The D'Amore-McKim School of Business (DMSB) at Northeastern University has launched the Dean's Advisory Council (DAC), a new strategic leadership body designed to deepen collaboration between the school and industry at a pivotal moment in business education.

The new council brings together a distinguished group of senior executives, innovators, and global thinkers who will advise Dunton Family Dean David De Cremer and his leadership team on the school's most consequential initiatives. Members will offer expertise in areas central to D'Amore-McKim's mission, including experiential learning, executive education, corporate partnerships, and the integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

“We are launching the Dean's Advisory Council to bring industry leaders closer to our students, faculty, and programs,” says De Cremer. “By bringing industry expertise directly into our strategic planning, we strengthen our global perspective, deepen corporate partnerships, and position D'Amore-McKim as a leader in business education's next era.”

The DAC represents the next evolution of volunteer leadership at D'Amore-McKim, building on the strong foundation laid by the former Dean's Executive Council and Board of Visitors. The new council reflects a more agile, project-driven model aligned with today's pace of change.

Members will work closely with school leadership throughout the year—focusing on targeted initiatives, providing real-time insights on industry and market trends, and helping identify opportunities for corporate engagement and strategic growth. The DAC will report directly to the Dunton Family Dean, with ongoing support provided by the DMSB Office of Corporate Partnerships, Outreach, and External Engagement. They will meet officially twice a year, with additional activities carried out through project teams and working groups.

New DAC members, many of whom have been involved with D'Amore-McKim and Northeastern for decades as parents, generous donors, and board members, have expressed enthusiasm for collaborating more closely with De Cremer and his leadership team to enhance D'Amore-McKim's reputation as a modern, innovative business school. 

“In a short period of time, Dean De Cremer has set a bold and positive course for the D'Amore-McKim School of Business,” says Rick LeBlanc, MBA'90, President and CEO of NELCO Worldwide. “His innovative mindset, strategic clarity, and ability to inspire others are positioning the school to reach new levels of excellence and impact.”

Nancy Brown, MBA'86, and General Partner at Oak HC/FT agrees. “(Dean De Cremer) represents the energy, worldview, and contemporary approach to business education that is needed. We are now on a path to distinguish our program from traditional approaches that don't consistently prepare students for today's job market.” 

Founder and President of PMC Corporation Ron Caplan, BS'72, believes De Cremer is “uniquely innovative, transparent, and genuinely committed… He has the vision, scope, and actively engaged academic and corporate reputation across the world that the school needs in these tough times for higher education.”

Vivek Sharma, Investor and Board Member at Cohance Life Sciences and Kovovo, is excited to continue his work with De Cremer in an advisory capacity. “I have been continually inspired by his global perspective, his unwavering commitment to student success, and his deep dedication to strengthening the Northeastern brand on the world stage.”

The DAC aligns with D'Amore-McKim's commitment to global perspective, technological fluency, and responsible business leadership. With representation across industries and regions, the council will amplify the school's reach and influence while helping to shape programs that address the needs of today's learners and employers.

The inaugural DAC cohort will begin its service this academic year, with members contributing to the school's first annual DAC Impact Report in 2026. Inaugural members include:

  • Isoken “Ken” Abel, MS/MBA'10 – Co-Founder & CIO, Lynx; Austin, TX
  • Teresa Barreira, MBA'92 – Chief Marketing Officer, Publicis Sapient; Boston and Toronto
  • Kerri Bernstein, DMSB'97 – Executive Vice President & Corporate Treasurer, Amex; New York, NY
  • Nancy Brown, MBA'86 – General Partner, Oak HC/FT; New York, NY
  • Ron Caplan, DMSB'72 – Founder & President, PMC Property Group; Philadelphia, PA
  • Leigh D'Andrea, DMSB'98 – Partner, Deloitte; New York, NY
  • Scott Dolan, DMSB'89 – Retired, Former Managing Director, UBS; New York, NY
  • Mansoor Ghori, MBA'92 – Vice Chairman & Founder, Petros Pace Finance, LLC; Austin, TX
  • Michael Kryger, MBA'95 – Partner, Deloitte; Dallas, TX
  • Jasper Lau, DMSB'19 – Founder, Era Funds; New York, NY
  • Rick LeBlanc, MBA'90 – President & CEO, NELCO Worldwide; Boston, MA
  • Ben Matheson, DMSB'97 – VC & Angel Investor, Former Tech Executive (AWS, Microsoft, Oracle, VMware, Visa); Seattle, WA
  • Alan McKim, MBA'88 – Founder, Clean Harbors; Boston, MA; Trustee, Northeastern University
  • Mark Minichiello, DMSB'90 – CEO, Quincy Cass Investment Management; Los Angeles, CA
  • Rich Montoni, MS'75 – Director, former CEO and President, Maximus; Boston, MA
  • Dave Powers, DMSB'89 – Director, former CEO and President, Deckers Brands; Santa Barbara, CA
  • Vivek Sharma, Parent'28 – Director, Private Investor, Multiple Boards; Boston, MA
  • Bill Seibel, Entrepreneur, Best Selling Author, Digital and Innovation Thought Leader, Board Member, Advisor, and Speaker; Boston, MA/Naples, FL
  • Tom Stanford, MBA'89 – Founder, FuzionX; Westport, CT
  • Mark Vachon, DMSB'82 – Former CEO/CFO, Board Member, and Investor; Panoramic Health; Boston, MA