The Suffolk University Board of Trustees has welcomed four new trustees as well as voted for multiple positions including the induction of the board’s new chair, Dorothy Savarese. Savarese is the first woman in university history to hold the position.
Formerly the board’s vice chair for the past year, Savarese has been a part of the board of trustees since 2022 when she started as a charter trustee.
Departing Chair Emeritus Robert C. Lamb announced her promotion and his faith in her leadership in an email to Suffolk community members June 15.
“I am excited about the skills, vision, and dedication she brings to this new role. I know she will work closely with President Kelly and her exceptional leadership team, and with the entire Board of Trustees, to ensure that Suffolk delivers on its mission for future generations,” said Lamb.
Savarese graduated with an MBA from the Sawyer Business School in 2004 before starting a long and successful career at The Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank. Working her way up from the bottom, Savarese paved her path to chair and CEO where she led the Hyannis-based community bank for nearly two decades.
Filling her former position, Charter Trustee Joseph Delisi was elected as the board’s new vice chair. Charter Trustee Marie-Louise Skafte was also re-elected to her position as board secretary.
Michael James and Kenneth Taubes were re-elected as charter trustees.
New faces on the board include charter trustees Kevin M. Donahue and Sean Riley, as well as alumni trustees Abim Kolawole and Christopher J. Paglia.
Lamb also announced that past vice chair of the board Amy Nechtem was named a trustee emeritus, while also recognizing the work and dedication of Maria DiPietro, Patrick Jordan, Tamela Bailey and Patrick Coehlo, who all stepped down from the board after terms as trustees June 12.
“I remain forever grateful to my fellow members of the Board of Trustees who worked so hard to strengthen Suffolk for future generations of our students. And I continue to have the greatest respect for the members of Suffolk’s administration, staff, and faculty as they continue to be the heart and soul of this wonderful institution,” said Lamb.
