National Alumni Association Election
May 2024
Greetings Providence College Alumni:
It is a privilege to present to you the candidates for executive vice president for election to the 2024-25 Providence College National Alumni Association Council. As the association’s president-elect and co-chair of the nominating committee, I am delighted that these accomplished, committed, and enthusiastic alumni have come forward as candidates.
As part of the election process, we asked each candidate to supply biographical information, including details about how they have remained connected to Providence College. The candidates also provided a reflection on the association’s mission and their thoughts on how they will serve the alumni population if elected.
Ballots have been distributed to all alumni who have donated any amount to Providence College during the immediate past or current fiscal year. All ballots are due no later than June 7, 2024, and the results will be announced and posted on our alumni web page in July.
My sincerest thanks to the two candidates for their leadership and interest in continuing to serve Providence College.
Brian McManus ’90
Executive Vice President
National Alumni Association Council
Michelle Barbieri Lough ’96, ’99G
Residence/Hometown: Harrisville, RI (Current), Cranston, RI (Hometown)
Education: Providence College – B.A. in English and Music (1996); Providence College – MBA in Marketing (1999)
Employment: Executive Director of Alumni Relations, Brown University, 2023 – present; Various Advancement Positions, Brown University, 2004 – 2023; Director of Development, Providence College, 2001 – 2004; Class Campaigns Officer, Brown University, 1999 – 2000; Alumni/Development Program Assistant, Providence College, 1996 – 1999
PC Volunteer Positions: National Alumni Association Council (Member, Secretary); 50 Years of Women at Providence College (Signature Events Committee Member); Class of 1996 25th Reunion Committee (Member); Women’s Involvement Network (President, Secretary); Career Services Shadowing Program (Volunteer)
Honors, Recognitions and Awards: Recognized by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education for team accomplishments – CASE Grand Gold Circle of Excellence Award for “130 Years of Women at Brown” year-long virtual conference; CASE Gold District I Excellence Award for creation of a Virtual Engagement Toolkit to engage the alumni community in a time of social distancing
PC Student Involvement: Italian Club, Commuter Club, Prism (literary magazine), participant in numerous musical performances on campus and in the community as a soloist and in PC ensembles
Community Involvement: St. Patrick Church, Harrisville (Activities Committee Member and Auditor); Chaminade Club (Member, Performer); Community Mediation Center of Rhode Island (Board Member, Executive Board)
Family: George Lough, III ’96 (husband); Isabella Lough (daughter)
Lately I have been in complete disbelief about how much time has passed since I began as an undergrad at Providence College. It’s especially evident when I visit campus and see its continued transformation. While the physical footprint may change, the College’s mission stays steadfast, as well as the pride I feel as a member of the Friar family.
As a first-generation college student, going to PC was especially meaningful for me and my family. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities Providence afforded me through financial aid and scholarships, and so much of who I became as a person and as a professional is a direct result of my time there. I have enjoyed the opportunity to give back as a member of the National Alumni Association Council and it has been a distinct pleasure serving alongside so many amazing PC alums representing different generations and lived experiences, but all with the same sign-off: “Let’s go, Friars!”
It would be a privilege to serve the National Alumni Association Council as executive vice president – honoring what Providence made possible for me – by helping to strengthen alumni ties and advance programming and volunteerism while demonstrating to our current students that they, like us, can take immense pride in being Forever a Friar.
Kathleen McGinley ’82
Residence/ Hometown: West Warwick, RI (Current), Londonderry, NH (31 years)
Education: Providence College- B.S. Marketing (1982)
Employment: Quest Diagnostics, Healthcare Key Account Manager. Career focus: Health Care and Consumer products -Marketing. Previous: Novartis Corp., Enesco Corp., Hallmark Cards Corporation. Entrepreneurial: Small business owner (12 yrs.) Sold entity.
PC Volunteer position: National Alumni Council (Class Representative: 1977-1982), PC Class agent (2023-2024), Class of 1982- 40th Reunion committee, Class agent: 1982-1993. Volunteer fundraiser.
Honors, Recognition and Awards: National sales award winner: Enesco: 2x- Northeast Account Executive of the Year, Hallmark Marketing: 2x – RB Hall award winner (top 5%- individual), 2x Team; National Retailer Customer Excellence award winner- top 2 % in country. Selected to serve on the Sales Council for Quest Diagnostics. Corp and Enesco Corporation.
PC Student involvement: Friars Club (1979-1982) Board Member, Dorm Social Chair, BOG – Social Volunteer, Pastoral Council, Marketing Club, Orientation Counselor.
Community involvement: Londonderry, NH: VP of Board, Friends of Music, (325 members), Londonderry High School; President of Parent Teacher Student Organization -Londonderry HS (2100 families). Treasurer of PTSO – LHS. Publicity and Fundraising Chair – Londonderry HS Hockey. Banquet Chair – LHS Lacrosse (125 members). Youth sports volunteer.
Family: Daughter, Helen Neiman of Arlington, VA, and son, Merrill Neiman of Philadelphia, PA. Legacy resonates with my father, Charles F. McGinley, and uncle, Dr. Robert V. McGinley, graduating from Providence College.
Promoting the mission of Providence College as Executive Vice President of the National Alumni Association Council will encompass my continued passion of service, dedication, and connection to PC and its alumni. My Providence College experience flourished because of its people, academics, Catholic tradition, service, and social opportunities.
I will serve diligently to cultivate and foster renewal of alumni engagement in areas of spiritual, academic, cultural (DEI), athletic, and philanthropic activities. Through actions of attendance, outreach support, and finding common interests with alumni, my aim is to enhance and stimulate participation. Providence College is a part of the fabric of our alumni lives. Lifelong friendships spark continued positive experiences, renewed gatherings, and traditions.
With reflection, PC provided me with lifelong tools. In my small business, I experienced every facet of management, marketing, accounting/data analytics, and finance. A well-rounded Liberal Arts education provided a solid foundation to connect with others. Forever a Friar and grateful for the distinctive competencies of PC embedded in my persona, as a VP, I will celebrate and cherish an alum’s experience for further bonding.
For the past two years, I have served on the Alumni Council. Humbled by the nomination of my peers, to serve the college, be engaged, contribute, and promote the endeavors of PC continue to be a treasure and gift.
Strategically, I will be a catalyst contributor and leader to enhance the Alumni Council’s outer and inner connectedness with alumni, students, faculty, administration, friends of Providence College (community). Through effective collaboration, my role will support the director and committees of the Council to benefit alumni outcomes.
