Resources
E. LaBrent Chrite, PhD
President
Sessions: First Falcons Pinning Ceremony and Reception; State of the University with President Chrite; ALANA Reception
E. LaBrent Chrite, the ninth president of Bentley University, is an experienced higher education leader who believes business can change lives for the better. He served most recently as the president of Bethune-Cookman University, where he led the institution through an extensive review that resulted in continued accreditation and strengthened institutional governance and fiscal integrity. Prior to joining Bethune-Cookman, Brent served as the dean of the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver and dean and professor of management at the Feliciano School of Business at Montclair State University. Over the course of his career, Brent has helped governments, universities and foundations across the world to develop programs and research initiatives aimed at bolstering emerging markets, entrepreneurism and capital development and reducing poverty. Originally from Detroit, Brent has a PhD from the University of Michigan, Master of Science from the University of Missouri-Columbia and Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University.
J. Andrew Shepardson, MEd, PhD
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Session: State of the University with President Chrite
Andrew has been a member of the Bentley community since 1993, when he started as judicial coordinator. Following promotions to assistant dean, associate dean and dean, he assumed the position of vice president for student affairs and dean of students in 2011. In this capacity, Andrew oversees all aspects of student life on and off campus through the management of numerous student-facing officers. In addition to his roles on campus, Andrew has taught undergraduate and graduate courses at Bentley, Northeastern and Suffolk universities. He has been named staff member of the year by Bentley students and received the university’s Founder’s Day award. Andrew holds a PhD from the Lynch School of Education at Boston College, an MEd in Student Development and Counseling from Northeastern University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from St. Michael’s College in Vermont.
Paul Tesluk, PhD
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Session: State of the University with President Chrite
Paul is a national expert in leadership development, team design and effectiveness, and organizational change. He is an accomplished scholar who has been widely published in the most selective journals in his field, and he has served on the editorial boards of many leading academic journals in management. Before Bentley, Paul was dean of the University at Buffalo School of Management, where he also served as chair of the school’s Organization and Human Resources Department and founded and served as academic director of the Center for Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness. Previously, Paul served as chair of the Department of Management and Organization at the University of Maryland – Robert H. Smith School of Business, Ralph J. Tyser Professor of Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management at the University of Maryland, and assistant professor in the Psychology department at Tulane University. Paul holds PhD and master’s degrees in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Penn State University and a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Relations from Cornell University.
Meghan Charbonneau
Assistant Director, Undergraduate Academic Advising
Session: Supporting the Academic Experience
Meghan started her career at Bentley 13 years ago as an academic advisor. In addition to advising students, Meghan currently coordinates the transfer student academic programming, co-supervises the Peer Academic Advisors, and is the Student Equity & Inclusion liaison to the Division of Student Affairs. In her free time, she enjoys taking her six-year-old daughter to all her activities and going to concerts with friends.
Chase C. Cicchetti, PhD
Lecturer, Finance
Session: Building Trust and Transparency Around AI
Chase has over a decade of experience in financial markets from bases in Singapore, London and Boston. He managed State Street Global Markets’ North American fiduciary currency sales process before transitioning to private markets and independent research. Chase has worked intimately with global central banks and institutional investment teams; he continues to advise on geopolitical and currency risk. He joined Bentley’s Finance faculty in January 2020. Chase currently teaches History of Money, undergraduate and graduate Corporate Finance, and Applied Artificial Intelligence as part of the Falcon Discovery Seminar.
Cody Aguirre Clearwater ’08
Vice Chair, Global Alumni Board
Session: State of the University with President Chrite
Cody graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Bentley in 2008 and joined the Global Alumni Board (GAB) in 2020. After a corporate career leading both procurement and business services groups for a multi-billion dollar company, Cody transitioned to independent consulting and real estate investment. She credits the Bentley network for many opportunities in her life, both professional and personal, and seeks to give back through the facilitation of connections among alumni through her work in the GAB.
Noah Giansiracusa, PhD
Associate Professor, Mathematical Sciences
Session: Building Trust and Transparency Around AI
Noah’s research interests range from algebraic geometry to machine learning to empirical legal studies. After publishing the book How Algorithms Create and Prevent Fake News in July 2021, Noah has gotten more involved in policy discussions concerning data-driven algorithms and their role in society. He’s appeared on cable TV and BBC radio, written op-eds for top publications and has been quoted in a range of newspapers. Noah is currently working on a second book, a popular math book forthcoming with Riverhead Books.
Alyssa Hammond
Director, Undergraduate Career Development
Session: CEO 101: Becoming the CEO of Your Life through Career Education
Alyssa leads the undergraduate team and the effort for advancing its career education curriculum (the CDI courses that have won the National Association of Colleges and Employers Career Services Excellence Award), along with dedicated career coaching and outcomes for all undergraduate students, technology innovation, student collaboration, social innovation and marketing initiatives.
Donna Kendall
Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management and Dean of Undergraduate Admission
Session: Undergraduate Admission Information Session
Donna has worked in the Enrollment Management division at Bentley since 1996. She oversees the offices of undergraduate admission and student financial services. Helping families understand the often-complex college admission and financial aid processes has been her passion. She has served as president of the Massachusetts Association of Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA) and chair of the New England Regional Council of the College Board. She is currently the volunteer chair of the advisory board of the Waltham YMCA.
Georgianna Melendez ’94, PhD
Assistant Professor of Management, Western New England University
Session: First Falcons Pinning Ceremony and Reception
Georgianna (she/ella) is the former assistant chancellor for DEI at UMass Boston, where she earned a PhD in Business Administration, received the Doctoral Award for Scholarly Excellence and earned her master’s degree in Public Affairs. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Bentley. Georgianna was twice recognized by El Planeta’s Powermeter as one of Boston’s 100 most influential people for the Latino community of Massachusetts; received a Leading the Way award from UMass Boston’s Center for Collaborative Leadership; and was recently selected by GetKonnected as one of Massachusetts’ 50 most influential professionals of color in higher education.
Chris Nash ’06
Vice President, Audit Strategy and Operations, Mastercard
Session: ALANA Reception
Chris Nash is a risk management professional in the payments industry. A strategic thinker who executes opportunities for organizational effectiveness, she has worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and U.S. Central Bank. In her current role, Chris leads audit methodology and practices, operations, data analytics and supporting the general auditor with serving the audit committee. Passionate about advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, Chris advises a Mastercard affinity group steering committee, serves on the Bentley Mosaic Alumni Council (BMAC) and is on the board of Volunteer New York.
Natalie Schlegel, MBA ’08
Executive Director, International Education
Session: Study Abroad: What Families Need to Know
Natalie leads the Cronin Office of International Education team that manages Bentley’s international partnerships and a diverse portfolio of education abroad programs that serve approximately 700 students annually. Natalie came to Bentley in 2003 as an education abroad adviser. Previously, she held positions at Harvard University and EF Foundation for Foreign Study. She counts her experiences living with a host family in Argentina, studying in Germany and living in Scotland among the most transformative experiences of her life. Natalie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Spanish from Vanderbilt University, and an MBA from Bentley.
Liz Siladi
Director of Gift Planning and Senior Philanthropic Advisor
Session: Top Tips for Maximizing Charitable Giving
Liz helps donors and their advisors plan current, life-income and estate gifts to Bentley that meet personal philanthropic and financial goals. She is a former president and board member of Planned Giving Group of New England, the founding chair of the Leave A Legacy™ initiative of central Massachusetts and a frequent speaker on topics pertaining to philanthropic planning.
Mel Smith
Academic Advisor, Undergraduate Academic Advising
Session: Supporting the Academic Experience
Mel (Melody) Smith has been an undergraduate academic advisor at Bentley since May 2022. Previously, she worked in residence life for several years, including four years as a residence director at Bentley. Besides advising students, Mel oversees assessment, Bentley Advising social media channels and the Advising Brief monthly newsletter. When not working, Mel enjoys spending time with her two dogs, reading and watching hockey.
Lynn Wolf ’88, MBA ’00
Lecturer, Accounting
Session: Back to the Classroom
Lynn has been a lecturer/adjunct lecturer in the Accounting Department at Bentley since 2018 and is also co-course coordinator of the GB112/GB212 freshman course series. As a CPA, Lynn started her career in public accounting at Arthur Andersen and has experience working with start-up technology companies and venture capital firms. Lynn is a big sports fan who looks forward to bringing business and career experience to her fellow Falcons and watching them succeed.
Contact Us
For questions about Falcon Weekend, get in touch with the Office of Alumni and Family Engagement at alumni@bentley.edu or 781-891-2025.