s Capital Improvement Fund

3

2 The Clay Center

5

4 Diversity and Inclusion Fund

800 Lancaster Avenue

Villanova, PA 19085-1678

VSB thanks all of its students, alumni, faculty, staff, employers, donors and friends for 100 years of excellence. You are part of our legacy and helped to create a school we can all be proud of, built on our Augustinian Catholic roots. We look forward to working with you on the next 100-year chapter of outstanding business education!

Graduate Business Education for Any Point in Your Career

• Executive MBA

• Professional MBA

• Master of Accounting with Data Analytics

• Master of Business Taxation with Data Analytics

• Master of Science in Business Analytics

• Master of Science in Church Management

• Master of Science in Finance

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