Summer/Fall 2019
BUSINESS
Experiential Learning at Its Best Bill Donnell ’77 VSB has created a transformative internship experience that sets the standard.
INSIDE VSB / P13
NABA and ALPFA Chapters Come to VSB
POSITIVE IMPACT / P14 Nicole Anderson ’19 VSB: Desire to Make a Difference
BELONGING / P18
Laurenlee Dominguez ’21 VSB: Inclusion for Latinx Students
The Helen and William O’Toole Dean Joyce E. A. Russell, PhD
Assistant Dean, Talent & Staff Development, Community & External Outreach Cathy J. Toner, JD, MJ
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Associate Director of Communication and Editor Shannon M. Wilson
Contributors Chidinma Chioke ’21 VSB Becca Gleeson ’20 VSB Lauren Higgins Kate Lowe Samantha Moccia ’20 VSB Amy Swift Meghan Winch ’15 MA Kelsea Wong ’21 VSB
Design and Production
FEATURES 2 FEATURE STORY Experiential Learning at Its Best Bill Donnell ’77 VSB created a summer internship nearly 15 years ago for rising juniors that sets the standard for internships—thanks to the power of the Villanova community.
8 FACULTY FOCUS 1 1 INSIDE VSB 14 MISSION SPOTLIGHT Nicole Anderson ’19
16 STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS 18 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Laurenlee Dominguez ’21 VSB
20 FACULTY SPOTLIGHT Mary Kelly, PhD, ’83 VSB
22 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT (Undergraduate) Karen Dunn Kelley ’82 VSB
23 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT (Graduate) Jermaine Deans ’99 VSB, ’01 MBA
Matthew Schmidt Design
Principal Photography Ed Cunicelli
Villanova Business is available online at business.villanova.edu. To update your mailing address, email alumni@villanova.edu. Send comments and questions to: VSBCommunicationsandMarketing @villanova.edu. Villanova Business 800 Lancaster Avenue Villanova, PA 19085-1678 610-519-5424 business.villanova.edu Follow us: @VU_Business @VSB_Dean @VillanovaBusiness Villanova School of Business Villanova School of Business
Dean’s Update Dear Readers, I hope this issue of Villanova Business finds you well! As we round out the summer and begin a new academic year, my enthusiasm about what lies ahead for VSB is more alive than ever. Heading into my fourth year as the Helen and William O’Toole Dean, I am continuously impressed by VSB’s extraordinary students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends and the entire Villanova community. In this issue of Villanova Business, you’ll read about our talented students, award-winning faculty members and inspiring alumni, all using their VSB experience to make their positive impact in the business world. One such alumnus, Bill Donnell ’77 VSB, created a summer internship for rising juniors nearly 15 years ago that sets the standard for internships. It’s alumni like him who prove the power of the Villanova community and pave the way for successful alumni. Read his story on Page 2. My hope is that you take some time to read about our community members and feel as inspired as I do by their hard work. We are in the business of developing future business leaders to excel and inspire. I am truly honored to serve that mission as your dean.
Joyce E. A. Russell, PhD The Helen and William O’Toole Dean Professor of Management Villanova School of Business
Experiential Learning at Its Best For years, undergraduate business students have dedicated the summer prior to senior year to completing an internship where they can gain experience to help secure full-time jobs. Now undergraduates seek the experience earlier and earlier so that more than 70% of students at the Villanova School of Business graduate with two or more internships.
That wasn’t the case nearly 15 years ago when William “Bill” Donnell ’77 VSB first hired a rising junior from VSB for a summer internship at one of Wall Street’s premier firms, Merrill Lynch. Since then, he’s hired a rising junior each summer for a demanding yet transformative experience that many say sets the bar for all internships in terms of development and outcomes. When asked what makes this program so successful, Donnell says it begins and ends with one thing: Villanovans help Villanovans.
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COVER STORY
An Uncommon Experience At the start of every summer, Donnell tells his intern the same thing: You get out of this internship what you put in. It’s a loaded statement for any college student to hear, but especially for rising juniors. Most bring only two years of college classes, little if any professional experience and no sense for the gravity of Donnell’s statement. Still, they commit themselves fully, driven by the desire to learn. One thing they do know with certainty: This internship demands a lot. At a minimum, the intern supports Donnell’s team of eight (four financial advisors and other staff) by conducting research, answering phones and handling anything else that’s required. In the process, Donnell underscores the importance of teamwork and a strong work ethic. The experience also includes several independent projects designed to apply theory to practice. One project requires the intern to create an algorithm to assess hundreds of investment managers using market data and metrics as any financial firm would. Another involves analyzing municipal bond credit ratings based on demographics, taxes, pension liabilities, and the overall financial and economic condition of each state. Although these projects never factor into any investment decision-making, the intern must present their work formally to Donnell’s team or an industry expert. Last summer’s interns, Bobby Biggar ’20 VSB and Michael Van Hare ’20 VSB, defended their municipal bond analysis before Deputy Secretary of Labor Patrick Pizzella. “We knew nothing about municipal bonds before this project,” Michael explained. “Bill taught us the basics and we taught ourselves the rest. Having the U.S. deputy labor secretary scrutinize our analysis was intimidating to say the least, but it was a good experience.”
Beyond the hands-on work experience, the most meaningful part of the internship happens outside the office on the intern’s own time. Through Donnell’s massive network of connections on Wall Street, he arranges for the intern to spend one day per week meeting with Villanova alums working in every corner of Wall Street. As Donnell emphasizes, it’s critical to see not just one job but all of them to gain some perspective on the industry. “During my internship [in the summer of 2008], I sat on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, met with a commodities broker, spoke with investment bankers, [and] networked with wealth management professionals and many others,” explained Laura Valentine ’10 VSB, who now works for Bank of America in the Chief Investment Office. “One of those meetings ultimately led to my first job after graduation in wealth management.”
By the end of the summer, most interns meet upwards of
70
WALL STREET PROFESSIONALS. Many are Villanova alumni.
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Villanova Business Summer/Fall 2019
COVER STORY
Powerful Forces at Work Among those who know Bill Donnell, the depth and breadth of this internship comes as little surprise. It reflects his 20 years of dedication to VSB, surpassed only by his commitment to his family and career (see the sidebar, “Deeply Committed”). Donnell’s internship for rising juniors followed a series of alumni efforts to help VSB students find jobs on Wall Street. It started in 2002 when Donnell and others in the Villanova Financial Club created a summer internship program for rising seniors. Soon they recognized that students also needed support to perform well in Wall Street interviews. They partnered with Brenda Stover, assistant dean of the Charlotte and James V. O’Donnell ’63 Center for Professional Development, to develop several professional development programs including “Interviewing on Wall Street,” “Working on Wall Street” and “A Sophomore’s Introduction to Wall Street.” Those led to a mentorship program and other initiatives to help rising seniors secure those internships that open doors to full-time jobs. Still, some saw the need to prepare students for Wall Street even earlier. While serving as the dean of VSB, Thomas “Tim” Monahan, PhD, John M. Cooney Professor, Accounting & Information Systems and dean emeritus, pointed out that before rising seniors could ably pursue these all-important internships, they should understand how Wall Street worked in its entirety. Donnell agreed and knew he could make a difference.
Deeply Committed When asked why he gives back, Donnell says he owes everything to Villanova. While a student, he met his wife, Gloria, with whom he shares three children (Jill Donnell Shinnefield ’03, Billy Donnell ’06 and Brian Donnell ’09) and four grandchildren. His career in wealth management spans 37 years and today, he and his team manage $1.8 billion in assets for clients of Merrill Private Wealth Management.
He wanted to create an experience where rising juniors could focus as much on self-discovery as work experience and professional development. Donnell believed that if they found the part of Wall Street that fit their strengths, it would lead them to more than a job; it would help them chart a career.
Among Donnell’s many professional accolades, he is the two-time winner of the David Brady Award*, a distinguished Merrill Lynch honor recognizing his exceptional commitment to his clients, his team and the firm.
“At the start of my internship, I saw myself potentially pursuing two very different paths [investment banking or trading],” explained Mike Waterfield ’17 VSB, who interned in the summer of 2015 and now works as a structured products analyst at Goldman Sachs. “Bill arranged meetings where I could talk with alumni working in both areas, which helped me realize where my passions and interests aligned.”
Donnell was also the 2010 recipient of The Rev. Joseph C. Bartley, OSA Alumni Medallion and the 2017 Villanova University Alumni Association Loyalty Award.
Through this process, the interns quickly appreciate the depth and dedication of the Villanova network on Wall Street, especially among Donnell’s prior interns. They often meet first with Brian Ubaldi ’07 VSB, Donnell’s first intern in the summer of 2005. Now chief operating officer of Merrill Private Wealth Management, Institutional and International, Ubaldi readily shares his experience with the current intern and then arranges meetings with senior leaders who offer the intern valuable insight on the direction of the business and careers that offer growth potential.
* This award honors the memory of David Brady, who lost his life in the World Trade Center attacks of September 11, 2001. Brady was a man who exhibited a high standard of excellence and commitment to his clients.
Other prior interns follow Ubaldi’s lead. Laura Valentine introduces the intern to as many as 15 alums working at Bank of America in a single day. By the end of the summer, most interns meet upwards of 70 Wall Street professionals, many of whom are Villanova alumni. “As you start your career, you realize how the Villanova community is there for you,” shared Valentine. “‘Villanovans want to share their [career] story to help you build your own.” “This internship created by Bill Donnell provides an invaluable opportunity for rising juniors to experience the power of the Villanova network and build their personal network for long-term success,” explained Stover.
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COVER STORY
Establishing Strong Connections Every summer, Donnell concludes the internship with a special dinner in New York. He invites all the prior interns no matter where they are or what they do. Most attend, as they think of one another as their “Intern Family,” connected by their shared experience of working for Donnell. The dinners take on something of a holiday feel. Everyone shares an update on what’s new in their lives— some professionally but mainly personally. They also ask the most recent intern about their favorite visits with various VSB alums and then bring up stories from their own summers. It makes for a lot of laughs and creates special bonds with one another and Villanova, which lies at the very heart of the whole experience. “It’s something I look forward to every year [because] I want to hear about everyone’s continued successes,” Waterfield described. “Ultimately our success is a reflection of Bill’s commitment to Villanova. He’s entirely responsible for opening that first door for us. We want him to share in our accomplishments.”
Donnell’s former interns pursue careers throughout finance and beyond Bill Donnell encourages his interns to explore Wall Street to the fullest extent to find the career path that suits their strengths and fulfills their passions. As the data shows, the experience leads these interns to all corners of the industry.
Donnell sees it the way a parent would. “You hope that your children’s achievements surpass your own,” he said. “When these interns find their way, I want them to run circles around me.” Beyond their own career aspirations, the experience has inspired Donnell’s “Intern Family” to do for others what Donnell did for them. They recognize the connection between giving back and the continued success of the Villanova community. “It keeps us accountable to Villanova and those who supported us,” Ubaldi said. “Every bit of effort that alumni give back ultimately helps the value of the Villanova brand,” explained Waterfield. “We currently have a lot of traction and support from the University’s alumni, and it’s exciting to think where we might be in 10 years.” \v/
Accounting Actuarial Services Corporate Finance
Equity Research Leadership Non-Finance Sales/Trading
Summer Analyst Wealth Management
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Villanova Business Summer/Fall 2019
Extending the VSB Connection VSB students benefit from exposure to a variety of industries to find connections between their interests and future careers. If you wish to develop an experience for students in your field, email the O’Donnell Center for Professional Development at vsbinternships@villanova.edu.
“Bill always says,
‘ Villanovans help Villanovans’ and it’s true.
The alumni community is only going to be as strong as what we contribute.” –Jen Milde ’14 VSB, an intern in 2012
FACULTY FOCUS
Faculty Achievements VSB boasts world-class faculty members that are nationally recognized experts in their fields, with 90% holding a PhD or the highest degree in their discipline. They excel across the board— in research, instruction and innovation. Our renowned faculty are media savvy professionals and can provide insightful commentary on a multitude of businessrelated topics both nationally and locally. Among their many qualifications are degrees from prestigious institutions, articles in premier academic journals and experience working with the world’s top organizations.
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Villanova Business Summer/Fall 2019
Jonathan Doh, PhD Receives the Villanova University Outstanding Faculty Research Award Jonathan Doh, PhD, associate dean of Research, Herbert G. Rammrath Endowed Chair in International Business, co-faculty director of the Elenore and Robert F. Moran Sr. Center for Global Leadership, and professor of Management at VSB, received this year’s Villanova University Outstanding Faculty Research Award. This is the highest award bestowed to a Villanova faculty member for outstanding accomplishments in scholarly research. “I am humbled to receive this award given the increasing research productivity and impact of my colleagues at Villanova,” said Dr. Doh.
“ We are competing with the very best national universities across teaching, research and engagement, and I am honored to be a part of this effort.” Dr. Doh has published more than 85 refereed articles, 35 chapters, a dozen teaching cases and eight books. He has presented more than 80 papers at international conferences, and served the Academy of Management, the Academy of International Business and the Strategic Management Society.
FACULTY FOCUS
Gunita Grover, PhD Receives the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award for Outstanding Teaching Gunita Grover, assistant professor, Finance, received Villanova University’s Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award for Outstanding Teaching. The Lindback Award is presented to a faculty member who excels in undergraduate teaching. A committee of previous recipients of this award evaluates nominations and the award is presented to the selected faculty member during commencement. Dr. Grover joined VSB in 1996 and throughout her tenure has taught courses in corporate finance and investments. She has also taught in the Villanova MBA and Summer Business Institute programs. She currently serves as the faculty advisor for the Wall Street Society and South Asian Multicultural Organized Student Association (SAMOSA), and previously served as a mentor in the Faith and Learning Scholars Program. She won the Dougherty Award, VSB’s Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award, in 2011, and she has helped develop and build strong leaders throughout her years with VSB.
“ Receiving this award is a most humbling experience and the biggest honor of my professional life.”
Advancing Knowledge with Impact Several VSB faculty members hold leadership positions as editors of prestigious journals or as executives of professional organizations. Jonathan Doh, PhD, served for more than four years as editor-in-chief and co-editor-inchief of the Journal of World Business, one of the top international business journals. During that time, submissions more than doubled. In January 2019, Dr. Doh moved to the Journal of Management Studies to assume the position of senior associate editor, transitioning to general editor in January 2020. Quinetta Roberson, PhD, Fred J. Springer Endowed Chair in Business Leadership and professor of Management, has been elected vice president-elect/program chair-elect of the Academy of Management (AOM). AOM is the preeminent professional association for management and organization scholars. Dr. Roberson will follow a five-year leadership track, moving from vice president of the AOM (2018–2019) to president-elect (2019–2020) to president (2020–2021).
Janice C. Sipior, PhD, professor of Management Information Systems, has served as editor-in-chief of Information Systems Management since 2007. ISM is a broad-based information systems journal that focuses on managerial experience. In the last dozen years, the number of submissions doubled and the internationalization of the editorial board increased. She also serves as associate editor of Information Resources Management Journal. Charles R. (Ray) Taylor, PhD, John A. Murphy Professor of Marketing, has served as editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Advertising since 2008, one of the top journals on advertising and marketing communications. Dr. Taylor is also the past president of the American Academy of Advertising and has received lifetime research awards from the American Academy of Advertising and the European Academy of Advertising.
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Dean Joyce E. A. Russell Honored with Women of Distinction Award
by the Philadelphia Business Journal The Philadelphia Business Journal annually turns the spotlight on influential businesswomen in the region through its Women of Distinction Awards. This year, the organization received more than 300 nominations—an all-time record. Out of this competitive pool, a panel of judges selected 35 women for this year’s Women of Distinction class. Factors such as professional achievement, dedication to mentorship and community involvement were some of the most important elements in the selection process. Dedicated to a lifetime of academic and professional achievement, including teaching, mentoring and advising, Joyce E. A. Russell, PhD, The Helen and William O’Toole Dean of the Villanova School of Business, was among this impressive group of winners. “I am deeply honored to have been recognized by the Philadelphia Business Journal, especially considering the contributions of all the outstanding women who were nominated for this prestigious award,” Dean Russell noted.
“It has always been a passion of mine to give back to not only my institution, but also to the community. There is so much that we can all do to make a positive impact each and every day in the lives of others.” Russell was recognized for her role as VSB’s chief academic officer, in which she recruits, retains and develops world-class and diverse faculty, students and staff, and works closely with educational organizations and external organizations to carry out the mission of the University. Dean Russell is equally responsible for developing external relationships and fundraising, and actively maintains and expands connections with regional, national and international communities. VSB is dedicated to producing business leaders for a better world, which is a passion of Dean Russell’s.
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Villanova Business Summer/Fall 2019
INSIDE VSB
New Laboratory Established for the Advancement of Interdisciplinary Research
Travis Bucknall ’20 VSB, Sarah Ericson ’20 VSB, Nicholas Spina ’20 VSB, Jessie Malatesta ’20 VSB, Brian McMahon ’20 VSB
Students Win
in Bartley briefCASE Challenge Each academic year, VSB juniors team up to design solutions to real-life business problems in the bi-annual Bartley briefCASE Challenge. The case challenge is part of the Backpack-to-Briefcase professional development program, designed to holistically prepare students for success and leadership in business throughout their four-year VSB experience. In each round, the teams’ solutions are evaluated by judging panels comprised of VSB faculty and business executives. In the fall 2018 semester, students studied the company HTC and its position within the virtual reality market. Students developed presentations addressing how much of the virtual reality ecosystem HTC should participate in, along with determining the most profitable customer segments to target. This spring, teams examined Verizon, a company who in 2018 was faced with slowing growth in traditional business lines. Students were challenged with plotting a course to profitability by finding a focus in the complex and rapidly changing digital communications landscape. Fall 2018 Winners
Spring 2019 Winners
Lauren Constant ’20 VSB Connor Cruz ’20 VSB Becca Gleeson ’20 VSB Alexandra Lilly ’20 VSB Francis Mottola ’20 VSB
Travis Bucknall ’20 VSB Sarah Ericson ’20 VSB Brian McMahon ’20 VSB Jessie Malatesta ’20 VSB Nicholas Spina ’20 VSB
VSB opened its Laboratory for the Advancement of Interdisciplinary Research (LAIR), a behavioral research lab that provides a physical space for VSB faculty and students to conduct research studies using surveys, interviews, focus groups and other primary sources. Funded by the generous support of VSB donors, the LAIR will also serve as a resource for course projects that require primary data collection and support other activities that call for cutting-edge research practices. The setup of the space includes a main area where subjects will participate in research studies, with an adjacent room for researcher controls such as a central computer and intercom system. The LAIR has already caught the attention of faculty and students in the recruiting process, allowing VSB to attract top talent. While use of the lab has yet to be formally incorporated into specific courses, students have access to do research for their classes. Over the next several semesters, opportunities will be incorporated throughout the VSB curriculum requiring students to participate as a subject and/or experimenter in the LAIR. The LAIR supports the growing interest in academic research from VSB’s undergraduate and graduate students, in addition to building a legacy of innovative programs that position VSB students and faculty as thought leaders in their fields.
Laboratory Features 764-square-foot space with 25 subject capacity Audio & visual recording equipment for data collection 25 laptops and two screens Two-way mirror for subject observation
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INSIDE VSB
VSB Online MBA and Graduate Programs Ranked Highly by U.S. News & World Report VSB was recognized among the top schools in the nation on the U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Online Graduate Business Programs list, and the Best Online MBA ranking, earning the No. 2 and No. 13 ranks respectively. VSB offers two online specialized master’s degree programs: the Master of Science in Analytics and the Master of Science in Church Management. Both programs were built from the ground up with input from faculty and industry experts for a fully tailored and application-based experience. Our online programs also performed particularly well in the Student Engagement category, ranking No. 1 for our Master of Business programs, and No. 19 for our Online MBA offering. Additionally, our Specialized Master of Business programs earned the No. 9 spot for Student Excellence, which measures the academic aptitude of the incoming class. VSB has consistently performed strongly for its online graduate programs, further validating the school’s ability to provide a high-quality learning experience for students regardless of the mode of delivery.
“Success in the online environment underscores the strength of our faculty, curriculum, students and support services, which we are incredibly proud of.” –Joyce E. A. Russell, PhD The Helen and William O’Toole Dean of VSB
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Villanova Business Summer/Fall 2019
RANKINGS
2 1
BEST ONLINE GRADUATE BUSINESS PROGRAMS
NO.
ENGAGEMENT CATEGORY
STUDENT EXCELLENCE CATEGORY
9
13 2
NO.
BEST ONLINE MBA PROGRAM
ENGAGEMENT CATEGORY
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INSIDE VSB
NABA and ALPFA Chapters Come to VSB On March 30, 2019, the Villanova University Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) was chartered in New York City at the NABA Q3 Board Meeting. VSB was represented by chapter president Chidinma Chioke ’21 VSB and secretary Mia Bryant ’22 VSB. This comes not long after a chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) was brought to campus by chapter president Jaivian Gaetan ’21 VSB. When Chidinma was asked how NABA and ALPFA will be valuable to VSB, she said, “At times I doubted my ability to succeed in VSB as a Finance and Business Analytics co-major because I’d go to my classes and very often I’d be the ‘only.’ But having met with the professionals and students from NABA I have seen successful people in corporate America that look like me, talk like me and have the same hair as me.”
NABA and ALPFA in conjunction with the Multicultural Business Association will provide the students of color at VSB with the support and encouragement they need to believe in their abilities and strive for success.
“NABA has given me the confidence to keep striving for success.” Chidinma Chioke ’21 VSB
Clockwise from Top: Chidinma Chioke ’21 VSB, Nasir Dowling ’21 VSB, Mia Bryant ’22 VSB, Jaivian Gaetan ’21 VSB, Franklin Peaker ’22 VSB, Gregory Damas ’21 VSB, Maria Espinoza ’22 VSB
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MISSION SPOTLIGHT
A Toolkit for Positive Impact
Nicole Anderson ’19 came to VSB with a passion for improving lives and left with much more. Before even arriving at Villanova, Nicole Anderson read Mountains Beyond Mountains about Partners in Health founder Dr. Paul Farmer. The story of one man’s mission to bring health care to the world’s poorest regions made Anderson think about how much health care depends on social and economic factors. Before long, she knew business would be her path to making a difference. Anderson chose VSB because it offered the ideal combination of business, social justice and global learning. As a double major in International Business and Management and a Global Leadership Fellow, she focused on world health issues. She spent the summer after her sophomore year in Madagascar visiting remote villages to evaluate community health programs. While poring over cardboard boxes of hospital records, she recognized how the absence of technology made these communities invisible to health policymakers. That inspired her to intern for a data science firm in Sydney, Australia the following year where she completed an international economics thesis on how companies can use big data for humanitarian purposes. This connection between business and social change was the premise of an Inspiring Minds podcast titled “Building Bridges Instead of Silos: How Governments, Businesses and Nonprofits Have Learned to Work Together” in which Anderson interviewed Dr. Jonathan Doh, co-faculty director of the Moran Center for Global Leadership, about the power of cross-sector partnerships. “It’s a good example of where I want to be one day,” Anderson shared. The epilogue to Anderson’s VSB story came just before graduation. Villanova’s Center for Peace and Justice Education selected her for the Justice in Business Award, which recognizes a graduating senior who advances the development of innovative business practices to further social equality in the world.
Carrying Tomorrow After fulfilling the requirements for her double major, Anderson spent part of her senior year participating in the Social Justice Documentary class, which traveled Ethiopia to film a documentary called “Carrying Tomorrow” about the risks for expectant mothers who lack access to safe surgical practices. Learn more at www.carryingtomorrow.com.
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Villanova Business Summer/Fall 2019
“
I came to Villanova with a desire to make a difference and now I have the right tool kit to do just that.” –Nicole Anderson ’19 VSB
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Haley Ryan ’19 VSB and Michelle Maduras ’19 VSB; not pictured: Lisa Fanning ’19 VSB
Becca Gleeson ’20 VSB
Seniors Compete in International Case Competition
Students Attend London School of Economics Conference
Becca Gleeson ’20 VSB Awarded 2019 PHISIM Scholarship
The annual Reckitt Benckiser (RB) Global Challenge is a case competition that invites students to create a new product, product extension or service that ignites social change.
In January, four Villanova students, Tara Carroll, Otto Ebele, Ahan Patel and Michael Visperas, attended the London School of Economics’ Alternative Investments Conference (AIC) in London, England. A studentrun conference, AIC aims to educate the next generation of business leaders and is the world’s largest student conference on hedge funds, private equity and venture capital.
Becca Gleeson ’20 VSB—an Honors student pursuing majors in Management Information Systems and Marketing with a co-major in Business Analytics—was awarded the 2019 PHISIM Award by the Philadelphia Philanthropic Society for Information Management Foundation Inc. This scholarship is given to a rising junior from each school in the Philadelphia area for their dedication and leadership in the field of technology and comes with an invitation to the Philadelphia Technology Leadership Summit.
After the completion of a business simulation game distributed to all competing teams, a team from VSB—comprised of Marketing majors Haley Ryan ’19 VSB, Lisa Fanning ’19 VSB and Michelle Maduras ’19 VSB— was invited to compete at the North American finale at RB’s headquarters in October. At the finale, they were selected to compete in the global finale in London to represent North America. The team was awarded $5,000, traveled expenses-paid to London, and was assigned a VP-level Reckitt Benckiser mentor to help them prepare. During the finale, the students presented their product to Reckitt Benckiser leadership and competed against teams from 18 other finalist countries.
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Otto Ebele ’19 VSB and Tara Carroll ’19 CLAS; not pictured: Ahan Patel ’21 VSB and Michael Visperas ’20 VSB
Villanova Business Summer/Fall 2019
The Villanova Financial Club (VUFC) and Alternative Investment Society helped select students to apply to the program, and the VUFC helped fund the students’ travel costs. John Casey ’87 CLAS, a member of VUFC, helped connect the group to AIC. The conference brought together more than 40 senior-level industry professionals, as well as more than 320 student delegates from across the world. Over the course of the event, students had the opportunity to listen to great speakers, network with peers and business professionals, and have access to recruiting opportunities for undergraduates.
Becca is president of Alpha Phi Omega, the service fraternity on campus, and incoming president of the Management Information Society. She is working as a summer scholar in the Technology Competency group for Deloitte Consulting this summer in Philadelphia and hopes to pursue a career in technology after graduation.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
P&Q 2019
Poets & Quants
Best & Brightest Business Majors
Poets & Quants chose 100 students from around the nation who use their skills to impact business in creative ways and who are poised to be the future leaders of the business world.
Shivani Vora ’19 VSB
Jessica Roberts ’19 VSB
Vora, from Wayne, N.J., is an Economics, International Business and Honors major with a minor in Business Analytics. She was also named a Forbes Under 30 Scholar in her time at Villanova, while having also received Villanova’s Living our Values and Wildcat Awards. She is a Global Leadership fellow, having spent time abroad in Shanghai, China, and at the University of Cambridge. She has also held positions at Web2Asia in Shanghai and at EY in New York City, and is an incoming analyst with Goldman Sachs in its finance division.
Roberts, from Long Island, N.Y., is a Marketing major with a minor in Management & Information Systems. She was actively involved on campus in a variety of roles, including as brand team leader for Villanova Marketing Group, a co-chair of recruitment for the Villanova Service Learning Community, and a local program host for Pennsylvania Special Olympics. She has interned with QVC, Unilever, Johnson & Johnson and the Discovery Channel, and as an advertising sales intern for the Oprah Winfrey Network. She will be working at Johnson & Johnson as a member of its Consumer Customer Development Leadership Program after graduation.
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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Pathways to Belonging
Laurenlee Dominguez ’21 VSB has wasted no time advancing inclusion efforts for Latinx students at Villanova. When Laurenlee Dominguez arrived on campus just two years ago, she saw a need to help Latinx students feel more connected. That led Laurenlee and four other students to reestablish Villanova’s chapter of the Latin American Student Organization (LASO) to give Latinx students a stronger sense of belonging. But that’s not all—Laurenlee also wants to encourage more understanding of the Latinx culture to help open minds, reduce bias and drive change.
Paving the Way
Pursuing Even Bigger Goals
Laurenlee credits this sense of purpose to her upbringing in a strong Puerto Rican/Dominican family in Queens, N.Y. Her parents, who did not attend college, emphasized the importance of education and told Laurenlee that she was paving the way for her family. She chose to attend the Villanova School of Business knowing it would help her to pursue her goals, and perhaps help others too. “Business today still lacks diversity,” explains Laurenlee. “Fortunately, changes are underway and I hope to be a part of that change.”
Laurenlee continually looks to help underrepresented students find their way at Villanova. Apart from LASO, she works in the Center for Access, Success and Achievement (CASA), helping coordinate College Day visits for high school students who are also the first in their families to attend college. She also hopes to mentor an underclassman—ideally a female Latinx VSB student—all while pursuing a triple major in Finance, Accounting, and International Business with a minor in Business Law and Corporate Governance. She even finds time to belong to the nation’s first Latin sorority, Lambda Theta Alpha. It’s a hefty agenda, but then again, Laurenlee has never been afraid to push herself.
When Laurenlee and her friends reinstated LASO, they first focused on bringing together Latinx students of all backgrounds. They hosted Sunday “Family Dinners” complete with music and authentic Latinx food—rice, beans, empanadas, pernil and other favorites. The first one drew over 80 students from across campus. “It can sometimes be a challenge for students of color to make their transition from their typically multicultural environments at home to Villanova,” explained LASO Faculty Advisor Mark Doorley, PhD. “Laurenlee and other LASO leaders realized the importance of food and music to make Latinx students feel welcome.” With Laurenlee as co-chair, LASO grew and the board looked to share the Latinx culture more broadly on campus. In September 2018, LASO hosted the first annual “On My Block Party,” a campus-wide celebration of Latinx culture held during Hispanic/Latinx Heritage month. The event, which featured a Latinx-style barbecue and performances, attracted more than 300 attendees, including University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, ’75 CLAS. “The most heartwarming part came from [Latinx] seniors who said, ‘Finally, I feel like I’m here,’” Laurenlee shared proudly.
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Villanova Business Summer/Fall 2019
WHAT IS LATINX? Latinx (pronounced La-teen-ex) is an emerging term used to eliminate gender distinctions (e.g., Latino and Latina) and encourage more inclusion.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
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Business today still lacks diversity. Fortunately, changes are underway and I hope to be a part of that change.” –Laurenlee Dominguez ’21 VSB
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Mary Kelly, PhD, ’83 VSB
At the core of VSB is a commitment to teaching excellence and Mary Kelly, PhD, ’83 VSB, associate chair of the Economics department is among the best at it. For over 20 years, Dr. Kelly has taught economics in a way that makes current students work hard and leaves a lasting impression on alumni.
It’s little wonder she’s been honored repeatedly: first, in 2013 with the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Award for Outstanding Teaching and again in 2018 with the Gerald A. Dougherty Endowed Faculty Award for Undergraduate Teaching.
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
We spoke with Dr. Kelly about how she came to teaching and what it means to her. Dr. Kelly, you spent 14 years in the telecommunications industry prior to shifting to academia. Why and how did you make the shift? After my second child, Conor, was born, I looked to see what other career paths were possible that would give my life more flexibility. I loved academics; I excelled at it. I reached out to Ed Mathis, chair of the Economics department, and he graciously offered me an opportunity as an adjunct faculty member to see if I liked teaching. I liked it—a lot in fact—but I remained at Verizon while I pursued my PhD, which, during that time, made my life way more complicated. My husband [Robert Kelly ’82 VSB] was great though, taking the kids out of the house on the weekends so I could focus on completing my dissertation. We both knew this complication would help me get where I wanted to be.
What do you enjoy most about your role? The teaching is where I get the most joy. It’s not because I have done it for so long. In fact, every semester, I prepare as though I’m teaching the class for the first time. I’m always looking for new examples and ways that I can make the material more relevant.
Media Savvy In addition to teaching, Dr. Kelly also serves as a media expert on cable, telecommunications and economic matters. Recently she’s commented on internet regulation, media mergers and high-profile acquisitions in U.S. News & World Report, The Hill, The Street, Philadelphia Inquirer and others. “I enjoy speaking to the media. It forces me to stay current so that when I get that call [from a reporter], I’m ready,” shares Dr. Kelly.
What do you think makes for an effective teacher? It starts with bringing in the real world and the application into the conversation. I believe [students] remember the concepts more if they go back and think about how [they’re] applied. Teachers should want students to be successful in the course, but that doesn’t mean lowering the bar. [Students] get more out of a course if they have to work hard to achieve the outcome they want.
What’s on your professional bucket list? I would love to write a book. Last year, I had the opportunity to write a business case on Disney with my oldest daughter who’s getting her MBA at Yale. It reminded me of how much I like to write.
What are your favorite moments from your VSB career so far? First, as a student, my parents are Irish immigrants and from as early as I can remember, my father stressed education. I was the first in my family to go to college. When I won the Bartley Medallion, it was the first time I saw my dad cry. It was the realization that he had passed his values on to this generation. As a teacher at Villanova, I have great memories of sharing ideas with colleagues and seeing former students find success in their careers. I often invite former students and classmates back to speak. A couple of years ago, Dr. [David] Schaffer and I co-led a study abroad program in Italy and two former students, Brendan Cummings [’13 VSB] and Nina Lynn [’13 VSB], came to Rome and talked with students about their experiences working as ex-pats.
“A personal highlight of mine has been seeing my daughter [Siobhan Kelly ’19 VSB] graduate. I absolutely loved having her at VSB. Seeing her in the hallways of Bartley Hall and sharing lots of experiences together was truly special.”
Do you hear from former students? I love emails from former students where they give me an update. Plus, I can reach out to them when I’m trying to help a student who wants to pursue a particular field. What’s great is that Villanovans always take those calls to help students. The power of community is impressive.
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Answering the Call In 2017, Karen Dunn Kelley ’82 VSB left the asset management industry after more than 30 years and several senior leadership roles for a role in public service. Such a significant shift might prove challenging for some, but the deputy secretary of Commerce attributes her success to the values that underpinned her education at Villanova School of Business.
“ VSB taught me when you’re asked to serve, you serve.” –U.S. Deputy Commerce Secretary Karen Dunn Kelley ’82 VSB
Kelley’s success comes from a strong sense of self. As early as age five, Kelley knew she wanted to spend her life working with numbers and gravitated to subjects that today would be considered STEM-related. When it came time for college, she looked no further than VSB, knowing from her father, William Thomas Dunn ’55 VSB, and her sister, Janine Dunn Wade ’81 VSB, that an education grounded in the Augustinian commitment to truth, community and love would take her far. In fact, it took her very far. After starting her career in fixed income investing at Drexel Burnham Lambert, Kelley joined AIM Investments in 1989 as a portfolio manager and subsequently assumed a series of leadership roles. When Invesco merged with AIM in 1997, she remained a senior leader and CEO of Global Fixed Income. She later served as senior managing director of Global Investments with responsibility for overseeing Invesco’s Global Core Equity, Quantitative Strategies, Asset Allocation and Solutions teams, and also held several board positions. “When I entered asset management, everything was new. … I had to navigate the development of everything from the mobile phone to the internet, not to mention a more global marketplace. Villanova taught me how to adapt … and succeed in any business environment,” the deputy secretary shared. Kelley joined the U.S. Department of Commerce in 2017 as the undersecretary of Economic Affairs and later that year, she was appointed as the deputy secretary of Commerce. “I am proud of the small role I play in serving alongside my colleagues to carry out the Department’s mission to create the conditions of economic growth and opportunity.” Today she believes ardently in her purpose in the Commerce Department, which includes overseeing job creation, trade enforcement, weather prediction and research for cutting-edge technologies, among other things.
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Villanova Business Summer/Fall 2019
Right now, the 2020 Decennial Census is among the deputy secretary’s top priorities to ensure the data reflects those hard-tocount individuals who are most in need of assistance. “Young children, aged 0 to 5, are one of the most undercounted populations in the United States, which is a critical area in need of fixing,” the deputy secretary explained.
“
By working to ensure that we count the most vulnerable among us, we are protecting access to resources the next generation needs to succeed.”
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
On the Right Track Jermaine Deans ’99 VSB, ’01 MBA arrived at Villanova with one piece of luggage. He had been recruited from Jamaica to attend Villanova on a track and field scholarship. “I didn’t have much. Villanova was a brand new start for me and I was basically at ground zero,” explained Deans. Deans left Villanova with the skills and network to build the foundation for his success. He stated, “Villanova was completely life-changing for me. Anyone in Jamaica who knows me knows that I speak of Villanova on a daily basis.” He earned his undergraduate degree in Finance followed by an MBA in Finance with a concentration in Investment Management. After completing his MBA and facing a challenging job market, Deans was visiting family in Jamaica when he was offered a position with Central Bank of Jamaica. Although he had not intended to stay in Jamaica, he accepted the opportunity and has continued a successful career there that he considers a blessing. Deans’ experience includes various roles in global financial markets, monetary and fiscal policies, research, and treasury management. He currently serves as deputy general manager of JN Fund Managers Limited, where he is responsible for investment banking, origination and capital markets, and also leads the sales team. He serves as a director for Catherine’s Peak Bottling Company Limited, a manufacturer of spring water from the Blue Mountains of Jamaica, and as a director for Spike Industries Limited, a juice company. He is a past member of the Banker’s Sub-committee of the Jamaica Bankers Association and has also been a lecturer of portfolio management and financial markets.
Deans is humble about his own achievements but is quick to credit several members of the Villanova community who were a critical part of his success. These include Associate Dean Melinda German; his track and field coaches, John Marshall ’85 VSB, Anthony Williams, and Marcus O’Sullivan ’84 VSB, ’89 MBA; the late Rev. Ray Jackson, OSA; and Linda Coleman ’78 VSB, director, Center for Access, Success and Achievement, who was a constant source of support. Coleman remains a mentor to Deans to this day. Deans credits former University Vice President Helen Lafferty, PhD, for helping him navigate undergraduate life and the transition into graduate school: “Her door was always open to me and I am forever indebted to her.” With his daughter, Jeneille ’22 CLAS, now a sophomore, Deans is looking forward to having an excuse to visit campus often over the next several years.
Deans had a successful track and field career at Villanova. He was a Big East Champion in the long jump and triple jump and in 1998 he earned the Big East Outstanding Field Performer Award. Deans still holds the school record in the long jump at
7.88 METERS
DEAN’S ADVISORY COUNCIL
VSB Dean’s Advisory Council (DAC) The DAC provides advice and guidance to the dean of the Villanova School of Business on important strategic initiatives under consideration at the school. Josef “Joe” Allen ’89 VSB
Kevin Felix P ’20
Michael “Mike” Petrane ’93 VSB
General Manager, US Global Operations Center GE
President and CEO Scotia Capital USA Inc., Scotiabank
Partner, Assurance Services EY
Robert “Rob” Arning P ’17
Christopher Gheysens ’93 VSB; Chair
Karin A. Risi ’94 VSB, ’99 MBA
President and CEO Wawa, Inc.
Managing Director, Head Retail Investor Group The Vanguard Group, Inc.
Vice Chair, Market Development KPMG LLP
Madeleine Barber Esq. ’85 VSB, ’88 CWSL, ’92 CWSL Senior Vice President and Chief Tax Officer CBRE
Jennifer Barbetta ’95 VSB Chief Operating Officer and Senior Managing Director Starwood Capital Group
Kenneth “Ken” Bodmer ’87 VSB Vice President, Trade Analytics CVS Health
Peter Cieszko ’82 VSB, P ’20 Chief Client Officer – Americas American Century Investments
Stephen “Steve” DeAngelis ’88 VSB Executive VP and Head of Distribution FS Investment Solutions
Joseph V. “Joe” Del Raso, Esq. ’74 VSB, ’83 CWSL Partner Pepper Hamilton LLP
Justin DiGaetano ’02 VSB Founding Partner and Principal Fidato Partners
Christine Dorfler ’97 VSB CFO NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations
Charles P. Dougherty ’93 MBA President and Chief Executive Officer Hardinge Inc.
Kevin J. Dunphy ’82 VSB Managing Director, Head of Public Finance Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ. Ltd
Michele Etzel ’87 VSB CFO and Executive Vice President National Graphics, Inc.
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Villanova Business Summer/Fall 2019
Lisa M. Gray ’86 VSB Co-Founder and Managing Partner Phoenix IP Ventures
Peter J. Hofbauer ’84 VSB
Kenneth M. “Ken” Roessler ’84 VSB President and Chief Executive Officer BWAY Corporation
Chief Operating Officer Concord International Investments Group
Joyce E. A. Russell, PhD
Martin “Marty” Hughes ’79 VSB
Michael P. “Mike” Russomano Jr. ’79 VSB
Retired CEO and Director Redwood Trust
Clare P. Kelly ’97 VSB, ’08 EMBA Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer Atairos
Peter Knobloch ’75 VSB Retired Chief Investment Officer Assembly
John David Leahy ’75 VSB President, Retired KIND Healthy Snacks
Bill R. McDermott Chief Executive Officer SAP SE
Michael “Mike” McLaughlin ’88 VSB US Country Head and Head of Credit Markets Macquarie Group Limited
Robert A. “Bob” McMahon ’79 VSB President, US Markets Merck & Co., Inc.
Robert J. “Rob” McNeill Jr. ’88 VSB Managing Partner, Greater Philadelphia Deloitte
Christopher E. Morris ’84 VSB Managing Director, Vice Chairman and Head of Consumer Investments Wells Fargo & Company
Francis I. “Frank” Perier Jr. ’81 VSB Retired EVP Finance and CFO Forest Laboratories, Inc.
The Helen and William O’Toole Dean Villanova School of Business
Retired President and Chief Executive Officer, Global Business Head – Wyeth Nutrition Nestlé S.A.
Christopher G. “Chris” Ryan ’83 EG President, Americas; Pharmaceutical Packaging Systems West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.
John Samuel Shamsey ’91 VSB Principal and Managing Director Navience Healthcare Solutions
William M. “Bill” Shockley ’83 VSB, P ’14, ’16 Partner Tinicum Capital Partners
Celestine “Tina” Simmons ’89 VSB Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Central Division Comcast Corporation
Stephen “Steve” Spaeder ’88 VSB, ’92 MBA SVP, Acquisitions and Development Equus Capital Partners, Ltd.
Lorraine “Lori” Waldron Esq. ’90 VSB, ’93 CWSL, ’93 MBA Partner Sills Cummis & Gross P.C.
Valerie Wieman ’92 VSB Assurance Partner PwC
Susan Wolford ’77 CLAS Managing Director, Group Head of the Business Services and Media Group BMO Capital Markets Corp.
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