In December 2010, the Saint Peter’s University Alumni in Finance Network launched its inaugural event at Bayard’s in Hanover Square, Manhattan featuring speaker Frank D’Amelio ’79, current chief financial officer and executive vice president, global supply and business operations at Pfizer Inc. No one in the room that evening could have predicted the future success of the Alumni in Finance Network, which was designed to “unite Saint Peter’s graduates from all eras, to learn and exchange ideas, to expand and explore new professional relationships and to connect and engage with the [then] College.”
Eight years later the Network continues to thrive and has recently evolved into the Saint Peter’s Business Network, in order to draw people from all areas of business beyond only finance. Alumni in Finance was reimagined as the Saint Peter’s Business Network last year and the events still have the same goal in mind: to bring C-Suite speakers to intimate settings and unite graduates and friends of the University from all fields of business, share industry advice, offer mentorship and engage with the University. On the eighth anniversary of the network’s inaugural event, the group came together once again at India House (formerly Bayard’s) to hear from D’Amelio. Mary Kate Naatus, Ph.D., newly appointed KPMG dean of the Saint Peter’s University School of Business joined him for a discussion followed by a Q&A.
Dr. Naatus has been influential in the business department at Saint Peter’s University, previously serving as interim dean, business administration department chair and as an associate professor. Dr. Naatus provided an overview from the School of Business and recapped recent successes.
“Dr. Naatus has built meaningful relationships with students, local entrepreneurs and big businesses,” said Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., president of Saint Peter’s University.
D’Amelio was born and raised in Hoboken and earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Saint Peter’s University and a M.B.A. in finance from St. John’s University. He started his career at Bell Labs in 1979. Since then, he has been ranked among American’s top CFOs numerous times by Institutional Investor magazine. He currently serves on the boards of directors of Humana, Inc., Zoetis, Inc. and the Independent College Fund of New Jersey. Eight years ago, D’Amelio’s presentation was memorable and he set the standard high for future speakers.
Mark Kahrer ‘83, vice president of regulatory affairs at New Jersey Natural Gas and member of the Saint Peter’s University Board of Trustees said, “Frank is a genuine guy and even though he is high level he is still in touch with his roots.” In addition, Kahrer, who attended the first event and the most recent stated, “The all-encompassing format allows more people to come and network and reconnect with Saint Peter’s.”
Dr. Naatus asked D’Amelio about his past, how he overcomes challenges, what he has learned from those challenges and where he sees the future of Pfizer. A lively Q&A followed the discussion, where D’Amelio addressed concerns about health care costs.
“Our main goal at Pfizer is to improve everyone’s life health-wise,” D’Amelio said.
Other advice D’Amelio offered included three points: get out of your comfort zone, take advantage of Kodak moments and surround yourself with outstanding people.
“If you surround yourself with outstanding people at work, they will make you better,” said D’Amelio.
This event was the first attended by Matthew Feeney ’15, who works at Pfizer as a financial associate. He attended to hear from D’Amelio and also meet new people and reconnect with former classmates.
“You guys are on fire!” Feeney exclaimed in reference to recent awards the University has won and the $10 million gift recently given by Trustee Joseph A. Panepinto, Esq. ’66.
“I chose to attend tonight because it offered a nice opportunity to come back into the community and see people I haven’t seen and keep my network strong,” added Feeney.
To learn more about upcoming alumni events, click here. To view more pictures from the event, click here.
