Happy March!

Thank you to the incredible Gael community for making Gaels Giving Day such a success! Your generosity continues to strengthen opportunities for students and advance Iona’s mission. We look forward to celebrating upcoming milestones like the Pipers' Ball: 60th Reunion in celebration of the Iona Pipe Band's 60 year legacy, highlight alumni achievements and leadership, and share inspiring stories of Gaels making an impact in their careers and communities.

- Iona University Office of Alumni Engagement

Saturday, April 25
7:00 p.m.

Mulcahy Gymnasium

Join us as we celebrate 60 years of tradition, pride, and lifelong friendships with the Iona University Bagpipe Band! All alumni are invited to celebrate this milestone with us as we honor a beloved part of Iona’s history. Since 1966, the sound of the pipes and drums has carried the spirit of Iona across campus and beyond. We invite all members of the Iona community to celebrate this milestone with us.

3/26/26: Women in Business Network-N-Paint

4/11/26: 2026 Swimming & Diving Alumni Reunion & Meet

5/2/26: 2026 Iona Track & Field/Cross Country Reunion

5/2/26: Men's Soccer Spring Alumni Game & Gathering

5/2/26: Water Polo Reunion & 30th Anniversary Celebration of Women's Water Polo

5/2/26: Novak Memorial Metropolitan Championships

6/8/26: 2026 Iona Athletics Golf Outing at Wykagyl Country Club

During the 24-hour campaign, 536 unique donors contributed $231,467, helping bring the University’s annual giving total for the fiscal year to $2,410,085 from 3,264 donors. The campaign also marks one of the highest numbers of donors the initiative has seen in recent years. Thank you for your support, go Gaels!

Thanks to Bobby Bird '98 and Brigid Donnelly '00, members of the Alumni Association's Board of Directors, for hosting a Gaels Giving Day gathering at Leo's Tavern in Long Island! We look forward to future alumni gatherings on campus and beyond.

As a President's Circle member, you join an exceptional community of Iona's most generous annual supporters—visionary leaders whose transformative commitment drives innovation, enhances academic excellence, and shapes the future of the University.

The MBA Spotlight Series serves as powerful validation of the program’s ROI by showcasing real-world examples of alumni who leveraged their degree to achieve significant career pivots or leadership advancements in the program's 60+ year history.

Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Visa

Alfred F. Kelly Jr. is the retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Visa, where he joined as CEO in 2016 and was elected Chairman of the Board in 2019. He transitioned to Executive Chairman in 2023 before retiring in 2024. Currently, he serves as an Advisory Director at Berkshire Partners. Kelly spent most of his career at American Express, where he worked from 1987 to 2010. Over those 23 years, he held several senior positions, including serving as President from 2007 to 2010.

Founder and President, Palma Settimi, Inc.

Palma S. Settimi '88MBA is the Founder and President of Palma Settimi Inc., an accounting, warehousing, and order-fulfillment firm serving domestic and international clients. With 30 years of experience, she has guided companies through every stage of growth, from start-ups to established enterprises. As CEO of a major luxury fashion brand, she helped lead the company to its current industry-leading position.

On February 5, Lt. Brendan Byrnes '20 was honored by Assemblyman Matt Slater on the floor of the NYS Assembly for his ongoing service to our country.

Richard Pagano '82MBA is thrilled to share news about his first collection of poems, Burnt Fields Under Snow, which has been recently published (Kelsay Books, 2026); and the announcement of his debut book of fiction (a novella), Like Magic, which will be published early next year (Type Eighteen Books, 2027). You can follow Richard on Instagram @r7pagano.

Thank you to everyone who joined us recently for our Naples Area Alumni Reception in Florida at The Club at Barefoot Beach! Hosted by Rosemary & Bob DeLuccia '67, '79MBA, alumni reconnected and enjoyed an engaging Q&A with President Seamus Carey.

Our Ft. Lauderdale alumni had a great time at The Wharf for an alumni happy hour!

The nomination window is now open for the 2026 Alumni Awards and we invite all Iona alumni to help us recognize the extraordinary achievements and talents of our incredible alumni community. Alumni may nominate themselves or a fellow alum for any of the awards listed below. 

Nomination deadline: April 1, 2026 
Honorees announced: Summer 2026 
Awards presented: October 16, 2026, 6:30-10:00pm at the Alumni Awards & Homecoming Dinner in a beautifully transformed Mulcahy Gymnasium 

Iona students teamed up with Mastercard employees to bring Kids4Tech to Daniel Webster Elementary School in New Rochelle!

The event focused on building skills for tomorrow’s workforce, with six interactive STEM stations covering cybersecurity, algorithms, data science, cryptology, AI and more. Joined by Karen Abbruzzese, CPA '93, Trustee and Senior Vice President of North America Franchise at Mastercard, the day was filled with hands-on learning and inspiration for the next generation.

A memorable day on Wall Street! Women in Business students visited BNY, where alumni Sam Polanco '02 and Chris Fulco '89 arranged a women-led panel of employees and shared insights on their Iona journeys, internships, and career preparation.

After a history-filled walk through Lower Manhattan with Sam, the group headed to the NYSE, where Erin Kelly '20 hosted them for a tour—and the chance to watch the closing bell.

Our Gaels Go Further mentoring and networking opportunities bring together alumni, students, faculty and staff to help all Gaels achieve personal and career success. Interested in learning more about helping students prepare for their careers, or in networking with fellow alumni for your own career support?

Email Matthew Ricker, Assistant Director of Student & Alumni Engagement, at mricker@iona.edu to learn more or visit our webpage. Together, Gaels Go Further!

Iona University Office of Alumni Engagement
Telephone: (914) 633-2390 | Fax: (914) 637-2711 
Email: alumni@iona.edu

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