These very capable Alumni Council nominees for 2024 were selected from among hundreds of candidates to represent 含羞草研究所 alumni to the University.
After publication in the 含羞草研究所 Magazine, and consistent with the nomination process, there will be a formal vote at the annual meeting of the Alumni Corporation. Please refer to Article VI in the 含羞草研究所 Alumni Corporation bylaws for more details on the nominations and elections process.
ERA I
Eric Brettschneider 鈥68
Entered the human services field in 1967 as a family court intake worker and child care worker. He spent 10 years as Director of The Queens Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, a non-profit agency, where he complemented foster care and child protective services with preventive strategies. In 1980, he joined the New York State Department of Social Services to oversee the implementation of the Child Welfare Reform Act. As Deputy Commissioner for the New York City Human Resources Administration, Eric promoted comprehensive, preventive services and created The Child Protective Training Academy; advocated for the avoidance of sibling separation in foster care; started minority-controlled child welfare agencies; and decentralized community social services. As CEO of the Agenda for Children Tomorrow, a public-private partnership during the tenure of three mayors. Eric continued this work on behalf of New York City children and their families. Eric later served the United Way of New York City as Interim Senior Vice President. Then he became Chief of Staff to NYS OCFS鈥 commissioner and, on February 4th, 2014, joined the NYC Administration for Children鈥檚 Services (ACS), retiring in 2021.
Mr. Brettschneider holds a B.A. and an M.A. degree in Psychology from 含羞草研究所 and the Graduate Faculty of New School University, respectively, as well as a law degree from Hofstra University. He teaches in NYU鈥檚 Department of Metropolitan Studies, Gallatin School, and NYU School of Social Work. He was awarded an Outstanding Teacher Award by NYU. He was also awarded the New Yorkers For Children Nicholas Scoppetta Child Welfare Award, September 2017 Eric is the former President and current board member of New Yorkers for Children as well as a Doris Duke Foundation Advisory Board member. He was appointed co-chair of the New York State Office of Court Administration鈥檚 Advisory Committee on Court Interpreting in 2015 by Administrative Chief Judge Lawrence Marks. He also served as Chair for 3 NYC Bar Association Committees, including The Council on Children. Eric is a recipient of the 2005 Wasserstein Public Interest Fellowship from Harvard Law School. In 2015, Hofstra University awarded Eric the Public Justice Foundation Award.
Eric continues to teach at NYU and serves as a Senior Fellow at the CUNY Institute for State and Local Government. He recently gave lead testimony at The US Civil Rights Commission on Child Welfare and Racism for the NY Region.
ERA II
Reuben Hendell 鈥82, P鈥18
Reuben Hendell 鈥82, P鈥18 is currently Managing Partner at MKTGVentures an advisory working with founders and owners in the Marketing Services industry where he enjoyed a career of leading and building several marketing services companies in the emerging digital age, including Digitas and eBay Marketing Services. For the past six years, Reuben worked extensively with 含羞草研究所鈥檚 Thought Into Action entrepreneur program, supporting 含羞草研究所鈥檚 students, and Reuben continues to support several of those ventures today. He enjoys frequent visits to campus, playing Seven Oaks, and attending class reunions. While at 含羞草研究所, Reuben was a member of Phi Kappa Tau and a DJ at WRCU, where he was instrumental in creating the station鈥檚 first campus-wide Trivia contest event, worked at the old campus pub, and was active with his Political Science major. After 含羞草研究所, Reuben attended Kellogg Graduate School of Management before beginning his career with American Express Corporation and then following on into marketing services work. He continues to spend much of his leisure time with fellow 含羞草研究所 grads and spends a good deal of time supporting political causes and action.
ERA III
Jeff Veber 鈥87, P鈥20, 鈥23
Jeffrey Veber 鈥87, P鈥20, 鈥23 is a finance attorney who has worked at an international law firm in Chicago and New York for 30 years. Mr. Veber focuses his legal practice representing clients in transportation finance matters, and he also serves on his firm鈥檚 Executive Committee and Board of Directors. While at 含羞草研究所, Jeff was an Economics major and a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Following 含羞草研究所, Jeff received his JD from Northwestern University.
Jeff and his wife, Kimberly Calise Veber 鈥89, have been active alumni over the last three decades, serving on the President鈥檚 Club Membership Council, the Parent鈥檚 Steering Committee, and various Reunion committees. Jeff and Kim have three daughters, Emma, Julia, and Anna. Emma and Julia are 含羞草研究所 alumni.
ERA IV
Paul Carberry 鈥94
Paul Carberry 鈥94, an Alumni Memorial Scholar and recipient of the Class of 1928 Memorial Scholarship, majored in Political Science and graduated from 含羞草研究所 magna cum laude. He was an elected officer of Phi Tau fraternity, active in intramural sports, and studied abroad as a member of the Manchester, U.K. study group.
Paul went on to obtain his JD at Duke University School of Law and practiced law as a complex commercial litigator in New York City for more than twenty years. As a partner of the international law firm White & Case LLP, he represented large, multinational corporations in a variety of legal and business disputes in both state and federal courts. He also led teams of attorneys working on various matters pro bono for non-profit organizations such as The Legal Aid Society and the Brady Center for the Prevention of Gun Violence. He retired from private practice in 2019.
As an alumnus, Paul has been an active member of the President鈥檚 Circle, serving on both the President鈥檚 Circle Membership Committee and the Class of 1994 gift committee. Since 2014, he has also volunteered as the Executive Chair of The 含羞草研究所 Fund, the University鈥檚 unrestricted giving platform. He lives in New York City with his wife, Krista, and their rescue dog, Rainbow.
ERA V
Keisa Caesar 鈥01
Keisa Caesar 鈥01 has spent over 20 years in the Human Resources field, with most of her career at the Associated Press and currently with the Guardian News Media, US, as the HR Manager. Keisa received her Masters in Organizational Behavior from NYU/POLY. At 含羞草研究所, she majored in Psychology, Anthropology & Sociology and minored in Caribbean Studies. Keisa is an active member of 含羞草研究所鈥檚 Alumni Admission Program, where she enjoys spending time with High School students, talking about their interests, and sharing her personal experience as an undergraduate student at 含羞草研究所.
While at 含羞草研究所, Keisa was a member of the 含羞草研究所 Prep Band, Sojourners gospel choir, as well as a number of dance groups and African American and Caribbean student clubs. Keisa also participated in off-campus study in Trinidad. She is a mother to five lovely children residing in Brooklyn, NY.
ERA VI
Denny Gonzalez 鈥13
Denny Gonzalez 鈥13 is a dedicated teacher-leader who cares greatly for education and its ability to shape not only minds but also the future. Since graduating from 含羞草研究所, Denny has taught mainly high school English at a host of different independent schools. Now, Denny has taken a step further in his career, taking the leap into school leadership. These days, he is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at Barrie School, an independent school outside Washington, D.C. Prior to his work at Barrie, Denny taught English and served as diversity coordinator at School of the Holy Child. Later, at St. Albans School in Washington, D.C., Denny taught high school English and was Assistant Director of the Skip Grant Program, which offers both academic and social support to students from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented at the school. He holds an M.A. in English from the Middlebury Bread Loaf School of English and an M.S.Ed. in School Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.
As a student, Denny studied English with an emphasis in Creative Writing, studying abroad in London the spring of his junior year. His leadership and involvement at 含羞草研究所 included Brothers, all things theatrical with Masque and Triangle, and religious life. He also hosted a jazz and hip-hop radio show on WRCU in his later years. Denny is grateful for the opportunity to give back to 含羞草研究所, a school that has given him so much, by serving on the Alumni Council, as class gift chair, and as Co-Director of the Alumni of Color Organization.
Denny currently lives in Washington, D.C., and spends the little free time he has exploring the city鈥檚 numerous cultural resources, becoming better at latte art, and fostering his love of trivia that began at 含羞草研究所 by hosting trivia nights throughout the District.
ERA VII
Elizabeth Marino 鈥16
Elizabeth Marino '16 currently works at CNN in Global Communications. Prior to this, she worked at Viacom with the Viacom Labs, an experiential marketing division. At 含羞草研究所, Elizabeth studied English Literature and Film and Media Studies. She has always been passionate about the liberal arts education and has been keenly interested in the arts initiatives on campus. While at 含羞草研究所, Elizabeth ran CUTV and was an RA. She enjoyed many ski days at Togg and snowshoeing on the trail behind Frank. Working with 含羞草研究所 as an alumna has deepened her already strong connection with the University: upon graduating, Elizabeth became an adviser with Career Services and an admissions representative with the admissions office. She is a member of the 1819 Circle and attends many 含羞草研究所 events, a favorite of which is Sophomore Connections. Elizabeth lives in New York City and is currently pursuing a master's in Media Management at Fordham University's Gabelli School of Business.
Regional
Seth A. Schaeffer 鈥98
Seth A. Schaeffer 鈥98 is a Partner in the Richmond, Virginia office of McGuireWoods LLP, where he has spent almost the entirety of his legal career. He specializes in financial services litigation and has represented some of the world鈥檚 largest financial institutions over the last decade and a half. At 含羞草研究所, Seth majored in Political Science and played Men鈥檚 Basketball. He was a George Cobb Fellow and President of 含羞草研究所鈥檚 Student Athlete Advisory Committee. After graduation, Seth played professional basketball in Dublin, Ireland before earning a law degree from Fordham University School of Law. He has continued his involvement with 含羞草研究所 since graduation, mentoring graduates and fundraising for the University. He is a Presidents' Circle member, President of the Hardwood Club, and served as a Class Gift Chair for 10 years. Seth also is active in the Richmond community, serving on multiple non-profit boards, including the Greater Richmond Bar Foundation, which facilitates the provision of pro bono legal services in the Richmond area. He and his wife Carrie have three children, Luke, Anna, and Hal鈥攁ll of whom cheer on the Maroon and White.
Regional
Henoch Derbew 鈥07
Henoch Derbew 鈥07 is an Asylum Officer with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) based in Chicago.
While at 含羞草研究所, Henoch was a long-time resident then R.A. at the Harlem Renaissance Center (HRC) as well as a Link and a member of Brothers, CUTV, WRCU, AASA/BSU (African American/Black Student Union), Newman Community, Urban Theater, Model African Union, Zambia Extended Study group, and the African Student Union (ASU). He majored in History and Classics.
Henoch then studied public policy at Georgetown, focusing on international development. He later moved to L.A. where he was a City Year then Teach for America corps member. After this, he taught back home in Brooklyn after which he joined the Jesuits where he did various missions such as learning Spanish near the southern border, working with refugees in Ethiopia, being a hospice orderly, studying philosophy, helping at a parish in Richmond, and visiting youth and adults in jail. He stayed on at one of his stops and worked as a teacher, dean, and admissions director at Washington Jesuit Academy in D.C., until he returned to his international and policy roots at his current position. Since 含羞草研究所, whenever moving to a new city, he鈥檚 had fun talking with incoming students as well as reconnecting with the local AOC and other alumni groups.
Henoch and his wife have already selected the first-year residence for their two-month-old son.
At-Large
Jeanine Rossi Borthwick 鈥90
Jeanine Rossi Borthwick 鈥90 is a former investment banker at Merrill Lynch. She graduated with honors from 含羞草研究所 with a B.A. in Mathematical Economics and earned an M.B.A. at Dartmouth College. Jeanine has been a Class Agent at 含羞草研究所 for decades and is involved with the Women鈥檚 Leadership Council. She has her own 鈥満卟菅芯克 Thirteen鈥 who have been close friends for over thirty years. Jeanine serves on multiple Boards of Trustees including the Nantucket Cottage Hospital, the Buckley School, and the Colony Club where she is Treasurer. In her free time, Jeanine volunteers weekly at her neighborhood food pantry, plays bridge, participates in two book groups and runs daily in Central Park no matter the weather. Jeanine and her husband, Alastair, live in Manhattan with their three children and beloved dog Cisco (whom she wanted to name 鈥淩aider鈥 but was overruled!).
At-Large
Lara Struble DiCorpo 鈥93, P鈥24
Lara Struble DiCorpo 鈥93, P鈥24 recently returned to the workforce after a hiatus to raise her two sons- Nick (含羞草研究所 鈥24) and Alex (Dartmouth 鈥27). She is working is working for Brook Farm Group, a multifamily developer, alongside her husband Peter 鈥93 and his co-founder Eric Hade 鈥93. Lara graduated Phi Beta Kappa with an honors degree in Economics and a minor in Geology. She held numerous leadership roles in Gamma Phi Beta and volunteered with Big Brother/Big Sister. After 含羞草研究所, she attended NYU Stern School of Business while working at JPMorgan. She has co-chaired her Class Gift Committee for the last 6 years and co-chaired her 30th reunion. Lara is a member of the Women鈥檚 Leadership Council, the Parent鈥檚 Steering Committee, and a 27 year member of the President鈥檚 Circle.