Matthew Caiola ’05 on the Power of Storytelling and Leadership in the PR Industry
“Iona was a place where I realized the importance of pursuing a variety of interests, following your passions and investing your time in the things that keep you engaged and intellectually curious,” said Matthew Caiola ’05, who earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communication. The Iona University alumnus has since built a transformative career in storytelling as CEO of 5W Public Relations. As a leader in the PR industry, Caiola leads 5WPR’s corporate, technology, consumer, and digital divisions. With over a decade of experience at 5WPR, Caiola has helped transform the agency into a top 10 independently owned PR firm in the U.S. Under Caiola’s leadership, 5WPR has received numerous accolades, including Inc. Magazine’s Best Workplaces, PRovoke Media’s Top 50 Global PR Agencies, and multiple American Business Awards. Caiola was recently honored as Communications and PR Executive of the Year by the American Business Association and as one of PRDaily’s Top Communicators of the Year.
Learn more about Matthew Caiola ‘05
What do you love most about what you are currently doing?
The people - from my team to my peers to my mentors to my clients. It is something that is often said but never overstated, but the people you surround yourself with are the key to your success, your growth, and your fulfillment. I’ve been so fortunate in my career to have met so many talented, smart, and kind people along the way who have helped me grow the businesses I’ve run, myself as a leader and as a person. Trust your instincts. When you find and meet good people, and keep them in your network - it will always pay off. Beyond that, working in marketing and communications today is an ever-evolving challenge to push the boundaries of what’s possible. It allows me to blend my love of, and belief in, storytelling, with my more qualitative business and financial side to both drive campaigns on behalf of our clients as well as the leadership of 5W overall.
Why did you decide to study your particular major?
I deeply believe in the power of storytelling and the power it has to change minds and behaviors. Anyone who is a fan of entertainment - whether that be movies, books, television, theater, music, or sports - knows the ability of a good story to draw you in. I was interested in learning more about how to be an effective storyteller and how that could be implemented, scaled, and measured against a brand’s growth.
How did Iona prepare you for where you are today, personally and/or professionally?
Iona was a place where I learned the value of connections, of finding mentors to learn from and peers to learn with - and I reap the benefits of those relationships today. It also was a place where I realized that it’s important to pursue a variety of interests, from classes to extracurriculars, and to follow your passions and invest your time in the things that keep you engaged and intellectually curious. Today, as a CEO, board member, and investor, I can gladly say that those lessons have served me well. I don’t see a linear path to success, but rather I invest my time across multiple areas that I believe in - and surround myself with talented people who are there for the ride and can take us further than we ever thought possible.
Recent News
I recently became a board member of Little Baby Face Foundation, a non-profit with a mission to transform the lives of children born with debilitating facial deformities through world-class reconstructive surgery. It is a foundation I have been connected to for some time and I was honored when they approached me to join the board. I believe deeply in their work and mission, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to offer my experience to help grow their reach. Having the opportunity to bring my career and experience in business to grow their reach is one I cherish greatly.
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 5 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2024.” Iona also offers a fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with one of the nation’s top hospitals. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.