Chair of the Board Jay Pantaleo has served as an HVCU volunteer since 2022. Currently the Associate Dean of the Marist College of School of Management, MBA Director, and Professional Lecturer of Decision Sciences for Marist College, his past accounting experience includes positions at Loehmann’s, BenefitPort, and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. Mr. Pantaleo holds an MBA in Financial Management from Marist College, and a Bachelor of Accountancy from George Washington University.

Vice Chair of the Board Keith Baskett has dedicated his service to HVCU since 2022.  In addition to his role as a Captain with United Airlines, Mr. Baskett is the owner of Pilot Properties, LLC, a real estate investment company specializing in residential properties in New York and California.  Beyond his aviation career, he is a local business owner with a diverse portfolio of ventures.  He holds a BS in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, bringing a wealth of expertise to his leadership at HVCU.

Board Treasurer Nancy Kappler-Foster has served as an HVCU volunteer since 2012. A retired executive, Ms. Kappler-Foster held various accounting staff and management positions at IBM, and also at Dutchess Community College and SUNY New Paltz where she worked with adults, especially women, providing career planning and guidance through individual counseling and group classes. She holds a BA in American Studies from Syracuse University, and a BS in Business, SUNY College, New Paltz. 

Board Secretary Benjamin Smith has served as an HVCU volunteer since 2022. He currently serves as Senior Vice President, Chief Information Security Officer with AlticeUSA.  Previously, he was Vice President, Chief Information Security Officer with Nuvance Health System. He holds an MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology, and a BS in Management Information Systems with a minor in Political Science from Rochester Institute of Technology. 

Henrietta Akpata has served as an HVCU volunteer since 2023. She is currently Senior Director for Product Growth & Offering Management at Medidata Solutions, and previously held positions at New England Fancy Food, Inc.; Sprinklr; and IBM. Ms. Akpata holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from University of Southern California, and a Master of Business Administration from UCLA Anderson School of Management.

Janine Simon Daughtry has served as an HVCU volunteer since 2023. She is currently Vice President, Strategy and Operations at Gartner, Inc. Previously she served in various Executive, Corporate Strategy/Business Development, Operations and Product Marketing roles at IBM, Xerox, and New York Life. Ms. Simon Daughtry holds an MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University..

Wesley J. Lee has served as an HVCU volunteer since 2020. He is Assistant Professor of History and Government at Dutchess Community College, and held previous positions with the Poughkeepsie City School District and Poughkeepsie Family Services, among others. Mr. Lee has helped many at-risk youth turn their lives around and successfully enter the workforce, and he has received many awards for work in the community. A proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, Mr. Lee has served as DEI consultant for the Beneficial Corp., helping to hire women, minorities and immigrants. He holds a Masters of Public Administration from Marist College, and a BS in Political Science from North Carolina A&T State University.

Karen McFarlane has served as an HVCU volunteer since 2023. She is Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Kaye Media, and she previously held positions at Lettershop, Return Path, Bolt and HBO.  She serves on the Professional Chapters Council and Learning Council for the American Marketing Association and served as President of the New York Chapter. She holds an MBA from American Intercontinental University, and a BS from New York University, with continuing studies in Media Arts and Film and a certification in diversity, equity and inclusion.

Alisa Swire has served as an HVCU volunteer since 2022. She was most recently Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for Johnson Outdoors, Inc. in Racine, WI, and held previous roles with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Case Corporation; Golden Gate University School of Law; and Shearman & Sterling. Ms. Swire holds a JD cum laude from Boston University School of Law, and a BA in Sociology from Vassar College.