Meet the New Trustees Shaping Darden’s Future: Four Industry Leaders Join Foundation Board
By David Buie-Moltz
The University of Virginia Darden School Foundation is poised for another year of growth and innovation with the addition of four new members to its Board of Trustees, effective 1 July 2024. The Foundation, an independent nonprofit dedicated to supporting the Darden School of Business, welcomes these distinguished leaders to further its mission of academic excellence and global impact.
“Our new trustees are outstanding and bring diverse perspectives and deep expertise that will help steer Darden toward a brighter future,” said Darden School Dean Scott Beardsley. “I am truly excited to welcome them as we continue to try to take Darden to new heights, especially in this crucial last year of our Powered by Purpose campaign.”
Frank Sands (MBA ’94), chair of the Darden School Foundation Board of Trustees, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to have such outstanding leaders join the board. Their experience and perspectives are crucial as we navigate the final stages of Faculty Forward, enhancing the skills of Darden’s professors. This ensures Darden continues to offer a transformative learning experience for students to excel globally.”
The Darden School Foundation, established in 1952, plays a pivotal role in advancing the School’s academic mission. It operates top-ranked Darden Executive Education & Lifelong Learning programs, manages endowment funds and owns The Forum Hotel on the Darden Grounds. By promoting philanthropic support from alumni, friends and corporations, the Foundation ensures that Darden remains at the forefront of business education.
The addition of new board members will enhance the Foundation’s capabilities in these areas:
Nicole Lindsay (MBA/JD ’99), executive vice president, people and capacity for Core Payments at Mastercard International, is a trailblazer in career development and diversity in graduate management education. Her work has significantly increased diversity in MBA programs and optimized career outcomes for business school graduates. Lindsay’s strategic insights and commitment to diversity will be invaluable as Darden continues to foster an inclusive learning environment.
Diem Nguyen (MBA ’01), CEO of SIGA, brings profound knowledge from the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. With a strong track record of leading and building global businesses, including a pivotal role at Pfizer, and shaping impactful brands, Dr. Nguyen’s biopharma expertise and clinical research leadership will guide Darden’s strategic initiatives in health-related industries and beyond.
Mike Sabel, CEO, executive co-chairman and founder of Venture Global LNG, is a seasoned entrepreneur in the energy sector. Sabel’s extensive experience in new company formation, technology licensing and capital market transactions will give Darden critical insights into the evolving energy landscape and entrepreneurial ventures.
Ned Valentine (MBA ’93), chairman and managing director at Harris Williams, has a stellar record in mergers and acquisitions. Valentine’s strategic acumen in financial services and his dedication to talent development will strengthen Darden’s efforts to cultivate leadership and excellence in business education.
As these new members step in, the Foundation bids farewell to six esteemed trustees whose contributions have been instrumental in shaping Darden’s trajectory: Charles R. Cory (MBA/JD ’82), Robert L. Huffines (MBA ’92), J. Byrne Murphy (MBA ’86), Sachin J. Mehra (MBA ’96), William Q.O. Shelton Jr. (MBA ’93) and Jimmy Jianzhong Wei (MBA ’02).
The Foundation’s work is critical to Darden’s success, providing necessary resources to attract and retain top-tier students and faculty. The endowment funds managed by the Foundation support scholarships, faculty excellence and the student experience, ensuring Darden’s long-term sustainability and impact.
The University of Virginia Darden School of Business prepares responsible global leaders through unparalleled transformational learning experiences. Darden’s graduate degree programs (MBA, MSBA and Ph.D.) and Executive Education & Lifelong Learning programs offered by the Darden School Foundation set the stage for a lifetime of career advancement and impact. Darden’s top-ranked faculty, renowned for teaching excellence, inspires and shapes modern business leadership worldwide through research, thought leadership and business publishing. Darden has Grounds in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the Washington, D.C., area and a global community that includes 18,000 alumni in 90 countries. Darden was established in 1955 at the University of Virginia, a top public university founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
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Darden School of Business
University of Virginia
MitchellM@darden.virginia.edu