Board of Trustees

Simmons Trustees are the ultimate fiduciaries of Simmons University. They oversee all of Simmons’s institutional affairs in accordance with the University's charter, bylaws, evolving statements of mission and purpose, and strategic plan.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for governance of the University and for monitoring the implementation of its policies, as distinguished from its day-to-day management or administration, which is the responsibility of the President and other administrative officers of the University.

Regina Pisa Chair, Board of Trustees

Education  
BA, Oxford College  
MA, Oxford College  
AB, Harvard University  
JD, Georgetown University

Job Title/Current Affiliations  
Chairman Emeritus, Goodwin Procter LLP  
Chairman & Managing Partner, Goodwin Procter LLP  
Partner & Counsel, Goodwin Procter

BOT Term End Date 
6/30/2028

Alison Taunton-Rigby Vice Chair, Board of Trustees

Education
B.Sc and PhD, University of Bristol
AMP Advance Management Program, Business, Harvard University

Job Title/ Current Affiliations
Director, TetraGenetics, Inc.
Director, Blumont, Inc. 
Global Director, International Women's Forum
Advisory Board Member, Convergence Forum
Director/Trustee, Boston Children's Hospital

BOT Committee(s)
Finance Committee
Audit Committee
Investment Committee

BOT Term End Date
July 31, 2027

Headshot of Barbara Latz Cohen

Education
BA, Simmons University

Job Title/Current Affiliations
Event Planner
Legal Aid Society, Board of Advisors Member

BOT Committee(s)
Advancement Committee
Facilities Committee
Student Experience Committee

BOT Term End Date 
6/30/2026

Headshot of Denise Coll

Education
BS in Hotel, Restaurant and Travel Administration, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
MBA, Simmons University

Job Title/Current Affiliations
LaSalle Hotel Properties, Non-Executive Director
Enlivant, Non-Executive Director
University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation, Director
University of Massachusetts, Amherst Hotel Travel Management, Advisory Board Member
Big Sister Association of Boston, Board of Directors

BOT Committee(s)
Facilities Committee, Chair
Executive Committee 
Finance Committee 
Student Experience Committee

BOT Term End Date 
6/30/2025

Photo of Terri Cooper

Education
BSc in Chemistry/Pharmacology, University of Nottingham
PhD in Pharmacology, University of London
Executive Education Certificate in EE Leading Edge Program, Simmons
University

Job Title/Current Affiliations
Former Principal of Deloitte US Life Sciences and R&D Practice
USTA Advisory Board
Trustee, LifeArc

BOT Committee(s)
Advancement Committee
Executive Development & Compensation Committee
Trusteeship & Governance Committee

BOT Term End Date
6/30/2025

Photo of Patricia D'Amore

Education 
B.A., Education, Regis College 
PhD, Boston University 
MBA, Finance, Northeastern University

Job Title/ Current Affiliations 
Director of Research and Development, The Schepens Eye Research Institute 
Charles L. Schepens Professor of Opthalmology, Harvard Medical School 
Research Associate, Children's Hospital 
Board Member, Matignon High School

BOT Committee(s) 
Academic Excellence Committee
Executive Development & Compensation Committee
Faculty Review Committee

BOT Term End Date 
6/30/2027

Headshot of Tiffany Dufu

Education
B.A., University of Washington
M.A., University of Washington

Job Title/Current Affiliations
Founder & CEO, The Cru
Chief Leadership Officer, Levo
Delta Sigma Theta, Member
Girls Who Code, Board Member
Harlem 4 Kids, Board Member
National Board Development Committee for Girl
Scouts of America, Board Member
Students First New York, Board Member
Women’s Forum New York, Member

BOT Committee(s)
Academic Excellence Committee
Student Experience Committee

BOT Term End Date 
6/30/2027

Trustee Eckert headshot

Education
BS, Fashion institute of Technology
MSW, Simmons University

Job Title/Current Affiliations
Founder, Boston Post Adoption Resources 
Social Worker, LICSW 
Social Worker, Center for Family Connections

BOT Committee(s)
Advancement Committee
Executive Committee
Student Experience Committee
Trusteeship & Governance Committee

BOT Term End Date 
6/30/2025

Headshot of April Evans

Education
BA, Duke University
Master’s degree, Boston University
MBA, Simmons University

Job Title/Current Affiliations
Partner, CFO, and CCO, Monitor Clipper Partners
Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, Board Member
ACLU of Massachusetts, Board Member

BOT Committee(s)
Finance Committee, Chair
Academic Excellence Committee
Audit Committee
Executive Committee
Investment Committee

BOT Term End Date
6/30/2026

Headshot of Elizabeth Fender

Education
BA in Management, Simmons University
BA in Accounting, Simmons University

Job Title/Current Affiliations
American Institute of CPAs, Member
CSCPA, Member
Charlotte Country Day School, Volunteer
Druid HIll Academy, Volunteer
Second Harvest Food Bank, Volunteer

BOT Committee(s)
Audit Committee, Chair
Executive Committee
Executive Development and Compensation Committee
Student Experience Committee

BOT Term End Date 
6/30/2024

David Ferriero

Education 
B.A. in English, Northeastern University 
M.A. in English, Northeastern University 
M.S. in Library and Information Science, Simmons University

Job Title/Current Affiliations  
Served as 10th Archivist of the United States 
Former Director of Libraries, New York Public Library 
Former Director of Libraries and Vice Provost, Duke University

BOT Committee(s) 
Academic Excellence Committee 
Advancement Committee 
Audit Committee

BOT Term End Date  
6/30/2028

Headshot of Millicent Gorham

Education
BA in Management and Communications, Simmons University
MBA, Howard University
HD, SImmons University

Job Title/Current Affiliations 
Executive Director, National Black Nurses Association
Nursing.com, Board Member
United Medical Center Washington DC, Board Member 
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, Advisory Council Member

BOT Committee(s)
Executive Development & Compensation Committee, Chair
Advancement Committee
Executive Committee
Student Experience Committee

BOT End Date
6/30/2024

Roberto Ifill 

Education
AB in Economics, Dartmouth College 
M.A., M.Ph. and PhD, Economics, Yale University

Job Title/Current Affiliations
Retired after 30+ years in high serving in various roles for institutions including Yale University, Williams College, Connecticut College, Macalester College  
The Theatre Lab for the Dramatic Arts, Board Chair

BOT Committee(s)
Academic Excellence Committee  
Executive Committee  
Finance Committee  
Student Experience Committee

BOT Term End Date
6/30/2025

Headshot of Alix Laager

Education
B.A., Smith College
AAS in Interior Design, NY School of Interior Design

Job Title/Current Affiliations
American Society of Interior Designers, Associate Member
Junior League of Westchester on the Sound, Board Member
Elisa Monte Dance, Founding Board Member, Secretary
Westchester Children's Museum, President, Chair of Campaign

BOT Committee(s)
Advancement Committee, Chair
Executive Committee
Student Experience Committee
Trusteeship & Governance Committee

BOT Term End Date 
6/30/2027

Steven Lipiner Headshot

Education
B.A. in Political Science, SUNY, University of Buffalo
MBA in Finance, CUNY, Baruch College

Job Title/Current Affiliations
Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, State Street Global Advisors
Board Director, Dimock Centre
Board Director, RIZE Massachusetts
Board of Trustees, CUNY, Baruch College Fund
Adjunct Professor of Corporate Finance, Boston University

BOT Committee(s)
Audit Committee
Finance Committee
Investment Committee

BOT Term End Date
6/30/2029

Stacy Mullaney '90, Simmons Board of Trustees

Education 
BA Economics & International Relations, Simmons University 
MA Economics, University of Sussex (England) 
JD Stanford University School of Law

Job Title/Current Affiliations 
President and CEO, Goldman Sachs Trust Company 
Fiduciary Counsel Fellow, American College of Trust & Estate Counsel 
Boston Club, Member
Boston Estate Planning Council, Member

BOT Committee(s) 
Finance Committee
Investment Committee
Academic Excellence Committee

BOT Term End Date 
6/30/2026

Trustee Angela Patterson '85, '88MSN, '97C

Education
BS in Nursing, Simmons University
MSN in Nursing, Simmons University
CAGS in Nursing, Simmons University
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Institute of Health Professions

Job Title/Current Affiliations
VP, Chief Nurse Practitioner Officer, CVS Health
Advisory Council Member, Springer Publishing
Board Chair, NursesMC
Board Member, Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare

BOT Committee(s)
Academic Excellence Committee
Advancement Committee
Trusteeship & Governance Committee

BOT Term End Date
6/30/2029

Headshot of Jeffrey Singer

Education
BA in Economics, Huron University
MBA, Harvard University

Job Title/Current Affiliations 
VP and Chief Investment Officer (Retired) Investors Group (Canada)
Olive Resource Capital, Board Member
MIT Venture Mentoring Service (VMS), Mentor

BOT Committee(s)
Investment Committee, Chair
Academic Excellence Committee
Executive Committee 
Finance Committee 

BOT Term End Date 
6/30/2028

Trustee Irene Speridakos '84

Education
BA in Management, Simmons University
BA in Finance, Simmons University

Job Title/Current Affiliations
Managing Director, BNY Mellon
Treasurer and Executive Committee Member, NICSA
Director Emeritus, Expect Miracles Foundation

BOT Committee(s)
Finance Committee
Investment Committee
Student Experience Committee

BOT Term End Date
6/30/2029

Trustee Charlotte Streat ‘00MBA

Education
BA in Economics, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
MBA, Simmons University
  
Job Title/Current Affiliations
SVP & Manager of DEI Coaching & Consulting, Liberty Mutual Insurance
Board Member, ACLU/MA
Board Member, WGBH

BOT Committee(s)
Advancement Committee
Executive Development and Compensation Committee
Student Experience Committee

BOT Term End Date
6/30/2029

Headshot of Winston Tabb

Education 
BA, Oklahoma Baptist University 
MA, Harvard University 
MLS, Simmons University

Job Title/Current Affiliations 
Sheridan Dean of University Libraries and Museums at John Hopkins University
Academic Preservation Trust, Board Member
Council on Library & Info Resources, Board Member
Digital Preservation Network, Board Member
Electronic Info for Libraries, Board Member
Hathi Trust, Board Member
Ivy & Library Directors, Board Member

BOT Committee(s) 
Academic Excellence Committee, Chair
Faculty Review Committee, Chair
Executive Committee 
Trusteeship & Governance Committee

BOT Term End Date 
6/30/2025

Headshot of Pamela Toulopoulos

Education 
BA Education, Simmons University

Job Title/Current Affiliations 
Co-Owner, JVT Realty, Arlington 
Corporator, Cambridge Financial Group 
Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Member
Harvard Business Association, Member
Hellenic Women's Benevolent Association, Member
Simmons University Alumnae Executive Board, Member

BOT Committee(s)
Trusteeship & Governance Committee, Chair
Executive Committee 
Facilities Committee 
Student Experience Committee 

BOT Term End Date 
6/30/2027

Trustee Susan Traverso '83

Education
BA in History, Simmons University
BA in Communications, Simmons University
MA in History, University of Wisconsin - Madison
PhD in History, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Job Title/Current Affiliations
President, Thiel College
Board Member, Penn-Northwest Economic Development Corp.
Board Member, The Dietrich Foundation
Board Member, Chautauqua Women's Club

BOT Committee(s)
Advancement Committee
Facilities Committee

BOT Term End Date
6/30/2029

Trustee Laura J. Wood

Education
BS in Nursing, West Virginia University
MS in Material Science Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Johns Hopkins University

Job Title/Current Affiliations
EVP Patient Care Operations & System Chief Nurse Executive, Boston Children's Hospital
President, American Nurses Credentialing Center
Board of Directors, CRICO
Board Member, Children's Hospital Coalition
Board of Trustees, Pediatric Physicians of Children's 
Board Member, Boston Children's Hospital

BOT Committee(s)
Academic Excellence Committee
Executive Development & Compensation Committee
Facilities Committee
Finance Committee

BOT Term End Date
6/30/2029

Lynn Perry Wooten, President of Simmons University

Education
Certificate in Advanced Educational Leadership, Harvard University
PhD, University of Michigan
MBA, Duke University
BS, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

Current Position
President, Simmons University