Former Visa CEO Elected Chair of Iona University Board of Trustees
Alfred F. Kelly Jr. ’80, ’81MBA, ’19H to Help Guide Next Chapter of Mission-Driven Growth, Innovation and National Distinction
NEW ROCHELLE & BRONXVILLE, N.Y. — Iona University is pleased to announce that Alfred F. Kelly Jr. ’80, ’81MBA, ’19H, retired executive chairman and chief executive officer of Visa, has been elected chair of the Iona Board of Trustees, effective July 1, 2026.
A distinguished alumnus whose career has spanned some of the world’s most influential organizations, Kelly succeeds Michael P. Hegarty ’66, whose years of dedicated leadership have helped to steer Iona through a period of growth and transformation.
As chair, Kelly will work closely with President Seamus Carey, Ph.D., fellow trustees and University leadership to advance Iona’s strategic vision, strengthen its national profile and continue to expand opportunities for students in an increasingly competitive landscape.
“I have had the privilege of working closely with Al over the past several years. His counsel is always thoughtful, incisive and deeply informed. Yet what impresses me most is his enduring commitment to the institutions and values that helped to shape his success,” Carey said. “We are deeply grateful and fortunate for his leadership as we continue to build upon the momentum and develop future leaders of character and purpose at Iona.”
An active and engaged alumnus, Kelly, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Computer and Information Science and an MBA from Iona, is a familiar presence on campus – whether sharing career insights with students or sitting courtside in the Hynes Athletics Center cheering on the Gaels alongside his wife and fellow alumna, Peggy Kelly ’81, ’84MBA.
Having served as a trustee previously, Kelly rejoined the Iona Board in 2024, bringing a wealth of C-suite experience to the role. From 2016 to 2023, Kelly served as CEO of Visa, leading the company through a period of remarkable growth with annual revenues climbing from roughly $15 billion to nearly $33 billion. He was elected chairman of the board in 2019 and became executive chairman in 2023 before retiring the following year.
Prior to Visa, Kelly spent more than two decades at American Express, where he held several senior leadership positions between 1987 and 2010, culminating in his service as president from 2007 to 2010. He later led the organization responsible for fundraising and hosting Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and in 2015, he chaired Pope Francis’ historic visit to New York City. Earlier in his career, Kelly led information systems at the White House from 1985 to 1987 and began his career at PepsiCo Inc. He serves on numerous boards and most recently joined Berkshire Partners as an advisory director.
Yet his commitment to Iona extends far beyond his professional accomplishments. A graduate of Iona Preparatory, Kelly has long championed the transformative power of Catholic education. Most recently, he played a key role in shepherding the partnership between Iona University and NewYork-Presbyterian, which led to the creation of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences. He and Peggy also generously supported the development of the Kelly Center for Health Sciences, a state-of-the-art facility that serves as the centerpiece of Iona’s growing Bronxville campus.
“It is an honor to be elected chair of the Board of Trustees,” said Kelly, who originally joined the Board in 1995 and was reelected multiple times to serve for 13 years. “Iona’s mission is as relevant today as it has ever been. The University is providing students with a world-class education rooted in faith, service and opportunity while preparing graduates to lead in an increasingly complex world. I look forward to working alongside President Carey, my fellow trustees, University leadership and the Iona community as we build upon the momentum already underway.”
As the University welcomes new leadership, it also recognizes the contributions of outgoing Board Chair Michael P. Hegarty ’66.
A philanthropist, business leader and United States Marine Corps veteran, Hegarty was first elected to the Board in 2011 and served as chair for two terms from 2022 to 2026. In 2016, Hegarty was inducted into the Arrigoni Hall of Fame in recognition of the vital role he has played in shaping the Iona Athletics programs. The Hegarty Multipurpose Room in the Hynes Center is named in his honor, and in 1996, he also won a Loftus Award commemorating his commitment to the Iona mission.
Professionally, Hegarty’s distinguished career in the financial services industry included executive leadership roles at Chase Manhattan Bank, Chemical Banking Corporation, Manufacturers Hanover Trust and AXA Financial. He also served as a director of Madison Marquette, a privately held real estate investment and management company, and as a trustee of the MFS Funds, a $500 billion mutual fund complex. Most recently, he was chairman of Octagon Credit Investors and has served on numerous charitable boards.
“Mike’s leadership and guidance have been invaluable in shaping Iona into the institution it is today,” Carey said. “Mike challenged us to think boldly and act confidently as we pursued a path of innovation across the University, always remaining focused and faithful to our mission. The success we enjoy today is due in no small part to Mike’s unwavering commitment and we are profoundly grateful for the countless lives he has impacted along the way.”
“It has been a privilege serving Iona University as both a trustee and especially as Board chair,” Hegarty said. “Enrollment is growing, opportunities are expanding, students are thriving and the University’s financial strength is among the nation’s best. At the same time, the core values that have always guided Iona remain central to its mission. I am deeply grateful for my time spent on the Board and look forward to all the ways the University will continue to flourish in the years ahead.”
The transition comes at a pivotal moment for Iona. Founded in 1940, Iona is a private, Catholic institution inspired by the legacy of Blessed Edmund Rice and the Christian Brothers with over 4,000 students and 55,000 alumni around the world.
Under Carey’s leadership, the University has grown its academic offerings in high-demand fields; expanded its footprint with campuses in New Rochelle, Bronxville and County Mayo, Ireland; positioned itself at the forefront of teaching and learning in the age of artificial intelligence; and strengthened its standing in national rankings.
For 2026, Iona has been recognized by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others as one of the nation’s best colleges. Additionally, Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranks an Iona degree in the top 6 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Forbes, meanwhile, recently awarded Iona an “A” rating in its 2026 Financial Report Card, placing the University among the nation’s healthiest private colleges.
“We stand upon a foundation at Iona that has been strengthened over generations, rooted in a legacy and a Catholic tradition that date back centuries,” Carey said. “Today, we are eager to carry this work forward as we continue to elevate the University.”
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of over 4,000 students and an alumni base of 55,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2026, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 6 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review once again named Iona to its “Best Business Schools for 2025,” recognizing both its on-campus and online MBA programs. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.