(DePaul University/Jamie Moncrief)
Lorraine “Lori" L. Holland first discovered DePaul University when she was an administrative assistant at Harris Bank. She had grown restless in her job, and with the help of a tuition assistance program, she started to take evening classes in finance at DePaul. Before she knew it, her college transcript listed her as a sophomore, and she had a job in an investment firm. Thirty-six years after graduating cum laude from DePaul, she would become the chair of the university's Board of Trustees. Holland, a first-generation college graduate who believed strongly in the transformative power of higher education, died on Nov. 26 at the age of 63.
“Lori led with kindness always," says A. Gabriel Esteban, president of DePaul. “She was an inspiration, and her journey represented the quintessential story of so many DePaul students. We will miss her dearly."
A retired managing director of the investment firm, Neuberger Berman, Holland brought extensive financial and investment experience to DePaul. She became a trustee in 2011, after serving on DePaul's Finance Advisory Board since 2002 and eventually becoming its chair. As a trustee, she was a member of the audit, investment, mission, and executive compensation committees. In 2017, Holland began her tenure as chair of the Finance Committee and became vice-chair for the Board of Trustees that same year. She assumed the role as chair for the Board of Trustees on July 1, 2020.
In addition, Holland 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.
After graduating from DePaul with a bachelor's in finance in 1984, Holland went on to earn 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 that, she had served as the firm's global head of institutional client service. Before joining Neuberger Berman, Holland was one of the founding members of the fixed-income division of the boutique investment firm, Lincoln Capital Management Company.
In a recent interview, Holland described her experience at DePaul as very rewarding. She felt blessed to be surrounded by individuals who came together for a common purpose and spoke passionately about supporting DePaul's students.
“DePaul students don't just talk about changing the world—they take action through community service, social advocacy and creative problem solving. I am proud to support them and to support DePaul," she said.
Holland is survived by her beloved husband, Robert, a retired professor of philosophy at Hofstra University, longtime president of the Chicago Map Society and currently a vice chair of the board of the Newberry Library. She is also survived by two sisters, two nieces and a nephew.
Private services will be held at the St. Vincent de Paul Church in Lincoln Park. A celebration of her life will take place at a future date.