Alumni Executive Council Panel: Political Science and Beyond and Networking Event

Open to students of all majors, this event features four distinguished members of the Alumni Executive Council, all Political Science majors, sharing how their St. Lawrence experiences shaped their dynamic careers.

• Ben Franco ’05, Associate Director of the Harvard Ed Portal and former Brookline, Massachusetts, Select Board Member
• Jennifer Hammer McGee ’90, Global Chief Compliance Officer at Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company (Retired)
• Susan Neiley Merrell ’83, Deputy Director for U.S. Senator Gillibrand in New York State
• Lexi Williams Lund ’15, Director of Impact & Inclusion at Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment

Learn how their political science and liberal arts education has influenced their success in government, law, and sports management. After the panel, network with over 25 Council members whose diverse backgrounds range from ER doctors and former NASA scientists to teachers, financial advisors, psychologists, nonprofit executives, and marketing professionals.

Read bios of the panelists below, and scroll to the bottom to see the list of AEC members who will be at the networking event from 3:45 - 4:30 p.m.!

Panelist Bios

Ben Franco ’05 graduated from St. Lawrence with a degree in government. While at St. Lawrence, he was a four-year member of the crew team, studied abroad in Denmark and received a Vivien Gardner Hannon Intern Fellowship grant. Ben also attended the London School of Economics and Political Science, where he obtained a master’s degree. He began his career working in government for the former Mayor of Salem, Massachusetts and as a budget and legislative aide in the Massachusetts State Senate. He currently works for Harvard University as the Associate Director of the Harvard Ed Portal, a facility that provides residents of the Allston and Brighton neighborhoods of Boston access to the resources of Harvard. Between 2009 and 2020, Ben was deeply involved in local government. He served on the finance committee of the Town of Brookline, Massachusetts for five years – chairing the Administration & Finance sub-committee from 2012-2014. In 2014 he was elected to the Brookline Select Board (formerly Board of Selectmen); he served as a member of the Board until 2020. While on the Select Board, Ben focused on economic development and financial governance issues.

In his spare time, Ben enjoys spending time outside hiking and has run several marathons. He currently serves as a mentor in the LINC program and joined the Alumni Executive Council in 2024. Ben resides in Newton, Massachusetts, with his partner Emily.

Jennifer Hammer McGee '90 recently retired as the Global Chief Compliance Officer for Otsuka Pharmaceutical Company. She was with Otsuka for more than 13 years, and prior to Otsuka, was an attorney in the Washington, DC office of Shook, Hardy & Bacon. She graduated with Honors from University of Maryland School of Law, and graduated magna cum laude from St. Lawrence, double majoring in Government and History, with a minor in Asian studies.

While at St. Lawrence, she was active in Chi Omega, Army ROTC, cross country, served as an admissions tour guide, and studied abroad in Vienna. She met her husband, Bob McGee ’86, while serving in the Army. Both Jen and Bob have retired from the Army. They have three adult children and currently split time between Annapolis, Maryland and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Susan Neiley Merrell '83, P'13, '18, '21, originally from Lincoln, Massachusetts, has lived in Lowville, New York, for more than 30 years. Susan currently works for U.S. Senator Gillibrand as her New York State Deputy Director. Previously Susan served as Senator Clinton’s North Country Director, and worked at the Merrell and Merrell Law Firm.

While at St. Lawrence, she participated in the DIS Study Abroad program in Denmark, served on Study Abroad advisory committees, and was a member of KKG sorority. Susan is married to Charles C. Merrell ’81, and has four children, Lindsay (Williams College ’10), C. Alexander '13, James ’18 and Elyse ’21. Fun fact, Elyse is the 19^th family member in Susan and Charlie’s combined families to attend St. Lawrence University.

Lexi Williams Lund '15 (she/her) is the Director of Impact and Inclusion at Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), the parent company of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils. Based in Philadelphia with her husband, Reid, Lexi remains deeply connected to her Rochester, New  York, roots. Prior to entering the sports and entertainment industry, Lexi built a foundation in higher education, spending three years with the Office of Laurentian Engagement here at St. Lawrence.

A proud St. Lawrence alumna and sister of Kappa Delta Sigma, Lexi majored in Government and Psychology, with a minor in Communications. During her time on campus, she was actively involved in a variety of organizations, including Admissions, serving as an orientation leader, and participating in the Upbeats, Class Council, the swim team. Lexi was also honored as a Joan Donovan Speech Contest winner, which gave her the opportunity to address her peers during Commencement.

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AEC Members Attending the Networking Event

Time: 3:45-4:30 p.m.
Location: SC Cania Room (3rd floor-near piano)

After the panel, network with the panelists and an additional 20 Council members and learn about their diverse professional backgrounds! Details below:

• Mary Baucom ’13: Associate Marketing Director, Hearst Magazines
• Lauren Bennett ’11: Associate Pastor, Metropolitan Community Church of Greater Saint Louis
• Samantha Colton ’16: Sr. Account Supervisor, Edelman
• Elsa Coughlin ’19: Fundraising Operations Officer, Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
• Jeff Deyette ’95: Deputy Director, Clean Energy Union of Concerned Scientists
• Tahire Edirisinghe ’07: Director of Customer Success, Innoveo
• Dean Eppler’ 74: Retired, Geologist, NASA
• Anne Ferris Cassidy ’74: Retired, Pullman & Comley, LLC
• Cheryl Gross ’72: President, Cheryl Gross & Associates
• Ed Higgins ’68: AUGIE Ambassador, AUGIE Group
• John Linsley ’04: Associate Director, Putney Student Travel
• Kerry MacKenzie ’95: Board Member at Indian Creek School;  DEI Committee & Education/Curriculum Committee 
• Sally McSweeney ’84, P’18: Director of Operations, McSweeney Orthodontics
• Betsy Oberst ’77: Former Associate VP of Alumni Relations and Stewardship, SUNY Oswego 
• Paige Palley ’16: Human Resources, DEI Focus, The Greater Boston Food Bank
• Laura Patrick ’83, P’18: Former Media Relations Manager, S&C Electric Company
• Michael Richman ’68: Customer Service Manager, Variety Accessories         
• Autumn Rolack ’17: Clinical Data Manager, American College of Radiology
• Anne Slater ’74, P’03: Youth Services Librarian, Buffalo & Erie County Public Library                     
• Doug Smith ’05: Emergency Physician, Danbury Hospital 
• Britton Wean ’06: Stewardship Officer & Gift Processor, Shady Side Academy
• Gary Zonitch ’03: VP of Construction, Axis Companies