Board of Directors

 

Advisory Board for the Horizons Enrichment Program consists of the following volunteers who come from both within and outside the Sacred Heart University community. 
Laurie Bellico

 

 

 

 

 

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, 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.

 

 

Elena Caggiano is a passionate and tireless advocate for children’s causes. As a leader, organizer, and fundraiser, Elena is devoted to causes that are near and dear to her heart: children and education. Elena is a member of Christ & Holy Trinity Church, a Cub Scout den mother and President of the Greens Farms Elementary School (GFS) PTA. She currently serves as Vice President of Volunteers for the GFS PTA Executive Board and as chairman of the auction chair for the GFS playground fundraiser, in addition to volunteering as a room parent and ArtSmart coordinator. Elena is a veteran of the fashion industry, where she worked as a sales executive with Polo Jeans, Calvin Klein, and Lucky Brand Jeans. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California at Santa Barbara and a J.D. from the George Washington University Law School. She and her husband, Marco live in Westport with their two children. 

 

Robin Lynn Cautin PhD was named Acting Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs in 2021. Robin served as dean of Sacred Heart University’s College of Arts & Sciences from 2014-2021. Prior to her time at SHU, she served as dean of undergraduate education, associate provost, and professor of psychology at Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY. Cautin completed her postdoctoral fellowship in clinical psychology at Columbia University and her doctorate in clinical psychology at Case Western Reserve University. She earned her bachelor’s degree with distinction in psychology and philosophy at the University of Delaware. Cautin is a noted scholar in the history of psychology and of clinical psychology in particular. She is the co-editor in chief of the five-volume Encyclopedia of Clinical Psychology, published by Wiley-Blackwell in January 2015, and has recently agreed to author a book for Oxford University Press on the history of psychotherapy in the United States.
Mary Lou DeRosa, MBA 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.  Mary Lou supported the SHUonline portfolio in the Division of  Finance and  Administration. She is a graduate of the University of Dayton and Sacred Heart University, past co-chair of SHU Horizons and past board member for the Jack Welch College of Business Center for Not for Profits.  Mary Lou is a resident of Fairfield.

 

Bradford Evanssenior 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.

 

David Fogel currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University, where he teaches Entrepreneurship.  Previously, David served as Co-Founder, President, and Chief Operating Officer of IndexIQ, an exchange-traded fund (ETF) issuer sold to New York Life in April 2015.  David began his career in 1997 as a corporate attorney at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, then left 2 years later to co-found SmartPortfolio.com, which was sold to TheStreet.com in 2000.  In 2019, David was appointed as Chief of Staff at The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), then in 2020 he was appointed Senior Advisor and Chief Business Development Officer at the U.S. State Department, and later he was nominated as Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs.  David graduated from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, Law Center, and McDonough School of Business. 
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.

 

Stephane Kirven, JD is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Bridgeport. She has been a Professor for over 15 years teaching both at the undergraduate and graduate level. She started her professional career as an attorney in New York City in private practice and managing litigation claims at two global insurance companies. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science at Tufts University and her Juris Doctorate at Georgetown University Law Center where she was an Equal Justice Fellow. Her community service includes serving on the Board of the Center for Children’s Advocacy in Hartford. She has been a member of Team Westport for over ten years working with community members and leaders to bring diversity and inclusion to Westport. A native of New York City, Stephane lives in Weston with her husband, her three college age children and her golden retriever-summer.

 

 

Patricia Makes has been active in Southport and Fairfield for over 24 years. She has served on the PTA, and for 21 years on the board of directors for the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club. She helped to create and develop the mentoring program at McKinley afterschool program and was President of the Wakeman Board of Directors Stratfield satellite. She also served on the board for the Friends of Pediatrics at Bridgeport Hospital. Patti has been involved with the PTA and her church. She and her husband Nick have three children, Matthew, Katie and Nicholas. 

 

Katherine “Kassie” Means is Group Advertising Director at Hearst Media Solutions, which is the corporate sales and marketing group at Hearst. Her team sells multi-media solutions to pharmaceutical companies. She has worked at Hearst for 10 years in a variety of roles, including Publisher and Chief Revenue Officer of Woman’s Day, Prevention and Country Living. Kassie earned her B.A. Degree in Art History from Brown University in 1987 and her M.B.A. Degree from Columbia University in 2016. Ms. Means raised her three children in New Canaan and now resides in Greenwich, CT. She was part of the Board of Trustees of Horizons at Sacred Heart University from 2016 – 2018.

 

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, Associate Provost for Teaching and Learning.

 

 

 

 

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. 

 

Finley Shaw earned her Bachelor’s Degree in History from Colgate University. After college, Finley worked for Edelman Public Relations and Fleishman-Hillard in New York City for 10 years. Finley currently serves on the Friends of Pediatrics Board at Bridgeport Hospital.  She is also a board member of the Fairfield Museum and History Center, as well as the Secretary on the Wonderland Wizards Executive Board. Finley is also the Corresponding Secretary for Sasqua Garden Club. Additionally, Finley is actively involved in her children’s schools, Greens Farms Academy and Fairfield Country Day School. She is currently the Co-President for the Parents Association at FCDS. Finley resides in Fairfield with her husband Patrick and her four children (Malcolm, Pippa, Chapman and Beatrix).  

 

Scott Supernaw is the former Managing Director – International for Tauck Inc., founded in 1925, Tauck is one of the largest luxury tour operators in the United States. Prior to joining Tauck in 1989 he was President and CEO of Olson-Travelworld, Ltd., a leading luxury international tour operator. After selling his shares in Olson Travelworld he joined Tauck to help them expand their highly successful domestic, USA, tour business and enter the international market. Today Tauck’s international tour business account for over 60 % of the company’s annual revenue. Scott is one of the founders and two term Chairman of the United States Tour Operators Association. He is also a two term Chairman of the Bangkok based Pacific Asia Travel Association and a past chairman of the Associations charitable arm, Pacific Asia Travel Foundation where he currently sits on their executive committee.   He has served on the advisory boards of the French, Swiss and Israeli government tourism boards. In the early 1980’s he was one of 7 U. S. tour operators selected by the Chinese Government (CITS) to consult and work with them in the development of their long-haul, inbound, tour business. During the following 5 years Supernaw became one of the U.S. travel industry’s more experienced travelers to China. He is one of the more widely traveled and well known executives in the tour industry, having visited over 100 countries and planned and developed tour business on all 7 continents.  He is a former member of the Los Angeles Chapter 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. Tauck, founded in 1925 and one of North America’s largest tour companies, had built their business exclusively on tours and cruises within North America.
Daniel D. Thomas (Chairman of D. Thomas Homes) is one of the most well-known and respected Real-Estate Brokers in both Bridgeport and Stratford Connecticut. Over the last 16 years Daniel has focused on helping families and investors build wealth (through Homeownership and Real-Estate acquisitions).  Through 2021 he has closed over $90,000,000 in Real-Estate Transactions in his local community (totaling over 780 individual transactions).  As a lifelong resident of the area, Daniel has focused his investments on renovating distressed homes, as well as the creation of affordable rentals.   Daniel’s Passions stretch beyond Real-Estate; in 2009 he set up the Daniel D. Thomas scholarship; which offers college scholarships to students from modest backgrounds.  He is also a financial supporter of the Bridgeport Rescue Mission, helps to fund school supplies for Bridgeport schools, and currently sits on the Board of the Connecticut Realtors Association (as well as the Board of Trustees for Sacred Heart University).  A quote from Daniel​:  "Live for the Beauty in Life, Work for the better of the World, & Your Journey will not be wasted".
Page R. Tremaine earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology from Skidmore College. After college, Page worked at BBDO Advertising agency in New York City and then Running Times magazine in Wilton, CT. Page currently is an Associate Director of the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation where she serves on the Learning Differences and Family Engagement Committees. Page is also a board member of the Southport Congregational Church Preschool board. Additionally, Page is actively involved in her children’s schools, Dwight Elementary and Greens Farms Academy. Page resides in Southport with her husband, Gean, and her three children (Lucy, Lily and Georgia). 

 

Sandi Drucker WrightMA, 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.