After serving on the Board of Governors since 2002, I am honored to begin my two-year term as president of the Georgetown University Alumni Association (GUAA). I am committed to advancing GUAA’s mission: to generate goodwill and support for the university, and to foster a lifelong connection among alumni, our alma mater, and the global Georgetown community.
You see, Georgetown changed my life.
My life is an exemplar of the American dream. My parents emigrated from Croatia and Slovakia; I am a first-generation American and the first person in my family to graduate from college. Georgetown molded me intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, and civically. I met the love of my life, my wife Debbie (F’71), at Georgetown—our first date was The Voice Christmas party.
Our two daughters, Sarah (MPP’09) and Christine (C’08, M’17), are also Hoyas and share our deep belief in “women and men for others” and cura personalis, as well as our passion for Hoya basketball!
My first official responsibility as GUAA President was leading the biennial Board of Governors retreat, where we reviewed and affirmed the GUAA 2020 Strategic Plan. The Board has determined five key strategic priorities:
Diversity—Align GUAA programs, resources, volunteer leaders, and recognition to reflect the diversity of the alumni population and create a more inclusive community. Strengthening Engagement—Strengthen Georgetown’s global brand, mission, and goals by engaging alumni in meaningful activities and programs.
Communications—Enhance GUAA communications with alumni and the university.
Metrics—Create a culture of measurement and accountability.
Governance—Maintain efficient and sustainable governance.
My particular focus will be on promoting diversity, and inclusion in all of our programming, events, and services. I look forward to working with the Board of Governors to promote these goals along with Paul Lanzone (MBA’15), the newly appointed associate vice president of Alumni Engagement, and Julia Farr (C’88), the new executive director of the alumni association. (Read more on page 36.)
In order to succeed, we must have a vision, a mission, and a plan to get there. That’s what I told my daughter when we decided to climb Kilimanjaro. After lots of planning and training, we reached the summit. As your alumni association president, I make it my mission to amplify the Georgetown values we all hold dear and bring you home to Georgetown.
