Former Visa CEO Elected Chair of Iona University Board of Trustees
Iona University recently announce that Alfred F. Kelly Jr. ’80, ’81MBA, ’19H, retired executive chairman and chief executive officer of Visa, has been elected chair of the Iona Board of Trustees.
A distinguished alumnus whose career has spanned some of the world’s most influential organizations, Kelly succeeds Michael P. Hegarty ’66, whose years of dedicated leadership have helped to steer Iona through a period of growth and transformation.
As chair, Kelly will work closely with President Seamus Carey, Ph.D., fellow trustees and University leadership to advance Iona’s strategic vision, strengthen its national profile and continue to expand opportunities for students in an increasingly competitive landscape.
“I have had the privilege of working closely with Al over the past several years. His counsel is always thoughtful, incisive and deeply informed. Yet what impresses me most is his enduring commitment to the institutions and values that helped to shape his success,” Carey said. “We are deeply grateful and fortunate for his leadership as we continue to build upon the momentum and develop future leaders of character and purpose at Iona.”
An active and engaged alumnus, Kelly, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Computer and Information Science and an MBA from Iona, is a familiar presence on campus – whether sharing career insights with students or sitting courtside in the Hynes Athletics Center cheering on the Gaels alongside his wife and fellow alumna, Peggy Kelly ’81, ’84MBA.
Having served as a trustee previously, Kelly rejoined the Iona Board in 2024, bringing a wealth of C-suite experience to the role. From 2016 to 2023, Kelly served as CEO of Visa, leading the company through a period of remarkable growth with annual revenues climbing from roughly $15 billion to nearly $33 billion. He was elected chairman of the board in 2019 and became executive chairman in 2023 before retiring the following year.
Yet his commitment to Iona extends far beyond his professional accomplishments. A graduate of Iona Preparatory, Kelly has long championed the transformative power of Catholic education. Most recently, he played a key role in shepherding the partnership between Iona University and NewYork-Presbyterian, which led to the creation of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences. He and Peggy also generously supported the development of the Kelly Center for Health Sciences, a state-of-the-art facility that serves as the centerpiece of Iona’s growing Bronxville campus.
“It is an honor to be elected chair of the Board of Trustees,” said Kelly, who originally joined the Board in 1995 and was reelected multiple times to serve for 13 years. “Iona’s mission is as relevant today as it has ever been. The University is providing students with a world-class education rooted in faith, service and opportunity while preparing graduates to lead in an increasingly complex world. I look forward to working alongside President Carey, my fellow trustees, University leadership and the Iona community as we build upon the momentum already underway.”
As the University welcomes new leadership, it also recognizes the contributions of outgoing Board Chair Michael P. Hegarty ’66.
“Mike’s leadership and guidance have been invaluable in shaping Iona into the institution it is today,” Carey said. “Mike challenged us to think boldly and act confidently as we pursued a path of innovation across the University, always remaining focused and faithful to our mission. The success we enjoy today is due in no small part to Mike’s unwavering commitment and we are profoundly grateful for the countless lives he has impacted along the way.”
“It has been a privilege serving Iona University as both a trustee and especially as Board chair,” Hegarty said. “Enrollment is growing, opportunities are expanding, students are thriving and the University’s financial strength is among the nation’s best. At the same time, the core values that have always guided Iona remain central to its mission. I am deeply grateful for my time spent on the Board and look forward to all the ways the University will continue to flourish in the years ahead.”
“We stand upon a foundation at Iona that has been strengthened over generations, rooted in a legacy and a Catholic tradition that date back centuries,” Carey said. “Today, we are eager to carry this work forward as we continue to elevate the University.”
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