Geneseo Foundation Board Appoints New Chair and Welcomes Six New Members

Clare Cusack ’96 (Image provided)

The Geneseo Foundation Board of Directors has appointed Clare M. Cusack ’96, president and CEO of the New York Bankers Association, as its next chair. Her three-year term begins July 1. Cusack, who has served as vice chair since 2023, succeeds Robert Walley ’83, who is retiring after 12 years of service on the board, including the last three as chair.

The Geneseo Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation organized for the purpose of encouraging philanthropic contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other organizations in support of activities and programs of SUNY Geneseo. 

“Clare’s experience on the board of directors, devotion to the College, and generosity make her a wonderful choice as board chair,” said SUNY Geneseo President Melinda Treadwell. “Her leadership and dedication exemplify the very best of what it means to be a Geneseo graduate—using intellect, integrity, and purpose to make a lasting impact on society. I look forward to continuing our work to build on Geneseo’s legacy and shape an exciting future together.”

A political science and communication dual major at Geneseo, Cusack is president and CEO of the New York Bankers Association (NYBA). She has been frequently recognized for her leadership in the banking industry and in non-profit association management. In 2020, she became the first woman to serve as president and CEO of NYBA in its 131-year history. In 2024, Cusack was named Chief Executive of the Year by the New York Society of Association Executives. In November 2025, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) honored Cusack with its highest honor, the Distinguished Alumnus Award. 

“There’s a certain magic to Geneseo,” said Cusack. “You feel it as a student. You carry it as an alum. And if you’re lucky, you get to come back and help steward it. As incoming chair, I feel an enormous sense of pride and responsibility. Not just to serve, but to help keep that magic growing for the next generation. I’m also deeply grateful for Bob Walley’s leadership and service to the foundation. He helped strengthen an already special institution, and I’m honored to carry that momentum forward for the next generation.”

The board of directors is also proud to announce that the following alumni will begin six-year terms as Foundation board members on July 1:

Leslye Burleson ’13 lives in Stamford, CT. A mathematics major at SUNY Geneseo, she is currently a manager of financial products with Apple.

Steven Mattus ’92 is chief investment officer for Tandems.ai. A resident of Fairfield, CT, he holds a BA in economics from SUNY Geneseo, and an MBA in finance from Iona University.

Rizwan (Rizzy) Qureshi ’03, of Olney, MD, is an attorney at Reed Smith LLP, where he is a partner in the firm’s Global Regulatory Enforcement group based in Washington, D.C. and New York. Qureshi holds a BA in international relations from SUNY Geneseo and a JD from Howard University School of Law.

Ken Rende ’86 lives in Babylon, NY. He is a managing director of wealth management at Neuberger. Rende also serves on the executive committee of the Business Advisory Council of the School of Business at SUNY Geneseo.

Andrea Reynolds ’96 lives in Houston, TX. A geological sciences major with an MS from Texas A&M University, she is a former Shell executive and the founder and CEO of Hidden Gems Coaching & Consulting.

Jill Abbate Sulkes ’93 of Chatham, NJ, is a managing director for Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (WTW). She holds a BS in management science from SUNY Geneseo, an MS in management and policy from SUNY Stony Brook, and a JD from Fordham Law School. Abbate is admitted to practice law in New York and New Jersey.

The Geneseo Foundation also extends its appreciation to outgoing board member Jessica Blair ’00, who completes a six-year term of service. In addition, the Foundation conferred the distinction of Emeriti Board Member upon Mollene Benison ’97, Barb Bilodeau ’86, Bob Murray ’83, John O’Malley ’85, and Jonna Shutowick ’88, and Bob Walley ’83, whose two six-year terms conclude this summer.