VSB MENTOR PROGRAM ADVISORY BOARD
Advisory Board members are ambassadors for the VSB Mentor Program and the value of mentoring. Student mentees, alumni, and alumni mentors who are passionate about mentoring and its impact volunteer to serve as Advisory Board members. Together, they work to provide strategic direction to the VSB Mentor Program, recruit Villanova students and alumni to join the Program, organize events, and enhance the Program. Additionally, the Advisory Board is a strong and active Villanova network. Contact Michele Gianforcaro at michele.gianforcaro@villanova.edu if you are interested in learning more.
Jennifer Albert '05 VSB
"The mentor program is important to me because I remember being an undergrad and not having many resources to bounce ideas, job offers and salary questions, etc. off of. Having someone who knows your career goals and skill set can be valuable in kicking off your career as well as once your career progresses.”
John Asta ’91 VSB
“An integral facet of personal and professional growth is embracing the servant-leader mindset. Joan Marques said it best: ‘It’s easier to take than to give. It’s nobler to give than to take. The thrill of taking lasts a day. The thrill of giving lasts a lifetime.’”
Lisa Canoura '93 VSB
"I am a huge advocate for mentoring. I have been blessed to have mentors invest their time, talent and experience in helping me succeed. They were sounding boards and thought partners who helped me explore opportunities I could never dream of. The VSB Mentor Program provides me the opportunity to give back. As a mentor, I hope to assist individual students in their careers. As a member of the Advisory Board, I hope to further the great work being done for the entire Villanova community."
Marissa D’Ambrosio ’14 VSB
“Maya Angelou once remarked, ‘As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.’ The Mentor Program is an amazing opportunity for mentors and mentees to extend hands in self-discovery, in both personal and professional contexts. I am so honored to be part of this team and to witness its growth year after year!”
Luke DeGrossi ’12 VSB
“I have always had a lot of gratitude for the mentorship I received throughout my own personal journey in commercial real estate. Serving as a VSB mentor is my way of saying ‘thank you’ to the numerous men and women who guided me along the way. The VSB Mentor Program has provided me with a platform rooted in service, giving back, and the most rewarding part of it all: seeing students graduate into the real world and succeed.”
Meghan Doscher ’99 VSB
“I absolutely love mentoring. I am passionate about helping others and I love being able to help students navigate their majors, course work, careers and lives. There is no wrong path and having the ability to be a resource for students to help take the guesswork and worry out of some of their decisions is such a wonderful opportunity and responsibility. Whether it be an on-going mentor relationship or just a mentor ‘moment’ or ‘phone a friend’ in a time when advice is needed, I’m happy to help!”
Carter Elias ’25 CLAS
“Mentorship is often the difference between confidence and uncertainty for students entering the professional world. Although many say that their success is due to their mentors, there are few places that explicitly facilitate mentoring relationships like the VSB Mentor Program. I joined the Mentor Program because it provides a unique opportunity to create ties between current students and alumni and is a true differentiator for Villanova.”
Aminah Fawad '15 VSB
“My Villanova mentors helped me find success at VSB, in my professional career and beyond. I am honored to serve as a mentor and as a member of the Advisory Board to pay that forward for years to come."
Mike Ford ‘79 VSB
“After eight years mentoring three mentees through the VSB Mentor Program, I was ready to give back even more by joining the Advisory Board. Throughout my career, I’ve seen firsthand how a mentor can help shape your career trajectory—and how essential networking is to long-term success. Mentoring through VSB has been especially rewarding because the learning goes both ways for mentors and mentees. My goal now is to welcome even more Villanovans into the program and spread the word about the real, lasting value of building a lifetime network—for mentees and mentors.”
Don Fuss '90 VSB
“The VSB Mentor program is an opportunity to give back to the Villanova community as well as provide a valuable resource for mentees to help shape their careers. There is true power and value in networking and the sharing of valuable insights and experiences. I consider it a privilege to be part of a program that has a positive impact on Villanova students.”
Jenna Genzel ’27 VSB
“The VSB Mentor Program truly embodies the spirit of Villanovans and their willingness to help others succeed. I joined the VSB Mentor Program to gain professional guidance and exposure to the world of business, and it has been invaluable in helping me navigate my academic and professional goals. I am excited to be on the Advisory Board to play a part in supporting the Villanova community!”
Jessica Gerber '93 VSB
“The passion and strength of the Villanova community makes the VSB Mentor Program a fun and rewarding experience for both students and mentors. As an Advisory Board member, I am proud to be a part of building this program for the future.”
Chris Glennie ’15 VSB
“My time at Villanova is something that I will cherish forever. The Villanova network has played an integral part in my career progression. It is an honor and privilege to serve as a member of the Advisory Board and I hope to continue to pay it forward for many years to come.”
Ted Haack ’91 VSB
“Mentorship is critical to everyone’s success and it is a great introduction to professional networking. No one does it alone, so the earlier students can create these relationships, I believe they will find greater satisfaction in their careers. The VSB Mentor Program provides the opportunity to ask questions about the all-important first job, graduate school, and I think it is especially valuable for students who are unsure about what to do after graduation. As someone who left a traditional career for a very non-traditional one, I can personally attest to the power of mentoring and networking. It has been an absolute honor and a pleasure to give back to Villanova by helping the students directly.”
Patrick Haley ’21 VSB
“The VSB Mentor Program and my mentor have given me numerous opportunities to grow as a professional and develop skills that I will need in the workforce. My mentor is not only a resource for me, but also a friend. I joined the Advisory Board to help advance this program so that all students can have a valuable experience."
Lauren Hogan '13 VSB
“I decided to get involved with the VSB Mentor Program because it’s something I could have benefited from as an undergrad. Adapting to life after college can be challenging at first, and having someone in your chosen field who you can bounce ideas off of is a huge asset. I look forward to being more involved in the program as a member of the Advisory Board and helping mentees get the most out of their VSB experience.”
Kaitrin Karr ’24 CLAS
“The decision to join the VSB Mentor Program was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It introduced me to the business world and allowed me to grow and prosper in this new environment. Having a mentoring relationship has given me knowledge about myself and my professional career that I would not have found otherwise. I’m so glad to have joined the Mentor Program, and I can’t wait to stay active involved post-graduation.”
Sydney Karpowich ’22 VSB
“The VSB Mentor Program is a great opportunity for students to connect with alumni who were once in their position and now have their own real-world experiences to share. When I was a student in the Program, I gained valuable insight from my mentor that inspired my future career plans and helped me grow professionally. As a member of the Advisory Board, I have the privilege of helping to develop opportunities that will continue to connect Villanovans.”
Isabelle Kellezi ’25 CLAS
“Many of the business leaders I admire attribute their growth to mentorship early in their careers. Inspired by this, I joined the VSB Mentor Program as a mentee and later served as the program's intern, gaining meaningful guidance and perspective that helped shape my path. I’m incredibly grateful to now continue my involvement as an alumna on the Advisory Board, giving back to a program that had such a lasting impact on me.”
Christine Kraft ’92 VSB and ’97, ’00 CWSL
“I have always valued my relationships with mentors. My mentors have helped me in a variety of ways, from day-to-day decisions to career transitions…and I love that I have been able to pay it forward by mentoring students, including two of my sons who attend Villanova! Mentoring (and serving as an Advisory Board member) through the VSB Mentor Program has allowed me to share my experiences with others—helping them think about and navigate professional and academic opportunities. Mentoring keeps me on my toes. It allows me to support others in the important choices they make and allows me to keep learning and evaluating my own professional opportunities.”
Kevin Lamb ’88 VSB
“I benefitted greatly from mentorship at Villanova and beyond. I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to pass on what I was taught. Mentors allowed me to learn much more quickly and less painfully, smoothing out a lot of the sharp edges along the way.”
Rachel (Rurak) Lambertson ’19 VSB
“I have been very fortunate throughout my career to have mentors who have invested their time and hearts into my personal and professional development. These mentors have helped shape me into who I am today. I am passionate about mentoring because I can now pay that forward to others. It is truly an honor to serve on the Advisory Board where I can give back to the Villanova community and help to shape the future of this incredible program!”
Olivia McEntee ’19 VSB
“I’ve participated in the VSB Mentor Program as a mentee and mentor, both of which have been extremely rewarding experiences. Mentorship is invaluable for students as they navigate tough decisions such as choosing a major, deciding on a career path and so on. I’m honored to have the privilege to continue my involvement on the Advisory Board of the Mentor Program and have the opportunity to give back to the Villanova community.”
Spencer Miller ’18 VSB, ’21 CWSL
“Mentoring is a huge asset to both students and professionals in the business world; these two-way relationships help to build networks and expand opportunities. I joined the Advisory Board so that I could promote the benefits of mentoring to other Villanovans and help them to succeed professionally."
Chloe Moscrop, ’28 VSB
“I’ve always been an advocate for the power of mentorship, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to support others the way others have supported me. Serving on the VSB Advisory Board is an honor and a meaningful way to give back to such a great community.”
Erin Neilsen ’23 CLAS
“I have always valued mentorship in my life. Joining the VSB Mentor Program while attending Villanova was one of the most impactful decisions for me, as I was able to form relationships with alumni and students who shared similar career interests and goals as me. Through my involvement with the Advisory Board, I hope to help support other Villanovans through both formal and informal mentoring relationships.”
Abby O’Hara ’15 VSB
"I joined the Advisory Board as a student when the VSB Mentor Program first launched in 2014. Since then, it has been incredibly rewarding to participate as both a student and an alumna. Mentorship is invaluable for students as they navigate their future career choices and equally gratifying for alumni to stay connected to the wonderful Villanova community."
Robert Olsen '86 VSB
"We have all gotten to where we are because someone believed in us and helped us. The VSB Mentor Program is a special opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others in the Villanova Community. It’s a chance to teach, guide and inspire others. It is in the service of others we also learn and grow ourselves. This is an exciting opportunity for both mentor and mentee."
Alex Ondik ’13 VSB
“There are many skills I use daily that I wish I had started strengthening while still a student, and I believe there is a unique perspective that comes from experience—both personally and professionally—that should be shared with those climbing up the path behind you. Being on the VSB Mentor Program Advisory Board and serving as a mentor gives me the chance to do that while thanking Villanova for all it has given me!”
Jerry Quinn '87 VSB
“Villanovans helping Villanovans. It is what we do.”
Gregory Romano ’04 VSB
“In life you don’t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate (or flat out ask for). The first step is looking in the mirror and negotiating what you want out of yourself. Mentors and sponsors are the next important element that help you explore and see perspectives you otherwise can’t. I’ve seen the tremendous value and impact from both sides and very much enjoy coaching others on how to play the game!”
Brian Ross ’06 VSB
"Throughout my time in the VSB Mentor Program, I have been able to share insights learned over the past 15 years with my mentees as they prepare for a career starting out in public accounting. The program also gives me a chance to get back on campus, engage with students, and connect with fellow alumni. Being a member of the Advisory Board has allowed me to help shape the direction of the Mentor Program and gain insights into various events on campus. Overall, it has been an extremely valuable experience!"
Elizabeth Sanford ’87 VSB
"I was very fortunate and benefited greatly from incredible mentors early in my career. Their willingness to share their wisdom, lessons learned, guidance and serve as a sounding board was essential to both my personal and professional growth. As I progressed in my career, I have always tried to do the same for others whenever possible. The opportunity to be part of the VSB Mentor Program allows me to support students in a way that I care deeply about, while giving back to Villanova, a place that has given me so much. I am truly grateful for the chance to contribute to the program."
Jay Santoro ’18 VSB
“I have benefited immensely from the help of mentors throughout both my time in college and my career. I love paying this support forward to keep the Nova Network alive and thriving.”
Carl Schwind '87 VSB
“Never underestimate the valuable and important difference you make in every life you touch for the impact you make today has a powerful rippling effect on every tomorrow.’ -Leon Brown. When I was a student, the advice of a mentor shaped my entire career and life. I enjoy the opportunity to make that kind of difference for the students of today.”
Vidhi Shah '15 VSB
"I joined the VSB Mentor Program board the first year it started in pilot mode. It's been rewarding to see it grow every year and see the relationships we have been fortunate enough to help foster. My mentors throughout my life, whether it was while at Villanova or after I joined the corporate world, have been an inspiration and a guiding hand for all my questions and dilemmas. To be part of a program that encourages and forms these relationships has been a wonderful experience.”
Brett Snyder '09 VSB
“The greatest value of my post-graduation Villanova experience has been the networking and professional growth opportunities. The earlier we can provide students the avenues to build these relationships, the better. The students aren’t the only ones who benefit. As a mentor, I've gained tremendous insight from the perspective of a rising student, which has allowed me to improve the way my business recruits and develops entry-level roles.”
Ally Smith ’28 VSB
“I joined the VSB Mentor Program because I had heard about the program while touring Villanova as a prospective student, and I saw it as a unique opportunity to build meaningful connections with industry professionals. The professional development and networking support I have received though this program has supported me along my internship search and has helped me make the most out of my VSB experience.”
Dan Temple ’96 VSB
"I was inspired to join the VSB Mentor Program because I do a lot of mentoring of junior professionals at work and really enjoy providing career coaching and advice. The chance to do something similar through the VSB Mentor Program was something that had tremendous appeal given my passion for mentoring."
Colin Winrow ’13 VSB
“I have benefited immensely from the advice and mentorship of other Villanovans in my career, and I believe the VSB Mentor Program is an excellent way to foster new connections between current students and the alumni working in their desired field of business.”
Michele Gianforcaro
Director, VSB Mentor Program