Board of Directors
We are honored to have a select cohort of business and community leaders serve as an advisory board for Horizons at Sacred Heart University.
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Laurie Bellico |
MJ Berrien |
Mary Ann Bunting |
Jake Chang |
Mary Lou DeRosa, MBA |
Bradford Evans |
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Thomas Graham |
Grace Leone |
John Lynch |
Deane Martire |
Cheryl MacLachlan |
Gregory Middleton |
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Amanda Moras, PhD |
James Moye |
Roderick Porter |
Raymond Rizio |
Alisa Ryan |
Scott Supernaw |
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Page Tremaine |
Sandi Drucker Wright |
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Laurie Bellico is a proud SHU graduate, earning both her BS '88 and MBA ’97 at the University, and is an Alumni Award of Excellence recipient. For over a decade, Laurie excelled in her role as SHU's Director of Alumni Relations & Special Events, initiating traditional University events during her tenure, such as the Discovery Dinner and Pioneer Open Golf Tournament. Today, she is a top-producing Realtor for WILLIAM RAVEIS REAL ESTATE in Naples, FL. In 2021, she achieved the highest sales volume as a single agent for another Naples real estate company. In 2022, Laurie was ranked among the top 200 Realtors in the State of FL for individual sales volume. Passionate about volunteering, Laurie strives to make a positive impact in the lives of seniors and young people. She has worked with several charitable organizations, including Christmas in Naples (founder), Step Smart for Seniors, Catholic Charities, United Way, The Girl Scouts, and The American Heart Association. Laurie and her husband, Tom, and Andrea currently reside in Naples and Milford, CT.
MJ Berrien’s career began in advertising and public relations at J. Walter Thompson in San Francisco. It led to a career in magazine publishing, first at Rolling Stone and Outside magazines, which moved her to New York. MJ retired as a Divisional Sales Manager at Time Magazine. Since retiring, MJ has been an active volunteer, with a particular interest in education and food insecurity. When the Berrien family moved to London for three years, MJ volunteered at the American Church in London’s soup kitchen and managed the church’s annual Christmas Dinner. She also wrote a monthly newsletter providing available Nannies and Nanny Shares, and co-chaired a panel on navigating the British educational system for ex-pats. When MJ and her family returned to the U.S. she volunteered and served on the Boards of the Fairfield Women’s Exchange and Fairfield History Museum. Both she and her husband, Jim, support Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign. MJ has always been actively involved in their daughters’ education and served on the Board of Greens Farms Academy. She later worked at GFA in the Advancement office as the Manager of Parent Relations and Events. MJ and her husband are the parents of two adult daughters and live in Fairfield.
Mary Ann Bunting, a PWA advisor with Bunting and Somma is a private wealth advisor practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Mary Ann is a member of the Board of Trustees at Sacred Heart University. She also works with many non-profits including CT Challenge and the Daughters of the Holy Spirit. Mary-Ann received her MED from Boston College.
Jake serves as Chief of Staff and interim head of marketing at Narmi Inc., a fintech start-up supporting community financial institutions throughout the country. He began his 15 years of experience as a Surface Warfare Officer in the US Navy serving as the Auxiliaries Officer and Navigator aboard the USS Stout (DDG-55). His tech and media experience also includes strategy, partnerships, and business development roles at Univision Communications and Meta (formerly Facebook). Jake received his BBA from the College of William & Mary and an MBA from Columbia Business School. Jake currently lives in Southport with his wife and two children.
Born and educated in Scotland, John’s career in Human Resources spanned forty years from 1973 to 2013. His early HR training was with a large UK bank subsidiary before he joined GE Capital in 1991. He progressed through a number of global HR leadership assignments at General Electric before his appointment as Chief HR Officer and Senior Vice President with overall Human Resources responsibility for GE’s 320,000 employees worldwide. Since retiring from GE, John has frequently consulted with a number of major organizations in his field. John lives in Southport, CT with his wife Ellen.
Deane has over 30 years in the financial services industry, both in the US and internationally. His work experience includes being a Partner at Capco, focused on risk and regulatory compliance for community banks. Additionally, he spent over two decades in fixed income, including time at GE Capital, Barclays, and Goldman Sachs. Deane received both a BBA in Finance from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. Most recently, he chaired the Board of Visitors for the Welch College of Business & Technology at Sacred Heart University. Born in Bridgeport, Deane currently lives in Westport with his wife and two daughters.
Mary Lou is retired from a twenty five year career at Sacred Heart University. She started her career in the advancement division and later served in Academic Affairs as a Dean of University College and Vice Provost. She managed SHUonline and the Graduate Center in Stamford in the Division of Finance and Administration. She earned a BA from the University of Dayton and an MBA from Sacred Heart University. Mary Lou is a past board member for the Jack Welch College of Business Center for Not for Profits, Unquowa School and Horizons at Sacred Heart University. She has volunteered for the Tommy Fund at Yale and the CT NOIAW chapter.
Bradford Evans, senior advisor for Morgan Stanley, is responsible for managing certain client relationships for the firm and advising companies of significant strategic transactions. He joined Morgan Stanley in 1970 and became vice president in 1976. He was elected managing director in 1979 and a vice chairman in 2000. During his career, he has served as co-head of Morgan Stanley’s Mergers and Acquisitions department and head of the firm’s European investment banking business, based in London. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Columbia University and resides in Southport with his wife, Barbara.
Thomas Graham, President of Thomas M. Graham and Co. a real estate investment firm. Prior to this Tom served as vice chairman of Realty Growth Investors, a real estate investment trust for two years. Tom is a trustee of the Baker Scholars Program at Georgetown and serves on the board of the Wakeman Boys and Girls Club, where he served as board chair for 17 years. He served on the board of the Inner City foundation for Charity and Education in Bridgeport for 15 years. Tom attended Canterbury school and then Georgetown University. He served in the military from 1963-1965 in the 3rd armored division and was a first Lieutenant tank platoon leader in Friedburg, Germany. Tom and his wife reside in Southport. They have four children and 6 grandchildren.
Grace Koo Leone is a dedicated advocate and supporter in education, women’s issues, and the arts. She has served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations including The Rowan Center, a sexual assault resource agency, and is an active member of the Dean’s Council at Columbia University School of the Arts, supporting student film projects and strategic initiatives. Grace began her finance career at The Boston Company and UBS Securities, focusing on strategic transactions and capital markets. In 1992, she joined United Waste as an Acquisitions Associate, playing a key role in its IPO and growth through industry consolidation. She later returned to investment banking at Swiss Bank, focusing on credit risk and project finance. After stepping back from her professional career to raise her family, Grace dedicated her time to nonprofit work, holding leadership roles in fundraising, event planning, board development and strategic planning. Grace holds a BA in International Relations from Mount Holyoke College,, an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and will earn an MS in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University in May 2025. She resides in Westport, CT, and New York City with her husband of 30 years and is the proud mother of three adult children.
Cheryl has recently retired from her position as Executive Director and Private Wealth Advisor at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management. She spent 17 years at Morgan Stanley and has over 25 years of experience working with high-net-worth individuals, Foundations and Endowments. Before joining Morgan Stanley in 2007, Cheryl had a similar role at U.S. Trust Company. Before joining U.S. Trust, she worked in the publishing industry, serving as Associate Publisher of Esquire Magazine. Cheryl is also the author of four books published by Random House/Clarkson Potter. She has lived in Europe and the U.S. and speaks five languages. In addition to her work at Horizons SHU, Cheryl is an active volunteer with Read Ahead, a literacy platform that pairs professionals with elementary school students to offer weekly tutoring sessions. She has also worked with Student Sponsor Partners a program designed to mentor high school students and help them prepare for college. Cheryl graduated Magna Cum Laude from Southern Connecticut State University. She lives in New York and New Haven, where her husband is a Professor of Medicine at Yale University.
Gregory Middleton is the Assistant Principal at Daniel Webster Magnet School in New Rochelle. Greg was the founding Executive Director of Horizons at SHU from 2012-2013. Prior to that, Greg served as a Director with The Boys’ Club of New York and an elementary school administrator and teacher in New York City and Westchester County. Greg earned a BA in Urban Studies and a MA in Elementary Education from Fordham University and a Professional Diploma in School District Administration from the College of New Rochelle. Greg lives in Port Chester, NY.
Amanda Moras, PhD, is the Associate Provost for Teaching and Learning and has been a faculty member at SHU since 2010. She serves on the provost’s leadership team, working and collaborating with colleagues across the University to lead efforts that foster and support evidence-based teaching. Amanda has held multiple administrative roles, including director of the gender and sexuality studies program. She established the Social Justice Living and Learning Community by working directly with faculty and the office of student life. Moras was director of the Thomas More honors program, associate dean for student success in the College of Arts & Sciences and a critical member of the dean’s leadership team. Moras played a vital role in the University’s adoption and implementation of SHU Flex. The program began during the height of the pandemic to give students the flexibility of Zooming for class rather than attending in person, to slow the spread of COVID-19.
James Moye is a Managing Director with Morgan Stanley. He joined Morgan Stanley in 1989 and works with wealthy families in the Private Wealth Management group in NYC. He is a graduate of The Catholic University of America and currently serves on their Board of Trustees. He and his wife, Jeanne, live in Fairfield. He is currently on the Board of Trustees at Wakeman Boys and Girls Club in Southport. He just finished a 6 year term as Trustee of Lauralton Hall Catholic School for Girls in Milford. He also spends time working with the Ludlowe High School boys’ basketball program in Fairfield.
Roderick Porter is the current Police Chief of the Bridgeport Police Department, and an Associate College Professor of Criminal Justice at Post University. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and Master in Organizational Leadership. Graduate of the FBI National Academy, and the Executive Research Forum for Police Executives at Harvard University. Chief Porter’s core policing beliefs are rooted in Radical Engagement, Radical Transparency, Radical Accountability, and Radical Honesty. Prior to becoming Chief of Police his most rewarding assignment was leading the Community Services Division, where he enjoyed the division's various community outreach and engagement efforts, particularly those involving the city's Youth. During Roderick's tenure he oversaw the Police Department’s partnerships with the Board of Educations School Security. During this time he oversaw the creation of the Safe Schools Corridor Program, which morphed into the development of the departments Real Time Crime Center.
Raymond Rizio has become one of the preeminent land use attorneys in eastern Fairfield County over the past three decades. Experienced in both commercial and residential real estate, Attorney Rizio handles real estate matters affecting all properties, from single-family residences to large commercial properties. As a land use attorney, he has obtained approvals for a 200,000 square foot medical center, large apartment buildings, complicated sub-divisions and residential additions that have required multiple variances. Ray regularly appears before the land use boards of the towns of Fairfield, Bridgeport, Shelton, Trumbull, Easton, Stratford, and Monroe. He has represented several large corporations including McDonald’s and O&G Industries, Inc. in both real estate transactions and land use applications. Ray has also represented the City of Bridgeport and Town of Trumbull in land use matters. Previously Ray has served as a member of both the Fairfield Zoning Board of Appeals and the Fairfield Conservation Commission. He also served on the Trumbull Economic Development Commission. Ray coaches Notre Dame High School’s Varsity Basketball team in the off-season and serves on the board of the Wakeman’s Boys & Girls Club. He has previously served on the board of the Cardinal Sheehan Center and the Center for Family and Justice (formerly the Center for Women and Families). Ray is a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College and the University of Bridgeport Law School (now Quinnipiac University School of Law).
Alisa Ryan has over 15 years’ experience in marketing and communications and draws on this experience as a Marketing and Design Consultant. Alisa’s work experience includes time at Chanel, Inc. where she was part of the Fragrance Marketing Department. Alisa graduated from Trinity College with a BA in Sociology. During her time at Trinity, Alisa was involved with tutoring children in Hartford. Alisa is a member of the Fairfield Garden Club where she is a former board member and serves on the Strategic Planning Committee. She is a member of the Southport Congregational Church. Alisa was born and raised in Connecticut, and lives in Southport with her husband Joe and their two children. The Ryan family is also involved with the Fresh Air Fund, where they have been a host family since 2015.
Scott is the former Managing Director International of Tauck Inc. Where he led the company’s expansion in the International Market. Prior to joining Tauck, he was President/CEO of Olson-Travelworld, Ltd. Scott is a founder, and two term Chairman of the United States Tour Operators Association, and two term Chairman of the Pacific Area Travel Association and chairman of the organizations charitable foundation. Scott is currently Vice-Chair Americas of the World Rural Tourism Conference based in Beijing, China. He has served on the advisory boards of the French, Swiss and Israeli government tourism departments. Scott has traveled to over 100 countries developed tour programs on all 7 continents. He is a former member of the Young Presidents Association and holds and BA and MBA from Michigan State University. He completed 2 years active duty as an officer in the U.S. Army.
Page R Tremaine received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Skidmore College. After college, Page worked at BBDO Advertising agency in New York City and then at Running Times magazine in Wilton, CT. Page is a board member of the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, where she serves on the Learning Differences and Family Engagement Committees. She is also a board member of Greens Farms Academy. She and her husband, Gean, live in Southport with their three children.
Sandi Drucker Wright, MA, Director of the Nonprofit Board Leadership Program at the Tamer Center for Social Enterprise at Columbia Business School, is a graduate of Colgate University and Columbia University, Teachers College. She has 15 years of higher education experience and is responsible for leading efforts focused on engaging Columbia MBA students, faculty and alumni with nonprofit organizations in New York City. Prior to joining Columbia, she was in the private sector at JCrew and Saks Fifth Avenue overseeing online business development and marketing strategy. She lives in NYC and Southport, CT, with her husband Chris and their three daughters.