DePaul University Newsline > Sections > Campus and Community > Alumna Lori Holland to serve as next board chair for DePaul University

Alumna Lori Holland to serve as next board chair for DePaul University

Lori Holland
(DePaul University/Jamie Moncrief)

Lori Holland's very first volunteer experience with DePaul occurred when a faculty member invited her to participate in a mock manager search for a finance class in the Driehaus College of Business. Shortly thereafter, she received an invitation to join the Finance Advisory Board in 2002.

“I met a wonderful group of people, and it led to a series of increasing engagements with the university," she says.

On July 1, Holland assumed the role as chair for DePaul University's Board of Trustees. A DePaul alumna, Holland has served as the board's vice-chair since 2017.  As a retired managing director of Neuberger Berman, she brings extensive financial and investment experience to DePaul.

“Lori's deep knowledge of the financial world combined with her heartfelt commitment to DePaul's mission makes her a tremendous asset for our board and the entire university community," says DePaul President A. Gabriel Esteban, Ph.D. “I am grateful for her service and look forward to a continued close collaboration."

In addition to serving as a member, and eventually chair, of the Finance Advisory Board, Holland also served as a non-trustee member of the Board of Trustees Investment Committee from 2009 – 2011. While it is rare for a non-board member to serve on a trustee committee, DePaul sought her much-needed financial expertise in the midst of the global financial crisis.

Holland became a trustee in 2011. She has served as a member of the audit, investment, mission and executive compensation committees. She has been chair for the Finance Committee since 2017.

“Lori has done so much for DePaul," says Jeff Bethke, executive vice president and chief financial officer for DePaul. “She has a love for DePaul that comes through in all that she does and, as I've seen firsthand, her commitment, good judgement and adept leadership have made this institution stronger in countless ways."

Holland graduated from DePaul University with a bachelor's in finance. She also has an MBA from the University of Chicago. She joined Neuberger Berman in 2003 and spent her last five years with the firm as a senior advisor for the Multi-Asset Class business, focusing on Strategic Partnership clients. Prior to Neuberger Berman, she served as one of the founding members of the fixed-income division for a boutique investment firm, Lincoln Capital Management Company.

“My experience at DePaul has been very rewarding," Holland says. “I feel blessed to be surrounded by individuals who come together for a common purpose and who are so passionate about the Vincentian mission. I look forward to working in concert with DePaul's leadership team to help guide the university toward fulfilling its strategic vision."

Holland succeeds Jim Ryan, who has served as chair since 2017 and will continue to serve on the board.

“Lori has demonstrated strong leadership throughout her time on the board, and I have always appreciated her insight and partnership," Ryan says. “I offer her my congratulations and welcome her to this new role."

Also effective July 1, Gerald Beeson, chief operating officer of Citadel, became the vice chair for the Board of Trustees. Beeson joined the board in 2008. He has a bachelor's in commerce from DePaul and an MBA from the University of Chicago.