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Mr. Peter Donovan (Chairman)
Executive Chairman, Wright Investors' Service Greenwich, CT Trustee since: 9/95 Biography Mr. Donovan is the Retired Chairman and CEO of Wright Investors’ Service and Chairman of SEE’s board of trustees. Mr. Donovan received a BA in Economics from Goddard College. Mr. Donovan joined Wright in 1966 and was Chairman and CEO from 1996 to 2016. Mr. Donovan is also Chairman of the Pequot Running Club Inc., board member of the Clay International Secondary School in Nakuru Kenya and Board member and Vice President of the Y’s Men of Westport Weston CT. He is co-author of Worldscope Industrial Company Profiles and Worldscope Financial Company Profiles |
Trustees at 2018 Character Celebration with John R. Ciulla (4th from right), President and CEO of Webster Bank and John Winthrop Wright Ethics in Action Award recepient.
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Mr. Christopher Gallo (Treasurer)
Shelton, CT Trustee since: 9/04 Biography Chris Gallo is a self-employed accountant after retiring from his role as Partner with BlumShapiro and after 22 years with Nishball, Carp, Niedermeier, Pacowta & Co., P.C.. Previously, Chris worked with the international CPA firm of Ernst & Young. Chris earned his Bachelor of Arts in Applied Math from Brown University in 1974 and a Master of Science in Accounting from Northeastern University in 1975. He was licensed as a CPA in 1977. Chris has spent most of his career working with entrepreneurs in a wide-range of manufacturing industries and nonprofits. His many community activities include leadership positions with the Rotary and YMCA and he has recently authored a book about Trumbull, CT's 1989 world championship little league baseball team. |
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Mr. Joseph Mazzola
McKinney, TX Trustee since 5/2015 Biography Mr. Mazzola is a retired USAF Colonel, decorated military veteran, award-winning educator, and proven transformational leader. He has served as President & CEO of the Character Education Partnership, a national, education-based nonprofit; Director of the Center for Character Development at the US Air Force Academy; Student Union Director at the same university; and instructor of ethics and leadership at the Air Force’s Officer Training School in Texas. Over his entire career, Joe has achieved striking results, repeatedly recognized for his integrity, selfless service and servant-based leadership. |
Trustees celebrate the receipt of a grant award from the John Templeton Foundation.
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Dr. Arthur Schwartz
Durham, NC Trustee since 1/2026 Biography Arthur Schwartz was the president of Character.org from 2020 to 2025 and had served on their board for ten years. Previously he was the Endowed Professor of Leadership Studies and the Founding Director of the Oskin Leadership Institute at Widener University in Philadelphia (2013-2019) after serving as the Senior Scholar at the United States Air Force Academy (2010-2012). For 15 years, he was an executive at the John Templeton Foundation (1995-2009) where he was tasked to fund initiatives in support of character. He collaborated with Martin Seligman at the University of Pennsylvania to energize the field of positive psychology. Arthur's current research focuses on the dynamics of moral courage during adolescence. He received his doctorate in moral development from Harvard University. 
Rosella Criss
Previous Manager, Global Ethics & Compliance Pitney Bowes Inc Bridgeport, CT Trustee since: 9/2019 Biography Ms. Criss’ was a member of the Pitney Bowes team responsible for the day-to-day enforcement of Pitney Bowes’ policies, monitoring the Company’s compliance with the law, and supporting the Company’s efforts to promote a culture of ethical and legal compliance. Her role also included promoting and enforcing the Company’s Business Practices Guidelines, which describes and illustrates through examples critical ethics and compliance obligations. She managed the Company’s Ethics Help Line, investigated potential violations of law or Company policy as reported and conducted preliminary computer forensic analysis investigations. Rosella an avid learner and has participated in various certification and skills development programs given by, but not limited to EOC, ACFE, ASIS, US Dept. of State and FEMA. She’s attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Fairfield University, and American InterContinental University earning a BSIT cum laude. |
Mr. Michael Thomann
Retired, Sikorsky Global Ethics Officer, Cheshire, CT Trustee since: 6/2017 Biography Mike Thomann was the Global Ethics Officer for Sikorsky and in this capacity; he oversaw Sikorsky's ethics and compliance programs, including managing the worldwide network of Ethics Officers and Adjunct Ethics Representatives. He is also responsible for coordinating investigations, facilitating ethics communications and leading training initiatives. Prior to this assignment, Mike held positions as Assistant Controller at Sikorsky, Liaison Manager in UTC’s Internal Audit Department, Global Ethics & Compliance Officer at Otis Elevator Company and UTC Manager, Government Accounting. Mike received his B.S. in Accounting from Babson College. He is a Certified Public Accountant and has earned the designation Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP) from the Compliance Certification Board. Sara Roche
Senior Data & Implementation Analyst, Clearstructure Financial Technology Westport, CT Trustee since: 6/2017 Biography In her current position, Sara Roche is responsible for new client services and data onboarding. Sara specializes in working with fixed income asset managers and hedge fund managers, with a focus on performance attribution, risk, and reconciliation. She worked previously with Atlantic Asset Management for 10 years in risk management, operations and as a portfolio administrator. She has been recognized for creative solutions to risk monitoring and the development of reporting systems. Ms. Roche graduated from Vassar College with a Bachelor of Arts and dual major in Mathematics and Studio Art. Dr. David Wangaard (President) The School for Ethical Education Landenberg, PA Dates of Service: 2013 to present Biography See link to Director |
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In Memory
Vincent M. Simko, a friend of SEE for over 20 years passed away on December 22, 2016. Mr. Simko shared conversations with SEE’s founder, John Winthrop Wright about the establishment of SEE and as a lawyer, he helped organize the application for SEE’s establishment as a charitable non-profit agency. Mr. Simko served as a Trustee from 1995 to 1999 and volunteered again in 2010 and was serving as SEE’s secretary at his passing. The following is from his obituary in the Connecticut Post. |
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Vincent M. Simko, age 90 of Trumbull, beloved husband of Jeannette Stawarky Simko passed away Thursday, December 22, 2016 in his home. Vincent was born in Bridgeport on February 2, 1926, son of Dr. Michael and Rose Nasta Simko and was a lifelong area resident. He was a United States Naval veteran, serving during World War II in the Philippines. He graduated Cum Laude from Fordham University and the University of Connecticut School of Law. Vincent was an attorney and partnered for many years with Morris Magilnick and Henry Elstein in the Bridgeport law firm Magilnick, Simko & Elstein before forming the Simko Law Firm with his son Vincent M. Simko Jr.. He served in the State Legislature as a Representative and as Treasurer of the City of Bridgeport for several terms. He served as President of the Bridgeport Bar Association, was on the Board of Directors for Wright Investors, Board of trustee of the School for Ethical Education, Director of the Mechanics & Farmers Savings Bank and Director of the Bridgeport Rotary Housing Corporation, and was also a licensed pilot, avid golfer and skier. Survivors in addition to his beloved wife Jeannette include his loving children Evan Lawrence of Cambridge , NY, Vincent Michael Simko, Jr. and his partner Sharon See of Shelton, CT, John J. Simko and wife Andrea of Hamden, CT, David J. Simko and wife Linda of Melrose, MA and Peter C. Simko and wife Jeanne also of Melrose, MA. Nine cherished grandchildren Michael, Jessica, Matthew, Lauren, Lillian, Margaret, Wesley, Vincent, and Paul, a great granddaughter Vivian. He was predeceased by his sister Rita Trudeau.
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Mr. Patrick J. Waide, Jr. (Emeritus)
Trustee Service: 9/95-8/07 Biography Mr. Patrick Waide served on SEE's board for over 10 years and helped the agency overcome some meaningful early challenges. Mr. Waide currently serves as the director of the Mutual of America Investment Corporation and on a number of nonprofit boards. He graduated magna cum laude from Fairfield University in 1959 and received his MBA with distinction from the Wharton Graduate School in 1961. He has been a CPA since 1964. Past positions have included: President and CEO of the Peter F. Drucker Foundation, Executive Vice President for The Bessemer Securities Corporation, and Vice Chairman and Senior Partner for Deloitte Haskins & Sells (predecessor to Deloitte & Touche). |
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