Iona University Welcomes Esteemed Leaders to Board of Trustees, Signaling Continued Strength and Visionary Leadership
New Rochelle, N.Y. – Iona University is proud to announce the addition of several distinguished professionals and alumni to its Board of Trustees. Each individual brings an extraordinary wealth of experience and expertise to the University, further strengthening Iona’s strategic vision and commitment to excellence under the leadership of President Seamus Carey, Ph.D.
The new and returning Trustees, representing a wide range of industries, will play a critical role in leading and governing Iona as it continues to drive forward on its path of innovation and growth. Since 2019, new student enrollment is up over 40 percent at Iona and the University this fall welcomed its largest incoming class in two decades.
“On behalf of Iona University, it is an honor to welcome these exceptional individuals to our Board of Trustees,” Carey said. “Their insights will be invaluable as we continue to advance the Iona mission and develop the next generation of leaders.”
Meet the Trustees
Karen Abbruzzese, CPA ’93
Senior Vice President, Mastercard
Abbruzzese’s career spans nearly two decades at Mastercard, where she is recognized for her leadership in financial and strategic planning, business process improvement, digital innovation, and risk management. Currently serving as Senior Vice President, North American Franchise since 2022, she has held several other key positions at Mastercard, including Vice President of Digital Innovation, Operations and Policy; head of Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis; and Vice President of Compliance. Prior to Mastercard, Abbruzzese developed a strong foundation at Avon Products, where she served as Senior Manager of Financial & External Reporting. She began her career at Coopers & Lybrand, where she earned her CPA license. She enjoys contributing her time to charitable and Catholic organizations that benefit local communities. Abbruzzese graduated with her Bachelor of Business Administration in Public Accounting from Iona, earning Iona’s distinguished Cardinal’s Award for Proficiency in Studies.
Daniel F. Doyle ’93, ’95MBA
Strategic Advisor, GOLD SN
Doyle is an accomplished executive with over 25 years in the fintech industry. He had been Principle & President of CardWorks Acquiring from 2008 before exiting in February 2022 to Blackstone. Prior to that, Doyle was an executive at American Express for almost 11 years, spending time in both Establishment Services and Corporate Services in various capacities. Doyle serves as a Trustee and on several Advisory Boards in the fintech, cyber security, banking, and data compliance fields. He also enjoys contributing his time and resources toward numerous charitable and educational organizations that enhance his local communities. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an MBA from Iona. He also served as captain of the Iona men’s basketball team.
Monique Jean ’00
Executive Director, Morgan Stanley, Wealth Management Advisory Legal Division
Monique Jean ’00 is an Executive Director in Morgan Stanley’s Wealth Management Advisory Legal division, with extensive experience in regulatory frameworks impacting consumer financial products. Her expertise spans CFPB regulations, conduct-based broker-dealer rules, oversight of fairness in models using artificial intelligence, and ESG compliance. Prior to this, Jean was Managing Director and General Counsel at Strategic Compliance Partners, and Chief Compliance Officer at FirstKey Holdings, LLC. In addition to her professional responsibilities, Jean is committed to mentorship. She is actively involved in mentoring programs, including Morgan Stanley HBCU Scholars and the National Bar Association Associate Advancement Academy. Outside of her professional life, she has been deeply engaged with nonprofit organizations and has served on the Board of Trustees at Becket Chimney Corners YMCA and the American Cancer Society’s Westchester Volunteer Leadership Council.
Al Kelly Jr. ’80, ’81MBA, ’19H
Advisory Director, Berkshire Partners
Chairman and CEO, Visa (retired)
Kelly is the retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Visa, where he joined as CEO in 2016 and was elected Chairman of the Board in 2019. He transitioned to Executive Chairman in 2023 before retiring in 2024. Currently, he serves as an Advisory Director at Berkshire Partners. Kelly spent most of his career at American Express, where he worked from 1987 to 2010. Over those 23 years, he held several senior positions, including serving as President from 2007 to 2010. Immediately prior to Visa, Kelly was President and CEO at Intersection, a technology and digital media company. From 2011 to 2014, Kelly served as President and CEO of the 2014 NY/NJ Super Bowl Host Company, the entity created to raise funds for and host Super Bowl XLVIII. Prior to joining American Express, he was the head of information systems at the White House under President Ronald Reagan from 1985 to 1987. He also held various positions in information systems and financial planning at PepsiCo Inc. from 1981 to 1985. Beyond his professional achievements, Kelly chaired the Papal Visit Committee for NYC in 2015, and in 2016, he was honored by Pope Francis as a Knight in the Order of Saint Gregory the Great. He and his wife, Peggy Kelly ’81, ’84MBA, generously supported the naming of the Kelly Center for Health Sciences in Bronxville, N.Y. Kelly serves as a Trustee of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Boston College. He is also on the Boards of General Motors, Saint Joseph’s Seminary and College and the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, where he serves as Chairman. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Computer and Information Science and an MBA from Iona.
Cathy McCabe ’85
Senior Managing Director, TIAA (retired)
During a career spanning more than 30 years, McCabe has been a senior financial services executive who drove business results, ensured regulatory compliance, and optimized organizations. Known for her values-based leadership, McCabe pursued her passion for improving the financial lives of individuals and their families. Under her leadership, her team helped more than 1.5 million individuals achieve and exceed their financial goals. She was the executive sponsor of innovative TIAA financial literacy programs developed and delivered to serve the needs of diverse individuals and groups, including women, the Hispanic and Latino communities, and the LGBTQ+ community. McCabe comes from a long line of Iona graduates, including her parents and six older siblings. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Iona, graduating summa cum laude. McCabe’s family established the Catherine H. ’71MA and Hugh J. McCabe ’49 Endowed Scholarship in 2002. McCabe remains an active alumna of Iona. She served on the Women’s Advisory Board and was honored as part of Iona’s Women’s Legacy Fund, celebrating the 50th anniversary of women attending Iona. She is a member and Co-Chair of Iona’s Advisory Board for its Gaels Go Further Mentoring Program and is a current mentor. McCabe is also a member and Co-Chair of the Major Donor Committee of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), leading the fight for the LGBTQ+ community. McCabe launched Cathy McCabe Coaching LLC and is currently a Life & Leadership Coach.
Edward R. McNally Jr. ’78
President and Chief Executive Officer, Star Marketing Services – Omnicom (retired)
McNally spent over 40 years as a business executive. The last 30 years were with the Omnicom Group, a global marketing communications agency holding company, where he took on increasingly challenging roles over his tenure. His most recent 10-year term was as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Star Marketing Services division of Omnicom, an agency group he engineered. McNally’s dedication to Iona is evident in his philanthropic endeavors, including the establishment of the McNally Family Scholarship in 1999, alongside his father, Ed McNally Sr. ’51, and his brother, Steve McNally ’94. McNally has also served on the Advancement Committee of the Iona Board of Trustees and has participated in the mentorship program of the Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Iona and earned an MBA from NYU in Finance and International Business.
Bob Mehmel ’84
President and COO, Griffon Corporation
Mehmel is a seasoned public company executive and currently serves as the President and Chief Operating Officer of Griffon Corporation (NYSE:GFF), a management and holding company focused on two business segments (Home and Building Products & Consumer and Professional Products). Prior to assuming his current role at Griffon Corporation in 2012, he spent the previous three decades in the Aerospace & Defense (A&D) industry in roles of increasing responsibility and executive positions for L-3 Communications, Lockheed Martin, Loral Corporation and DRS Technologies. Mehmel’s career has paired his experience in strategy, operations and finance with his extensive knowledge of mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and investor relations. He has previously served on a number of public and private company Boards, and has also served on Iona’s LaPenta School of Business Executive Advisory Council. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Iona.
Matt Schnaars
President, Content Distribution, NBC Universal
Schnaars serves as President of Content Distribution for NBCUniversal, where he is responsible for the distribution and monetization of NBCUniversal’s vast portfolio of broadcast stations, cable networks, regional sports networks, direct-to-consumer apps, and FAST channels. Schnaars has played a critical role in NBCU’s growth over the past decade, including the successful launch of NBCU’s direct-to-consumer service, Peacock. Prior to this role, he served as Senior Vice President of Content Distribution, a position he assumed when he joined NBCUniversal in 2013. Before his tenure at NBCUniversal, Schnaars worked at The Walt Disney Company for nine years, where he served as Vice President of National Accounts in the Disney and ESPN Media Networks division. Schnaars holds an MBA with a concentration in Finance from NYU’s Stern School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the College of the Holy Cross. He remains actively involved in several media industry organizations dedicated to mentorship and development.
In addition to the new Trustees, Anita Iaco ’85 was elected to serve as the Alumni Representative to the Board. The new appointments were effective as of July 1, 2024.
The Momentum Continues
Founded in 1940, Iona is a Catholic institution inspired by the legacy of Blessed Edmund Rice and the Congregation of Christian Brothers. With nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of over 50,000 worldwide, Iona prides itself on its academic excellence and commitment to service, justice, opportunity and the transformative power of education.
Iona’s 45-acre campus in New Rochelle and 28-acre campus in Bronxville are both just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan in Westchester County, N.Y. Connecting to its Irish legacy, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, in May 2024, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate.
Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs across three schools: the School of Arts & Science, LaPenta School of Business and the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences. In addition, the Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation offers dynamic degree programs and is available to all students across academic disciplines. Meanwhile, the newly launched Gabelli Center for Teaching & Learning reinforces Iona’s core commitment to academic excellence by sharpening its focus on the fundamentals of education: teaching and learning.
Reflecting the momentum, Iona has once again been named to prestigious national lists highlighting the success students have both on campus and beyond.
Most recently for 2025, The Princeton Review included Iona in its list of the “Best 390 Colleges” nationwide; The Wall Street Journal ranked Iona among “The Best Colleges in the U.S.” and Forbes named Iona to its list of “America’s Top Colleges.” In addition, Georgetown University's Center on Education and Workforce (CEW) ranks an Iona degree in the top 5 percent nationally for long-term return on investment.
“Iona has enjoyed tremendous success in recent years, and we look forward to building upon it with the vision and support of our distinguished Board,” Carey said. “I want to thank all our Trustees for their continued dedication to Iona University.”