ɫ����̳

Anthony Autiello ’74
President & CEO, A. Autiello Construction Co., Inc.  

Anthony is the president of the A. Autiello Construction Co., a commercial building firm located in Rhode Island. He has over fifty years of commercial building experience. He is a trustee of St. Eugene’s Catholic Church and Board member of the Alpine Country Club. He previously served as a member of the Foster Glocester School Committee, Glocester School Committee, Board member of Wellone Community Health Centers, President of Glocester Country Club, and Member of the Smithfield and Glocester Planning Boards. 

He is a 1974 graduate of ɫ����̳ with a BS in Civil Engineering with a minor in Construction Technology and has previously served as a member of the RWU Construction Management Advisory Board (CMPAB).

Spring Beasley P’26
Senior Director, BCA Airplane Level Engineering Integration, Boeing

Bio coming soon!

Kyle Casserino ’13
Vice President and Charitable Planning Consultant, Fidelity Charitable  

Kyle Casserino is a vice president and charitable planning consultant at Fidelity Charitable®, an independent 501(c)(3) public charity that has helped donors support more than 406,000 nonprofit organizations with nearly $84.5 billion in grants. The mission of Fidelity Charitable® is to grow the American tradition of philanthropy by providing programs that make charitable giving accessible, simple, and effective.

Kyle joined Fidelity Charitable in 2013. In his current role, he serves as a premier charitable planning resource to advisors and their clients in New England (MA, ME, NH, RI, and VT). He educates advisors on current charitable planning trends and strategies, along with leveraging the benefits of Fidelity Charitable’s donor-advised fund program, to help philanthropic clients give more to the charities they support.

Previously, Kyle provided charitable planning support for Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Hawaii. He was also a charitable planning associate in the Northwest region, where he worked with advisors to enhance their understanding of Fidelity Charitable’s donor-advised fund program and discuss ways to incorporate charitable giving into clients' overall financial and wealth management plans.

Kyle is currently a Board member for ɫ����̳ and the Junior Achievement of Los Angeles organization. In addition, he has spoken at a variety of national conferences for the Hawaii Tax Institute, Wells Fargo FiNet, UBS Multigen, and the Estate Planning Council. Kyle has a Bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from ɫ����̳.
 

Victor Chigas P'26
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Access Financial Group

Barrett W. Costello ’99
Financial Advisor, Civale & Associates

With over 20 years of financial services experience, Barrett has spent much of his career customizing financial solutions to the needs of his clients which includes Financial Advisors, Institutions, and now mass affluent and high net worth individuals. Barrett’s team operates as a Private Wealth Advisory Practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. In addition to building his business by referral, Barrett has built a large part of his business through the acquisition of financial planning practices from retiring baby boomers who are looking for a succession plan for their valued clients.

After graduating from ɫ����̳ in 1999 with a B.S. Business Management with a concentration in Finance, Barrett went to work at Fidelity Investments which served as the foundation for his career.  Over much of his career Barrett was responsible for the distribution of investment solutions through intermediaries in key markets such as California and New England. Starting his career at Fidelity Investments, Barrett then went to FBR Funds which got acquired by Hennessy Funds then Neuberger Berman where he was responsible for distribution of all investment solutions including Private Equity offerings in New England. In 2017, Barrett decided to go into private practice, where he enjoys working with the mass affluent and high net worth individuals and families on retirement income strategies, inter-generational wealth transfer strategies and other financial strategies to accomplish what is most import to them.

Barrett served on the Financial Planning Association of Massachusetts (FPA) Board of Directors from January 2013-2015 as Public Relations Director. As PR Chair his role was to help guide policy and direction for the 900-member association that seeks to foster the value of financial planning and advance the profession within Massachusetts.  In 2013, the FPA of MA PR Committee was recognized by the National Financial Planning Association with an Outstanding Achievement Award for the Public Relations Advances under his Leadership. Barrett currently serves on the Board of Directors for Taunton Kiwanis.

Gordon S. (Chip) Craig III ’94, P’26
President & CEO, Sterngold Dental  

Gordon has over twenty-eight years of professional business development, sales, marketing, and corporate communications experience and is the President & CEO of Sterngold Dental, LLC located in Attleboro, MA. Gordon has an extensive affiliation with Sterngold Dental as an independent company and as a subsidiary, with a brief start as a Marketing Analyst for a wire and cable products manufacturer. At Cookson America, he first assumed a Corporate Communications and Public Relations Manager role. Over the years, he steadily worked his way to Director of Marketing and eBusiness, where he successfully launched a fully integrated ebusiness platform for the company. Before assuming the chief executive role, Gordon was Vice President & General Manager of Sterngold Dental. 

Under Gordon's leadership, Sterngold Dental has expanded beyond alloys, strengthened its position in restorative supplies and equipment, reinforced the implants and attachments product line, gained a major foothold in the mini-implant category with MOR®, and ventured into digital dentistry. Today, Sterngold has a formidable solution set of restorative supplies, implants, attachments, and digital product offerings. With Vision 2025, a program outlining a 5year progression plan, he has created a blueprint to achieve a sustainable, realistic, year-on-year growth target. 

Gordon holds an MBA from the University of Rhode Island and a bachelor's degree in Corporate Communications and Marketing from ɫ����̳. Gordon and his wife Kristen met while attending Roger Williams. They have two daughters and son and live in Tiverton, Rhode Island. Their son Matt started at Roger Williams as a first-year student in the Fall of 2022.

George (Rick) Daubenspeck ’85, P’17
Managing Director Fixed Assets, BDO  

Rick is a Managing Director in the Phoenix office of BDO, leading the Valuation & Business Analytics Fixed Assets practice. He has almost 30 years of experience developing valuation opinions regarding machinery and equipment pertaining to a broad range of financial transactions, including leasing structuring and dispositions, mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcies, expert witness, and ASC impairment reviews.

Rick has significant experience providing valuation services globally for asset groups across numerous industries, including manufacturing, telecommunications, transportation, medical and surgical, gaming and entertainment, energy generation and distribution, wastewater and freshwater systems, automated ticketing, and signaling and toll systems. He also had extensive knowledgeable in the renewable energy sector, specifically solar energy, and he has performed inspections and appraisals for a variety of assets throughout the United States, as well as in Mexico, Hong Kong, England, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, France, Austria, Sweden, and the Netherlands. He has presented on numerous occasions at the Equipment Lease Finance Association Equipment Management Conference, as well as at the National Conference of the American Society of Appraisers. In addition, he has published numerous articles on the topic of equipment valuation in The Monitor. He has also authored articles on the topics of solar energy and the financing of solar collection installations and been published in the Second Edition of What’s it Worth: Valuing Oil, Gas, and Alternative Energy Assets.

Rick obtained his Senior Appraiser designation in Machinery & Equipment from the American Society of Appraisers and has provided legal testimony in support of the valuation work he has performed. Rick holds an MBA in International Business from Sacred Heart University and a bachelor's degree in Marketing from ɫ����̳.

Brad Dean ’73
Chairman & CEO, Dean Warehouse Services  

Brad Dean, now Chairman, had served as CEO of Dean Warehouse since its founding in 1980. Founded in 1980 by Bradford A. Dean, the Cumberland based logistics company has grown in size and is now among the largest privately held warehouse, distribution, and fulfillment providers in New England. Dean Warehouse Services Inc. has several warehouses in Rhode Island along with locations in Atlanta and near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, for a combined total of more than 2 million square feet of space. 

Brad has spent his entire career in warehousing, logistics, transportation, and supply chain management. For 30 years, he has built the organization to be one of the most innovative supply chain management firms. And, he has created one of the industry’s strongest management teams that include a dozen top regional professionals. He is the supporter of numerous philanthropic initiatives in Northern Rhode Island and serves on a variety of business and community boards.

Candace I. Domos ‘80
Finance and Operations Manager, Massachusetts Association of Conversation Commissions

Candace (Tellier) Domos graduated RWU in 1980 with both a BA and AS degree in Business Administration.  She continued her education at Suffolk University receiving her MBA in Finance and Investment Analysis.   

Over the years, Candace worked in Commercial lending as a financial analysis and as Treasurer on Boards of many nonprofits.  She currently works for the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions where she has held the title of Finance and Operations Manager for the past 20 years. 

Growing up in a family of business and real estate owners, Candace has gained vast work experience.  She owns and manages The Tellier Domos Family LLC and Tellier Realty Trust, which own commercial and residential properties located in Boston, Cape Cod and Florida.

Candace has been married to Robert Domos for 35 years and has two sons, Brendan and Christian.  She enjoys spending her time on the water with family and friends.

Brian Eakes P’26
Executive Vice President, Head of Global Finance, Franklin Templeton

Brian M. Eakes is Executive Vice President and Head of Global Finance at Franklin Templeton, a global asset management firm with annual revenues of approximately $8 billion and approximately $1.6 trillion of client assets under management. In that capacity, he is responsible for global accounting, tax, and financial planning and analysis, along with Board and senior management reporting, business decision support, investment performance, and AUM reporting.

Mr. Eakes has 30 years of experience in the investment management industry. Prior to joining Franklin Templeton, Mr. Eakes was Senior Managing Director, Senior Vice President of Global Finance at Legg Mason, Inc., where he was responsible for Legg Mason’s global Finance function. While at Legg Mason, Mr. Eakes held various positions, including Corporate Controller, Chief Financial Officer – Americas, Director of Management Reporting and Analysis, and Controller of Legg Mason’s Asset Management segment. Mr. Eakes began his career with Coopers & Lybrand LLP, with a focus on the financial services industry.

Mr. Eakes is a member of the Board of Directors of Maryland Family Network, Baltimore Center Stage, Community College of Baltimore County, and the Education Foundation of Christopher Newport University. He is a graduate of the Greater Baltimore Committee Leadership Program.

Mr. Eakes is a graduate of Christopher Newport University and received his Master's in Business Administration with Honors from Loyola University in Maryland.

Brian and his wife, Denise, have five children and live in Howard County, Maryland.

Kelsey B. (Shakin) Eger '19
Senior Operations Manager, Mantel Capture

Kelsey is currently the Senior Operations Manager at Mantel Capture, a carbon capture start-up based out of Cambridge, MA. Mantel is pioneering a new class of high-temperature carbon capture technology using molten borates. Mantel’s molten borate technology allows for efficient energy recovery through steam production, making it a good fit for any industrial site utilizing steam or heat. The company is currently demonstrating this breakthrough technology in its 2,000 tpa project in Quebec, proving its commercial viability and setting the foundation for broader deployment. Kelsey started her career at an early-stage startup that was pushing the Boston ecosystem to a waste free future. She then worked in corporate development at MassChallenge, assisting with large corporate partnerships. Prior to joining Mantel, Kelsey worked for a NYC-based Venture Capital firm in platform operations. There she was responsible for building out the client relationship tools and document tracking database. Kelsey has over five years of experience in operations and project management, along with a deep understanding of customer relationship tools.

Kelsey graduated from Roger Williams in 2019 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Marine Biology and minor in Public Health. During her time at RWU, she was captain of the varsity sailing team and on the biology honors society. Kelsey is a former Director-at-Large at Stage of the Harbor Yacht Club in Chatham, MA. She is still an avid sailor and competes with her team at Corinthian Yacht Club up in Marblehead, MA.
 

Cynthia Elder ’87
Executive Director, Barrington Land Conservation Trust

Cynthia “Cindy” Elder ’87 serves as Executive Director of the Barrington Land Conservation Trust and is author of the "Tales of the Sea" historical fiction series. Her two novels, "The Journey Begins" and "The Drumbeats of War" were published in 2025 by Holand Press. Cindy has devoted most of her career to service in nonprofit organizations, including roles as executive director of Coggeshall Farm Museum and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Rhode Island. She also served as Director of Communications for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and Hospice of Central Florida. Earlier in her career, she worked as a newspaper, radio and television reporter. While at Roger Williams, Cindy completed a double major in Career Writing and Creative Writing, which she credits for her ability to succeed in a variety of communications positions. She also earned a master of public affairs degree from Brown University in 2014. Cindy is also a published poet.

Charles Floyd ’14
Founder & Owner, Cornerstone Building Facilitators

Charles Floyd is a 2014 graduate of the SEECM, construction management program at Roger Williams. Currently residing in Boston, Charles is the founder and owner of Cornerstone Building Facilitators, a construction consulting business.  Cornerstone Building Facilitators is a construction consulting firm that simplifies the building process for commercial and residential clients through expert owner representation and end-to-end project advocacy. As an alum he has continued his support for Roger Williams by keeping up with the Construction Management Program and actively participating in the Construction Management Professional Advisory Board.

Michael Friedman ’11
Executive Director, Debt Capital Markets, J.P. Morgan Chase Asset Management 

Michael is a lead transaction manager within the Real Estate Americas (REA) Debt Capital Markets Group at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. In this role, he is responsible for sourcing and managing the borrowings of all commingled funds and separate account clients advised by REA. Michael rejoined the J.P. Morgan institution in 2022 after spending three years in the Real Estate Banking Group (REB) between 2015 and 2018, where he underwrote balance sheet lending opportunities and managed a robust portfolio of existing positions. He spent almost four years at Barclays from 2018 to 2022, focusing on large loan CMBS and balance sheet underwriting and origination. Michael started his career as an underwriter at Arbor Commercial Mortgage in 2012 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from ɫ����̳.

Eric Gheewalla P’27
Orthodontist and Owner, Medford Center for Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry

Eric Gheewalla is an orthodontist in the Greater Boston area. With practices in Medford, Chestnut Hill, and Townsend, MA; his practices treat patients of all ages. He is a former instructor at Tufts University School of Dental medicine as well as a past international lecturer and orthodontic industry consultant. He has an extensive amount of volunteer experiences with organizations such as Tufts University alumni association (several committees), Tufts President Council, Rotary Club of Medford, Massachusetts Dental Society and F.A.R.E. He earned a Bachelor of Science, Doctor of Dental Medicine and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Standing in Orthodontics from Tufts University. He resides with his wife, Kathy in Winchester, MA.

Bob Harmon ’84 P’28
National Account Manager, Waste Management

Bio coming soon!

Adam Harz ’22
Private Wealth Advisor, IronBridge Wealth Counsel

Adam Harz is a distinguished alumnus of ɫ����̳, where he earned his degree. During his time there, he was a four-year student athlete on the university's baseball team, where he honed his skills as a pitcher. Today, Adam is a valued member of IronBridge Wealth Counsel, a national ensemble firm comprising of financial planning specialists from across the country.

Currently, Adam resides in Austin, Texas, where he serves on the board of directors for the Financial Planning Association of Austin, an organization dedicated to providing financial planning education, networking opportunities, and advocacy to its members.

Given his deep connection to Roger Williams, Adam is thrilled at the prospect of giving back to his alma mater through his appointment to the board. He looks forward to leveraging his experience and expertise to support the university's mission and enhance its standing in the community.

Vin Helfrich ’82
President, Helfrich Brothers Boiler Works  

Vin Helfrich is the current President of Helfrich Brothers Boiler Works in Lawrence, MA. Founded in 1948 by Vin’s father and uncle, Helfrich Brothers is one of the only companies in the commercial boiler industry that can fully meet fabrication and field service needs, providing construction services, ASME pressure vessel and code tank fabrication, machining, and boiler parts of all types.

While attending high school, Vin learned how to fly at the local airport and worked part time doing sightseeing flights and every summer worked full time at the Boiler Works. As a student at Roger Williams, he worked part time for Atlas Boiler Works in East Providence and for Manney’s Welding in Warwick. Vin also worked part time flying freight out of Boston on the weekends. After graduation in 1982 he went to work full time at Helfrich Brothers. At that time, the company had four employees and did industrial boiler service work in the local area.  

In the years since, Helfrich Brothers has expanded and now services the power industry throughout the country, manufacturing ASME pressure vessels and power boiler parts that are shipped all over the world. Currently Helfrich Brothers employs over 600 Engineers, Draftsmen, Machinists, Welders, and Boilermakers at its manufacturing facility in Lawrence Massachusetts and at its field sights across the country.

Vin and his siblings became the first generation in their family to attend college; and as first-generation Americans his parents’ proudest moments where when their children graduated from college. This was their American dream, and they were never prouder than the day he received his diploma from Roger Williams. 

George Hemond ’72
Consultant

George Hemond is a management consultant and independent contractor specializing in financial and operations management for small businesses and non-profits. He retired from FM Global in 2007 as Assistant Vice President Staff Underwriting after a successful 33-year career with the company and its predecessors.

Hemond served on the RWU Student Senate as an undergraduate and later on the Alumni Board. He also was an organizer and first Chairman of the School of Engineering’s Professional Advisory Board from 2008 to 2020. In 2002, George and his late brother Albert ’70 established the Hemond Brothers Scholarship to support engineering students from Rhode Island.

George’s professional background includes experience as a project engineer, resident engineering representative, property loss adjuster, and regional claims manager (New England and Canada.) He also worked as the staff liaison to FM Global’s Western and International Divisions. After retiring he was a member of the RI Chapter of SCORE serving as Chairman until relocating to Corpus Christi, TX in 2018.

Hemond was a member of the Institute of Industrial Engineers, certified instructor of Risk Management and Property Casualty insurance law, and a registered Property Casualty Adjuster and Marine Surveyor. His other professional memberships included the New England Claims Executives Association, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, and the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors.

He graduated with honors from ɫ����̳ with a Bachelor’s of Science in Industrial Engineering and earned an MBA with high honors from Norwich University. George is a Navy veteran and Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Vietnam Veterans Association. He and his wife have three children, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Emily Herman P’28
Owner, Annapolis Rigging

Bio coming soon!

Katherine L. Ilaria ’11
Head of Industry, Google

Katie Ilaria is responsible for overseeing Google's solutions and strategies for luxury and off-price retailers. Her team works to identify industry trends and challenges and develop tailored advertising and technology solutions to address them. Before that, she led consumer insights and strategy for the retail industry. Previously she held various leadership roles with General Electric across growth marketing, content and digital business strategy. She holds a B.A. in Communications from ɫ����̳, and lives in New York with her husband Max, who is also a RWU graduate.

Mehdi Khosrovani ’80
Founder & President, n|e|m|d Architects, Inc.

Mehdi Khosrovani, RE, AIA is the President and founder of n|e|m|d architects, inc, which was established in 1993. For three decades, he has orchestrated all aspects of architectural design and construction in the healthcare industry, including master planning, project programming, design, construction documentation, and construction administration. Mr. Khosrovani has practiced architecture and been involved in construction since 1980 with prior experience encompassing employment at some of the leading healthcare facilities in the region. He leads the firm in its unique specialization and has successfully completed an extensive range of state-of-the-art projects. The scope of which includes new construction and extensive renovation in all aspects of the healthcare industry, such as operating rooms, imaging facilities, laboratories, nursing units, elderly care, mental health, medical office buildings, and research facilities.

Mr. Khosrovani is a member of Bradley Hospital’s board of trustees and also a member of the Boys and Girls Club of Providence Board of Governor and the Vice President of Philanthropy.

Lucas Laager '23

A history major with a minor in psychology, Lucas is a member of Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society and Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology. During his time at RWU Lucas participated in projects focusing on local history, including an independent study researching free and enslaved people of color in Barrington, RI. Feeling that Roger Williams provided an excellent environment for him to learn and grow, Lucas is excited to participate in the school’s development.

Sarah Mamula ‘12
Head of Government Affairs
Financial Technology Association

Sarah Mamula serves as Head of Government Affairs for Financial Technology Association (FTA), leading the organization’s legislative advocacy efforts. Prior to joining FTA, Sarah served as Vice President of Government Affairs at the Bank Policy Institute (BPI), where she engaged Congress on a diverse set of policy issues impacting the banking sector, including cybersecurity, digital assets, prudential regulation, data privacy and fintech-related issues. She previously served BPI as chief of staff, where she aided in operationalizing leadership directives to maximize advocacy efforts. 

Before her work in the financial services industry, Sarah served as Senior Director for the Global Women’s Innovation Network, a DC-based nonprofit organization and network of leaders in government, business, and academia working in innovation-driven fields. There, Sarah managed all internal and external operations—from fundraising to event conceptualization and execution of local, national and international programming. 

Sarah received an M.A. in international affairs from the George Washington University and completed her undergraduate work at ɫ����̳, receiving a B.A. in media communications and political science.

Elizabeth McGraw ’10
Ex. Assistant to the President, Radius Financial Group  

Elizabeth McGraw is currently a Peer Recovery Coach at WellStrong, a fitness and wellness community in Cape Cod that supports individuals in recovery from substance use disorders. In her role, she provides guidance and encouragement to people navigating the path of recovery, drawing from both professional experience and personal empathy.

Before joining WellStrong, Elizabeth held roles at several organizations, including Radius Financial Group, HarbourVest Partners, Saturn and Crescent Capital, and Ormonde Productions, where she gained experience in finance, operations, and event production.

She resides in Marstons Mills, MA, with her daughter Izabella and son Joseph. Outside of work, Elizabeth is an active supporter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and enjoys yoga, meditation, and spending quality time with her family on Cape Cod.

Elizabeth earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a minor in Marketing from ɫ����̳ in 2010.

Patrick J. Milner ‘06
Partner 
Garage Management Company / The Chapman Group

After graduating from ɫ����̳ in 2006 with a BS in Finance, Patrick started working at Garage Management Company (GMC.) The 100-year-old, New York City-based company operates over 65 valet parking garages throughout Manhattan. During his initial years at GMC, Patrick spent evenings earning an MBA at Fordham University in Lincoln Center. He has since become a partner at GMC and its affiliate, the Chapman Group.

The Chapman Group maintains a diverse portfolio of real estate, hospitality, and other investments. Patrick is primarily focused on repositioning freestanding garage buildings for other uses. Throughout his tenure, he has successfully negotiated long-term ground leases for the conversion of properties to medical, public and private educational facilities, and hotels. Patrick has led the company in seeking discretionary approvals from landmark preservation and other New York City agencies, such as the Department of City Planning, for the purpose of re-zoning to allow for mixed-use development. He invests in and oversees a diverse portfolio of passive real estate investments throughout the United States, which primarily consist of garden-style apartment complexes, but also include medical offices and industrial properties.

In the hospitality sector, Patrick is involved in the active management of multiple restaurants, most notably the Red Rooster Harlem and the Blue Parrot in East Hampton, NY, where Patrick is actively collaborating to launch a canned cocktail.

He also serves as a trustee in the family office and manages treasury functions, financial assets, and alternative investments. These investments are in various businesses including a materials company and a debt platform focused on C-PACE financing.

Sarah Moore ’05
Chief Marketing Officer, Cracker Barrel

Sarah Moore’05 is a Cannes Lion award-winning marketer with nearly 20 years of experience building and transforming brands, crafting innovative marketing solutions, and fostering customer loyalty through best in-class campaigns, immersive experiences, and meaningful storytelling. She currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer for Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®, where she is leading the evolution of a beloved American brand, blending its rich heritage with forward-thinking strategies to delight guests and drive business growth.

Prior to joining Cracker Barrel, Sarah spent over 17 years at MGM Resorts International, most recently as Senior Vice President of Marketing. During her tenure, she led the global marketing strategy for an expansive portfolio of iconic hospitality and entertainment brands, including Bellagio, ARIA, and MGM Grand. Under her leadership, MGM Resorts achieved record-breaking brand awareness and revenue growth. Sarah’s team launched over 250 campaigns annually, most notably the Cannes award-winning Bellagio “This is the Life” campaign, The MGM Collection with Marriott Bonvoy launch and the Emmy winning "Jungle of Dreams" content series in collaboration with Cirque du Soleil.

Sarah also oversaw marketing strategies for high-profile events like Formula 1's Las Vegas debut, where MGM’s “Shoey Bar” captured global attention, and Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, where the MGM brands dominated share-of-voice Her ability to develop creative, yet results-driven strategies cemented MGM Resorts as a leader in the gaming and entertainment space.

Earlier in her career, Sarah contributed to MGM’s expansion and development efforts, including the successful openings of MGM National Harbor and MGM Springfield. At both properties, she oversaw the development of the market positioning, omni-channel marketing strategy, retail development & operations as well as having established first-to-market and industry brand partnerships such as SJP Collection by Sarah Jessica Parker (first in the world), Wahlburgers and Indian Motorcycle.

A Rhode Island native, Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from ɫ����̳, where she was twice named Outstanding Woman on Campus. She is a Governor-appointed Kentucky Colonel and has served on numerous boards, with a focus on arts and culture and animal welfare. She is also a proud and active military spouse, bringing a deep sense of community and service to all that she does.

Sarah’s personal life is as dynamic as her professional career. She splits her time between Nashville, Tennessee, and Boston, Massachusetts, with her husband, two daughters, and two dogs. Whether leading her team to marketing excellence, cheering on her daughters’ accomplishments, or savoring Cracker Barrel’s signature biscuits, Sarah is driven by a passion for connection, creativity, and purpose.

Lisa Morrison GP’28
Principal, The Newport Group

With a distinguished career in luxury real estate spanning Connecticut and Rhode Island since 1987, Lisa brings unmatched expertise and leadership to every transaction. Her extensive experience includes serving as Real Estate Manager and Regional Vice President for a major real estate firm, where she oversaw eight offices and 120 agents. Her background in mergers, acquisitions, and real estate investments has positioned her as a true leader in the industry.

As the founder of The Newport Group at Coldwell Banker, Lisa combines entrepreneurial spirit with market insight to deliver exceptional results for her clients. Her entrepreneurial ventures extend beyond real estate; she previously owned and operated three successful retail stores in Connecticut.

Lisa is equally passionate about her community. A dedicated philanthropist, she has served in leadership roles for several local organizations, including President, President Emeritus, and Executive Member at Large of the Rose Island Lighthouse and Fort Hamilton Trust. She currently serves as Chairperson of the Parish Council and a member of the Finance Committee at St. Mary’s Church in Newport. Lisa also contributes her expertise to the advisory council of Team Fame at the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

A proud grandparent of a ɫ����̳ student enrolled in the five-year business program, Lisa’s commitment to service, education, and community engagement is evident in everything she does. Whether in real estate or community outreach, Lisa continues to make a meaningful and lasting impact.

Tom Olsen ’11
President and CEO of Plymouth Savings Bank (Retired) 

Tom Olsen retired as President and CEO of Plymouth Savings Bank in 2005. Prior to retirement he was President and Chairman for approximately 20 years. During his later tenure at the bank merged with Eastern Bank Corp where he served as Vice Chairman for 7 years. Mr. Olsen has served on numerous boards and has done a considerable amount of non-profit work including serving on the board for Cape Code Health Care, which is the Cape Cod Hospital and its various subsidiaries.

John Puniello ’97
President, Arden Engineering Constructors, LLC  

For more than 30 years, John Puniello has played an integral part in the success of Arden Engineering Constructors, from his initial position as a project engineer to his current role as company President. In addition to overseeing day to day operations, internally and in the field, he supports several divisions covering project management for mechanical, fire protection, and electrical construction, building automation, as well as the service/maintenance and traffic divisions. John also has a passion for training and education. He is an instructor for the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) Institute for Project Management along with being a Cochair for the UA Local 51 Apprenticeship Committee. He also has been on the Roger Williams Construction Management Professional Advisory Board (CMPAB) for over 10 years and recently concluded a term as the Chair of that board.

James Reardon, CISSP ’13
Principal Solutions Architect, Expel

James Reardon is a 2013 graduate of Roger Williams with a Bachelor of Science in Forensics, Networking and Security. Today, Jay is a Principal Solutions Architect at Expel, a leading managed detection and response (MDR) provider headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. In his role, Jay partners closely with executive, security, and IT teams to design and implement scalable cyber detection and response strategies tailored to each organization’s unique environment.

Jay’s technical expertise and business insight which started at Roger Williams has continued to develop and keep up to date with the ever-evolving cybersecurity industry. The RWU NETSEC curriculum gave him the start to help launch his security certifications in which he’s added to as the years go on. He brings deep expertise in security operations, architecture, risk management, asset security and more.

Michael A. Reuter ’03
Physician, Medical Associates of Rhode Island

Michael A. Reuter, DPM, FACFAS, is a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon and partner at Medical Associates of Rhode Island and attending surgeon and instructor in the podiatric residency program at Rhode Island Hospital, The Miriam Hospital and Roger Williams Medical Center.

His primary research and clinical focuses are in the areas of wound care and diabetic limb salvage, foot and ankle reconstructive surgery, and non-surgical approaches to sports medicine injuries of the foot ankle.

Dr. Reuter was named The Miriam Hospital’s Physician of the Year in 2019. He was also named a Future Star by Podiatry Management magazine in 2018. He is board certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery, and a fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), and Rhode Island chapter of APMA, where he is a past president. 

A Biology major at ɫ����̳, he went on to earn a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from New York College of Podiatric Medicine. He completed his podiatric medicine and surgery residency at Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence Rhode Island, where he was chief resident. 

Dr. Reuter sits on the board of the Hattie Ide Chaffee Home and consults for several medical device manufacturers and health organizations.

Outside of work, Dr. Reuter enjoys sailing and boating. He is a member of the advisory board of Sail Newport and an active board member of the Barrington Yacht Club where is the current Rear Commodore. He enjoys spending time with his wife and teenage children both on the water and skiing.

Adam Risman ’16
Commercial Risk Advisor | Licensed Broker, Risman Insurance Agency, Inc. 

Adam Risman is a Risk Advisor with Risman Insurance out of Medford Massachusetts, founded in 1925 by his great grandfather. Risman Insurance is a group of Property and Casualty Insurance agencies that has grown to 11 agencies in 9 brick and mortar locations around the state. Licensed in over 35 states, Risman Insurance helps individuals and business owners with all their insurance needs.

Adam joined the family business 3 years ago and is tasked with producing new business and building a network around him and the agencies. He is extremely involved in his local Chambers of Commerce, real estate groups, and trades groups in multiple industries. He specializes in working with business owners in the manufacturing, construction, and transportation industries, and takes pride in his involvement with his clientele.

Adam also prides himself on his involvement with the growth of the insurance agency as a whole. Serving on the Young Agents Committee, he is tasked with helping increase the involvement in those just coming into the industry, as well as having more young people get involved.

Leah Saccoccio ’11  
Brand Director of Michelob ULTRA, Anheuser-Busch

Leah Saccoccio graduated from ɫ����̳ in 2011 with a double major in Marketing and Graphic Design Communications. She currently serves as Brand Director for Michelob ULTRA at Anheuser-Busch.

Before Anheuser-Busch, she leveraged her Graphic Design degree and worked at the external agency Catapult Marketing, part of Epsilon and Publicis Group, designing for brands like Pernod Ricard, Family Dollar, Gerber, and Galderma.

Leah's creative expertise and strategic leadership have earned her numerous industry accolades, including a 2024 45th Sports Emmy Award, Clio and Clio Sports Awards, and the One Show, among others.

Originally from Smithfield, Rhode Island, Leah has called New York City home for the past six years. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, art, boating, and spending time with family and friends.

Mark Saccoccio ’83, P’11
President of Saccoccio & Associates Architects 

Mark Saccoccio, AIA, NCARB, is the President of Saccoccio & Associates Architects, a Rhode Island architectural firm established in 1973. The firm is a leader in educational, industrial, and commercial design, with its primary practice in New England.  

Mark joined the firm in 1980 took over as the firm as President in 1998 from the founder Salvatore Saccoccio. Mark remains actively involved in the firm’s projects, personally overseeing the design decisions. Mark has designed award winning commercial, academic, and public use facilities during his 30+ years of practice. Nationally, his design work in public safety and education has been recognized several times.  

His service to the profession of architecture was recognized nationally with the NCARB President’s Medal in 2007. For several years Mark served on the National Architectural Accreditation Board as visiting Team Chair and Team Member. He participated in the accreditation of Columbia University, Drury University, and several other Schools of Architecture throughout the country. Mark is an active member of AIA Rhode Island and served as past President of the chapter. 

He is an active member of many communities and professional associations, including the National Council of Architectural Registration (NCARB), Providence Art Club, Cranston Historical Society, and the Independence Square Foundation. For several years he was on the Board of Directors for the Greater Providence YMCA and served as Board Chair in 2014.

Ron Simoneau  
Executive Vice President / Education Market Leader, Shawmut Design & Construction  

With over 33 years of construction industry experience, Ron Simoneau has spent the past 27 at Shawmut focusing almost exclusively on delivering challenging projects utilizing innovative delivery models for Higher Education clients. Ron has developed many important long-term client relationships and has been instrumental in expanding Shawmut’s portfolio to become a Top 10 Nationally Ranked Education Builder. As a member of Shawmut’s Executive Management Team, Ron’s responsibilities include further developing existing and new client relationships, procuring work, executive operational oversight, P&L management, and innovation. Ron is a graduate of the Wentworth Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Construction Management and an A.D. in Architectural Engineering. He holds an Unrestricted Builders License in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is a LEED Accredited Professional and holds certifications from the DesignBuild Institute of America and CMLean from the Association of General Contractors. 

At Roger Williams, Ron has served as a member of the Construction Management Professional Advisory Board (CMPAB) where he has actively supported student competition teams, helped with the group’s strategic planning and served as a jury member for senior capstone projects. In addition to his involvement at Roger Williams, Ron has also served as a board member for Amos House and the Providence Foundation. 

Debra Stokes ’79
First Vice President, Wealth Management, Financial Advisor, Chartered Retirement Planning, Morgan Stanley

Debra joined Morgan Stanley in 2010 to access the firm’s global resources and first-rate research capabilities. She made the strategic decision to set up her boutique practice within the firm’s Global Wealth Management Headquarters so her high net worth clients would have immediate access to the firm’s thought leaders and analysts.

Debra began her career at Merrill Lynch in 1986 where she completed an extensive training program and gained a wide range of experience in all aspects of wealth management. She proudly served as a Merrill Lynch Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor for 24 years, guiding her clients through numerous market cycles, and through each situation, helped them maintain the focus and diligence required to help achieve their long-term goals in any market environment. At Merrill Lynch Debra was awarded the prestigious title of Chairman’s Club

An education advocate and active philanthropist, Debra has unique insight and experience with respect to charitable giving, which she incorporates into her planning process when working with high-net-worth individuals interested in supporting causes about which they are passionate.

She currently sits on the Advisory Board of the Dubin Breast Center at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City, on the Visiting Committee for Thoracic Oncology at the Dana-Faber Cancer Institute in Massachusetts, and is a member of the White House Historical Association in Washington, DC. Debra previously served on the Westchester Country Club Board of Governors in Rye, NY, and on the President’s Advisory Council at Whittier College in California. 

Debra has been on the Gabelli School Dean’s Advisory Council since 2006. She received an A�����dz������ٱ�’s Degree in Marketing from RWU in 1979 and went on to earn a BA in Economics in 1982 at Syracuse University.

Judith Vigar P’24, PM’26
VP R&D, Global Beverages Technology, Engineering and Operations, PepsiCo 

Judy is a passionate and hands on Engineering leader in PepsiCo R & D, with more than 40 years of experience in the food industry. In her current role, Judy is responsible for Global Beverages R & D Process Engineering, Water Technology, Equipment Development, Digitalization, Facilities and Operations and she has a large global team of Engineers and Scientists.  She has led R&D for the development and launch of many new beverage products around the world for Carbonated Soft Drinks, Gatorade, Tropicana, and other PepsiCo beverage brands.  She has expertise in Engineering and Manufacturing of Carbonated and Non-Carbonated Beverages, particularly, in juice-based beverages. 

While at PepsiCo, Judy and her family spent close to four years in Europe, where she created and led a Beverages R&D satellite lab and was part of the acquisition team for two large Eastern European beverage companies.  Judy joined PepsiCo in 2002, following almost 19 years with Procter and Gamble in Food and Beverage Manufacturing, Process Engineering and Product Development.  She holds two patents in the area of chelating agent technology.  She graduated magna cum laude from Brown University in 1983, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and is a member of Tau Beta Pi.  

Judy is a certified Project Management Professional through PMI and is currently working towards her Masters in Food Science at Rutgers University. Judy is Secretary on the Board of Trustees at Saint Elizabeth Community in Rhode Island and chairs the Philanthropy Committee.  She is also a member of the vestry at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. In addition to her involvement with the Board of Advisors at Roger Williams she is also an active member of the RWU Parent and Family Leadership Council. 

Judy has one son, James, who is a graduate of ɫ����̳ Cummings School of Architecture and currently pursuing his ɫ����̳ in Architecture at Roger Williams.

Debra L. Westgate-Silva '91, P'12
Founder, The Write Help and Luminohr Books

Debra Westgate-Silva, founder of The Write Help and Luminohr Books, is a 1991 graduate of ɫ����̳. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in business from Roger Williams, a Master of Arts in teaching from Rhode Island College, and a certificate in Educational Administration from Providence College. After twenty years in the Pawtucket Public School Department as an English Language Arts teacher and assistant principal, she moved to the nonprofit world to impact more directly the issues that young people face. Today, she continues to serve nonprofit organizations, particularly those focused on childhood trauma and early childhood literacy, through The Write Help, her grant writing service.

Deb credits her studies and professors at RWU for cultivating her belief in the power of language and story. She recently founded Luminohr Books, a small, independent book imprint publishing children’s stories that make the world a brighter place. Her work has been published in Highlights children’s magazine, Learning for Justice (formerly Teaching Tolerance), and Intrepid Times. Her second children’s book will release later this spring. Deb is a member of United Way’s Women United and serves on the board of Books Are Wings and the mission board of her church. She lives in Bristol, RI, with her husband, whom she met at Roger Williams. They have two sons, one of whom is also an RWU alum.

Eric N. Zuena ’01 
Principal & Founder, ZDS Architecture & Interiors 

Eric is the founding Principal of ZDS and a lead contributor to the firm’s continuing success. He carries over two decades of project management experience in the hospitality industry. Eric’s keen ability to direct his staff of talented architects and designers through the successful completion of all of the firm’s projects produces outstanding results for the assignments in which the firm is engaged. Eric is impassioned with providing stellar design solutions that are lucrative for the entire project team. His hands-on, learned, and enthusiastic approach from the onset of a project instills a perpetual forward motion, affording immediate results.

Eric has led the design and project management of numerous luxury hotels and mixed-use properties through the United States, Middle East, China, and Southeast Asia. Some of his greatest works include luxury hotels for clients and major operators in India, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Riyadh. His veteran work experience in both the domestic and international markets equip him with the ability to foresee a myriad of practical and innovative design and business solutions. A strong business sense paired with his innate design talent makes certain for solid project success.

After 15 years as a Principal, Director of Operations, and Lead Project Manager at his previous firm, Eric pivoted his focus to building his firm that threads those international experiences into the more regionalized fabric of the United States. Eric’s daily quest for a successful balance between creative thinking, exceptional design, and efficient execution, reinforces his passion for the design industry and his persistent desire to provide his clients with profitable and successful properties.

Eric is a mentor for young architects and designers in the industry. Eric frequents universities offering his skillful knowledge in portfolio reviews and is a champion of ensuring an optimistic future for the next generation of architects and designers. He received his B.Arch from ɫ����̳ in Bristol, Rhode Island. He is licensed to practice architecture in multiple states, is NCARB certified, and is LEED accredited. Eric also served as Past President on the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Rhode Island Board of Directors in 2018/19. He was born and still a proud resident of the State of Rhode Island.