Alumni & Partners

The Robert J. Manning School of Business alumni exemplify our mission of creating global business leaders. Alumni continue to enhance the student experience at the Manning School of Business in numerous ways – as invited speakers, career advisors and mentors, providing input and suggestions on our programs and curricula, hosting student interns and co-ops, attending alumni networking functions, and serving as judges and evaluators for student presentations. Our alumni network grows stronger with each graduating class, and we are always excited to have alumni share their expertise and insights with our students and faculty. We encourage alumni to visit our social media channels (LinkedIn, X/Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook) and subscribe to The Manning Experience weekly newsletter to receive updates on news and events, or email: ManningSchoolofBusiness@uml.edu for information on ways you can get involved.

The Robert J. Manning School of Business Advisory Board

The Advisory Board is composed of a group of successful business executives, many of whom are UMass Lowell alumni. Its primary purpose is to provide feedback and direction to the dean and the faculty in the college. Annual strategic plans and priorities are reviewed on a regular basis as are opportunities and challenges facing the college. The members of the Advisory Board also take an active role in curriculum review and other student and professional activities within the college. All board members support either the Advisory Board Endowment Fund or their own personal endowment fund dedicated to providing financial support to the college.

Advisory Board Members

  • Lorna Boucher '86, Advisory Board Chair
    Chief Marketing & Communications Officer - ImperativeX
  • Gerald (Jerry) Colella '78, '19 H
    Chairman of the Board - MKS Instruments, Inc.
  • Edward (Ed) Gallagher '84
    Senior Vice President, Northeast Division (Retired) - Comcast Business Services
  • Jonathan Geanakos '84
    Independent Director – Holland Partner Group and Sculptor Diversified Real Estate Investment Trust
  • John D. Geraci, CPA, MST ’97
    Managing Partner - LGA, LLP 
  • Richard (Dick) Grande ’72 ’80 (MBA)
    Managing Director - First Republic Private Wealth Management
  • David J. (Dave) Laurello ’81, MBA ’88
    President, CEO - Stratus Technologies
  • Robert J. Manning ’84 ’11 H
    Chairman and CEO - MFS Investment Company
  • John Pulichino ’67 ’14 H
    Chairman and CEO - Group III International Ltd
  • Doug Reader '83 (MBA)
    Senior Managing Director - Kainos Capital
  • James (Jim) Regan ’88
    President and CEO (retired) - DCU
  • Brian Rist ’77
    Chairman - Rist Family Foundation
  • Darlene Steffen '76
    Principal/Founder - Life Planning Solutions
  • Darcie Sunnerberg ‘87
    Associate Director, Macro Strategies - Loomis, Sayles & Company
  • Greg Sydney ‘81
    Sr. Managing Director -Tri Capital & Companies
  • Joseph (Joe) L. Vaillancourt ’90 ’01 (MBA)
    Managing Partner - Venture Enterprises
  • Jack M. Wilson ’19 H
    President Emeritus and Distinguished Professor - UMass Lowell
  • Joanne Yestramski ’76
    Vice President and Chief Business Officer - University of Maine
  • Mike Zuccaro ’83
    Vice President and Head of Financial Planning & Analysis - Aura Biosciences