Albertus Magnus College Welcomes New Trustees Chair, 5 New Members of Board

New Haven, Conn., June 12, 2024 – As the most diverse Catholic College in New England, known for its interdisciplinary liberal arts-based experiential learning approach,  Albertus Magnus College is pleased to announce the election of a new Chair of its Board of Trustees, Anne O. McCrory, J.D., as well as five new members to its Board. The distinguished group of new members consists of Maura Hunter Byrne ’76; Louis F. Tagliatela, Jr.; Tomoko Takahashi ’77, ’06 D.H.L., Ph.D, Ed.D; and Sr. Carol Davis, O.P. and Sr. Susan Leslie, O.P., both members of the College’s sponsoring Congregation, the Dominican Sisters of Peace.

“I am filled with immense gratitude as we welcome these inspiring individuals to the dedicated group of Trustees that serve the College so faithfully,” said Albertus President Marc M. Camille, Ed.D. “Their vision and leadership is paramount as the College approaches its 100th Anniversary Year in 2025-2026. Their unique experiences and talents will help us become ever more excellent in fulfilling our Dominican education mission on behalf of the diverse students who earn their degrees at Albertus. This new class of Trustees includes alumnae, two returning Trustees, and inspiring members of the Dominican Sisters of Peace.  As the College’s new Board Chair, Anne McCrory brings an ideal profile to lead the Trustees as Albertus turns the page to a second century, and her leadership will build on the myriad contributions of her predecessor, Vin Petrini, whose leadership during and after the pandemic was so insightful and valuable.  As I enter my eighth year serving as Albertus President, I could not be more grateful or enthusiastic to work with the amazing group of Trustees we now have.”

Petrini served as Chair of the Board of Trustees at Albertus since 2020 and has been a member since 2014.  He was Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at Yale New Haven Health System until his retirement in 2023.  Petrini says of his successor and incoming trustees, “As servant leaders, their innovative spirit will help our Board continue its unwavering commitment to guiding the College toward a bold, bright future and the Centennial Celebration in 2025-26.”

McCrory, who has been serving as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, is the Chief Legal and Real Estate Officer and former Chancellor of the Diocese of Bridgeport. In addition to her Board service at Albertus, 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.  A member of the Albertus Board since 2014 and reflecting on her election as Albertus Board Chair, McCrory stated, “Throughout my tenure as a board member, I have been inspired by the Dominican commitment to education and the work of my dedicated and talented Board colleagues.  I am both excited and honored to lead the Board as we prepare for the College’s Centennial and begin the next hundred years of Albertus students realizing their dreams.”

Albertus Magnus College Class of 2024 Board of Trustees Members:

Maura Hunter Byrne ’76 works as an arbitrator with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINA).  She has broad experience in equity research management, compliance, capital markets, and investment banking. Prior to this, Hunter Byrne was an investing member of Golden Seeds, an Angel group that provides early stage and growth capital as well as strategic advice to women entrepreneurs. Hunter Byrne earned her BA in Mathematics from Albertus, her MBA in Finance from Columbia Business School, and a Personal Financial Planning Certificate from UC Irvine.  She currently serves on the Board’s Ad Hoc Investment Committee.

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. She earned her Associates degree in Arts and Sciences from the Community College of Philadelphia; her Bachelor’s in Religious Studies from Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida; and her Master’s in Religious Studies from Villanova University.

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.  Sr. Susan earned her Bachelor’s in Religious Studies from Providence College and her Master of Physical Therapy at Hahnemann University in Philadelphia.

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 North Haven Health and Racquet. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Georgetown University and 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, 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. Dr. Takahashi received her BA in English magna cum laude and LHD honoris causa from Albertus Magnus College, MA, EdM, and EdD in applied linguistics from Columbia University, and PhD in translation studies from Monash University in Australia.