The New York City Executive Leadership Council (ELC) celebrated its first anniversary with industry leaders, alumni, faculty, and co-op students on Oct. 24, 2024, at Brookfield Place overlooking the Hudson River and Statue of Liberty. The event marked a milestone in D'Amore-McKim's mission to expand its influence in the tri-state area, showcasing the invaluable role alumni play in advancing the school's vision.
Co-hosted by ELC Vice Chair Kerri Bernstein, DMSB'97, executive vice president and corporate treasurer at American Express, and Council Member Ben Brown, DMSB'08, managing partner at Brookfield Asset Management, the evening brought together nearly 80 guests, highlighting how the council connects D'Amore-McKim's diverse alumni network to support students, faculty, and research.
Reflecting on her commitment, Bernstein said, “The ELC is providing me with a strategic way to give back to the university that transformed my life. If it weren't for my Northeastern experience—namely my co-ops—I would not be where I am today.”
New York City/Tri-State Executive Leadership Council Vice Chairs:
- Kerri S. Bernstein, DMSB'97 – Executive Vice President and Corporate Treasurer, American Express
- Danielle Brown, DMSB'07 – Brand Marketing Consultant, Danielle Brown & Co.
- Scott Dolan, DMSB'89 – Managing Director, UBS
- Susan Feitelberg, MBA'90 – Senior Vice President, Morgan Stanley
- Geoff Flournoy, DMSB'87 – Managing Partner & Co-founder, BRP Development Corp
- Jasper Lau, DMSB'19 – Founder & CEO, Era Funds
- Dwayne Middleton, MBA'94 – Global Head of Fixed Income Trading, T. Rowe Price
- Melissa Naple, DMSB'93 – Audit & Assurance Partner: Learning & Development National Business Leader, Deloitte
- Gurpreet Oberoi, DMSB'11 – Managing Partner, R Squared Capital
- Prath Reddy, DMSB'10 – President, Percent
- Steven Rinn, DMSB'89 – President, KRH Realty
- Mary Santoro, DMSB'85 – Independent Consultant; Silicon Valley Consulting Group Board of Advisors; former Principal, Capgemini
As part of Northeastern University's celebration of the 115th anniversary of cooperative education, the evening featured a panel discussion on “The Importance of Co-op and Bringing It Into the Future,” moderated by Elisha Clark, assistant dean of cooperative education. Panelists included Daniele Mathis, associate dean of undergraduate education, and Brian Sanderson, DMSB'13, executive director at Morgan Stanley, who shared insights on how today's co-op experiences shape tomorrow's business leaders.
The event also celebrated a major philanthropic contribution, with Senior Director of Development Karen Bean announcing a six-figure gift from Kerri and Scott Bernstein to the F1RST Scholars Program, which supports students who are the first in their families to attend college and come from low-income backgrounds. “Alumni are critical in shaping the future of our university, and it takes resources to positively impact our students' experiences. We are forever grateful to the Bernsteins for their incredible generosity,” Bean said.
Julie Anne McNary, associate dean of development, emphasized the long-term impact of the ELC. “Our work with the Executive Leadership Council is creating a stronger sphere of influence for DMSB alumni/ae and the entire DMSB community across the country, and our focus on regions and industries will only enhance that resource for years to come.”
In the past year, the NYC ELC has expanded co-op opportunities, provided mentorship, and strengthened connections between alumni and current students. The council's influence is set to grow further as D'Amore-McKim expands these councils nationally, with upcoming councils in Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Miami, and Texas. The goal is to create a robust network of Regional Councils that will support D'Amore-McKim's mission and broaden its reach worldwide.
For more information on the D'Amore-McKim Executive Leadership Councils, contact Julie Anne McNary at j.mcnary@northeastern.edu.