Our Donors

Donors provide essential support to our five key strategic initiatives, including student experience, faculty support, scholarships, diversity and inclusion, and facilities. They are key partners in Isenberg’s drive to achieve its mission – we cannot thank them enough for their invaluable support!
Read some of their stories below.

Our Donors

Isenberg Remembers Arthur Elkins ’57

June 15, 2021

On June 8, former Isenberg associate dean, faculty member, graduate, and donor Arthur Elkins died at age 85.

Profile in Philanthropy: George R. Ditomassi ‘57

December 19, 2019

“I feel honored and excited to be a part of the new Business Innovation Hub at Isenberg, an institution that is already acknowledged as one of the best business schools in the country,” says George Ditomassi '57, former Chairman and President of the Milton Bradley Company. “In addition, I believe that the new Hub will allow more local students to receive an Isenberg education and fuel the support for local businesses in Western Massachusetts.”

Business Innovation Hub Visionary Donors

January 10, 2019

The Business Innovation Hub was funded primarily by alumni and friends, starting with these Visionary Donors, who have given Isenberg the seed resources necessary to realize this iconic building.

Profile in Philanthropy: Eugene Isenberg ’50,‘00H

January 07, 2019

Gene Isenberg '50, '00H was a dedicated alumnus and long-time champion of the school as well as a successful businessman and generous philanthropist. In 1997, the UMass Amherst business school was renamed the Isenberg School of Management after he and his wife, Ronnie, donated $6 million.

Profile in Philanthropy: Thomas Ackerman ‘76

January 04, 2019

The retired CFO and Executive Vice President of Charles River Laboratories is a key donor to the new Business Innovation Hub, the Thomas O’Brien Chair, and Isenberg’s Business Leadership awards.

Profile in Philanthropy: D. Gibson Hammond ‘77

January 04, 2019

Gib and Susan Hammond’s key role and gift in the genesis of this building underscore their commitment to Isenberg and to Gib’s former major, accounting. Before retiring in 2012, Gib excelled for 25 years as an audit and accounting partner with Deloitte.

Profile in Philanthropy: Robert Epstein ‘67

January 04, 2019

Bob Epstein is President and CEO of Horizon Beverage Group, New England’s largest distributor of alcoholic beverages. He joined Horizon—founded by his grandfather in 1933—following graduation. A proud alumnus, Bob was co-chair of the largest fundraising campaign in UMass Amherst history, and has visited the campus as a guest lecturer on entrepreneurship.

Profile in Philanthropy: Edward Shirley ‘78

January 04, 2019

“I was proud to make my pledge four years ago to help raise funds for this new facility,” Ed Shirley ’78 told an enthusiastic gathering at the September 2017 groundbreaking ceremony for Isenberg’s Business Innovation Hub. “Facilities absolutely make a difference,” he insisted. “And in the spring of 2019, Isenberg will have facilities that will begin to match the vision and status of an iconic business school.”

Profile in Philanthropy: David Fubini ‘76

January 04, 2019

David Fubini’s professional accomplishments include 34 years as a senior partner with the consulting firm McKinsey & Company and a legacy of teaching at Harvard Business School, where he earned his MBA. He has given back to Isenberg for decades through his role on the Dean’s Advisory Council, as a member of the UMass Amherst Foundation Board, and through fundraising, classroom visits, and student mentorships.

Profile in Philanthropy: James Buonomo ’74, ’76MBA

January 04, 2019

Jim Buonomo and his wife, Paula, are long-time advocates of Isenberg values, including drive, teamwork, and inclusiveness. Jim’s diverse career included 17 years with NYPRO, a manufacturer of precision plastics.

Profile in Philanthropy: Paul Carney '82

December 19, 2018

A 1982 Isenberg accounting graduate, Paul Carney spent the lion’s share of his career in senior managerial finance and administration positions for early-stage, emerging technology companies, funded by premier Silicon Valley venture capital and private equity firms. Paul has been a consistent donor to the greater UMass community since he graduated. Isenberg’s Business Innovation Hub boasts a state-of-the-art café and seating area that carries the proud name of Paul Carney ’82 and his family. “My aim in making this high-profile gift is to raise awareness of giving and philanthropy at Isenberg and UMass Amherst,” he observes.

Profile in Philanthropy: John Micalizzi ’94

August 17, 2018

“A number of things in my life have special meaning, special resonance. For me, Isenberg and UMass are among them,” notes Isenberg accounting grad John Micalizzi ’94. As Human Resource Leader with the Boston office of accounting firm RSM, John has catalyzed two substantial gifts of $150,000 and $100,000 to Isenberg from its alumni at RSM and the RSM Foundation.

Profile in Philanthropy: Fran Hutchins MBA '13

July 24, 2018

For Isenberg MBA grad Fran Hutchins ‘13, giving has always been central to her family’s culture. When Fran was growing up in Birmingham, Alabama, her family endowed scholarships at the alma mater of her mother and father. Now Fran is honoring him with a scholarship of her own for Isenberg students. “I was one of very few students of color in Isenberg’s MBA program,” Hutchins recalls. “That’s one among many underrepresented populations that the scholarship will help.” Although Fran has been giving to Isenberg since graduation, this year was a first. “This year, I decided to bring that giving to a different level after Isenberg approached me.” Support for Isenberg, she says, is a worthy exception in her periodic giving to other institutions, which mostly targets politically focused advocacy groups.

Profile in Philanthropy: John N. Spinney Jr. '87

July 01, 2018

When Isenberg’s Accounting Department honored John N. Spinney, Jr. ’87 with its Lifetime Service Award at its annual banquet in April, Spinney, in his remarks to the gathering, paid homage to several of his former accounting professors. Those mentors, he said, helped him to launch and succeed in a dynamic career in accounting and financial services. Since 2007, Spinney has excelled as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Bracebridge Capital, a Boston-based hedge fund that manages $10+ billion in assets.

Profile in Philanthropy: Charles P. McQuaid '74

June 19, 2018

“When I was a student, a UMass education was far more affordable,” recalls Isenberg finance graduate Charles P. “Chuck” McQuaid ’74. “I want hard-working students to have the same opportunities that I had.” That is why Chuck has created a needs-based scholarship to Isenberg for undergraduates from his hometown, Ware, and surrounding communities. Chuck’s father worked in a factory; so did Chuck during his Isenberg years.

Profile in Philanthropy: Gary Cameron '89

June 11, 2018

Isenberg finance graduate Gary Cameron ’89 has strong admiration for Isenberg students and the impact of their education. As the former director of USD swaps with J.P. Morgan for nine years, he witnessed a marked improvement in Isenberg interns at his firm after Mark Fuller became the school’s dean in 2009. “Our Isenberg interns improved year after year in both polish and drive,” Cameron says. But much of that improvement is also to Cameron’s own credit.