Living a Valiant Vision
THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2025 5 PM
GALA
Living a Valiant Vision
Thursday, April 3, 2025 | 5 PM to 8:30 PM
First Floor, Reid Castle and O’Byrne Chapel 2900 Purchase St., Purchase, NY 10577
Program
Cocktail Reception
Student Performances
Guest Seating
First Course Served
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Board Chair | Michael Dunn ’77
President | Frank D. Sánchez, PhD
Student Body President | Aela Mansmann ’26
Madame of Ceremonies | Amanda Kis Murthy ’07
Gala Co-Chair and Board Member | Chris Lewis ’97
Honoree Awards Presentations
Valley Bank and Nicolas Brown ’03
Dinner Service
Dinner Entertainment | Pianist Michael A. DiLeo, Jr. ’24
Honoree Awards Presentations
Daryl Mundis ’88 and Sila María Calderón ’64
Manhattanville Video Presentation
Dessert Served
Live Auction and Paddle Raise with Shawn Parr
Closing Remarks
President Sánchez
Silent Auction until 8 PM
Bid on unique items and experiences such as a Natori fashion collection, Mastercard Priceless Experiences, McLaren Experience, Napa Wine class, VIP Yankee Stadium suite with former players, Westchester Soccer Club tickets, signed Taylor Swift guitar, Country Music Awards fest tickets, a Tuscan villa vacation, and much more!
Menu
First Course
Roasted Pear Salad
Mixed greens, roasted pear, cranberries, candied walnuts and gorgonzola cheese with a champagne vinaigrette
Duet Entrees
Grilled Filet Mignon with a red wine demi glaze and
Pan-Seared Herb Crusted Atlantic Cod with a champagne garlic beurre blanc
All entrees are served with Chef’s Choice of starch and vegetable. Special dietary dishes available upon request.
Coffee and Dessert
Platters of assorted Petite Desserts (Wine and bar service available)
GALA
Co-Chairs
Amanda Kis Murthy ’07, SVP of Business
Operations and Services at NBCUniversal, is responsible for advertising execution across all digital platforms, including the streaming platform Peacock. A dynamic leader, Amanda is an expert in establishing process efficiency and driving innovation to move the business forward.
With 18 years in the media industry, Amanda has held a variety of roles, from local reporting in Northern Westchester to Strategic Planning and Operations within Ad Sales. Her media journey began with an internship at WABC-TV while studying at Manhattanville, where the school’s proximity to NYC and strong alumni network provided the foundation for her career.
More than just an academic experience, Manhattanville was also where Amanda built some of her most enduring and impactful friendships—relationships that have remained a source of strength, inspiration, and connection throughout her life and career. The closeknit community and shared experiences at college laid an essential foundation for the meaningful bonds she would go on to cherish.
Chris Lewis ’97 is a member of the Manhattanville Board of Trustees. Prior to his professional retirement in 2023, Chris was a member of the enterprise leadership team at the financial services firm Edward Jones, where he served as the Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel responsible for leadership of the Legal, Compliance and Government Relations functions. Before being named General Counsel in 2015 Chris had served as the Deputy General Counsel at Edward Jones and had practiced law in New York city at Duane Morris LLP and K&L Gates LLP.
As a Manhattanville Trustee, Chris has served as chair of the governance and nominating committee, the audit committee, and as a member of the executive committee. In addition to being a Manhattanville trustee, he currently serves as a director of Guess?, Inc. and a director of Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri as a member of its executive committee and was past board chair. He previously was a long-time board director for the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation, and the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Chris and his wife, Kris, co-founded Chiron Community Giving Foundation where they lead a board team and numerous expert consultants in research and grant making efforts to increase access to high-quality, affordable mental healthcare in St. Louis, Missouri.
Chris is a proud graduate of Manhattanville University (summa cum Laude 1997) and Columbia University School of Law (Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, 2000). Chris and Kris live in Saint Louis, Missouri.
Honorees
Corporate Citizenship
Business banking that’s not business as usual At Valley Bank, we don’t just invest in your business. We invest in your future to achieve your goals, advance your communities and secure your legacies. As a leading regional bank, we balance stability and convenience—with $62 billion in assets and more than 200 branches and commercial banking offices across the US—with an agility for knowing just how to adapt, pivot and plan two steps ahead.
With more than 3,800 experts across real estate, commercial and industrial, healthcare, nonprofit, government contracting and more, we help you focus your vision and then prioritize the solutions you need to achieve your business, specialized and personal ambitions, responsibly and sustainably. Because whether you’re just starting up, looking to expand, or seeking solutions that create greater stability, we take advancing your ambitions personally. It’s how we’ve been working since 1927, and what makes us the partner you can turn to, to power your tomorrow with confidence.
Valiant Visionary
Nicolas Brown ’03 is the President of McLaren, the Americas, since July 2021. He started with the company in 2019 where he held the role of Vice President, Sales – the Americas.
Before joining McLaren, Nicolas had a 16-year career with the BMW Group where he held numerous leadership positions within the brands BMW and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in headquarter, regional and field-based roles. His strategic and
operational automotive experience spans the areas of Sales, Marketing, Finance, Product Management and Strategy.
He spent a total of 9 years at BMW. First as Project Manager and Controller in Munich, Germany from 2003 – 2005, then as Product Manager Luxury Class Segment and Experiential Sales and Marketing Manager in the U.S., followed by being the Head of Business Steering Luxury Class Segment – Global in Munich, Germany, completing his stint as Corporate Strategy Manager – USA in New Jersey in 2019.
From 2005 – 2012, he was with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in both Sales and Retail Operations management roles, and was the General Manager – Eastern Region North America, for two years.
Nicolas graduated from Manhattanville University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts, cum laude. He majored in International Studies and International Management with minors in German and History.
Nicolas is married with one child and spends his time between New York City and Dallas.
Social Responsibility Champion
Daryl A. Mundis ’88 retired in February 2021 from the United Nations at the rank of Assistant Secretary-General, after a career spanning more than two decades in international criminal law. His final position was the Registrar at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), an international tribunal prosecuting political terrorist offenses. As the senior executive for that institution, which employed 450 staff on three continents, he managed a budget of nearly $90 million.
Mundis joined the STL in August 2009 as Chief of Prosecutions, after having been a Senior Prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague. Before prosecuting at the ICTY, he worked in the Chambers of ICTY President Gabrielle Kirk McDonald.
In this role, he dealt with matters involving the Security Council and State compliance issues, in addition to advising on matters of international humanitarian
law. Before joining the ICTY, he served in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate’s General Corps in Philadelphia and London.
Mundis earned a PhD in international law (dissertation: law of naval exclusion zones) from the London School of Economics (LSE), University of London; LLM with merit (LSE); JD with honors in foreign and comparative law (Columbia Law School); Masters in International Affairs with a concentration in international security studies (Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs); and BA magna cum laude in International Studies and Russian Area Studies (Manhattanville College). He has published extensively on issues relating to international criminal law and procedure, international humanitarian law and international courts and tribunals. Since retiring, Mundis has been teaching justice studies and international law-related courses at Manhattanville University.
Presidential Medal
Sila M. Calderón ’64, Mayor of San Juan (1997-2000) and Governor of Puerto Rico (2001-2004), is currently president of Inter-American Global Links, Inc. (IGlobaL), a trade and business advisory firm. The firm provides its clients access to private and public markets in Latin America, the Caribbean and the United States. In addition, facilitates importing products and services from the United States and the European Union to Puerto Rico and to the aforementioned countries. Mrs. Calderón also chairs the board of trustees of the Foundation that bears her name and its operational arm, the Center for Puerto Rico, a non-profit organization that focuses on community economic development and increasing the entrepreneurial skills and opportunities for disadvantaged citizens.
In the public sector, governor Calderón previously served as Special Aide for Economic Development to the Governor, Chief of Staff and Secretary of State. She was also member of the board of directors of the Government Development Bank.
As a private citizen, Mrs. Calderón was member of the boards of Banco Popular de Puerto Rico and Pueblo Internacional; and also chaired the board of the Public
Broadcasting Corporation (WIPR) and of the Cantera Peninsula Development Project. Presently, she also serves as Life Trustee of the New York Public Library and Grammen America, and member of the board of Tuscan Holdings II, Corp.
Mrs. Calderon has been bestowed with honorary doctoral degrees from Boston University, Manhattanville College, New School University, Hunter College and Rutgers State University. She has also been a recipient of the Harvard Foundation Award and the Golden Plate Award from the Academy of Achievement in Washington, D.C.
Several countries have vested her their highest civic honors: Orden Duarte, Sánchez y Mella of the Dominican Republic, Orden Nuñez de Balboa of Panamá, Orden Juan Santamaría of Costa Rica, as well as Orden Isabel La Católica by the King of Spain. In 2015, President Barack Obama granted Mrs. Calderón the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Governor Calderón holds a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Government from Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York and pursued studies at the University of Puerto Rico’s Graduate School of Public Administration. She also attended the Stanford University Executive Program on Strategic Planning.
THANK YOU TO OUR
Gala Sponsors
Founder Valiant | $50,000
The John and Ana Calvao Family and Arrow Global
Nancy Roberts King ’66
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Lewis ’97, JD
Alice Leahey ’69
Platinum Valiant | $25,000
Cathleen Colins ’69
Luana Dunn and Michael Dunn ’77
Linda Pistecchia Kirkpatrick ’99
THANK YOU TO OUR Gala Sponsors
Gold Valiant | $10,000
Manhattanville Alumni Association Board
William H. Humphreys
President Frank D. Sánchez, PhD and Family
Tim and Sheila Finnerty ’87
Mary Allan ’67 and Jim Allan
Dwight R. Hilson, MAW ’09, H ’23
Josie Cruz Natori ’68
Silver Valiant | $5,000
Karen Burris Lennon ’79
Amy Y. Zhang ’93
Francisco Leija
June Wang ’67
Madsen Family ’85, ’86, and ’88
Trustees BOARD OF
Mary “O’Gorman” Fay Allan ’67
Grace E. Butler, RSCJ ’64, M.A. ’69 Teacher, Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart (Retired)
John Silva Calvao ’94 Fund Principal, Arrow Global
Cathleen Collins ’69
Managing Partner, Kinsella, Boesch, Fujikawa and Towle, LLP. (Retired)
Stephanie Kloos Donoghue ’82 President, S. Kloos Communications Inc.
Michael C. Dunn ’77
Senior Vice PresidentChief Marketing Officer, Georgia Pacific CEO, James Gate Group (Retired)
Sheila Falvey Finnerty ’87
Executive Managing Director, Liberty Mutual Investments (Retired)
Karina Frayter ’01
Head of Corporate Affairs and Marketing, Flix North America
William H. Humphreys
Business Director and Senior Vice President, Stolt-Nielsen USA, Inc. (Retired)
Linda Pistecchia Kirkpatrick ’99 President, Mastercard Americas
Alice D. Leahey ’69 Assistant Vice President, Bank of America (Retired)
Francisco Leija Consultant, Modern Phalanx Solutions
Karen Burris Lennon ’79 President, Karen B. Lennon Consulting LLC
Peter Lorenz CEO, Unirac Inc.
Christopher N. Lewis ’97, JD General Counsel, Edward Jones (Retired)
H. Joseph Machicote ’86 Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Premier, Inc.
Joseph B. Narus ’86
Senior Director, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Austin Purves, PhD Software Engineer, Rockstar Games
Frank D. Sánchez, PhD President, Manhattanville University
John M. Tolomer President, Westchester Market, Valley National Bankcorp
June R. Wang ’67 Program Manager, Raytheon (Retired)
Amy Y. Zhang ’93 Executive Vice President, Portfolio Manager, Fred Alger Management, Inc.
Emeritus Trustees
D.H. “Don” Callahan ’78 Head of Operations and Technology, Citigroup Inc. (Retired)
Marcia Pearce DeWitt ’69 President and CEO, GuilfordPare Ltd.
Dwight R. Hilson, MAW ’09, H ’23 Managing Director, Greenwich Media Management, LLC.
Marion C. Jordan ’70 Vice President, Verizon Communications, Inc. (Retired)
A VALIANT VISION
LIVING
April 3, 2025
Dear Friends,
It gives me great pleasure to send greetings to everyone attending the Living a Valiant Vision Gala celebrating the one-year anniversary of Manhattanville’s transition from College to University. Congratulations to tonight’s distinguished honorees: Sila Maria Calderon ’64 , Presidential Medal recipient; Nicolas Brown ’03, Valiant Visionary Award recipient; Valley National Bank, Corporate Citizenship Award recipient; and Daryl A. Mundis ’88, Social Responsibility Champion.
As one of the Hudson Valley’s premier universities, Manhattanville provides students of all ages with a robust education across 45 undergraduate majors and minors and 75 graduate degrees and advanced certifications. I commend the dedicated faculty and staff for cultivating a seamless transition from College to University as Manhattanville embarks on a new chapter toward developing ethical and socially responsible leaders in a global community. Under President Frank Sánchez’s leadership, the University will continue to play a critical role in equipping New Yorkers with the knowledge and skills that will help us build a strong future for our nation.
Once again, congratulations to tonight’s honorees. Please accept my best wishes for a wonderful event and many more years of continued growth and success.
Sincerely,
Kirsten Gillibrand United States Senator
Education has the power to shape futures, open doors, and transform lives.
Manhattanville University continues to inspire and elevate students, preparing them for success in an ever-changing world.
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Lewis ’97
Grateful A Proud
and Alumna!
Karen Burris Lennon '79
Silent Auction Item Generously Provided by Trustee Francisco J. Leija From
Congratulations
On behalf of President Frank D. Sánchez, PhD, congratulations to the Gala honorees who are truly "Living a Valiant Vision" every day. to the Manhattanville University 2025 Gala Honorees!
Corporate Citizenship | Valley National Bank
Valiant Visionary | Nicolas Brown ’03, President, The Americas, McLaren Automotive
Social Responsibility Champion | Daryl A. Mundis ’88, Assistant Secretary General, United Nations (Retired)
Presidential Medal | Sila María Calderón ’64, Eighth Governor of Puerto Rico (2001 – 2005)
Congratulations to our honorees whose contributions to the common good affirm Manhattanville’s mission.
Cathleen Collins, a proud alumna
Arrow Global and John Calvao ’94 & Family
Proudly celebrating this year’s honorees— your dedication and impact inspire us all. Congratulations!
CONGRATULATIONS, MANHATTANVILLE UNIVERSITY
Celebrating the first anniversary of Manhanttanville’s historic transition to a university
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Auctioneer Shawn Parr was born to entertain!
Throughout the last thirty years he has dominated the airwaves and charmed the country music industry with his outgoing personality and wild antics. Shawn's voice has been the backdrop of the Academy of Country Music Awards, the Golden Globes, the American Music Awards, the Miss America pageant, and The Chase for GSN. Hosting special events, particularly for charities nationwide, is a passion of Shawn's as well.