Whitman School Announces Lisa Fontenelli ’86 as Convocation Speaker

The Whitman School is proud to announce that Lisa Fontenelli ’86 (WSM/NEW) will be the Class of 2024 Convocation Speaker.  Lisa retired in 2017 as Partner and Managing Director of Goldman Sachs, a world-renowned investment bank. Lisa is a Trustee of Syracuse University and was Chair of the Whitman Advisory Council for several years.  Her support of Whitman has focused on experiential learning opportunities with an emphasis on immersive experiences in New York City.

In her decorated career, Fontenelli was global head of securities research and deputy head of the Global Investment Research Division, overseeing all equity and credit research globally. After starting her career in equity securities sales and research, she was named a Goldman partner in 2006 and served on the firm’s partnership committee.

Lisa holds an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration from Georgian Court University, where she served as a trustee for 12 years, and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Misericordia University.  These honors were awarded for her long-standing philanthropic support of the educational mission of the Sisters of Mercy, including initiatives around the world that provide educational opportunities for young women to build skills in critical thinking, leadership, collaboration, and philanthropy. Throughout her career, Lisa has mentored many on the path of management and leadership development.

“We are delighted to have Lisa Fontenelli speak with our graduating class this year. This is the first convocation speaker that Whitman has had in some time. Lisa brings a wealth of experience from a variety of global leadership roles. She has been very active in providing advice and support to Whitman and Syracuse University and has a strong understanding of the current challenges graduating students face. She has sage advice about motivation, value creation and what it means to be Orange. I think her message will resonate well with the graduating class,” says Alex McKelvie, interim dean of the Whitman School of Management.

Convocation for the Whitman School is Saturday, May 11, 2024, in the JMA Wireless Dome at 4 p.m.