Board of Governors

PRESIDENT

Susan Kendall ’81, ks ’99
Senior Associate VP of Finance, Babson College

Susan has spent over 30 years in public finance, including service as Treasurer of the Town of Belmont, Head of Boston Office for Moody’s Investors’ Service, and now as Senior Associate VP of Finance at Babson College. Susan is a National Board Member of Women in Public Finance, Co-Founder and Vice President of Boston Women in Public Finance, Trustee and Past President of the Treasurers’ Club of Boston, Past President of the Boston Municipal Analysts’ Forum and also served on the NFMA’s Board of Governors. Susan is a mezzo-soprano in the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Tanglewood Festival Chorus, Chorus pro Musica, The Copley Singers and The New World Chorale. Member since 2014, Member Engagement Committee since 2016, Budget and Finance Committee, Chair, Board since 2018, Vice President since 2020.

Vice President

Andy Freed '90, ks'94
Chairman, Virtual, Inc.

Andy is the Chairman of Virtual, Inc., a professional services firm focused on technology consortia, standards bodies and associations, having been with the company since shortly after its launch in 1999. He serves on several area Boards with a particular focus on the health care space, including serving as Chair of Melrose Wakefield Health Care and a member of the Board of Tufts Medicine. He was a four-year letter winner and head coach at Harvard and remains very involved in Harvard Athletics, having served as Chair of the Harvard Varsity Club, an organization dedicating to supporting the nation’s largest intercollegiate athletics program. Member since 2013, Membership Marketing Committee, Board since 2019, Vice President since 2025.

VICE PRESIDENT

Dr. Elizabeth A. Micci, Ed. L D ‘18
Managing Director, Citizens Schools

Elizabeth is a strategic leader with deep experience in education innovation, organizational development, and program design. She has worked across public and private sectors in the U.S. and internationally, leading transformative initiatives that drive meaningful outcomes.

As part of her doctoral research at Harvard, Elizabeth led the secondary school redesign at The Harbour School, an internationally recognized institution in Hong Kong, and managed its implementation for two years post-graduation. She previously co-founded and led an academy within César E. Chávez High School in Houston, preparing students for acceptance and success at major universities.

She has held leadership roles at Citizen Schools, where she served as Vice President of Program, and now at District Management Group, where she is Director of Client Results, partnering with school districts to address critical academic and operational challenges.

Elizabeth holds a Doctor of Education Leadership from Harvard University, an MA in English Literature from Middlebury College, and a BA in Business Administration and English Literature from Washington and Lee University.

She also serves on the Advisory Board for The Harbour School in Hong Kong and the Board of Directors for the Belmont Dramatic Club. A lifelong figure skater, she remains active in the sport and its community. Member since 2021, Board since 2022.

SECRETARY

David E. Rodriguez, Jr. YG'12
Corporate Strategy & Venture in MedTech

David’s career has spanned various strategic roles in the healthcare industry. Currently, David works in Corporate Strategy and Venture Capital for a leading public MedTech company where he is focused on identifying new areas of innovation and growth. He has served on several non-profit boards. Member since 2012, avid squash player, lifelong learner, and serves on the on the House and Athletic Committees. Board since 2018.

TREASURER

Michael F. Cronin ’75, gb’77
Managing Partner, Weston Presidio

Michael has been in the private equity industry for over 35 years and in 1991 co-founded his firm which has managed $3.5 Billion in private equity investments. He has served on numerous Boards of both private and public companies. He has served on the boards of several nonprofits including Harvard University’s Board of Overseers and Harvard Student Agencies, Inc. Member since 1986, Director since 2004, Club Treasurer since 2010.

DIRECTOR

Dr. Juan J. Carmona, Ph.D., MPH, MBE, g’10, ph’10, ph’14, m’16
Senior Director of Clinical and Scientific Affairs, Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (AMRI)

Dr. Juan J. Carmona, Ph.D., MPH, MBE, g’10, ph’10, ph’14, m’16, is a biotechnology executive and clinical scientist recognized for cross-sector initiatives that drive innovation across industry, academia, and healthcare. He pioneered programs in oncology, genomics, and infectious disease at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Philips Research North America. He later served as founding Director of Scientific Affairs and Professional Alliances at OraSure Technologies and is now Senior Director of Clinical and Scientific Affairs at the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI). His award-winning work centers on leading teams that integrate science, technology, and commercial strategy to deliver best-in-class products and transformative clinical advances in patient care.

In addition to his professional leadership, Dr. Carmona serves on the Board of Advisors of the Museum of Science, Boston, and on the Board of Governors of the Harvard Club of Boston. At the Club, he co-chairs the Bio-Innovation Special Interest Group and leads the House Committee, where he has been an active member since 2003. Elected to the Board in 2021 and appointed House Chair in 2022, he continues to champion initiatives that enhance institutional governance, deepen member engagement, and foster collaborative impact at the intersection of science, innovation, and community.

Director

Cristina Coletta Blau '87
Counsel at the McLane Middleton Law Firm

Cristina is Of Counsel at the McLane Middleton law firm where she is a member of the Trusts and Estates Department. Cristina works with high and ultra high net worth families and individuals on estate planning, and collaborates with her firm’s litigation attorneys on complex fiduciary litigation matters. Cristina particularly enjoys working on plans that have a charitable component, as well as plans that address the disposition of artwork and collectibles.

Cristina grew up in Boston on Beacon Hill and attended The Winsor School and The Commonwealth School. She joined The Harvard Club of Boston shortly after graduating from Harvard College in 1987. Cristina’s family have celebrated many family events at the Club over the years, including her late father Dr. Cesare Coletta’s surprise 70th birthday party, the rehearsal dinner for her wedding to her husband, Peter Blau, and their older son’s christening brunch. Cristina and Peter have two sons, Peter Jr. and Andrew, both of whom have been coming to the Club since birth.

While a student at Harvard, Cristina was the Arts Editor of The Harvard Crimson, and has stayed involved in the Crimson as an alum over the years. She was a coxswain for Dunster House crew, and served as the student Co-Chair for Harvard’s 350th Birthday celebrations in 1986. She is a longtime member of the Happy Committee for the Observance of Commencement and published an anthology of remembrances of Happy Committee members and other alumni leaders during the pandemic. She a former HAA Board Member and has held a number of leadership roles within the HAA over many years. She is currently a member of the HAA Awards Committee, as well as of the Advisory Committee for Shareholder Responsibility. She has been involved in the planning of every Class of 1987 Reunion.

A lifelong devotee of classical and chamber music, Cristina is a member of the Board of Advisors of the Handel & Haydn Society and a member of The Harvard Musical Association. She is a past Trustee of The Concord Free Public Library Corporation, and a past President of the Young Friends of Save Venice. She received a BA in European History from Harvard College in 1987, a J.D. from Georgetown University in 1991, and an L.L.M. in Taxation from Boston University in 1993. Member since 2012, Board since 2025.

DIRECTOR

Bithiah Carter, exu'01
President, New England Blacks in Philanthropy

Bithiah, a graduate of Harvard Extension School, believes that philanthropy is a form of allyship that encourages giving along with thought partnership that leverages assets to improve education, workforce, and economic resources in our communities. Carter's experience is rooted in both Wall Street finance and community non-profit and foundation leadership. Currently, she is the President of New England Blacks in Philanthropy and is a former Executive Director of Grand Circle Foundation, Senior Director in the Community Impact Division of United Way, and Program Director at the Girls’ Coalition of Greater Boston. She has also served as a consultant in the philanthropic sector focusing on the needs of children and families in the Greater Boston community. Before entering the non-profit world, she worked for nearly ten years in the financial services industry in New York City and Boston. In addition, she serves as a member of the board of directors of several local and national non-profit organizations.

DIRECTOR

Michael Gaines gb’96
Health Care Initiative Director, Harvard Business School

Michael has spent the last 25 years in both U.S. and global biotech and pharmaceutical organizations as a senior commercial leader focused on development of commercial launch strategies for compounds in both early and late-stages of clinical development. Michael obtained his undergraduate degree in Economics from Boston College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Michael returned to HBS to join the administration with a particular focus on amplifying faculty health care research, creating health care career development programs for students, and supporting alumni through lifelong learning and networking. Michael has been a member of the club since 2014 and has served on the Membership Marketing Committee since 2018, Board since 2020.

DIRECTOR

Martin J. Grasso ’78

Martin has been a private investor/asset manager for the past forty years, focused largely on the venture investment space. He currently serves as the Chief Commercial Officer of TMA Precision Health, a precision health care management and research company that was formerly part of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Translational Medicine Accelerator. Martin has held numerous board positions over many years in developing/growing companies across a wide range of industries. Martin has also served as the Chair of multiple municipal boards in the Town of Swampscott, Massachusetts, including the Town Building Oversight Committee and the Town Regionalization Committee. Martin’s Harvard volunteer journey includes serving on each of his quinquennial Harvard College reunion committees (including Co-Chair of the 25th Reunion Committee) as well as a long tenure on the Harvard Alumni Association Board of Directors, culminating in his service as President in 2016-2017. Martin has also served on Harvard University's Advisory Committee on Shareholder Responsibility. A Harvard Club of Boston member since 1974, Martin is a grateful recipient of a Harvard Club of Boston scholarship and is pleased for the opportunity to give back to the Club by serving as an elected Director of the Club’s Board of Governors since 2020.

DIRECTOR

Sarah Karmon, HAA
Associate Vice President and Executive Director, Harvard Alumni Association

A longtime member of the Harvard community, Sarah Karmon became Associate Vice President and Executive Director of the HAA in January 2023, after serving for four years as the HAA’s deputy executive director. In that role, she oversaw all operational aspects of the HAA, working with colleagues from across the Schools and central administration in support of Harvard’s 400,000-plus alumni around the world.

As Associate Vice President and Executive Director, Karmon is responsible for the strategic direction of the HAA and leads a network of more than 17,500 alumni volunteers. She is tasked with leading the engagement and stewardship of an inclusive, University-wide alumni community, supporting the evolution of a global network and introducing new ways to connect alumni through technology. As part of this work, Karmon oversees the HAA’s extensive programming and engagement initiatives and events, including Harvard Alumni Day and College reunions, as well as leading staff who support the many Harvard Clubs, shared interest groups, lifelong learning programs, online services, and worldwide alumni events.

Karmon joined the HAA as the Senior Director of University-wide Affairs in August 2016. She also served as Special Assistant to the Presidential Search which resulted in the appointment of Larry Bacow as Harvard’s 29th President in February 2018. Prior to joining the HAA, Karmon worked for four years as the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Provost at Harvard University. She began her career at Harvard in 1999 in the University Development Office and is a graduate of Vassar College. Club member since 2023; Board since 2023.

DIRECTOR

Cheryl La Monica gb'21, gmp

Cheryl is currently employed at State Street as a member of the Global Credit Review Team. She joined the firm in 2021 after completing the General Management Program (GMP29) at Harvard Business School. With extensive experience in corporate finance, financial services, asset management, auditing, and consulting across both the U.S. and Europe, Cheryl has a diverse professional background. Prior to her role at State Street, she worked as an executive in Marketing and Corporate Finance at Telecom Italia while residing in Rome, Italy, for several years. Additionally, she has served as a professor, teaching Advanced Corporate Finance and Financial & Managerial Accounting courses to undergraduate and graduate students at several institutions, including the American University of Rome, European School of Economics, Babson College, Bentley University, Hult University, and UMass Lowell. Cheryl also has experience as a National Bank Examiner with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in New York City and Los Angeles.

She holds an MBA in Banking and Finance from Pace University and previously worked at Société Générale in Paris within the World Banking Department. Cheryl earned her undergraduate degree in Business and Economics from the University of Rochester, where she was an All-American swimmer in multiple events and was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Currently, she actively serves on the Budget & Finance Committee and the Member Experience Committee. Member since 2020, Director since 2025.

DIRECTOR

Ameek Ashok Ponda ’89, l ‘92
Tax Law Partner, Sullivan & Worcester LLP

Ameek is a tax law partner with Sullivan & Worcester LLP, director of the firm’s tax department, and formerly a member of the firm’s management committee. His practice is focused on mergers & acquisitions and REIT transactions.

For over twenty-five years, Ameek has been an adjunct professor with the Boston University School of Law Graduate Tax Program. He is also a Lecturer on Law with Harvard Law School, Chair of the Board of Tax Analysts (publisher of the Tax Notes series of daily and weekly journals), Vice-President of the American College of Tax Counsel, and a board member of the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. Ameek is also honored to serve as the Chair of the Harvard College Alumni Interview Team for the City of Boston.

Born in Bombay and fluent in Hindi and Urdu, Ameek is a charter member and former secretary of The Indus Entrepreneurs - Boston, and on the Advisory Board of the South Asian Bar Association of Greater Boston. He is also a member of the American Law Institute, the International Fiscal Association, the National Tax Association, the Real Estate Roundtable, and Nareit. Member since 2012, Director since 2025.

DIRECTOR

Jan Saragoni ks'89
President, Saragoni & Associates

Jan is President of Saragoni & Company, a Boston-based communications consultancy specializing in media relations, crisis communications and issues management. Active in a variety of educational and non-profit organizations, she serves on the Board of Trustees of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and chairs the Board’s advancement committee. Jan has served on the boards of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, the Massachusetts Lottery Commission, the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus and the Executive Committee of Save Venice, Boston Chapter. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Valedictorian Project and is a member of the Concord Cultural Commission. She holds a B.A. in American Studies from Amherst College and an M.P.A. from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. Jan is co-chair of the Membership Experience Committee and has been a Club member since 1995, Board since 2021.

DIRECTOR

Edward Matson Sibble, Jr. ’73
Senior Partner, Goodwin Procter LLP

Mat has practiced law for over 35 years. He manages his firm’s leveraged finance practice area and works with a broad range of clients, including banks, private equity sponsors, public companies, private companies and not-for-profits. He has served on numerous not-for profit boards. Member since 1977; Board since 2010, Secretary since 2013.

DIRECTOR

Chibuikem Uche '24
 

Chibuikem is the Second Marshal for the Harvard College Class of 2024. During his time at Harvard, he was actively involved in building community and supporting students across campus. He was a member of the Student Advisory Committee and a Harvard Global Health Ambassador for the Harvard Global Health Institute; the House Committee Co-Chair for Currier House; the Vice President, Board Member, and Co-Chair of Sports Health for the Harvard Undergraduate Sports Lab (HUSL); and a member of the Harvard College HAA Student-Alumni Engagement Committee. Member since 2024, Director since 2025.