NEW YORK (July 27, 2021) — A bank executive and the leader of the oldest bank in the United States, and one of the world’s largest financial institutions, has joined Pace University’s Board of Trustees, the University today announced.

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Thomas “Todd” Gibbons, chief executive officer at BNY Mellon based in New York City, was recently elected to the board. Gibbons earned an MBA from the Lubin School of Business at Pace University in 1986.

“Todd Gibbons is an accomplished executive and seasoned leader whose career serves as a model for future generations of ambitious Pace students,” said Rob Sands, chairman of the Pace Board of Trustees. “We are pleased to bring his expertise to our board, and I look forward to working alongside him as we guide the University forward and continue to create opportunities for our students and graduates.”​

Gibbons was appointed CEO of BNY Mellon in March 2020. Since joining the bank in 1986, he has held numerous leadership roles, including vice chairman and CEO of Clearing, Markets and Client Management, and chief financial officer. In addition, Gibbons served as chief risk policy officer of BNY Mellon and the Bank of New York (before the merger with Mellon Financial).

“As a proud Pace alum, I know firsthand how impactful and meaningful the university can be in educating and inspiring students,” said Gibbons. “It is a prestigious institution, recognized as the number one private college in U.S. for driving upward economic mobility, and I’m honored to join the Board of Trustees as the university continues to develop the workforce of the future and shape the next generation of leaders.”

Gibbons serves as a member of Business Roundtable, an association of chief executive officers of America’s leading companies working to promote a thriving U.S. economy and expanded opportunity for all Americans through sound public policy. He and his wife have four grown children and live in New Jersey.

Gibbons, who in 2015 was honored with a Spirit of Pace Award and has been a guest speaker at the Dean’s Roundtable at The Lubin School of Business, is joining the board at an exciting time. The university is in the midst of launching a new website and branding campaign; adding 12 new online graduate programs that align with growing market demands; remaining hyper-focused on experiential learning, career readiness, diversity and inclusion, and providing a strong return on investment to its students while investing significantly in its nationally acclaimed programs such as its School of Performing Arts, College of Health Professions, Seidenberg School of Computer Information Systems, and the Elisabeth Haub School of Law, which this year was ranked as the No. 1 environmental law program in the country.

In addition to adding several new board members from a variety of fields in recent months, the Pace University Board of Trustees appointed Robert Sands, executive chair of Constellation Brands and a graduate of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, as its chairman, effective July 1, 2021.

About Pace University

Pace University has a proud history of preparing its diverse student body for a lifetime of professional success as a result of its unique program that combines rigorous academics and real-world experiences. Pace is ranked the #1 private, four-year college in the nation for upward economic mobility by Harvard University’s Opportunity Insights, evidence of the transformative education the University provides. From its beginnings as an accounting school in 1906, Pace has grown to three campuses, enrolling 13,000 students in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in more than 150 majors and programs, across a range of disciplines: arts, sciences, business, health care, technology, law, education, and more. The university also has one of the most competitive performing arts programs in the country. Pace has a signature, newly renovated campus in New York City, located in the heart of vibrant Lower Manhattan, next to Wall Street and City Hall, and two campuses in Westchester County, New York: a 200-acre picturesque Pleasantville Campus and the Elisabeth Haub School of Law in White Plains.

The Westchester County Association (WCA), in partnership with Pace Energy and Climate Center, is proud to announce the launch of the Clean Energy Program Portal. This dynamic, searchable guide acts as a clearinghouse that enables businesses to easily find clean energy programs and incentives available in Westchester County and the surrounding region.

From reduced waste to decreased costs and increased productivity, it’s clear why making the shift to clean energy can offer major advantages. Businesses receive the added benefit of improving their overall brand image by “going green,” all while promoting a healthier and safer workplace for their employees. However, this process can be difficult to navigate through which can quickly discourage many businesses from making a transition. With the launch of the Clean Energy Program Portal, businesses can now easily access the range of programs and resources available for a smooth transition. Businesses and their buildings now have a blueprint to help reduce their carbon footprint. Organization leaders and executives can also learn about eco-friendly incentives and rebates to make these project costs more economical.

“Clean energy and sustainability are our future. Throughout our extensive research and focus groups, we heard the roadblocks many were encountering on the path to sustainability and knew there could be a better way,” said Michael N. Romita, President & CEO, Westchester County Association. “If a company wants to go green, it should be a manageable process. Our goal with this information portal is to do just that as well as encourage more businesses to make steps toward clean energy.”

Partner on the project, Craig Hart, Executive Director of the Pace Energy and Climate Center, said, “Helping businesses to decarbonize is essential to reaching sustainability goals. Working together with the WCA, our aim is to make the Clean Energy Program Portal the go-to resource for businesses in our own community to identify the support available to green their products and services.”

The benefits of the portal are already being seen by local businesses in Westchester. “As a small business owner interested in implementing energy efficient office building renovations, I spent a lot of time researching several different websites but could not locate the right opportunities for our office space. Some incentives I located were better suited for larger buildings and others required substantial capital improvement budgets. I knew incentives for small businesses were out there, yet I became discouraged when I couldn’t find what I was looking for,” said Donna Hager, CEO and President of Macan Deve. “After visiting the Clean Energy Program Portal, I learned exactly what our business is eligible for, in a short amount of time. The Portal really is a one-stop-shop that saves business owners time, which can be better spent at running our businesses.”

Energy and sustainability is one of the WCA’s newest areas of focus and one of the main pillars of the Post Pandemic Working Group (PDF) report published in September of 2020. Within the report, the WCA outlines and advocates for recommended policies and transitional incentives to help businesses in the region bridge the gap between traditional energy sources and a carbon free economy.

“We commend the WCA for taking a leadership role in promoting a pro- business, clean energy future for Westchester,” said Ken Theobalds, Vice President, Government and Regulatory Affairs, Entergy.

The WCA is also proud to be participating in another initiative with Sustainable Westchester to launch a new online tool Westchester GeoPossibilities. This tool enables Westchester County property owners to simply assess the feasibility of geothermal ground source energy for every lot in the county. The free tool comes at a crucial time, amid Con Edison’s natural gas constrained areas in the county and amid a pressing need nationally to reduce carbon emissions by increasing green infrastructure. On July 22, 2021, Sustainable Westchester, the Westchester County Association, and NYSERDA will co-host a virtual event to raise awareness of this new green energy opportunity.

As an industry leader dedicated to providing sustainable energy to the communities they serve, Con Edison’s Director of Westchester Regional Community Affairs, Jane Solnick said, “Con Edison is committed to leading the transition to the clean energy future. We are pleased to support the efforts of the Clean Energy Program Portal. This portal will help customers improve their energy efficiency, identify incentives, and adopt clean energy alternatives that will help them reduce their carbon footprint and energy costs.”

More and more, organizations focused on long-term success are embracing the critical concepts of sustainability management. Earlier this year, the WCA partnered with Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business to provide an online course in organizational sustainability for working professionals. Additionally, Michael Romita recently taught a Continuing Legal Education course on the topic of “Biden Administration Clean Energy Agenda: Tackling Climate Change and What Does it Mean to New York Business?” with Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law on June 22.

View the Clean Energy Program Portal*

*Please Note: The design and funding of each program is subject to change.

Join the WCA to be a key part of developing innovative solutions to our region’s most pressing challenges. Visit the WCA Membership page for more information. To become a member, contact Julia Emrick, Managing Director, Operations & Events, at (914) 948-5689 or info@westchester.org.

About Westchester County Association

The Westchester County Association is the preeminent professional leadership organization serving Westchester County and the region. The Association is committed to Smart Growth, economic vitality, and to providing a strong and clear voice for the collaborative interests of business and nonprofits. Its key objectives are to promote positive economic development in the region, foster business development, and provide its members with access to key public and private sector individuals, agencies, and organizations. See Westchester County Association for more information.

About Pace Energy and Climate Center

Pace Energy and Climate Center is a project of the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. More than a think tank, the Pace Energy and Climate Center turns ideas into action. We believe thoughtful engagement of government and key stakeholders leads to better public policy. We conduct research and analysis on legal, regulatory and policy matters because thorough, objective analyses are essential to finding solutions to today’s complex energy and climate change challenges. We are lawyers, economists, scientists, and energy analysts, committed to achieving real-world progress. For more information, visit the Pace Energy and Climate Center or contact pecc@law.pace.edu

Back by popular demand, Pace faculty are inviting new and continuing students to a virtual lecture series—featuring topics like technology, language and culture, criminal justice, and so much more. These events are free and open to the Pace Community.

Why Is It Important to Learn A Foreign Language at College?

Wednesday, July 28 | 1:00 p.m. ET
Meeting ID: 964 9508 0912
Password: 273372

Professor Ying Wang, PhD, hosts an information session about the importance of taking a foreign language during college and how language skills can open doors to professional opportunities after graduation. This session will also cover the language requirements for Pace students and teach you how to succeed in language courses at Pace.

How Will Technology Affect the Way We Live, Learn, Communicate and Work

Thursday, July 29 | 1:00 p.m. ET
Meeting ID: 985 5265 6285
Password: 250164

How will technology affect the way we live, learn, communicate, and work in the future? What will life look like in 2050 when today’s students are mid- career? What skillsets will be most important for future careers? This interactive session hosted by Professor Brian Evans, EdD, will allow you to stretch your imagination and consider how current trends could affect your future.

Online Shopping and Internet Security: A Behind the Scenes Glimpse

Friday, July 30 | 1:00 p.m. ET
Meeting ID: 216 205 3416
Password: 336243

Everyone shops online nowadays, but how do we know if our online transactions are really secure? What if someone intercepts your credit card number or other personal information? Professor Shamita Dutta Gupta, PhD, gives you a behind-the-scenes look at makes our online transactions safe and how to protect yourself from identity theft.

Meet and Greet: Political Science Department

Wednesday, August 4 | 1:00 p.m. ET
Meeting ID: 939 3043 0547
Password: 922041

Are you thinking about majoring in political science? Join Professor Amy Freedman, PhD, for a meet and greet with faculty and students from the political science departments on Pace’s NYC and Pleasantville campuses. Learn more about course offerings, Pace Model UN, student orgs on campus, and research and internship opportunities in the field.

Meet and Greet: Science Programs at Pace

Thursday, August 5 | 12:00 p.m. ET
Meeting ID: 966 6479 1013
Password: 526382

Biology, chemistry, physical science. If you’re planning on majoring in one of Pace’s science programs, you’ll want to join professors Zafir Buraei, PhD, and Rita Upmacis, PhD, for this special meet and greet with students and faculty from Pace’s NYC Campus. Learn about various programs and opportunities, faculty and facilities, and more. You’ll also get to hear about what our students are doing after graduation in fields like medicine, research, and government.

Enhancing Your Criminal Justice Experience

Tuesday, August 10 | 12:00 p.m. ET
Meeting ID: 925 3354 8002
Password: 876557

If you’re planning to study criminal justice, your education will go far beyond the four walls of a classroom. Join Professor Kimberly Collica-Cox, PhD, to learn about all of the exciting opportunities available to students in Pace’s criminal justice program. Learn about our Criminal Justice Club, the honor society, course offerings, and internship opportunities. Plus, you’ll also get to hear about our jail-based services and opportunities to work with the incarcerated.

Video Game Development at Pace

Thursday, August 12 | 1:00 p.m. ET
Meeting ID: 985 7654 5317
Password: games101

Interested in video games development? Professor Carmine Guida will “speed run” making a simple platformer style game in the Unity game engine and explain the basics as he goes along. Check out this fun demo and learn about the game development courses and student clubs that are available at Pace.

All events will be hosted on Zoom. Please use the meeting ID and password to attend. See you then!