Siena College has appointed Gerald “Jerry” DeFrancisco ’68 to the position of distinguished civic leader in residence within the College’s Office of Academic Community Engagement. He will serve as a consultant, mentor and resource to the students enrolled in ACE programs and the non-profit organizations they serve.
“The ACE program provides the dual purpose of giving valuable and meaningful assistance to community organizations, while providing students with a deep understanding of the critical role of good management in the non-profit world,” said DeFrancisco. “In short, it teaches Siena students the importance of managing with both heart and head.”
DeFrancisco applied that style of leadership as president of humanitarian services for the American Red Cross, the position he held before returning to work at his alma mater. In that role, DeFrancisco led operations for more than 1,500 Red Cross locations in the United States and around the world. He helped to transform the governance, service delivery processes and organizational structure for Red Cross humanitarian services. During his tenure, DeFrancisco provided leadership during recovery efforts following disasters, including Hurricane Sandy.
Before joining the Red Cross, DeFrancisco was president of two global consulting firms, Beacon Professional Group and Ultrapro International. The companies specialize in strategy, operations sustainability and performance improvement. Prior to his consulting career, DeFrancisco led a 30-year career at AT&T, where he served as executive vice president of broadband and internet services, vice president of business innovation, and president and chief executive officer of AT&T Alascom, a major AT&T acquisition. He returned to his consulting practice this year.
“It is delightful to know that a Siena College graduate that has gone into the world and made a significant contribution has chosen to come back to help others build a more just, relational and loving world,” said Siena College Interim President Br. F. Edward Coughlin, O.F.M., Ph.D.
DeFrancisco will partner with ACE Director Mathew Johnson, Ph.D. in strategic planning for the program and participating agencies.
“Jerry’s experience at both AT&T and the Red Cross is invaluable to our students and our non-profit community partners. He brings a perspective to the work that is focused on the desired social justice outcomes for marginalized people in our community while at the same time marshaling his considerable organizational and business experience to maximize the likelihood of community success,” said Johnson. “Jerry is an exemplar of our mission to build a world that is more just, peaceable and humane.”
DeFrancisco joins an organization that is already making a significant difference in the Capital Region and beyond by developing community partnerships that help local non-profit organizations develop plans for the future, find efficiencies and establish sustainable protocols for growth and success.
"The Capital District runs on Siena talent,” said Stewart’s Shops Foundation President and Siena Trustee Susan Dake during DeFrancisco’s welcoming ceremony. Dake said that she routinely sees Siena graduates, employees and students taking an active role in community organizations and events.
That commitment to the College’s Franciscan mission of working among the poor and marginalized to build a better world is at the core of ACE’s spirit. It’s also an ideology that aligns with the mission of SEFCU and its president and chief executive officer Michael Castellana.
During the ceremony, Castellana announced that SEFCU will support ACE programs by creating a $25,000 match grant each year for the next five years. “When we see something that works, we want to invest in it,” Castellana said.
If Siena College raises $25,000 per year for the next five years, SEFCU will donate another $25,000 to the ACE endowment, which would ultimately create a $250,000 investment into this successful program.
