In June, the Alumni Association Board of Directors had its final board meeting of the academic year, where they voted on new board members.
The board is pleased to announce the following 15 alumni who were selected to join the board in the 2024-25 academic year. You can read their bios and more about the newest members below.
The Board would also like to share that Darren Greco ’98 has been elected President, Stacy Trent ’94 has been elected Vice President and Stephanie Jiannetto-Alesi ’96 has been elected Corresponding Secretary to round out the executive committee.
Dawn Barone ’94 graduated from Wagner College with a B.S. in business administration. While attending Wagner, she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority.
After graduation, Barone began a career in human resources and continued to pursue her education with an M.A. in organizational psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey.
Over the past 30 years, Barone has built a career in human resources with experience in various roles within the financial industry, including her current position as vice president of employee relations at Brown Brothers Harriman in New York City.
Born in Jersey City and raised in Somerset, Barone now resides in Kearny, New Jersey. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends. Barone still maintains friendships made while at Wagner.
“I am proud of my experience at Wagner College, not only for the academic education to which I contribute my successful career but also for the social and leadership skills obtained that I have utilized throughout all aspects of my life,” Barone said. “I am excited to be a part of the Alumni Association Board to collaborate with fellow alumni in supporting the mission of the Board.”
Samuel Brown ’88 graduated from Wagner with a B.S. in business administration. Brown played on the Wagner College football team as a freshman and was a member of the Delta Nu fraternity.
Brown has over 35 years of extensive training in the various operations of Thomas S. Brown Associates, Inc. and TSBA Controls, Inc. In addition to his management responsibilities, Brown is active in the sales of automatic temperature controls and building management systems. He also designs and manages on a continuing basis.
In 1995, he assumed the responsibilities of vice president overseeing the financial aspects of the business as well as continuing his relationship with major clients. Brown was elected president of TSBA Group in 1998 and became sole owner in 2015.
He is a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, and a trustee of various financial scholarship funds. He also serves as an advisor to a prominent controls manufacturer.
Brown currently lives in Laurel Hollow, New York, with his wife Viki of 35 years. He has two adult children, Josh and Rochelle, who reside in Manhattan.
“I am honored and excited to be a part of the Alumni Association Board of Directors,” Brown said. “I look back on my Wagner days with fondness. It gives me great pleasure to be able to give back and be part of a team to bring positivity and opportunity to the Wagner community.”
Celia Engelson ’05 M’12, RN, FNP-C is an experienced family nurse practitioner, who became a registered nurse in 2005, after graduating from the inaugural second-degree nursing program at Wagner College, in December 2004. She returned to Wagner in 2008 and obtained an M.S. in nursing in 2012. She has worked in various hospital settings in New York City, caring for patients of all ages, and spent the bulk of her nursing career at NYU Langone Health. After many years at the Manhattan campus, she transitioned to the Brooklyn campus in June 2023 and currently is the nurse practitioner manager at the NYU Brooklyn Clinical Research Center. She oversees various phases of clinical research involving investigational products as well as observational studies.
Before obtaining her nursing degree, Engelson received a B.A. in English with minors in anthropology and history from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She also earned an M.S. in publishing from New York University.
Engelson grew up in Brooklyn and moved to Staten Island in 1995. She is a proud West Brighton resident and has been married to her husband, David, since 2012. Their daughter Sadie was born in 2014. Engelson and her family love spending time at their tiny bungalow in the country, going for walks and traveling.
“I am honored and excited to be selected as a member of the Wagner College Alumni Board,” Engelson said. “I am forever thankful to have discovered the nursing programs at Wagner and worked with many amazing Wagner alums throughout the years. I look forward to collaborating with the Board and giving back to the school.”
Mario Esposito ’95 M ’10 graduated from Wagner College with a degree in sociology. In his senior year, he completed an internship in the office of the Richmond County District Attorney where he currently serves as a trial assistant in the trials division after having served in investigations for many years. Esposito credits his Wagner education with the opportunities it has given him that opened a pathway to his career.
Esposito serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the American Parkinson Disease Association, co-founded by his family, many of whom are Wagner alumni. He serves on the Governance Audit and Compensation Committee, as well as playing an integral role in strategic planning initiatives designed to provide much needed services to the Parkinson’s community.
Esposito serves as a lector at St. Ann’s Church in his hometown of Staten Island, New York, where he also served as chair of its parish council.
He considers it an honor and privilege to serve on the Board where his late father, Mario Esposito ’50, served as president in 1964. Esposito is the proud uncle of nieces Mila and Elle.
“I look forward to working with my fellow Board members to ensure that our current and future alumni are able to access the same opportunities that I did,” he said. “I am honored to help illuminate the path that was lit for me, that it will continue to shine ever so bright for our fellow Seahawks.”
Dawn Farina ’06 was born in Brooklyn and raised in Staten Island, where she still resides. She grew up visiting Wagner to see the Main Stage Productions and always knew she’d end up attending later in life to earn her undergraduate degree.
Farina graduated from Wagner, summa cum laude, with a B.S. in arts administration (concentrating in music) and a minor in accounting. She made the Dean’s List all eight semesters and earned the Music History Award at Senior Awards Night. As a member of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, she was honored to be given the Dr. Eleanor M. Rogg Omicron Delta Kappa Outstanding Academic Leader Award. In addition to her academic achievements, she was a peer leader during freshman orientation for three years, and the music director and an on-air DJ at WCBG radio.
Farina spent her last semester at Wagner interning at the “Late Show with David Letterman.” She was hired after graduation and worked there for six years in several different departments, before leaving to focus on the nonprofit sector in health care. She has been at Maimonides Medical Center since 2012 and is currently the lead coordinator in the Office of Patient Experience. Farina is proud to have earned her designation as a Certified Patient Experience Professional in 2020. She is also an active member of the Maimonides LGBTQIA+ Business Employee Resource Group.
As an alumnus, Farina is a member of the Wagner Women’s Professional Network and attends as many alumni events as possible. She is also a cat mom to Lily and enjoys powerlifting training in her spare time.
“I am thrilled and grateful to have been selected to the Alumni Board, and am honored to have the opportunity to serve Wagner in this way,” Farina said. “I am most looking forward to being able to connect with like-minded individuals who are committed to ensuring the legacy of this great institution in the community and country, and engaging with current students and alumni who are just as passionate about Wagner as I am.”
Jared Gruccio ’11 majored in accounting and played baseball at Wagner.
“I am thrilled and honored to share that I have been elected to serve on the Wagner College Alumni Association Board of Directors,” Gruccio said. “My journey at Wagner has been deeply meaningful, shaping both my personal and professional life in profound ways. Now, I am eager to give back to the community that has given me so much.
“As a member of the Board, I am committed to fostering strong connections among alumni, supporting current students and advancing the mission and vision of Wagner College. Together, we can build upon our shared experiences, celebrate our achievements and pave the way for future generations of Wagner graduates.
“I look forward to collaborating with fellow alumni, faculty, and staff to make a lasting impact on our alma mater. With enthusiasm and dedication, I am excited to embark on this journey of service and engagement.”
Chris Luner ’13 has spent the past 11 years working across the country in theater and film. In New York, Luner has worked on Broadway on Ivo Van Hove’s West Side Story, Pretty Woman the Musical, Indecent and The Illusionists: Witness the Impossible. Off Broadway, Luner has worked on Emmett Otter’s Job-Band Christmas, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, I Can Get It For You Wholesale, JOB, Fiasco's Pericles, A Commercial Jingle For Regina Comet, Imogen Says Nothing, Gloria: A Life, Accidentally Brave, The Patsy, OnSet With Theda Bara and more.
“I couldn't be more excited to work alongside the entire team we have for the Wagner College Alumni Association Board,” Luner said. “Wagner has such a special place in my heart. I have loved working with the Theatre Department to expand its knowledge, give back in whatever ways I can, employ students and alumni throughout the New York City region and grow our community into one that takes everything we learn at Wagner to turn it into real-world happenings.”
In 2019, he launched his production company, Luner Eclipse Productions, which now serves as the production manager for the Junior Theatre Festival, the largest celebration of young people performing musical theater in the world! he artistic and managing director of the Upper Darby Summer Stage in Pennsylvania, one of the nation’s most celebrated youth theater programs and named one of the top five theater summer camps in the country by Playbill.
“It has been a joy to remain involved on and off campus in whatever ways I can,” Luner said. “I hope my new involvement with this Board will only expand that over the coming years. I look forward to sharing all I can to expand our reach and impact but, more importantly, learning about how this all works, where Wagner is currently at and how we can continue to build up our amazing community on the hill.”
Tamer Mahmoud ’17 graduated from Wagner College with an MBA in international business. During his time at Wagner, he was inducted into the Delta Mu Delta International Honors Society and presented at the Academy of Business Research Conference in Atlantic City, winning Best Paper Award in collaboration with Professor Richard LaRocca. During his second to last semester, he started his career in the local investment department at Initiative, an advertising agency within the Interpublic Group of Companies. For the past eight years, he has grown and moved from associate to negotiator to his current position as senior negotiator for local investment. He won the TVB’s Media Buyer Award in 2018. His role entails negotiating and placing media schedules for clients across a multitude of verticals, stewarding media campaigns and more.
Mahmoud serves as a board member of the St. George Civic Association and chair of its Ferry Riders Committee and co-chair of the School Community Partnerships Committee, working on resurrecting ferry service between Staten Island and Brooklyn and collaborating with area schools within St. George. Mahmoud also engages in preserving historic structures in the Lower West Side of Manhattan in partnership with Friends of the Lower West Side and the Washington Street Historical Society.
Mahmoud currently resides in St. George, Staten Island with his family.
“I’m honored by the opportunity to serve Wagner College as a member of its Alumni Board,” Mahmoud said. “I strongly believe that while each person brings a unique set of perspectives, experiences, and passion on an individual basis, collectively we can grow and enrich each other and help better serve the Wagner community. Wagner College helped provide me with the tools necessary to thrive personally and professionally and I relish the opportunity to replicate that experience for my fellow alumni and the student body.”
Mark Mangion ’11 M’12 graduated with a B.S. and M.S. in accounting from Wagner. Mangion was a five-year member of the Wagner Football team as a placekicker and member of the Leadership Council.
Mangion began his career with KPMG in its advisory practice focusing primarily on anti-money laundering and forensics. He is currently the head of financial crime for Passthrough and is a certified anti-money laundering specialist and certified fraud examiner.
Mangion resides in Manasquan, New Jersey, with his wife, Kristin, and two children, Natalie and Michael. His hobbies consist of spending time with his family, going to the beach, kayaking and working out.
“I am excited to be joining the Alumni Association Board of Directors,” Mangion said. “It is a great honor and privilege and I am looking forward to connecting with alumni and students to assist with their career development.”
Anthony Mascia ’96 earned a B.A. in political science and was a member of Wagner’s football team, winning two conference championships. Mascia was also one of the founding members and captain of Wagner’s club lacrosse team which is now a Division I program. He was named team MVP in 1996.
He met his wife, Amy McCarthy Mascia ’94, at Wagner. They live in West Brighton, Staten Island, with their daughter, Amanda Mascia ’25, who is about to start her senior year at the Evelyn L. Spiro School of Nursing.
Mascia is an IT consultant for Apex Systems currently working as a senior project manager for Mount Sinai Hospital. Prior to his time there, Mascia worked as the head of incident and problem management for Allscripts.
“I’m looking forward to this opportunity of giving back as part of the Alumni Association Board of Directors,” Mascia said. “I am extremely grateful for all that Wagner has given me and my family and hope to work with current and future alumni to enhance the Wagner experience in the future.”
Peter Ottaviano ’89 M’96 M'99 is a lifelong learner. After studying political science, he came back for a master’s degree in education in 1996 followed by a master’s degree in special education in 1999. He earned an educational leadership certificate program in building leadership in 2009.
Ottaviano was a four-year member of Wagner’s football team and part of the 1987 National Championship team. He retired from the NYC Department of Education as a teacher and coach. He returned to Wagner as an assistant football coach from 1997-2012 and was the Touchdown Club President during that time.
Ottaviano has been married to Lorraine Ottaviano ’96 for 34 years. They have three sons, Peter, Nicholas and Christopher. He currently resides in Manahawkin, New Jersey.
“I am excited to have the opportunity to serve on the Alumni Association Board of Directors at Wagner College,” Ottaviano said. “Everything I love has come from my Wagner College experience.”
David Schnorbus ’83 was born and raised in New Dorp, Staten Island, and earned a B.S. in accounting. He played for three years on the Wagner’s men’s tennis team and served as captain in his final year. Several members of his family are graduates of Wagner including his mother Mary Lynne, brothers Robert and Jeff, and youngest son Jack who ran cross country and track for the school. He has been married for 33 years to his wife, Heather, a schoolteacher, and they reside in the New York metropolitan area. They have two adult sons, David, a fourth-year medical student in Brooklyn, New York, and Jack who works for a large investment firm in Baltimore, Maryland.
Schnorbus is currently serving as the U.S. chief security officer for Capgemini, one of the world’s largest IT and business consulting firms with over 350,000 employees globally. Prior to this, he served as a special agent with the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), U.S. Department of State for 29 years and was promoted in 2009 to the rank of senior foreign service by the President of the United States and confirmed by Congress. His overseas tours included Spain, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Korea and Mexico. Following the 9/11 terror attacks, he served as chief of the DSS criminal division and directed several major international investigations that led to arrests and convictions of associated terror suspects. Schnorbus retired in 2016 as the special agent in charge of the DSS New York field office.
He is the recipient of numerous awards and honors from the U.S. Department of State, the U.S Department of Justice and several foreign governments. In 2016, he was awarded the Secretary of State’s Career Achievement Medal.
“I have very fond memories of my time at Wagner College, and this will be an exciting opportunity to return to the beautiful campus on Grymes Hill.” Schnorbus said. “I look forward to working closely with the Alumni Association Board of Directors, students and staff to continue to preserve the superb Wagner experience.”
Ashley Willisch ’06 is currently a director of continuous improvement in a large public school district in the Bronx, New York, and currently serving her 18th year in NYC public schools. After leaving Wagner, she joined the NYC Teaching Fellows program, beginning her career as a dedicated NYC school teacher. She went on to earn a master's in adolescent and special education in 2009, followed by a master's in educational leadership in 2016. Ashley is passionate about literacy, arts education and preparing all students for our changing world.
Willisch graduated from Wagner College in 2006 with a degree in music. During her time at Wagner, she was an active member of the Wagner College Choir, participated in the Student Government Association and served as a resident assistant, each of which has afforded Willisch lifelong friendships and connections. She remains close to a wonderful circle of Wagner alums who, to this day, use her nickname “Shley” — and she is affectionately known as “Aunt Shley” to many future Wagner legacies.
Willisch is thrilled to join the Alumni Association Board and to devote more time to giving back to the institution that played such a pivotal role in shaping both her career and personal endeavors. Currently residing in Astoria, Queens, you can always count on Willisch for a Broadway recommendation, fresh baked goods, laughter or a listening ear.
“My time at Wagner was marked by incredible memories and experiences,” Willisch said. “It was those opportunities where I realized NYC would always be home for me.”
Roba Youssef ’22 earned her degree in business administration with a minor in economics. During her time at Wagner, Youssef was actively involved in several groups, including the Selects Program, the National Collegiate Honor Society and the Women’s Professional Network. These experiences enriched her education and honed her leadership skills.
Now a credit analyst at S&P Global, Youssef brings her passion for finance and education to the Wagner College Alumni Association Board. She is enthusiastic about contributing to the community, supporting networking opportunities and assisting both current students and fellow alumni.
“I am excited to bring my expertise and dedication to the Wagner College Alumni Association Board,” Youssef said. “I look forward to contributing to our community and helping to foster a strong network among fellow students and alumni.”
Barbara Bellesi Zito ’99 graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in English and theater. She was a stage manager for numerous Wagner College Theatre and Studio Theatre shows and wrote for both The Wagnerian and Nimbus. She was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society and served as the Province 1 Student Director during her senior year. She is a proud member of Alpha Omicron Pi, for which she served as vice president of education as a student and chapter adviser as an alumna.
After graduating from Wagner, Bellesi Zito moved to Boston to pursue her graduate studies. She earned her MFA in creative writing from Emerson College in 2002. After graduating from Emerson, she taught English and theater for four years at Mount Alvernia High School in Newton, Massachusetts. It was during this time that she also launched her writing career as a freelance writer.
Since then, Bellesi Zito has followed a dual career path. As a writer, she has nearly two decades of experience working for national brands and publications. Her career in education has included roles in graduate admissions at Emerson College and in career development, first at Wagner College — where she also taught as an adjunct English professor — and then at Rutgers University’s Career Exploration and Success.
Bellesi Zito is a novelist, too. Her debut novel, “Lucky Stiff,” which features multiple mentions of her beloved Wagner College, was published in 2023 by Literary Wanderlust. She is currently working on her second novel.
Bellesi Zito moved back from the Boston area to her native Staten Island in late 2008. She now lives in Sunnyside with her husband, Andrew, and their dog, a rescue Lab mix named Jake.
“I am thrilled to be working again with my Wagner family,” Bellesi Zito said. “I look forward to collaborating with my fellow board members to support students and sustain the future of Wagner College.”
