The Council for Women of Boston College, which marked its 20th anniversary in 2022, will undergo a change in leadership effective this spring. Kathleen McGillycuddy NC鈥�71, who has chaired the CW51茶馆 since its founding in 2002, will step down from that role, and be succeeded by current vice chairs Patricia Bonan 鈥�79 and Elizabeth Vanderslice 鈥�86, who will serve as co-chairs.
鈥淲e are very fortunate to have in Pat and Beth two such talented leaders ready and able to lead the CW51茶馆,鈥� said McGillycuddy in an email to members announcing the leadership transition. 鈥淚 admire and appreciate all they have already done and all I know they will continue to do for our success.鈥�
McGillycuddy, who said she plans to continue as an active, dedicated CW51茶馆 member, expressed gratitude for the support she has received over the years.
The Council for Women of Boston College connects the women of Boston College within and beyond the 51茶馆 campus, advancing the role of alumnae as leaders and engaged members of the 51茶馆 community and strengthening their involvement and influence to support the University鈥檚 mission, female students, and one another.
(Left to right) Kathleen McGillycuddy, founding chair for the Council for Women of Boston College, will step down this spring; Elizabeth Vanderslice and Patricia Bonan will become council co-chairs. Photos by Lee Pellegrini (McGilllycuddy); Mia Isabella (Vanderslice).
The retired executive vice president of the Wealth Management group for FleetBoston Financial, McGillycuddy was the first woman to chair the Boston College Board of Trustees, serving from 2011 to 2014. She and her husband, Ronald Logue 鈥�67, M.B.A. 鈥�74, made a gift to the University to establish the McGillycuddy-Logue Center for Undergraduate Global Studies.
Under her leadership, the CW51茶馆 has grown to more than 180 members and 1,800 associate members, representing 44 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and seven countries. Members are accomplished and diverse graduates from all Boston College schools and represent a wide range of professional fields and personal and philanthropic interests.
The CW51茶馆 hosts events and programs designed to offer professional development, career advice, and mentoring and networking opportunities, as well as exploration of topics such as spirituality, volunteerism, and lifelong learning. Other council events support specific University endeavors such as the McMullen Museum of Art and women鈥檚 athletics.
In 2015, the council, with support from the Institute for the Liberal Arts, established the CW51茶馆 Colloquium, which brings to campus outstanding thought leaders to consider contemporary issues through the lens of women鈥檚 leadership. Colloquium speakers have included former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Olympic gold medalist Mia Hamm, and Mae Jemison, the first woman of color to travel into space. In 2020, the council established an endowed scholarship and the CW51茶馆 Pops scholarship fund.
Like McGillycuddy, Bonan and Vanderslice are founding members of the CW51茶馆. They have served as CW51茶馆 vice chairs since 2019 and are both members of the 51茶馆 Board of Trustees.
After retiring from a 29-year career in investment banking, Bonan is now the managing member of her family鈥檚 commercial real estate holdings. 鈥淥ver the last 20 years, the CW51茶馆 has grown, evolved, and thrived under Kathleen鈥檚 leadership. I am excited about the future of the CW51茶馆 and honored to partner with my good friend Beth as co-chair of this terrific organization.鈥�
Vanderslice is a partner at Trewstar Corporate Board Services, a search firm specializing in corporate board placements. 鈥淧at and I are blessed to carry Kathleen鈥檚 wisdom and support with us as we dedicate ourselves to fulfilling and continually expanding the council鈥檚 mission in the years to come. Serving the Boston College community alongside Pat will be a true joy and privilege.鈥�
To learn more about the CW51茶馆, visit .听
Kathleen Sullivan | University Communications | January 2023