January 16, 2024 – Marist College is excited to announce the addition of four distinguished individuals to its Board of Trustees. Formally elected during the Board’s December 9 annual meeting, these accomplished professionals come from diverse backgrounds and industries, bringing a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to helping Marist achieve its vision of improving the world through education. 

“We are delighted to welcome these new members,” said Ross Mauri ’80/P’15, Chair of the Marist Board of Trustees. “Through their collective expertise and dedication to Marist they will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the College as we bring to life the many bold initiatives outlined in our new strategic plan, Marist 100.”

Added Marist President Kevin Weinman: “I am particularly excited about the variety of ways this distinguished group of new trustees has been involved with the College – as parents, alumni of both undergraduate and graduate programs, through athletics and many other elements of the Marist experience, as advisory board members, and as mentors to our students. I look forward to the many ways they will bring their extensive professional expertise into the board room, and to working with them to bring Marist to greater heights.”

 

New Members of the Board of Trustees

Rajesh K. Kothapalli '92M

A graduate of Marist’s master’s program in computer science and software development, Rajesh (Raj) is an information technology professional with more than 20 years of experience in organizational leadership, business development, infrastructure development, and technical implementation. He currently serves as the president of iSpace, a global technology and business process services company headquartered in Los Angeles, CA. Together with his brothers, Suresh Kothapalli '91M and Vinod Kothapalli '94M, who are also Marist alumni, Raj has established the Kothapalli Family Scholarship, which assists graduate students in the computer science and software development program. He is also an active and engaged member of Marist’s School of Computer Science & Mathematics Advisory Board.

 

Thomas M. Murray '02

Thomas is a Managing Director in the External Investing Group within Goldman Sachs Asset Management, where he is responsible for the manager selection and portfolio construction of private equity and public equity manager investments. Thomas joined Goldman Sachs in 2007 and was named Managing Director in 2015. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, he was an Associate Director at Bear Stearns in the Advisory Services Group and began his career at Morgan Stanley. Thomas is a CFA charterholder and a member of the CFA Institute and the New York Society of Security Analysts. Thomas previously served on the New York Cares Rising Leaders Council, where he served as Co-President from 2016-18. He earned a Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude, degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and Marketing from Marist College, and is a member of Marist’s School of Management Advisory Board.

 

C. James Taylor III

James is an Executive Director and founding member of the Taylor Group at Morgan Stanley. James has been ranked in Forbes as a top Financial Advisor eight times, including being named top 10 in New York City and top 100 in America. His team manages $1.65 billion in assets and has been featured in Barron’s, Forbes, CIO Views Magazine, and Investment News Magazine. During his time as a student-athlete at Marist, James demonstrated excellence as a captain on the lacrosse team, earning a spot on the All-MAAC Second Team twice. His commitment to the team endures through a newly established scholarship program in his name, exemplifying his ongoing support and generosity.

 

Elizabeth K. Venuti, PhD P’15/P’17

Elizabeth (Liz) is the retired Senior Associate Dean of the Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University, where she also chaired the Department of Accounting prior to that appointment. She brings a wealth of experience in private higher education, accounting, and financial oversight, having also served as an adjunct associate professor at St. John’s University’s Tobin School of Business and at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. She has served on the boards of organizations including the Portledge School, MercyFirst, and the St. Francis Hospital Foundation (of Flower Hill, NY). She is the proud parent of two Marist graduates and was a member of the Marist College Parents Council, participating as volunteer leader and ambassador from 2011-2017.