From the Hill to GE Aerospace: Paul Misci ‘13 on Business, Leadership, and Service

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When Paul Misci ’13 reflects on his time at Holy Cross, he remembers the foundation it laid for his career, leadership style, and values. Now in a leadership role at GE Aerospace, Paul carries with him not only the skills he learned on the Hill, but the ethos of service and curiosity that Holy Cross helped shape.

Paul always felt like he would be able to succeed one day in a business role. He credits the College’s business programs and its deep bench of alumni, like John Mahoney ‘73, former CFO of Staples, and Brian Kelley ‘83, former CEO at Keurig, as early inspirations. “They had liberal arts degrees and built incredible business careers. It showed me that no matter what you major in, you’ll walk away from Holy Cross with life skills that apply to any business path,” Paul says, echoing the Ciocca Center’s motto of ‘major in anything and succeed in business.’

What stood out most for Paul was how his liberal arts education trained him to solve problems. “That’s what I do all day,” he said. “Even just thinking back to how you write a research paper, breaking down a problem, analyzing, and coming to a conclusion, it’s the same method I use today, whether it’s with customers, internal tools, or software issues.” Communication is also crucial: “Reading, writing, and communicating well is crucial. It’s not just about managing people, it’s about truly understanding them.”

Now a Director at GE Aerospace, Paul makes it clear that leadership, for him, is about more than deliverables. “At Holy Cross, there was this focus on caring for the whole person. I bring that to my leadership style, helping people grow, understanding what’s going on in their lives, and making accommodations that let them succeed at work and at home.”

Paul’s leadership journey has taken him many different routes. One pivotal moment was when he took a two-year assignment in Abu Dhabi as a commercial manager during his time working at Raytheon. “It was a leap,” he admitted. “A lot of people say they want to go abroad, but few actually do it. It was tough but transformative.” That assignment gave Paul valuable experience working with international clients and taught him to operate independently. “It changed the trajectory of my career and made me grow in ways I never expected.”

Today, Paul leads from a home office, working remotely while managing major relationships with clients like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and the U.S. government. “We’re a lean organization, so I kick off each day with a stand-up, triaging issues and working through proposals or program updates.” While his job is high-stakes, Paul is excited by the evolving workplace at GE. “It’s smaller, more focused, and very people-first.” He praised the onboarding culture, particularly the personal “Get to Know” meetings baked into the team dynamic. “You meet the person before the job title, and that matters.”

In a rapidly changing world, Paul is leaning into emerging tech to help him become more efficient and effective.. “In my role, AI has made our lives so much easier. We deal with massive documents, sometimes 900 pages long, and now we can use GE’s AI platform, Wingmate, to search for certain clauses we need or to summarize them instantly.” For Paul, AI isn’t a threat, it’s a tool. “It’s not about replacing jobs. It’s about being more efficient so we can focus on adding value. Whether it’s scanning old test data or helping customers use information better, AI is transforming how we work.”

At Holy Cross, Paul felt service was ingrained into campus life. Paul remembers joining SPUD in his first year and working with Nativity School students throughout all four years. “Watching those students grow and seeing where they ended up after graduating was incredible,” he said. That commitment to service followed him into professional life. At his previous job, he helped start days of service. Now at GE, he’s excited about the company’s involvement in National Week of Service. “It’s still a part of my life. Whenever I have a career break, I use that time to give back, whether it’s at a food bank or with a local nonprofit.”

Paul credits his continued professional growth to his network and his willingness to keep learning. “Mentors matter, and they don’t always have to be older. I learn a ton from peers and younger colleagues, too.” He also encourages staying curious and embracing change. “I read a lot, go to seminars, and push to bring those learnings back to my team. You have to stay sharp, especially with how fast tech and business are moving.”

Paul also made the most of his time outside the classroom at Holy Cross. He fondly remembers his acapella group, now defunct, but a key part of his social life and lasting friendships and his unlikely path to becoming Student Government Co-President. “I told my roommate I’d never run,” he laughed. “But by junior year, I was in.” He credits student government with teaching him budgeting, team management, and leadership, skills he still uses today.

Remote work has its perks, but it takes discipline, which is why Paul has a daily routine to stay focused and healthy. “I go to the gym every morning, take breaks, and I try to separate work from personal space,” he said. “Also, put the phone down during work periods. We’re so dopamine-driven now. You’ve got to create those boundaries.”

He encourages others, especially early-career professionals, to prioritize relationship building. “Be in person when you can. Travel for off-sites. Build your network. Those connections really matter.” Paul’s career is a reminder that impact comes from staying curious, leading with purpose, and never losing sight of what matters most: people. 

Paul is an admirable example of the Holy Cross and Jesuit principle, “men and women for others,” as well as the Ciocca Center’s motto of “major in anything, succeed in business.” 

Curiosity, Confidence & Connection Inspire at 19th Annual WIB Conference

WIB Committee and Keynote Speaker

This past Saturday on November 2,  Women in Business hosted their annual conference attended by nearly 200 alumnae and students. The conference kicked off with keynote speaker Joanna Geraghty ‘94, CEO of jetBlue and sociology major at Holy Cross, interviewed by Professor Susan Crawford Sullivan of the sociology department. “Curiosity is what makes a strong business leader, and that comes from a liberal arts education.” Geraghty shared. 

Students and alumnae attended concurrent panels throughout the day including Women in Wealth, and Females in Fashion to Game Changers in Sports. Kate Beckerman ‘20, Global Compliance Manager at Boston Consulting Group, presented on a panel titled Beyond the Books: Humanities Majors Thriving in Business. “Our panel focus was on the power of a Liberal Arts education in the workplace” Beckerman shared.  “I left feeling energized and inspired by the amazing students and alumnae in attendance!”

Another panel included Women Shaping the Future of Tech hosted by Jamee Herbert ’10, CEO & Co-Founder of BridgeCare and Aine Doyle ’20, Content Developer at IBM. The panel provided first hand insights on overcoming industry challenges. Herbert and Doyle highlighted strategies on navigating obstacles and the importance of mentorship within the tech industry. During round two of the breakouts, Finding your Voice and Communicating with Confidence was presented by Dana McManus ’16, Associate Relationship Manager at Wellington Management, and Baker Earl ’19, Associate, Internal Client Advisor at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. The focus was on practical tips to enhance the tool of confident communication. They highlighted the importance of communication when it comes to empowerment, leadership, and organizational change. 

Of the close to 200 attendees, Catherine Cote ‘18, founder of Project Empathy, shared that coming away from the conference she felt “empowered and grateful for this community.”  Sharing several of her key takeaways from the event, including “the overarching theme of connecting with others in this community. Every presenter spoke to how other HC women supported them in their career journeys.” Even President Rougeau chimed in on LinkedIn sharing that he was “deeply inspired by last weekend’s Women in Business conference” and that “it’s clear that the next generation of women business leaders is already making their mark at Holy Cross.”

Katie Browne ‘25, a graduating co-chair of the Women in Business Organizing Committee and incoming analyst at Goldman Sachs, shares “As I close this chapter, I carry forward the knowledge and relationships built during this journey. Thank you to The College of the Holy Cross for supporting and empowering women in business through such a meaningful platform!” Another of our graduating co-chairs of the Women in Business Organizing Committee, Ariana Clark ‘25,, would like to thank “everyone who attended, asked insightful questions, and contributed to this powerful day of connection. It was truly inspiring to see so many passionate individuals come together to empower and uplift one another.” Pam McGinley ‘80, Women in Wealth conference panelist and SVP at Morgan Stanley, shared that “all of their leadership is truly inspirational and positively impacts our ecosystem.”

We look forward to seeing you next fall on campus as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Women in Business Conference! 

Student Shares Three Significant Takeaways to Land an Internship

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Robert Posillico ’23 shares his thoughts on the internship search process.

It was the start of 2021, and the world was still figuring out what a post-Covid, new normal would look like. Holy Cross finally allowed students back on campus, locked in our dorms, doing online classes. I had set up my first meeting with the Center for Career Development (CCD) over Zoom to discuss important steps I should be taking as I began to think about a future career. Many internship programs were moved virtual and, in the case of many sophomore programs, shut down completely. I was advised to network and reach out to alums to learn about different career paths and opportunities. Looking back over the last few years, there are three significant takeaways; applying is a numbers game, starting early is key, and network network network!

Many internship programs were moved virtual and, in the case of many sophomore programs, shut down completely.

Prof. David Chu Announces Retirement After 31 Years

David Chu, associate professor of accounting and director of the College’s Carlyse and  Arthur A. Ciocca ’59 Center for Business, Ethics, and Society has announced that he will be retiring at the end of this academic year, closing a 31-year career at Holy Cross.

Chu joined the Holy Cross faculty in 1991 and was promoted to associate
professor in 1997. “I have had a wonderful 31-year career at Holy Cross, starting in the fall of 1991 as an accounting professor in the economics department, and subsequently directing the business program for the last 16 years,” he says. “I am extremely grateful for all the support and camaraderie given to me by the administration, colleagues, and alumni.”

Cassie Gevry, associate director, and Kathy Kinnarney, program coordinator, of the Ciocca Center, share that he will be missed for his leadership, support, and friendship over the years.  Students, parents, faculty, staff, and alumni should continue to connect with the Ciocca Center through these contacts.

The College community wishes David a happy and healthy retirement!

Read the announcement in the Holy Cross Magazine and the interview by Conor Joslin ’23 on the blog.

 

Conor O’Reilly ’18 Reflects on the Holy Cross Advantage

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Conor O’Reilly ’18 – psychology major
Account Executive, Oracle NetSuite
Interviewed by Ciocca Center intern, Conor Joslin ’23

“You have to recognize that you have an advantage.  Having gone through that major and learning all of those essential skills is a benefit that not a lot of people get to learn through their college education if they’re not going to a school like Holy Cross”. 

  • Please share a  bit about your background, where you’re from, and why you decided to attend Holy Cross?

I am from Andover, MA which is just about thirty minutes north of Boston. Growing up, Holy Cross always had a fantastic reputation. I had toured it one spring day and it was a beautiful sunny day on campus. Students were out and I just kind of felt at home there. So I applied to Holy Cross kind of knowing that was where I wanted to go. I had no idea what I wanted to study at that point in high school, but I knew that it was the place for me. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

  • Can you speak a little bit about what your major was and the impact that it had on your professional career?

Continue reading “Conor O’Reilly ’18 Reflects on the Holy Cross Advantage”

Alumn Shares Path from History Major to Tech Sales

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Brendan Sullivan ’86 took the time to answer some questions regarding his experiences on the hill and career upon graduation. Brendan was first introduced to Holy Cross by his grandfather, Bill Brennan ’30, and uncle, Jeff Brennan ’60, who both attended Holy Cross as student-athletes. Brendan really wanted to attend an institution with a strong academic reputation and was looking for a college that stood out upon other colleges and universities. His trip to campus, hosted by the football team, solidified his decision to attend Holy Cross due to the experience that he had upon his visit.

“I think studying history and just the entire experience at HC helped me become a much better communicator and gave me insight on what joining the business world would require to be successful”  Continue reading “Alumn Shares Path from History Major to Tech Sales”

Conor Joslin ’23 Facilitates Alumni Panel for Club Hockey 

Club Hockey Team

On Wednesday, March 30, 2022, the Holy Cross Club Hockey team hosted the first-ever Club Hockey alumni panel coordinated by Conor Joslin ’23, intern for the Ciocca Center.

We are so fortunate that Joe Darcy ‘11, economics major, and Matthew Krebs ‘11, political science major, took the time to meet with current Club Hockey players to share their Holy Cross experience and careers in business. Both alumni speakers emphasized the importance of networking and connecting with fellow Holy Cross alumni to achieve success in the business world. Darcy is currently an Investor at IDEA Fund Partners and Krebs is a Director of Operations at Garrison Investment Group. Both provided current players with valuable feedback in regards to using your liberal arts education to your advantage, as it differentiates Holy Cross students from other applicants. By attending a liberal arts education like Holy Cross, students learn to communicate, read, write, analyze, present, and critically think at a very high level that other large business school students may not learn. Furthermore, they talked about the importance of networking and utilizing the Holy Cross alumni network. Holy Cross alumni love helping current students, so it is extremely important to put yourself out there and introduce yourself to multiple alumni.   Continue reading “Conor Joslin ’23 Facilitates Alumni Panel for Club Hockey “

Lily Droesch ’21 Interview by JP Cunningham ’23

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Lily Droesch ’21, merchandising assistant, Macy’s
Holy Cross Studies:  Sociology Major, Business Fundamentals Certificate
Interviewed by JP Cunningham ’23

JP:  How was your experience as a student at Holy Cross pursuing one of the business certificates?

LD:  I had a really good experience.  I found the requirements to be a great addition to my courses and only enhanced what I was learning in the classroom.

JP:  Was there one workshop, class, professor, club, activity, etc. that has influenced your perspective on the professional world to the greatest extent?

LD:  I think that the job shadowing program solidified my decision to pursue a career in fashion because I got to spend the day with alumni and see firsthand what goes on on a day-to-day basis. Continue reading “Lily Droesch ’21 Interview by JP Cunningham ’23”

Susan Killilea Coburn ‘92 P24 Advice for Business Career

 

“The ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and apply a strong work ethic are really key skills when you’re thinking about a career in business.”  – Susan Killilea Coburn ‘92 P24

Graduating from Holy Cross in 1992, Susan Coburn recently took the time to reflect on her years before, during, and after her time on the Hill. Due to her initial interest in law and history, she was drawn to the College because it checked all of her boxes, including being a strong liberal arts school, allowing her to major in History and minor in Spanish while also exploring a wide range of subject matter. She is very appreciative of the holistic education Holy Cross provides for students as well as the strong foundation on how to think critically and communicate effectively–two skills that will go a long way in the business world. Susan appreciates the strong alumni network the College has, helping her easily stay in touch with her classmates to this day. She found that the College’s social justice mission has greatly impacted her life and allowed her to gain new perspectives on pressing issues in the world today. Her husband Ed Coburn ‘93 is a JVC alum and an attorney practicing municipal law. She stays in contact with her HC friends, most recently through a group started by her classmates in the Class of ‘92, which acts as a grassroots anti-racism alliance.The group now has over 90 members and focuses on dialogue, understanding and action.  She and Ed have two daughters, with their eldest now attending Holy Cross in the Class of 2024.

“I was at Holy Cross for four years, which was an amazing experience, but I would say my connection with Holy Cross since then has been far richer.”  Continue reading “Susan Killilea Coburn ‘92 P24 Advice for Business Career”

Business and the History Major

History on the Hill

“History on the Hill is a new Holy Cross newsletter published by History majors in order to highlight the range of work, experience, and reflections of history majors. It supplements the existing student-run journal, Of Life and History: The Undergraduate History Journal of the College of the Holy Cross. Professor Rupakheti, who played a pivotal role in initiating the journal, is also shepherding this new project. But, unlike the journal, History on the Hill is run by first-year and second-year students. We hope it provides opportunities for history majors to share their experience, knowledge, and reflection on various facets of their academic and non-academic life as history majors. At the same time, we also see this project serving as an information resource for the prospective majors.” – Mission statement from the first edition of the newsletter, written by Dennis Liu ’22 and Holly Tente ’23. Continue reading “Business and the History Major”