Meet Your Apprentice Challenge: Business Conference 2020 Judges!

Mark Kulewicz MBA ‘85

Mark Kulewicz is Vice President of Marketing Operations for AAA Northeast, an affiliate of the American Automobile Association (AAA). AAA Northeast provides roadside assistance, insurance, travel agency and DMV services for its 6 million members in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Mark has been with AAA since 1987.

Mark oversees key cross functional projects for the Marketing Department. His team works with business lines (Membership, Insurance, Travel, Branch Operations and Financial Services) and support teams (IT, Data Analytics and eBusiness) on both traditional and “agile” projects. They determine project scope and goals, select team members, and manage the projects. Projects range from developing an SMS program to travel journey mapping to insurance digital leads optimization. As part of the executive team at AAA Northeast, Mark also participates in budgeting and strategic planning.

Mark earned his MBA at Adelphi University in 1985, with a concentration in Marketing. He served for several years as a member of the Adelphi University Alumni Council and was Council Chair from 2016-2018.

Mark holds bachelor’s degree from Colgate University and a master’s degree in Transportation Planning and Engineering from NYU Polytechnic University. He is married and lives in Greenlawn. His hobbies include golf, tennis and playing with his 9-year old granddaughter.

Jillian Ryan ’07

Jillian Ryan is a principal analyst on the eMarketer vertical for Insider Intelligence. Her expertise and analysis focus on B2B marketing, advertising and sales, as well as trends in marketing transformation and the modern workplace.

As a former B2B marketing director, Jillian has over 15 years experience driving strategy for B2B software companies and digital publishers. She is also a frequent presenter at industry events such as The B2B Marketing Exchange, Advertising Week and Social Media Week and her commentary has been featured in Bloomberg, CNN, The Wall Street Journal and Ad Week.

A graduate of Adelphi University’s Honors College, Jillian is a Brooklyn native and a recovering travel writer.

Karen Autry (Adelphi Faculty)

Karen Autry, M.A., Associate Director of Employer Relations at the Center for Career and Professional Development at Adelphi University. She manages employer engagement for the University, with a specific focus upon on-campus recruitment, Mock Interview Nights and the Annual Job and Internship Expos. Ms. Autry maintains strong internal and external partnerships, and has been responsible for coordinating employer presentations and recruitment events with Apple, Amazon, Ernst & Young, and the United States Secret Service. Ms. Autry is a member of Delta Sigma Pi, the national business fraternity, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers (EACE), and the Metropolitan New York College Career Planning Officers Association (MNYCCPOA).

Michael Wentz (Adelphi Faculty)

Michael Wentz is a director in marketing for Adelphi University. Michael is responsible for increasing enrollment through a multitude of paid media channels. Additionally, he is responsible for increasing the University’s digital brand and reputation. With over 15 years of marketing and IT experience, he uses an array of technology to track and report on the University’s marketing efforts and to get a better understanding of Adelphi’s target markets.

Michael is also an adjunct professor for the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business where he teaches many different technology and marketing classes including Marketing Management, Sales Promotion, and Consumer Behavior.  

In December 2015, Michael was selected by Long Island Business News 40 Under 40.

John Deieso (Partner Company: Jovia)

For 28 years, John Deieso has served in many different capacities and departments at Jovia Financial Credit Union, rising up the ranks to his current position of president and Chief Executive Officer. He has shown extraordinary leadership skills in managing, directing and overseeing a majority of the organization’s departments such as consumer and commercial lending, information technology, mobile banking, finance and accounting, telecommunications and contact center, digital banking, and card services. Since taking on the role of CEO in 2019, John oversees the evolution of the credit union as Jovia expands into new regions, introducing the most advanced offerings in digital banking, and continues to create a member-centric credit union that appeals to Long Island’s ever-changing demographics. John graduated summa cum laude from Adelphi University with a bachelor’s degree in business management.  Additionally, he has completed several executive education programs, including the Harvard Business School (Advanced Leadership Institute), Wharton School of Business (Strategic Planning Module), MIT (Strategic innovation Institute I) and Stanford University (Strategic Innovation Institute II).

Renu Dalessandro (Partner Company: Jovia) 

Renu Dalessandro has spent much of her 20-year career in financial services working with both national and international banks, predominantly in the marketing space. She was also afforded the opportunity to head marketing for a London-based fin-tech in 2015, which gave her exposure to branch modeling in Europe, the Middle East and in the Asia-pacific territories. Renu was a key player in leading the ongoing transformation of the digital bank concept, its branches and its marketing approach. Renu is currently the Chief Marketing Officer at Jovia Financial Credit Union, where she oversees all aspects of the Westbury-based credit union’s marketing, community programs and member-focused initiatives and experiences. In addition, she oversees retail banking, call center and member experience areas within the Credit Union. She is a graduate of St. John’s University and is proud to call Long Island her home.

Valerie Garguilo (Partner Company: Jovia) 

As vice president of marketing and community relations for Jovia Financial Credit Union, Valerie Garguilo is responsible for the organization’s marketing efforts and tactical implementation through all channels including advertising, communications, web, social, media relations, as well as the credit union’s community outreach initiatives and corporate partnerships. Valerie brings a high level of passion and commitment to her leadership role within Jovia and she has spearheaded several key initiatives for the organization including the credit union’s transition to a community charter and the recent rebranding of NEFCU to what is now, Jovia Financial Credit Union. Valerie has been part of the Jovia team since 2007.Valerie is actively involved with several breast cancer awareness organizations including 1 in 9 Hewlett House and the Maurer Foundation. She earned a bachelor of science degree in finance from St. John’s University.

Eric Oterson (Partner Company: Jovia) 

As senior vice president of service and sales management with Jovia Financial Credit Union, Eric leads the front line for Jovia and is dedicated to customer service and customer appreciation. He began his career at JP Morgan Chase in 1997 as a customer service representative with their auto finance division before ascending to vice president of their service and sales program.  Eric joined Jovia in 2009 as the senior call center manager, holding various positions through his 12-year career at Jovia before taking on his current leadership role. Eric graduated from St. Joseph’s College in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. 

Nina Smith (Partner Company: Jovia) 

Nina Smith is senior vice president of operations with Jovia Financial Credit Union and has been in the banking and finance industry for over two decades. With an extensive background in banking operations, her areas of expertise include electronic funds transfers, card operations, item processing, retirement accounts, abandoned property, risk management, and service support including quality control and quality assurance. Nina continually educates herself on trends and current topics by attending webinars and seminars. Playing a strong leadership role within Jovia, Nina has a passion for mentoring her staff and helping them to achieve their maximum potential. Nina earned her bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University in political science and business law.

Sylwester Godelewski (Partner Company: Jovia) 

Sylwester Godlewski is the vice president of human resources overseeing the areas of HR operations, compensation and benefits, HR compliance, and organizational development. Sylwester brings two decades human resources experience to Jovia, and leads a team of dedicated professionals to oversee all aspects of HR within the organization. He earned a master’s degree from the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), and a bachelor of arts degree from Strayer University. He also holds the designation of SPHR from the Society of Human Resources Management, a nationally recognized organization in the Human Resources industry.  

Ray Schwetz (Partner Company: Jovia) 

Ray Schwetz is assistant vice president of community relations with Jovia Financial Credit Union and has over 30 years of experience in financial services, commercial banking, and community outreach working previously with New York Community Bank (Roosevelt Savings), TIAA-CREF, and WaMu/Chase. He joined the Jovia team in 2008 to develop business for the Credit Union and was awarded his current position within community relations in 2019. He has been involved as a committee member for various non-profits including the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless, Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI), and the Long Island Imagine Awards. Ray currently serves as a on the board for the Nassau Community College Foundation. He was also awarded Outstanding Alumni from his Alumni Association in 2019 and hosts a business talk radio show/podcast on 90.3 WHPC called ‘Tower Talk’. Ray is a Nassau Community College and dean’s list graduate of New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) with a bachelor’s degree in economics.

Diahann Ryan (Partner Company: Jovia) 

Diahann Ryan is the assistant vice president – district management at Jovia Financial Credit Union. She began her career at Jovia as a branch manager in 2000 and has been with the organization now for 20 years. Diahann began her career in banking at Jamaica Savings Bank in 1996 as an assistant head teller. With a commitment to serving her community, Diahann partnered with the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce as treasurer and held a position on their board from 2008 through 2016. In 2014, Diahann was recognized and honored by business and community leaders from the chamber, as well as the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce as Businessperson of the Year. 

Peter Purpura (Partner Company: Jovia) 

Peter Purpura is Jovia Financial Credit Union’s assistant vice president of business development and has served within the banking and finance industry for 15 years, starting his career as a teller, then a financial advisor within the credit union industry. Peter manages his internal team to create awareness and generate membership for Jovia by creating partnerships with businesses and sponsoring events all across Long Island. He also serves on the Board at Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County. Peter graduated from Nassau Community College with his associates’ degree in 2006, then his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Adelphi in 2008. He is currently working on his masters in economics at St. John’s University. 

Teresa O’Donoghue (Partner Company: Jovia) 

Teresa O’Donoghue is the vice president of regulatory compliance, fraud, and legal with Jovia Financial Credit Union. Beginning her career 34 years ago, she held similar positions at Dime Savings and Long Island Savings Bank before joining Jovia in 2006. Teresa also holds the accreditation of NAFCU certified compliance officer (NCCO). Teresa graduated with her bachelor’s degree in business management from Molloy College. She has been married for 32 years, has three sons and one granddaughter.

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