At a May meeting, the University of Rochester Board of Trustees elected two new board members, and recognized three members on becoming life trustees.
“Our University thrives thanks to our dedicated trustees,” said Board Chair Rich Handler ’83. “Their invaluable perspective, vision, and knowledge propel us towards boundless possibilities. We are fortunate to have three amazing trustees who will continue to serve as part of the University family through their transition to life trustee status, and we welcome two new outstanding voting trustees who will carry on the legacy of helping make our University ever better.”
University President Sarah Mangelsdorf said, “I look forward to the contributions of our two outstanding new trustees, which will come during a very transformational time for our University as we embark upon our Boundless Possibility Strategic Plan. I also want to express my gratitude to our three new life trustees whose time, commitment, and expertise have greatly strengthened our University in many ways.”
New Trustees
Amy Lesch ’93
Amy Lesch is a partner in the Client and Partner Group at Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, a global investment firm in New York. She joined KKR in 2009 and leads its Global Product Strategies Group, looking after key product areas including private equity, infrastructure, credit, and real estate. She is closely involved with fundraising, investor relations, and consultant relations across the firm. In addition, she sits on a number of the firm’s management committees, including the Global Operating Committee and the Global Inclusion and Diversity Advisory Committee. Prior to joining KKR, she was a managing director and global head of consultant relations for Citi Capital Advisors. Her earlier experience includes roles at Deutsche Asset Management and State Street Global Advisors.
Lesch has been a member of the Arts, Sciences & Engineering National Council since 2018, and has also helped plan several class reunion celebrations. She participated on the 2019 Task Force for Volunteer Boards and Advisory Councils, and has provided career mentorship to undergraduate students for many years through the Real Readers volunteer program. A longtime George Eastman Circle member, in 2018 she established the Amy Lesch & Family Endowed Scholarship supporting undergraduate students at the University.
Lesch sits on several advisory boards, including Girls Who Invest and WIN (Women in Need), the largest provider of shelter for homeless families in New York City. She earned a bachelor’s degree in health and society from Rochester, and a JD from the New England School of Law. She has two children.
Judith Reinsdorf ’86
Judith Reinsdorf is a former executive vice president and general counsel at Johnson Controls International, a global building products, technology, and integrated solutions company. Retired from the firm in 2017, she has extensive experience in corporate governance and broad expertise in managing corporate and legal affairs for large public companies. From 2007 to 2016, she held the same role at Tyco International, which merged in 2016 with Johnson Controls International. She was a key member of the transformation team at Tyco that successfully reshaped the company’s portfolio and growth strategy.
Reinsdorf is a member of the University’s Women’s Network and its Personal and Professional Development Committee, and supports student career initiatives as a George Eastman Circle member. Reinsdorf serves on the boards of a number of corporations and nonprofit organizations, including EnPro Industries, Nurix Therapeutics, NACD New Jersey Chapter, and Teach for America New Jersey.
Reinsdorf earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Rochester and a JD from Cornell University. She and her husband, Ken Guthrie, have two daughters.
Life Trustees
At the May meeting, three board members moved to life trustee status. Together, they have provided years of distinguished service on the board, and their leadership, counsel, strategic partnership, and philanthropy have supported the creation of new facilities, scholarships, professorships, and other initiatives throughout the University.
Carol (John) A. Davidson
John Davidson has been a board member since 2013, at different times serving on the Joint Health Affairs, Student Affairs, and Executive committees of the board, and as chair of the Audit and Risk Assessment and the Nominations and Board Practices committees.
He has served as a member of the Simon Executive Advisory Committee, and the Simon Campaign Committee of The Meliora Challenge. He has also provided scholarship support to help students succeed, and has built valuable connections between University students and potential employers.
Davidson was recognized with the Simon Business School Distinguished Alumni Award in 2011 for his exceptional professional achievements, leadership to the school, and dedication and commitment that inspire others to take leadership roles at the University.
Robert (Bob) J. Keegan
Bob Keegan has been a board member since 2010, at different times serving on the Investment and Executive committees and as chair of the Financial Planning Committee.
He has served on the Simon Advisory Council and the Simon Executive Advisory Committee, and delivered the Simon Business School’s keynote commencement address in 2007 and in 2010. In 2007, he received the Simon School’s Distinguished Alumnus Award, and in 2010, he was presented with an honorary doctor of laws degree.
Keegan, who has enjoyed speaking at Simon School events and engaging with students, created the Robert J. Keegan Endowed Professorship in Pricing. He is a charter member of the George Eastman Circle.
Thomas (Tom) C. Wilmot
Tom Wilmot has been a board member since 2008, at different times serving on the Human Resources, External Affairs, Financial Planning, and Facilities committees. He has supported key initiatives and operations of the University through his service as an honorary member of the James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute Board; honorary chair of the Wilmot Cancer Institute campaign for The Meliora Challenge; and member of the University Campaign Cabinet for The Meliora Challenge.
Wilmot furthered academic excellence, multidisciplinary collaboration, research, and innovation through his generous contributions to the James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, including for the new James P. Wilmot Cancer Center building, the Wilmot Distinguished Professorship in Cancer Genomics, and multiple grants and fellowships for cancer research, medicine and hematology, medicine and immunology, and pediatric cancer research. He continued the Wilmot family legacy of leadership and support for the University, which includes his father James P. Wilmot’s service as a University Trustee.
Wilmot has been recognized, with his family, with the School of Medicine and Dentistry’s Dean’s Medal for exceptional philanthropic commitment, and for leadership and dedication that inspires others to take leadership roles at the University.
