“Unity has lived its life in a reactive environment, it has allowed its environment to dictate how it was going to perform,” Galli stated. “This new vision of allowing development, enrollment management, and marketing to operate with laser sharp focus under the strategic leadership of a vice president for external affairs, positions the College to develop a brand that is recognized both nationally and internationally.” life,” Galli said. That was just six days after he had stepped into his new role as interim vice president. Despite the heartache he persevered and did not consider quitting to be an option. The values instilled in him from an early age stressed that when given the opportunity to make a positive difference, one should always take it.
Success on Wall Street The road to Wall Street success was a winding one for Galli. A native of Peckville, Pennsylvania, he chose to attend college while his two older brothers pursued vocational training. After earning an undergraduate degree in accounting from Wilkes University, Galli went to work for Knight Ridder, a prominent newspaper chain in the ‘80s, where he had the opportunity to learn how business works and the importance of all units working in concert. Galli (center) leads a Development Department meeting.
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| UNITY SPRING 2013
At the same time he took fine arts courses at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, eventually earning a master’s degree in publication design and print technology from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). He moved to New York City during the ’91 recession. Largely unemployed for 15 months, Galli started his own oneperson graphic design and branding firm, taking the infrequent projects that came along while networking for a more lucrative opportunity. Someone he met while networking encouraged Galli to pursue marketing opportunities on Wall Street. Such a job would synthesize Galli’s acumen in business with his training in graphic arts and extensive management experience. He applied to a small asset management firm called Neuberger Berman, founded by the world renowned art collector Roy Neuberger. The next thing Galli knew he was working in the marketing department, learning financial marketing from Andrea Trachenberg, the chief marketing officer.