Derek D’Antilio P’28 Wants to Help Shape Whitman School’s Next Chapter

For Derek D’Antilio P’28, a connection to the Whitman School was not only a natural extension of being a proud Syracuse parent to his son—it became a meaningful way to support the community his family has quickly come to love. As a member of the newly formed Whitman Parents Advisory Council and a donor in the Whitman Leadership Circle, D’Antilio brings the same energy, strategic focus and commitment to service that have shaped his career as executive vice president and chief financial officer at Allegro MicroSystems, located just outside of Boston.

D’Antilio’s interest in Whitman began with his son’s college search. Alex D’Antilio ’28, who is majoring in accounting and finance, was drawn to the School’s reputation, its state-of-the-art business facilities and the energy of the Syracuse campus.

“The business programs, the building, the Division 1 atmosphere, and the community—it all clicked for him,” D’Antilio recalls.

He saw early on that he wanted to play a hands-on role in Whitman’s continued momentum. When he learned about the newly formed Parents Advisory Council—tasked with helping the School achieve its goal of becoming a Top 25 business school by 2030—he knew that he wanted to help.

“I really love how Whitman is transforming,” he says. “I have an entrepreneurial bent and as a venture investor and advisor,  I liked the idea of contributing to something that is growing, evolving and trying to make an impact.”

He was especially impressed by the diversity and caliber of the parents involved—entrepreneurs, partners in law firms, investment bankers and executives across industries. “It’s a strong, influential network—one that can certainly help propel Whitman’s growth.”

For D’Antilio, the Parents Advisory Council is more than just meetings. It’s a chance to spend time with his son on campus, meet other families, engage with Whitman leadership and support initiatives that directly affect students’ academic and professional experiences.

His commitment deepened further when he and his wife made a multi-year commitment to the Whitman Dean’s Fund and joined the Whitman Leadership Circle. His motivation was clear: he wanted to invest in a mission he believes in.

Before building a career across global semiconductor and high-tech companies—including leading an IPO at IDEX Biometrics, senior executive roles in private equity and large public companies; MKS Instruments Inc. and 3Com Corporation (now Hewlett Packard) and earlier in his career, D’Antilio spent almost a decade in public accounting with PwC and BDO. A U.S. Army and Army National Guard veteran, D’Antilio firmly believes in the value of discipline, foundational skills and early leadership development, and he applauds Syracuse University and the Whitman School for their commitment to various educational opportunities for veterans.

His advice to students mirrors how he encourages his own son: “Take advantage of everything Syracuse offers. Get Bloomberg-certified, AI certified, join the investment club, build your network early and go on the immersion trips. All of it helps.”

Looking ahead, D’Antilio is eager to continue supporting Whitman and contribute to shaping the School’s next chapter.

“Whitman has been around for 150 years, but it’s continuously reinventing itself,” he says. “The Whitman Leadership Circle and the Parents Advisory Council are opportunities to help fuel that reinvention.”