The Roosevelt University Board of Trustees welcomed four new members this fall, including former Fortune 500 executives J.C. Gonzalez-Mendez and Joyce E. Tucker as well as E. & J. Gallo Winery general counsel J. Kenneth Menges Jr.
Dr. Robert Tenuta, a long-time faculty member at Robert Morris University Illinois, was approved as a faculty trustee. Dr. Tenuta is an assistant teaching professor for human resources management.
The board also welcomed financial services executive Bill Presutti this spring.
“Our new board members bring many years of experience and leadership as the pandemic continues to impact Roosevelt students,” said University president Ali Malekzadeh. “We look forward to their guidance and insight in Roosevelt University’s continued evolution as a leader in social justice education.”
J.C. GONZALEZ-MENDEZ
Gonzalez-Mendez began his career with McDonald’s Corporation as its first employee in Mexico. Years later, he became the first Mexican president of McDonald’s Corporation Mexico, then president of McDonald’s Latin America and chief purchasing officer of North America, controlling about $11 billion in purchases. His last position as Global Chief Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability, Diversity & Inclusion, as well as philanthropy, allowed him to give back to the communities where McDonald’s serves.
Before retiring, he also served as president and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities, the charity of choice of McDonald’s. Today he serves on the Board of Directors of Northwestern Medicine Western Suburbs and now as a board member at Roosevelt University. He talked about integrity in business and education on the University podcast, And Justice for All.
J. KENNETH MENGES JR.
Menges is general counsel, vice president and secretary of the E. & J. Gallo Winery in Modesto, California. Before joining the Gallo Winery, he was a senior corporate partner at the national law firm of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld in Dallas for more than 30 years.
Ken has devoted his time and services on the boards of many cultural and education nonprofits, including Boston University, the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce, the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas, and Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas. He is also president of the Chiles Foundation.
Ken shared his goals for the Board of Trustees in an interview with the University.
BILL PRESUTTI
Bill Presutti is an accomplished senior executive with more than 30 years of experience in financial services and asset management. Currently, at FS Investments — a privately held intermediary distribution, alternative investment and asset management firm — Presutti is spearheading strategic investment opportunities for alternative investment products in major accounts. He has also held leadership roles with Fidelity Investments, Delaware Investments and UBS Financial Services.
Like many Roosevelt alumni, Presutti was the first in his family to graduate from college. Read more about his experience.
JOYCE E. TUCKER
Tucker is a nationally recognized expert with more than 30 years of experience in equal employment opportunity (EEO) and affirmative action. As the former vice president of global diversity and employee rights for The Boeing Company, Tucker was responsible for developing and implementing innovative cultural diversity initiatives.
Tucker was the first director of the Illinois Department of Human Rights. President George H.W. Bush appointed her to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She was later appointed by President George W. Bush to the White House Initiative Advisory Board for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
On the University podcast, Tucker spoke about opportunities and obstacles facing diversity and inclusion efforts.
ABOUT ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY
Roosevelt University is a private institution founded in 1945 on the principles of inclusion and social justice. Roosevelt offers associate, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs online and at four campus locations in the Chicago area. In March 2020, the Higher Learning Commission approved the integration of Roosevelt University and Robert Morris University Illinois.
Through the Building a Stronger University strategic plan, the new Roosevelt will be nationally recognized as a catalyst for students from all walks of life to receive transformational learning experiences. Students who attend the expanded University will become socially conscious citizens who thrive in a diverse and changing world. Learn more at roosevelt.edu.
