The George Mason University Foundation (GMUF) is proud to welcome five new members to the George Mason University Foundation’s Board of Trustees, effective June 2023. This carefully selected group brings leadership, valuable experience, and dedication to the foundation, supporting the future of Mason and its mission.
The GMUF Board of Trustees plays an instrumental role in the success of George Mason University, particularly in championing the vision and mission behind the university’s comprehensive $1 billon campaign, Mason Now: Power the Possible.
”The foundation’s Board of Trustees is absolutely crucial to the work we do,” said Trishana E. Bowden, GMUF president and Mason’s vice president of advancement and alumni relations. “These are leaders in our region, and we are grateful to benefit from their insight and experience, offering perspective and counsel as George Mason University continues to work for our students, our community, and the world.
“We warmly welcome the newest members of our board and happily anticipate sharing in their expertise, guidance—and friendship—as we move forward together.”
Christine M. Halberstadt has nearly 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. In January 2022, she joined Amazon Web Services, where she became part of a team that helps private equity firms and their portfolio companies accelerate value creation by driving innovation through cloud services. Ms. Halberstadt holds a BS degree in business administration and economics and an MBA degree, both from Carnegie Mellon University, and an MPS degree in real estate degree from Georgetown University.
Mark D. Monson, BS Biology ’74, served as a Virginia state government official for 30 years, retiring in 2014 with 40 years of service to the Commonwealth of Virginia. During the course of his career, he led comprehensive multi-million-dollar public sector financial management programs. At the Virginia Department of Health Professions, he was responsible for all fiscal, administrative, and information systems support services, including financial, procurement, strategic planning and performance budgeting processes. Prior to joining the Virginia Department of Health Professions in 2002, Mr. Monson served as deputy superintendent for administration and finance at the Virginia Department of Correctional Education, chief of administrative services at the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, and assistant director for administration at the Virginia Department of Economic Development. After retirement, Mr. Monson served two terms as a member of the Virginia Board of Nursing, first appointed by Governor Terry McAuliffe and reappointed by Governor Ralph Northam. A Mason alum, he holds an MS degree in public administration from the George Washington University, and an information systems certificate from Virginia Commonwealth University.
John C. Pleasants John C. Pleasants is the vice president of automation and process optimization at Navy Federal Credit Union, the world’s largest credit union, serving over 13 million members. With over 30 years of experience, Mr. Pleasants has spent his entire career at Navy Federal, where he has served in various leadership roles for 20 years, with particular expertise in internal audit, finance, strategic planning, and project management. He is also a founding member of Navy Federal’s diversity and inclusion committee. Mr. Pleasants holds an MBA degree from West Virginia University and is a certified public accountant.
Pallabi Saboo is the executive chair/founder of Harmonia Holdings Group, LLC., founded in 2006. Harmonia specializes in providing high end IT services to customers in the federal sector. Ms. Saboo has over 15 years of corporate governance and regulatory compliance experience across boards for both profit and not-for-profit organizations. Ms. Saboo has received numerous awards, including being honored as top 25 female CEOs, top 100 Smart CEOs, Technical Trailblazer Federal Contractor, most influential Federal 100 leaders, Asian Business Leader of the year, Top 10 Women Who Mean Business, and Virginia Businesswomen in Leadership. She has also received the President of the United States (POTUS) Civilian Service Achievement Medal and POTUS Volunteer Service Award. Ms. Saboo holds a BS degree in electronics and electrical engineering from Punjab University, MS in marketing from Virginia Tech, and advanced management from Harvard Business School.
Anil Sharma is an entrepreneur, investor, and business strategist with more than 25 years of experience providing customer-driven IT solutions. Since 2008, he has served as CEO of 22nd Century Technologies, a large IT services integrator, managed services provider, software products developer, and workplace solutions company with more than 5,200 employees throughout the United States. Mr. Sharma, a first-generation immigrant, is a committed STEM education advocate and holds an MCA degree in computer applications and information technology from Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, India.
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