Tuesday, Oct 11, 2022
Eileen Wirth '88, '95 will lead the campus organization that aims to strengthen alumni connections
by Adam Grybowski
Eileen Wirth '88, '95 has been named the new president of the 小优视频 Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Her two-year term officially began on July 1.
She previously served on the board for eight years in several capacities, most recently as first vice president.
鈥淚鈥檓 excited to be given this opportunity and really looking forward to it,鈥 says Wirth, adding that she is eager to move the board forward in aligning its work with the University鈥檚 strategic plan and forging new connections between alumni, their alma mater and current students.
Wirth received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in finance and a master's degree in business administration from Rider. Since 2020, she has been the president and chief executive officer of Moorestown Ecumenical Neighborhood Development (MEND), a nonprofit that helps develop, build and manage affordable rental housing in southern New Jersey. She is the first woman to hold that title in the organization鈥檚 history.
Before joining MEND, Wirth dedicated her career to affordable and subsidized housing in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including time with the New Jersey State Housing Finance Agency.
About eight years passed between Wirth receiving her master鈥檚 degree from Rider and her reconnection with her alma mater. That began when she met Jim Rademacher 鈥88 through the Institute of Real Estate Management, one of the many professional associations of which Wirth is a member. At the time, Rademacher was the president of Rider鈥檚 alumni board.
Receiving encouragement from a member of her own class led to her joining the Alumni Association, signing up for the international alumni trip and then volunteering for other activities, such as speaking to a group of finance majors about non-traditional career paths.
鈥淚鈥檝e enjoyed being able to connect with fellow alumni and coming back to campus,鈥 Wirth says. 鈥淚t was amazing when I first came back to campus and saw the changes that had taken place. But what really hooked me was connecting with students and being able to speak to them and mentor them.鈥
We want to support the overall success of the University and help it achieve its strategic initiatives."
The members of the alumni association serve as ambassadors to the greater Rider community and help foster opportunities for alumni to become more engaged with Rider. The association also works with campus partners to support their efforts, such as volunteering during Admitted Student Days.
鈥淲e want to support the overall success of the University and help it achieve its strategic initiatives,鈥 Wirth says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important for us to think outside of the box and not feel constrained in our effort to strengthen connections with alumni, but it鈥檚 important that Rider鈥檚 strategic plan remains our roadmap.鈥
Wirth chairs the executive committee of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, which welcomed two new members this year. The committee is responsible for overseeing the management of the board.
Anthony M. Celentano 鈥78, 鈥80, a member of the association since 2021, is now the second vice president. He earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees in music from Westminster Choir College with concentrations in sacred music, organ and choral conducting. His career in church music, education and counseling has spanned 45 years.
Teresa Kane 鈥93, a member of the association since 2019, is now serving as secretary/treasurer. She received a bachelor鈥檚 degree in accounting and a master鈥檚 degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing from Rider. She held various positions of increasing responsibility at AT&T during a 35-year career there. Kane has been a member, vice president and president of the Milford Public School District Board of Education since 2000 and is currently a member of several other boards of educational organizations.
In addition, Nicole Woodland-Devan '98 returns to the executive committee this year as first vice president. She received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Rider and, since then, enjoyed a 20-plus year career with Compas, where she rose from her first position as account manager to her recent appointment as president. Six Sigma Certified, Woodland-Devan has been recognized with several awards, including the PharmaVOICE 100 award, a Healthcare Businesswomen鈥檚 Association鈥檚 Rising Star award and SmartCEO Brava Award.
The board also welcomed four new members: Diana Di Gioia 鈥12, who received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in marketing; Joe Forte 鈥13, who received a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies; Fatima Heyward 鈥15, who received a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media, Film, TV, Radio; and Avery Thomson 鈥22, who received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in organizational psychology and business analytics.
The two returning members are Kenneth Bernabe 鈥69, who received a Bachelor of Arts in History and Walter Darr 鈥78, 鈥91, who received a Bachelor of Science in Commerce with a major in finance and a Master of Business Administration.