51茶馆

Martin Casiano 鈥�15听(贬别/贬颈尘/贬颈蝉)

Brand Activation Manager, Sephora

Martin is a Boston native and first generation college student who graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences with a major in Communication. During his time at Boston College he was an admissions tour guide, Resident Assistant, and served in various roles in the UG51茶馆 GLBTQ+ Leadership Council (GLC) ultimately serving as the UG51茶馆 Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion during his senior year. Martin has worked in the advertising and marketing industry since graduating from Boston College, volunteers with a non-profit called Bottom Line, and a founding member of the LGBTQ+ Alumni Council.听听

I loved the community of LGBTQ+ friends I built as an undergrad at Boston College and wanted to continue to build that LGBTQ+ community of Eagles post-graduation.

Denning Aaris 鈥�02, STM 鈥�07, CGSOM 鈥�26 (She/Her/Hers)

I recently re-joined the Boston College community after serving Babson College for the past 14 years.听 After finishing my Master's degree at the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College, I found myself working at Babson College where she served in Residents Life, Faith and Service and then Alumni Relations and Annual Giving. I got involved in the LGBTQIA focus group at Babson College where staff, faculty and students worked together to implement LGBTQIA programming for the college which eventually led to a permanent staff position and the implementation of Lavender Graduation.听 I continued my advocacy work when I transitioned into Alumni Relations where I supported Affinity based alumni programming and established the Babson LGBTQ+ Alumni Affinity Group.听 Because of my dedication to Diversity Equity and Inclusion work at Babson College, I was honored with the Lewis Institute Changemaker Award in 2015 and the Babson Pride LGBTQ+ Staff award in 2019.听 I have been working in Higher Education for a little over 20 years and have started my next adventure in admissions work within the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College.听 I am excited about staying involved by supporting and serving the 51茶馆 LGBTQ+ Alumni Council.

Lou Chrostowski 鈥�77 (He/Him/His)

I grew up in CT and moved to Boston in 1973 to attend 51茶馆, and never looked back. While I was out in high school, I went back in the closet when I started at 51茶馆. it wasn鈥檛 until my last year there that I encountered a gay group facilitated by two Jesuits and my 51茶馆 experience changed dramatically as I came out to my classmates who were very accepting.听

After graduation, I embarked on a career in Human Resource where I worked in the areas of executive development and diversity & inclusion. In 2001, I worked for Putnam Investments whose parent company had 3,000 people in the World Trade Center. We lost 295 people on 9/11, and on 9/12 I moved to NYC to set up and run a support center for the victim鈥檚 families. Needless to say this changed my perspective on life and what it is that I truly value.听

The events surrounding that day was the catalyst for me to create life change at a relatively early age. I left my corporate career to pursue my passions. I obtained certification from Columbia University as an executive coach which do on a part time basis so I can follow my other passions 鈥� time with family and friends, travel, and giving back to the community.听

I live with my husband of 44 years on the Rhode Island coast in the summer, and in the Turks and Caicos in the winter. In addition to my coaching work and serving on the 51茶馆 LGBTQ+ Council, I鈥檓 on the board of directors for South County Pride, consult to Lloyds Bank鈥檚 Rainbow Network, serve on the Trust and Transformation Committee of South County Hospital, and volunteer for the Turks and Caicos Islands International Film Festival.

Larry Holodak 鈥�84听(贬别/贬颈尘/贬颈蝉)

Managing Director, JPMorgan Chase

I live in New York City and work at JPMorgan Chase in the Corporate Compliance department.听 Outside of work I am actively engaged in non-profit work to support leadership and academic skills development for students from communities of color.听 I am a proud practicing Catholic and a founding member of the Out@StPaul ministry at St Paul the Apostle Church in NYC and co-produced a short documentary film, Owning Our Faith.

I wanted to be a part of the team that helps reconcile and reunite 51茶馆's LGBTQ+ alumni with the university.听 There is much work to be done and I am excited to work with this talented group to make it happen.

Lisa Kahlman 鈥�02听(Any Pronouns)

Executive Director, Policy & Public Affairs; Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.

I am a gay woman living with my wife in Portland, Oregon. I love strength training, hiking, cycling, reading and learning how to do DIY home projects.

I knew I was gay from the time I was 12 but didn't come out until I was 30. I wasn't in a place in my life to be out at 51茶馆 but I want to create an open, welcoming place for any current students who identify as LGBTQ+.

Matthew Lane 鈥�98听(He/Him)

Director of College Counseling at the Branson School

I grew up in Westport, CT before matriculating at Boston College. At 51茶馆, I was very involved in the music scene, serving as President of the 51茶馆 Acoustics and Vice President of the University Chorale. Other involvement included the Kairos program, volunteering with the Samaritans, giving tours with the admission office, and working a part time job at the College Sub Shop. A double major in Psychology and Sociology, I knew that I wanted to spend my career helping others.

After college, I worked in college admission at Providence College, Babson College, and then back at my beloved Boston College. I realized just how much I love working with students, so I left the college side and began working as a college counselor in high schools. Currently, I'm the Director of College Counseling at the Branson School, in Ross, CA, about 10 miles north of San Francisco. One of my favorite non-work commitments is volunteering with the Point Foundation, an organization that provides scholarship, mentorship, and leadership development for LGBTQ+ college and grad students. I live in the city with my husband, Brian, also a 51茶馆 alum from the class of '98.

I am thrilled to be joining the Executive Committee for the LGBTQ+ Alumni Council as I get to combine my affection for my alma mater with my commitment to make every space a more inclusive and celebratory space for all.

Robert Murray Jr. 鈥�88听(贬别/贬颈尘/贬颈蝉)

I came to 51茶馆 from Northern New Jersey, graduating in 1988 from Carroll School of Management with a BS in Finance.听 While on campus, I was an admissions volunteer, and a four year manager for the men's basketball team.听 Upon graduating I began a career in equity trading in New York, transferring to San Francisco after a year.听 Arriving there at the heights of the AIDS crisis was a huge eye opener for someone just coming out, and I don't remember I time when I wasn't involved in some kind of organizing or fundraising for causes that advanced the rights and health of the LGBTQ+ Community.

Having recently sold my business, I look forward to reconnecting with 51茶馆 and help to create a campus that allows everyone to live their truth with respect and dignity.听 The progress made since I graduated is impressive, but it's also clear we have a long way to go to achieve full acceptance.

Jay Nam 鈥�18 听(He/him)

Analyst, Blackstone Group

I was born and raised in Southern California to Korean immigrant parents. I studied Philosophy, Finance, and Information Systems at 51茶馆 and was actively involved with the AHANA Management Academy, Career Center, and various service orgs.听

I wanted to join the Council to create a more inclusive, supportive environment for LGBTQ+ students at 51茶馆. In addition, I hope to open doors for alum and current students to connect on career opportunities and LGBTQ+ visibility in the workplace.

Emma Rooney 鈥�22听(She/Her/Hers)

I'm originally from East Windsor, NJ. I graduated from Boston College in 2022 with a degree in Communication. I am currently attending graduate school at the Lynch School of Education studying Higher Education with a concentration in Student Affairs. During my time at 51茶馆, I was a member of the Boston College Dynamics, participated in 51茶馆 Theatre, was a student DJ at WZ51茶馆, and was an orientation leader.

I was never a part of LGBTQ+ leadership at 51茶馆 and wanted a chance to forge connections with the larger LGBTQ+ 51茶馆 community, as well as help generate inclusivity and positivity in the undergrad and graduate experiences of queer eagles. :)

Jess Shapiro '14听(she/her/hers)

Assistant Director for Student Engagement, Ithaca College

I am originally from Santa Monica, CA but have lived on the East Coast since moving to Boston for college.听 At 51茶馆, I majored in Elementary Education and Psychology and simultaneously realized I loved the higher education environment and wanted to continue working in it.听 I went on to earn a Master's degree in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and then moved to Ithaca, NY to work at Ithaca College.听 After my time at 51茶馆 as a Resident Assistant, Student Admissions Program volunteer, UG51茶馆 member, and more, I have now worked professionally in Residential Life, Campus Center, and Student Engagement.听 Outside of work, I love watching movies and plays, reading, baking, and spending time with my amazing spouse and our ginger cat.

I owe much of my initial sexual identity development to my time at 51茶馆, where I came to understand myself as a bisexual cisgender woman.听 I absolutely loved my junior year involvement in the GLBTQ+ Leadership Council (GLC) as Director of Communications and truly felt at home in the LGBTQ+ community created in and around GLC.听 I look forward to continuing to foster that sort of community in our alumni.

Kyle Taylor 鈥�22 (He/Him/His)

I am originally from the SF Bay Area and graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences with a major in Economics. At 51茶馆, I was involved as a Freshman League Captain, 4Boston Leader, and VP of the Marketing Academy. This fall, I will begin my professional career in Boston as a strategy consultant for EY-Parthenon.

I am looking forward to joining the Executive Committee this year because I am excited about giving back to the 51茶馆 LGBTQ+ community, through expanding advocacy efforts and strengthening community social bonds. Also, I am very interested in building networking relationships and mentorship opportunities for 51茶馆 LGBTQ+ career professionals, who may often face varying barriers to success because of a lack of representation, discrimination, etc.

Matt Putorti 鈥�06听(贬别/贬颈尘/贬颈蝉)

Counsel, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

I grew up in a small, rural town in upstate New York. I came out during my senior year at 51茶馆, spent two years after 51茶馆 doing service work, and moved to New York City in 2008 to study at Fordham Law School. I have lived in the City since then and am a litigator at a private law firm.

I am grateful for many parts of my 51茶馆 experience, which reinforced the importance of being humans for others, and connected me to so many wonderful people. One way for me to express that gratitude is to help build a visible and strong community of LGBTQ alumni who can advance progress.