Board of Trustees
Officers
Anne O. McCrory, J.D.
Anne O. McCrory, J.D. is the Chief Legal and Real Estate Officer and former Chancellor
of the Diocese of Bridgeport. In addition, McCrory is a Trustee of Foundations in
Education and Foundations in Charity and a Director of the United Way of Coastal and
Western Fairfield County. Previously, she practiced law with UIL Holdings Corporation
and Hunton & Williams LLP.
Sister Patricia Twohill, O.P. (ex-officio)
Sr. Patricia Twohill, O.P. is the Prioress of the Dominican Sisters of Peace. Before
attaining that position in 2015, “Sister Pat” was in vocation and formation ministry,
parish ministry, and campus ministry as well as an educator. The Dominican Sisters
of Peace has more than 350 sisters in 29 dioceses in 22 states, along with a presence
in Nigeria. They serve in areas including education, health care, spirituality, pastoral
care, prison ministry and care of creation. She earned an honorary degree from the
College in 2022.
Robert J. Lyons, Jr.
Robert J. Lyons, Jr. served as the Chairman and CEO of The Bilco Company – known for designing and manufacturing high-quality, specialty access products for residential and commercial construction markets. The company began as a neighborhood iron shop by his grandfather in 1926 in New Haven, Conn. Mr. Lyons joined the company as controller in 1981, until being appointed its leader in 2014. Now retired, Lyons serves as Chair of the NewAlliance Foundation and Treasurer of the Gaylord Hospital Board of Directors.
Paul A. McCraven
Paul A. McCraven is the Secretary of the Board. He serves as Chief Operating Officer of ConnCORP, a non-profit economic development corporation focused on revitalizing the Dixwell and Newhallville communities in New Haven, CT. He has over 25 years of financial services and banking experience, having served as Senior Vice President of First Niagara Bank and concurrently served as President of First Niagara Community Development Corporation. Additionally, he served as a director of the First Niagara Foundation. McCraven serves as the Immediate Past Chair of the Gateway Community College Foundation and Treasurer of the NewAlliance Foundation. He also serves on the Boards of Market New Haven, ConnCAT, and the Evergreen Cemetery.
Trustees
Bishop Theodore L. Brooks, Sr.
Bishop Theodore L. Brooks, Sr., is a highly respected spiritual leader in New Haven, Conn., who serves as the Pastor Emeritus of Beulah Heights First Pentecostal Church in New Haven and as the Presiding Bishop of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. (P.A.W.). An Honorary Doctorate recipient from the College in 2003, for more than a decade Bishop Brooks has been delivering a passionate and inspirational Charge and Benediction to Albertus graduates during the College’s annual Commencement Exercises.
Sister Virginia Bruen, O.P. (ex-officio)
Sr. Virginia Bruen, O.P. is the Founding Director of the Siena Learning Center which serves non-English speaking learners in the Greater New Britain area and offers English as a second language (ESL) in a 1:1 setting. The Center was founded by the Dominican Sisters of Peace in 2008. Now retired, Sr. Virginia continues to tutor and sits on the Center’s Advisory Council. Previously, she was on the Leadership Team of the Dominican Sisters of Peace; an elementary school teacher; a high school principal; and a college administrator.
Maura Hunter Byrne '76
Maura Hunter Byrne has over 30 years of broad experience in equity research, capital markets, investment banking and angel investing. At Citigroup, she was a Managing Director in Equity Research. At JPMorgan, she worked in Equity Research and Financial Advisory/Mergers & Acquisitions. She is a member of Golden Seeds, an Angel investment group, that provides growth capital and strategic advice to women entrepreneurs. She was previously Vice Chair and Trustee for Packer Collegiate Institute, Brooklyn, NY. She is currently a member of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at University of California, Irvine, and volunteers as Treasurer, Special Events.
Alexander Clark
Alexander Clark is described as the “Wizard of Oz” of Higher Ed by the Chronicle of Higher Education. He founded Technolutions in 1994 as a seventh grader in Mississippi. In 2000, while a first-year English major at Yale, he developed and introduced Slate, which supports the enrollment, student success, alumni, and advancement operations at 1,800+ colleges and universities worldwide. Clark is also the Founder of Slate School, a non-profit K-12 independent school in North Haven, Conn., that inspires lifelong learning.
Hope Kingston Cahoon ’99
Hope Kingston Cahoon is a Partner in KPMG’s Denver office providing assurance-based services to clients in the financial services industry. Cahoon specializes in servicing real estate and hospitality clients including real estate investment funds, private and publicly held mortgage and equity real estate investment trusts and individual operating properties. Throughout her career, she has also worked with a variety of sponsors of defined contribution and defined benefits plans. Her other roles include co-chairing KPMG’s Network of Women (KNOW) and the Partner Champion of KPMG’s Family for Literacy.
Rose Siefert Dios ’80
Rose Siefert Dios is the Senior Vice President CFP/Wealth Management at UBS. Based in The Hamptons and New York City, she offers personalized goal-oriented financial planning for individuals, artists, and entrepreneurs, specializing in Socially Responsible Investing (SRI). Dios, who grew up in Monroe, Conn., and Long Island, NY, has served on many boards and is currently on the South Fork Bakery Board and the Southampton Village Finance Committee.
Sister Carol Davis, O.P. (ex-officio)
Sr. Carol Davis, O.P., serves as the Second Councilor on the Dominican Sisters of Peace Leadership Team. She has extensive experience in spiritual direction and counseling and has ministered as a credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse counselor. She has also worked with survivors of sexual abuse. Sr. Carol has held leadership positions with US Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking and the Interfaith Community of Schenectady, New York.
Thomas F. Flynn, Ph.D.
Dr. Thomas F. Flynn currently serves as the Senior Associate for Advising for the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU). He is President Emeritus of Alvernia University in Pennsylvania, where during his 14-year tenure, he oversaw the development of new strategic and campus master plans, including one that led to the achievement of university status. Under his leadership, Alvernia launched “Values and Vision: The 50th Anniversary Campaign.” Dr. Flynn has written and spoken extensively on contemporary higher education, is a national expert in board governance, and is a sought-after thought-leader among Catholic higher education.
Giovanni Duaqui ’96
Giovanni Duaqui is a Partner and Senior Vice President at ITO Solutions, an information technology and services firm. Previously, he gained extensive experience in sales, business development, operations, and management with some of the largest investment firms and Fortune 500 organizations including Fidelity Investments, MetLife, and Citigroup Asset Management in New York City. In 2023, Duaqui received The Outstanding Filipino Awards (TOFA), a prestigious award that honors Filipinos worldwide who significantly impacted various sectors and their communities. Duaqui is a trustee of the country's largest National Filipino American Organization, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NAFFAA), advocating for the almost 5 million Filipino Americans in the country.
Sister Susan Leslie, O.P. (ex-officio)
Sr. Susan Leslie, O.P., serves as the Fourth Councilor on the Dominican Sisters of Peace Leadership Team. She has served most recently as Mission Group Coordinator of Sansbury Care Center, the Congregation’s licensed long-term care facility in St. Catharine, Kentucky. Sr. Susan has also served as a physical therapist, a hospital Vice President of System Mission, a missionary in Peru, and in parish, prison, and retreat ministry.
Sister Anne Lythgoe, O.P. (ex-officio)
Sister Anne Lythgoe, O.P. is a member of the Dominican Sisters of Peace Leadership Team, serving 11 years in congregational leadership in her founding congregation. She currently serves as President of the Dominican Sisters Conference, the networking organization of elected leaders of the Dominican congregation in the U.S. Sr. Anne was the Communications Coordinator for the Dominican Leadership Conference, and the founding editor of Dominican Life USA, an online news portal. She served in vocation ministry and retreat ministry in Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Tabitha W. Manafort ’94
Tabitha W. Manafort is the founder and owner of TWM Development, LLC. She has bought, renovated, and sold many homes in Plainville, Conn., a town where she served as president of the Chamber of Commerce, member of the Community Food Pantry’s Board of Directors, member of the Board of Education, and worked with the Plainville Community Fund. Manafort has also served on The Community Foundation of New Britain and still finds time to coach several local youth sports teams. She currently works as a realtor with Showcase Realty.
James T. Olson
James T. Olson has illuminated some of the biggest business and social impact stories. His purpose-driven journey has taken him from industry-transforming startups to industry-leading global brands including Starbucks, United Airlines, and US Airways. Today, Olson is the Head of Brand and Communications for Avelo Airlines – America’s first new airline in nearly 15 years. Prior to that, he traveled the globe teaching, advising, writing, and speaking. Olson has been recognized by PRovoke Magazine as one of the world’s 100 most influential in-house communicators.
F. Todd Renz
F. Todd Renz is a LEED AP BD+C who founded Owens, Renz & Lee (O,R&L) with his two partners 33 years ago. Since then, the company has grown into a major real estate firm with three separate divisions – construction, facilities, and commercial real estate. As President/CEO of O,R&L Construction Corp., Renz is responsible for negotiating, leading, and managing multi-million-dollar contracts throughout the Northeast in new construction and renovation projects. He is an accredited professional in sustainable, energy-efficient building construction. Renz is also an instrument rated pilot who loves to fly gliders.
Franklyn D. Reynolds
Franklyn D. Reynolds is the President and CEO of UIL Holdings Corporation. In this role, he oversees the electricity and natural gas operating companies of Avangrid Networks in Connecticut and Massachusetts. These include United Illuminating of Connecticut, Southern Connecticut Gas, Connecticut Natural Gas, and Berkshire Gas of Massachusetts. A veteran of the utility industry, Reynolds has also served as president of The Berkshire Gas Company as well as vice president roles at Avangrid. He is also a retired military officer and a Connecticut native.
Theodore Schaffer
Ted Schaffer has been in the commercial real estate business for 50 years as a principal, advisor, builder, and realtor. He began his career at The American Institute of Planners in Washington D.C. and later became the head of real estate operations at the FIP Corporation, managing industrial parks and investor-owned properties. He then joined the commercial brokerage arm of Press/Cuozzo Realtors as a senior advisor. Currently, Schaffer operates his family office, East Rock Realty, overseeing numerous properties throughout New Haven County and New York City. He has been actively engaged in many local organizations including: The Hamden Economic Development Corporation, The Towers assisted care community, The Tennis Foundation of Connecticut and President of the Board of Governors for both the New Haven Lawn Club and The New Haven Country Club.
Janice L. Shields ’69
Janice L. Shields was a co-founder and president of Shields & Company, a Boston-based investment banking firm. She is a former vice president in the corporate banking groups of Citibank and Irving Trust Company in New York City and investment officer of Cabot, Cabot and Forbes Land Trust in Boston. Shields has served as a director of several public and private companies, The Windsor School (Boston), The Sisters of Charity Halifax (Boston), and as President of the Boston Chapter of the Association of Corporate Growth.
Louis F. Tagliatela, Jr.
Louis F. Tagliatela Jr., is principal of Franklin Communities, an affiliate of Franklin Construction, a family-owned business that was founded by his grandfather in 1917. Franklin Communities owns and operates more than 1,000 apartment units in New Haven County, and Tagliatela supervises all new and major construction projects and initiatives. Along with his brother and sister, Tagliatela was instrumental in the construction and development of Saybrook Point Inn and Spa, Saybrook Point Marina, and recently completed 393 luxury and affordable apartments called Canal Crossing in Hamden. The Project received six HOBI awards from the National Association of Home Builders. He is a longtime supporter of Albertus — the College’s School of Business and Leadership is named in his honor. Tagliatela previously served on the Albertus Board from 2010-2022.
Tomoko Takahashi ’77, ’06 D.H.L., Ph.D., Ed.D.
Dr. Tomoko Takahashi is an accomplished academic administrator, educator, researcher, textbook writer, translator, and award-winning author. She currently serves as Vice President for Institutional Research and Assessment, Dean of the Graduate School, and Professor of Linguistics and Education at Soka University of America (SUA) in Southern California. Over the past 30+ years at SUA, in various roles, including provost, chief academic officer, and accreditation liaison officer, Dr. Takahashi has contributed to establishing SUA as an emerging student-centered university for the 21st century. As a teacher-trainer and an innovative researcher, she has contributed to language and intercultural education. A prolific writer, she has published over 20 books, including scholarly books in English and Japanese.
John “Luke” Williams
John “Luke” Williams is the Founder of Oak Tree Development, LLC, a commercial real estate firm that transforms communities in a positive way, creating spaces that connect people with places. Williams manages the company’s overall strategy, investing in projects from New England to the Midwest. He is a licensed and certified arborist whose experience includes President of Total Tree Care and President of Arbor Energy. Williams is also a board member of Connecticut Hospice of Branford and Legacy Theater in Stony Creek, Conn.
Trustee Emeriti
Jeanne M. Dennison ’78
Jeanne M. Dennison served as the Vice President of Human Resources and Public Affairs at Verizon International. In this capacity, she was responsible for the strategic and functional aspects of human resources and public affairs on an international basis, supporting operations in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Dennison also managed the international arm of the Verizon Foundation, delivering over one million dollars in support of workforce development and literacy programs. She previously served as the interim vice president of philanthropy at Pace University in New York City. Ms. Dennison served her alma mater as a Trustee for 20 years including Chair of the Board from 2015-2019. She earned an honorary degree from the College in 2021.
Joseph P. Germain, Jr.
Joseph P. Germain, Jr., served as the managing partner of Germain and Rooney Certified Public Accountants and was a board member from 2003-2023. He’s a past president of the Connecticut Society of CPAs, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Benevolent Fund, and the Bridgeport Area CPAs. For years, he served as a Special Master to the Connecticut Tax Court. In 2021, he made a gracious gift to the College in memory of his wife, renaming the academic success center, the Lillian Adley Germain ’57 Center for Academic Success. He earned an honorary degree from the College in 2023.
Ellin M. Mulholland ’51, Esq.
Ellin M. Mulholland Esq., was one of the first women litigators in the torts and products liability field in New York City; one of the first women named to the American Board of Trial Advocates; served on the Board of Governors of the Association of Trial Lawyers (NYC), and as a judge for the National Trial Advocacy program for law students at the US Eastern District Courthouse. She was a past vice president of the Guild of Catholic Lawyers and holds the highest rank of Lady Grand Cross in the Papal Order of The Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. She retired as senior partner at Herzfeld & Rubin, P.C., and served on Albertus’ Board from 1985-2014. She earned an honorary degree from the College in 2015.
Raymond J. Peach
Raymond J. Peach started his banking career at Union and New Haven Trust Company and rose through the industry ranks, retiring from Hudson United as regional president. He then served as a consultant there and with TD Bank. Aside from faithfully serving Albertus as a trustee for three decades, including as Chairman of the Finance Committee, Peach is a member of many local civic and church boards and has received numerous accolades including being appointed a Knight of Saint Gregory by His Holiness, Pope John Paul II. He earned an honorary degree from the College in 2022.
Bernard A. Pellegrino, Esq.
Bernard A. Pellegrino, Esq., devotes his practice to planning, zoning, environmental and administrative law. He advises and represents property owners in obtaining all required permits, whether it be for a major shopping mall or for a home addition. Pellegrino served on numerous endeavors: the Board of First Constitution Bank; a member of Governor Grasso's Task Force on Housing and the Greater New Haven Regional Growth Partnership; and a Trustee of Yale New Haven Hospital and the Hospital of Saint Raphael. He served on the Albertus Magnus College Board from 1977-1991, including Board Chair from 1985-1989, and earned an honorary degree from the College in 1998.
Joan E. Sacco ’59
Joan E. Sacco found success in the varied fields of real estate, interior decoration, social work, and insurance as well as her work on the Albertus Board from 1999-2023. Sacco worked for Travelers, the State of Connecticut, and several top real estate agencies – each time developing new skills and taking on bigger responsibilities. She was a member of the National Association of Realtors and the Connecticut Association of Realtors and contributed to the community through several organizations including the Guilford Scholarship Association. She earned an honorary degree from the College in 2023.