Alumni Conference Pays Tribute to Exceptional Bentley Volunteers
At the annual Alumni Conference held in May 2026, three alumni — Bob Leahy ’74 MBA ’90, Alex Rusate ’13 MSA ’13 and Keith Singletary ’96 — were honored with Alumni Achievement Awards and Jaychele Nicole ’26 received the Emerging Alumni Leadership Award.
The awardees were celebrated for their enduring impact on the Bentley community, made through their leadership, innovation and dedication to student success.
“This year’s honorees are a tremendous example of what it means to be a part of the Falcon community,” says Jim Buckley ’10, MBA ’11, newly appointed chair of the Global Alumni Board. “Each has given generously of their time to help others — not for money or recognition, but to create opportunities for others to grow and succeed.”
Bob Leahy ’74, MBA ’90
For more than 12 years, Bob Leahy has contributed to the alumni community as a volunteer executive coach and mentor, impacting thousands of alumni. Working with the Alumni Career Strategy Group, Leahy has facilitated more than 100 weekly meetings with alumni and makes a point to follow up with attendees and offer personalized coaching and career guidance.
He also created and continues to manage a dedicated LinkedIn alumni group, providing a forum for Falcons to support one another by sharing insights and posting relevant job opportunities. Leahy, who has a successful career as a CFO and COO in the technology industry, currently serves as an independent board member in the technology sector.
Alex Rusate ’13, MSA ’13
A senior vice president and director of internal audit at Arrow Financial Corp., Alex Rusate has been a dedicated volunteer for a decade. As an admissions ambassador, Alex connects with incoming students and their families, welcoming them to the community, answering questions and helping them acclimate to Bentley. He has also served as a career connector at the Pulsifer Career Development Center, providing career guidance, networking opportunities and assistance in resume and interview preparation.
Rusate has played a pivotal role in the success of the Saratoga Regional Committee, contributing to the growth of A Day at the Races, an annual signature event that has grown from just a handful of attendees in 2015 to nearly 170 attendees last year.
Keith Singletary ’96
Keith Singletary, an executive director at Morgan Stanley, has been making an impact on the alumni community as a volunteer since 2011. He served on the Global Alumni Board from 2018 to 2024, including a three-year tenure as chair from 2021 to 2024. During that period, he helped align GAB’s mission with the university’s priorities and leadership giving.
He championed the creation of the Bentley Alumni Conference, working closely with the Office of Alumni and Family Engagement to help define the event’s purpose and build early momentum. He has served as co-chair of the Alumni Conference Steering Committee, responsible for recruiting committee members who represent diverse industries and have strong professional networks.
Singletary has also served as a member of the Investment Banking Advisory Council. He has hosted regional student receptions for incoming students and college tours.
Jaychele Nicole ’26
Each year, GAB recognizes one graduating senior whose undergraduate contributions reflect their potential to become a meaningful contributor to the alumni community. Jaychele Nicole ’26, who majored in public relations with minors in marketing, sociology and business administration, was named this year’s Emerging Alumni Leadership Award for her achievements in expanding opportunities for Bentley’s diverse student body.
Nicole served as president and inaugural DEI chair of the Black United Body student group and is responsible for the first Black Admitted Students Day. In addition to recruitment, Nicole supported mentorship and professional development programs, including direct outreach to more than 200 admitted students to aid in their transition to campus life.
Nicole served as vice president of inclusion and belonging and production chair for the Campus Activities Board, and among other firsts, she established Bentley’s Black History Month concert. She also pioneered cross-department collaborations, including a Black History Month women’s basketball game.
Nicole is the founder and chief culture, brand and strategist at Culture Shift. She developed culture-forward marketing, brand strategy and live activations while working at such organizations as Wasserman, Red Bull, Beekman 1802, and Platinum Entertainment Group.