Alfred F. Kelly Jr. '80, '81MBA, '19H

Alfred F. Kelly Jr. is the retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Visa, where he joined as CEO in 2016 and was elected Chairman of the Board in 2019. He transitioned to Executive Chairman in 2023 before retiring in 2024. Currently, he serves as an Advisory Director at Berkshire Partners. Kelly spent most of his career at American Express, where he worked from 1987 to 2010. Over those 23 years, he held several senior positions, including serving as President from 2007 to 2010.

Prior to Visa, Kelly was President and CEO at Intersection, a technology and digital media company. From 2011 to 2014, Kelly served as President and CEO of the 2014 NY/NJ Super Bowl Host Company, the entity created to raise funds for and host Super Bowl XLVIII. Kelly served as the head of information systems at the White House under President Ronald Reagan from 1985 to 1987. He also held various positions in information systems and financial planning at PepsiCo Inc. from 1981 to 1985.

Beyond his professional achievements, Kelly chaired the Papal Visit Committee for NYC in 2015, and in 2016, he was honored by Pope Francis as a Knight in the Order of Saint Gregory the Great. He and his wife, Peggy Kelly ’81, ’84MBA, generously supported the naming of Iona University’s Kelly Center for Health Sciences on the Bronxville campus.

Kelly serves as a Trustee of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Boston College. He is also on the Boards of General Motors, Saint Joseph’s Seminary and College and the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, where he serves as Chairman. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Computer and Information Science and an MBA from Iona. In 2007, Al and his wife Margaret (Peggy) ’81, ’84MBA were the recipients of the Iona University Legacy Award.

Why did you choose Iona to pursue your MBA?

Business School Dean Charlie O’Donnell and Professor Tony Halaris helped me create a bespoke program to earn an undergraduate degree in Computer and Information Science and my MBA in five years.  That opportunity made my decision an easy one.

What is your advice for current students:

Despite all the advances in technology, success is still grounded in a commitment to hard work, relationship building, strong communications skills, and a maniacal focus on having real impact vs just accomplishing tasks.

What is your fondest memory/favorite faculty member at Iona?

5 wonderful professors come immediately to mind - Professor Tony Halaris; Dr. Don Moscato; Dr. Kurt Engemann; Brother Anton Lips; and Dr. Francis McGrath.  They were all fabulous teachers who were passionate about their material and delivering it in an impactful way.

What do you feel are your secrets to success?

Success requires commitment, smart decisions and good fortune. One cannot control that latter but certainly can drive success through the first two.  I was always very hard working; extremely curious; and looking to learn every day.  I focused hard on building my leadership skills and surrounding myself with the best and brightest people I could find.

What is your proudest professional achievement?

I have been blessed to have had a diverse and successful career with many highlights but my proudest achievements are watching people who worked for me or whom I mentored rise up in their careers. Senior executives are temporary holders of their seat and a huge part of the job must be developing others who are going to take the organization to new heights when you retire.