Leadership
Oliver Yao, Dean
Oliver Yao began his tenure as dean of UD’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics in August 2023, bringing a leadership approach that aligns with Lerner’s long-standing commitment to innovation, pioneering research and student success. Committed to fostering an inclusive, forward-thinking learning environment, he is leading Lerner in implementing a strategic plan that integrates cutting-edge technologies, expands experiential learning and strengthens the college’s role in shaping the future of business and society.
A recognized scholar in information systems and operations management, Yao was the George N. Beckwith ’32 Professor at Lehigh University. His research has been published in Management Science, Information Systems Research and MIS Quarterly, among others. He also serves on the editorial boards of Productions and Operations Management and Information Systems Research, contributing to the advancement of his field.
Prior to joining UD, Yao spent 20 years at Lehigh University, where he held a variety of faculty and administrative roles. Most recently, he served as interim deputy provost for graduate education, overseeing graduate student success and developing strategies to expand enrollment. As associate dean for graduate programs, he strengthened recruitment, student services, and career development, while also leading curriculum innovation. Previously, he chaired Lehigh’s Department of Management, supporting faculty development and expanding undergraduate and graduate enrollment.
Yao holds a doctorate from the University of Maryland, an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a bachelor’s degree from Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
The Lerner Dean’s Advisory Council (DAC)
The DAC supports the Dean’s efforts to promote the effectiveness of the instructional programs of Lerner’s departments and centers. They serve as liaisons between the Dean and the departments, centers and programs they lead.
DAC Members
- Rick Andrews, senior associate dean for faculty
- Julia Bayuk, associate dean for undergraduate programs
- Ruma Beldona, senior assistant dean for graduate programs
- Mike Evans, director of college computing operations
- Andrea Everard, associate dean for graduate programs
- Laura Field, department chair of finance
- Dan Freeman, director of the Neil Book School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Jennifer Hendrickson, director of communications and marketing
- Michal Herzenstein, department chair of marketing, management and global business
- Adrienne Lucas, department chair of economics
- Jill Pante, chief of staff, director of career services
- Maria Poole, senior business officer
- Markus Schuckert, department chair of hospitality and sport business management
- Suresh Sundaram, director of executive education
- Uma Velury, department chair of accounting
- Gang Wang, department chair of business analytics, operations and information technology
- Kimberly Wilson, senior assistant dean for student services
The New York City (NYC) Dean’s Advisory Council
The NYC Dean’s Advisory Council consists of alumni and friends from the business and higher education communities in the greater NYC area. These successful business owners and executives and education thought leaders advise and support the Dean regarding the College’s strategic plan. This group meets quarterly to advise the Dean regarding planning, marketing, fundraising and other strategic initiatives.
NYC Dean's Advisory Council Members
Chris Brennan, ‘03, co-head, commodities trading, Jane Street
Ronald E. Bruehlman, ‘82, senior advisor to the CEO, IQVIA
Jason J. Castelluccio, ‘00, senior vice president & client portfolio manager, Nuveen Investments, Inc.
Steven W. Dempsey, ‘90, partner, Greyrock Capital Group
Mark Fogel, ’91, president and chief executive officer, ACRES Capital Corporation
Donna M. Fontana, ‘85, senior vice president, sales (retired), Fidelity Investments
Michael S. Geltzeiler, ‘80, senior vice president and CFO (retired), NYSE and The ADT Corporation
Jeffrey L. Herbert, ‘01, senior executive vice president, general counsel & head of legal, Apple Bank
Elan P. Keller, Esq., ‘94, president, EndPoint Partners
John W. Peruzzi, ‘84, adjunct professor, University of Delaware
Dennis Purcell, ‘77, founder (retired), Aisling Capital LLC
Cameron (Cami) E. Rice, ‘96, co-CHRO, Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.
Roger I. Sachs, ‘88, vice president, investor relations, Genpact
Josh Trinker, ‘26, director, sales & trading, Clear Street
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board provides strategic guidance to Lerner leadership to support efforts to make Lerner a prominent business school known for successful graduate and undergraduate programs, research visibility and innovative programming. Board members include distinguished public and private sector leaders with diverse interests and occupations. These influential individuals help maintain and enhance the quality of Lerner’s people and programs and support Lerner by donating time, expertise and money to the college.
Advisory Board Members
Tracey A. Beberman, ‘89, head of AI for CCB Operations, JPMorganChase
John (Jack) Beeson Jr., ‘98, senior vice president, Wilmington Trust Company (Ret.)
Ronald E. Bruehlman, ’82, senior advisor to the CEO, IQVIA
Craig R. Cleaver, ‘98, partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Matthew C. Cohen, ’89, assurance partner, Ernst & Young LLP
John R. Collins, ‘80, president & CEO, First State Advisor, LLC
Robert F. Deutsch, ‘80, director, JPMorgan Funds; chair, JPM Funds EFT committee treasurer; treasurer & trustee, Just Capital Foundation; advisor, Zoe Financial
John Michael (Mike) Devenney, ‘70, senior supply chain engineer, JMD Consultant Engineering (Ret.)
David V. Elkins, ‘91, executive vice president & chief financial officer, Bristol-Myers Squibb
Jeffrey Geller, ‘95, senior vice president, Global Total Rewards and HR Operations Merck & Co., Inc.
Michael S. Geltzeiler, ‘80, senior vice president and CFO (retired), NYSE and The ADT Corporation
E. Thomas (Thom) Harvey, III ‘75, chairman and CEO, Harvey, Hanna & Assoc., Inc.
Thomas (Tom) W. Horne, ‘88, managing director, JPMorganChase & Co.
Elan P. Keller, Esq., ‘94, president, EndPoint Partners
Donna J. Kinzel, ‘89, ‘96, chief financial officer, business officer, Ursuline Academy; chief financial officer (retired), Pepco Holdings, Inc.
Chris Mauthe, ‘91, senior partner and managing partner of global, Deloitte Tax LLP
Mary Ellen Payne, ‘80, senior vice president, marketing & sales (retired), Verizon Communications
Natalie D. Ramsey, Esq., ‘81, partner, Robinson & Cole, LLP
Peter Saitis, ’78, CFO advisory services, PNS Consulting LLC
Edmond Sannini, ‘78, senior advisor, McKinsey & Co.
Gregory J. Sawka, ‘94, chairman, Bancroft Construction Co.
Robert (Rob) L. Siegfried, Jr,. ‘81, president & CEO, The Siegfried Group LLP
Alumni Advisory Board
The Alumni Advisory Board is composed of a diverse group of Lerner College graduates from different geographic locations, class years, occupations and interests. In addition to providing guidance to the Lerner leadership, the Alumni Board promotes the advancement of the college by engaging other alumni and encouraging their support of Lerner’s programs and its students through engagement, service and giving. Alumni who are interested in participating in Lerner College programs or obtaining information about the Alumni Advisory Board are encouraged to email rcoffin@udel.edu.
Alumni Advisory Board Members
Audrey M. Bloemer, ‘10, BS finance & marketing; vice president, client strategy, Kepler Group
William H. Cobb, ‘15, BS finance & economics; manager, strategy and part of the PwC Network
Deb Eskra, ’96, senior director, Measurement Partnership, Ibotta, Inc
Morgan C. Frees, ‘14, BS finance & management; partner, Addison Capital
Alyson C. Filippone, C.P.A., ‘01 BS accounting; assurance partner, assurance services, Ernst & Young LLP
William E. Gamgort, Esq., ‘04, BS marketing, MIS; attorney, commercial lending, Young Conaway, Stargatt & Taylor, LLP
Jessica L. Gonzalez, ‘09, BS accounting; director, assurance services, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
Jamin Hudson, ‘05, BS business administration; managing director, Hudson Management
Jenni Fleck Jones, ‘95, BS business administration (marketing); marketing & college recruiter, Belfint, Lyons & Shuman, CPAs
Peter A. Kay, ‘98, BS hotel, restaurant and institutional management; founder, principal, Good Sugar LLC
Robert Krukowski, ‘03, BS finance; executive director, value, access and pricing, SpringWorks Therapeutics
Michele Lynch, ‘82, BS accounting; managing director (retired), Accenture
Matt McCarthy, principal, Image Lighting Distribution LLC
David W. Mendez ‘03, BS business administration; CEO, WB Law Coffee
Anthony J. Polselli, C.P.A., ‘04, BS business administration & accounting; audit partner, KPMG LLP
Clayton S. Rowe, ‘11, BS finance and economics; vice president, business insights specialist, TD Bank
Joseph G. Staab, Jr., ‘08, BS accounting, intl. business; managing director, Ernst & Young LLP
David Dennard Tinsley, ‘16, MBA; vice president, marketing manager, JPMorganChase & Co.
William R. (Rob) Van Etten, Jr., ‘03, BS business administration, finance & marketing; president & CEO, Brighton Cromwell LLC
Lerner College Student Advisory Board
The Lerner College Student Advisory Board is a 10-12 member committee that strives to improve academic quality, professional experience, extracurricular enrichment and student satisfaction.
Lerner College Student Advisory Board Members
Hallie Ross (director of marketing), junior hospitality business management major & entrepreneurship minor from Newark, DE.
Effie Misiriotis (director of 0perations), junior business analytics major and AI for business minor from Southampton, PA.
Rose Casey, sophomore accounting major from Wilmington, DE.
Akanksha Katoch, sophomore economics major from Wilmington, DE
Adam Jones, senior accounting major from Wilmington, DE
Grace Flammia, senior economics major from Long Island, NY
Grace McErlain, junior marketing major from Philadelphia
Brenna Cincis, senior marketing major with a minor in neuroscience from East Northport, NY