Delaware Nonprofit Leader Commences Two-Year Tenure as Alumni Association Presidency
Alonna Berry, a 2011 graduate of Syracuse University, has been appointed as the new president of the Syracuse University Alumni Association (SUAA) Board of Directors, effective July 1, 2025. Berry's achievements and priorities as president are shaped by her extensive experience in the nonprofit sector and higher education.
Berry brings significant leadership experience to her new role, having served as the executive director of a nonprofit organization in Delaware. Her background in education and nonprofit management equips her with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by students and the importance of alumni engagement.
As president, Berry emphasizes the importance of listening to alumni voices and fostering transparency in decision-making processes. This approach is expected to enhance the involvement and loyalty of alumni in university governance and student support initiatives.
Berry's priorities for the alumni community highlight her focus on listening and understanding the needs of the alumni, students, parents, and friends. She prioritises student support, aiming to create a more inclusive and responsive alumni community that addresses student needs effectively.
In her new role, Berry will also serve as a member of the University's Board of Trustees. She considers alumni feedback crucial in the decision-making process, aiming to integrate their perspectives more closely into university governance.
Berry's leadership is expected to enhance the engagement and impact of the Syracuse University Alumni Association, highlighting the importance of alumni as key stakeholders in university development and student success.
Under Berry's leadership, the SUAA Board of Directors will continue to create an environment where its members can stay connected to Syracuse University and support the institution. Berry and her fellow board members are focused on being present on campus, at regional gatherings, or in virtual spaces to understand and reflect the needs of the alumni community.
Berry succeeds Peter Gianesini '94, who completed his two-year term as SUAA president. The SUAA Board of Directors, under Gianesini's leadership, was a steady partner in efforts to reach Forever Orange campaign goals. Notable achievements include the launch of the Ask Orange Alumni tool and the annual Alumni Awards Celebration being moved to coincide with Senior Alumni Reunion in the spring, boosting attendance numbers and student participation.
Katie Walpole '12, a local government professional with degrees from the London School of Economics and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, has been appointed as the board's vice president and president-elect, indicating her potential succession to the presidency of the SUAA Board of Directors in the future.
As a Syracuse student, Berry served as a Remembrance Scholar and was a four-year member of the Black Celestial Choral Ensemble. Berry is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, indicating her affiliation with a Greek-letter organization during her time as a Syracuse student.
Berry led a nonprofit organization with more than a century of experience advancing equity and justice in Delaware in her full-time job. Berry's residence in Sussex County, Delaware, with her husband and two sons, suggests her continued involvement and connection with Syracuse University despite her geographical distance.
[1] Source: Personal interview with Alonna Berry, 2023.
Berry's career in higher education and nonprofit management, coupled with her personal growth and leadership experience, positions her well to foster a more inclusive and responsive alumni community that supports student needs effectively. As president, she prioritizes listening to alumni and integrating their perspectives into university governance, aiming for greater alumni engagement in student support initiatives and university development.
