The Center for Emerging Markets (CEM) is honored to receive a generous endowed gift from Edmund “Ed” Disanto (CPS ‘75), a member of CEM's Advisory Board and former Executive Vice President at American Tower Corporation, and his wife, Colleen DiSanto.
A steadfast supporter of Northeastern and CEM, Ed DiSanto has regularly engaged with the university community. He has been a frequent guest speaker in classes at the D'Amore-McKim School of Business, delivered a Nardone Family Seminar on building an infrastructure business in emerging markets in February 2023, and most recently, inspired the 2024 graduating class as the Commencement Speaker for the Bachelor's and Master's graduation ceremonies at Northeastern's College of Professional Studies on May 8, 2024.
The newly established Edmund and Colleen DiSanto Student Engagement and Innovation Fund will significantly enhance curricular and other innovative programs related to emerging markets. It aims to especially support students who attended Boston high schools, funding activities such as student participation in case research and publication, travel and housing for international experiences in emerging markets, including co-op opportunities and Dialogues of Civilization, and other innovative learning opportunities at CEM.
Ed, who earned his Bachelor of Science from Northeastern in 1975 and his J.D. from Boston College Law School in 1978, had a distinguished career intertwined with emerging markets. He held key legal and business roles at United Dominion Industries, National Grid, and Pratt & Whitney before joining American Tower Corporation (ATC), a leading wireless and broadcast communications infrastructure company, in 2007. As Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, and General Counsel of ATC, Ed oversaw critical areas such as legal and regulatory affairs, human resources, corporate governance, and international business development, significantly contributing to the company's expansion in emerging markets worldwide, including Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Germany, Ghana, India, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, and Uganda.
In addition to their support for CEM, Ed and Colleen DiSanto are funding a new student success initiative within the College of Professional Studies at Northeastern. Both of these generous contributions from Ed and Colleen exemplify their commitment to fostering educational opportunities and innovation, reflecting their deep ties to Northeastern and the broader Boston community.