Press Release May 10th

Investment Banking Executive, Venture Capitalist, and Financial Executive are this Year’s Queens College Annual Gala Honorees

–USA Women’s Basketball 1976 Olympic Silver-Medalist and Queens College Alumna Gail Marquis Will Host; Gala Raises Funds for Student Scholarships–

WHAT: The Queens College Gala, an annual event begun in 1990, honors alumni whose professional success and dedication to philanthropy and public service embody the college’s motto, “Discimus ut serviamus: We learn so that we may serve.” This year’s event celebrates two leaders in the financial sector, Paulette Mullings Bradnock ‘84, chief audit executive for BNY Mellon, who will be recognized with the President’s Leadership Award and Matt Higgins ’98, CEO of RSE Ventures, who will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award. Steven Gerard ’67, who was CEO and chair of CBIZ, Inc. and former chair of the Queens College Foundation, will be honored posthumously with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Gail Marquis ’80, will serve as host and emcee. Marquis was a two-time All-American women’s basketball player at Queens College. She was a member of the silver-medal 1976 USA Women’s Basketball Team and participated in the first women’s basketball game ever played at Madison Square Garden. She went on to have a long career on Wall Street and a second career as a broadcast commentator. She serves on several boards including the Queens College Foundation and was the first woman of color inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame.

WHEN: Wednesday, May 11, 2022, 6:30 pm

WHERE: Guastavino’s | 409 East 59th Street, New York City 10022

WHO:

Paulette Mullings Bradnock ‘84, chief audit executive for BNY Mellon, is responsible for the management of more than 370 employees within Internal Audit. She reports directly to the audit committee chairman of the board of directors and administratively to the CEO. She is a member of the board of trustees for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and serves as a madam chair of its audit committee. Mullings Bradnock is vice chair of Queens College’s board of trustees and chairs its audit committee. She is also a member of The Executive Leadership Council. Mullings Bradnock was named one of Savoy’s “2018 Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America.” In recognition of her achievements and influence in the banking and financial services sector, American Banker included her in the annual top 25 “Women to Watch” from 2017 through 2021. Mullings Bradnock earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Information Systems from Queens College, City University of New York.

Matt Higgins ’98, is the CEO of RSE Ventures, an incubator and investment firm that he co-founded in 2012 to pursue opportunities in the sports, media, entertainment, food, and technology sectors. He is an Executive Fellow at the Harvard Business School, where he co-teaches a course on emerging consumer trends. Higgins began his career as a journalist before becoming at 26 the youngest mayoral press secretary in New York City, where he managed the global media response to the September 11 terrorist attacks. He was appointed one of the first employees—and ultimately chief operating officer—of the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, the $2 billion dollar government agency created to plan and oversee the rebuilding of the 16-acre World Trade Center site. Higgins was a guest shark on ABC’s hit show “Shark Tank” on seasons 10 and 11; this year, Harper Collins’ William Murrow imprint will release his book, Burn the Boats! In 2019, he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his work to improve society. He is also a longstanding board member of Autism Speaks. Higgins received his BA in political science and honorary doctorate from Queens College and his JD from Fordham Law, where he was a member of the Fordham Law Review.

Steven L. Gerard ’67, graduated from QC with a BA in economics. Capping a long corporate career, in October 2000, he became the CEO of CBIZ, Inc., a position he held until his retirement in March 2016. He remained chairman of its board. Gerard was previously a director, chairman of the Compensation Committee, member of the Compliance Committee and the Audit Committee of Las Vegas Sands Company and lead director and member of the Audit Committee of Joy Global, Inc. At the time of his death, he was director, chairman of the Compensation Committee, and member of the Audit Committee of Lennar Corporation and director and member of the Audit and Finance Committees of AutoNation, Inc. Gerard was on the faculty of the National Association of Corporate Directors and earned the NACD Leadership Fellow designation. He also served on many boards, both public and charitable.

Background 

The gala is the college’s principal fundraiser, raising millions in scholarship funds for a richly diverse student body representing more than 150 nations. Queens College students also play a role in the gala as performers, artists, and guest liaisons, giving them an opportunity to interact with the honorees and other alumni in attendance.

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