Commencement Address Speaker Bios

Commencement Address Speakers

Marjorie A. Perry
MBA ’05, President/CEO of MZM Construction & Management Company, Inc.
Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony

Santo Politi
M.S.E.E. ’90, Founder and Managing Partner at Spark Capital
Master's Commencement Ceremony Honoring: NCE, HCAD, CSLA and MTSM

Samir Saini
B.S.C.E. ’97, Managing Director, Government
Master's Commencement Ceremony Honoring: YWCC

Carolyn M. Merkel
Ph.D, CFS, M.S. ’97, Founding Partner of Mariner Analytical, LLC
Ph.D. Commencement Ceremony

Marjorie A. Perry, MBA '05, an esteemed alumna of NJIT and President/CEO of MZM Construction, will deliver the keynote address at the undergraduate ceremony on May 17 at the Prudential Center. Perry, who earned her MBA from NJIT, has been an integral part of the university's community for over a decade. Notably, Perry made history as the first woman and African American to chair the Foundation Board of Directors in 2018, showcasing her dedication and leadership within the institution. Her contributions of time, talent, and resources have greatly enriched the NJIT community.

Perry will also be recognized for her commitment to the Highlander community with an honorary doctorate degree.

Santo Politi, MSEE '90, a distinguished graduate with a master's degree in electrical engineering from NJIT, will address graduates of Newark College of Engineering, J. Robert and Barbara A. Hillier College of Architecture and Design, College of Science and Liberal Arts, and Martin Tuchman School of Management at the master's ceremony on May 15 at NJIT's Joel and Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center (WEC). Politi's career trajectory exemplifies innovation and success, with notable roles at Panasonic, Bankers Trust and Blockbuster before transitioning to venture capital. As the founder and managing partner at Spark Capital, a leading early-stage and growth venture capital firm investing in various sectors, Politi brings a wealth of experience and insight to inspire the next generation of leaders.

Samir Saini, BSCE ’97, an Albert Dorman Honors College scholar and civil engineering graduate of NJIT, will share his expertise at the master’s ceremony for Ying Wu College of Computing students on May 15 at the WEC. With an impressive career spanning over 25 years, Saini currently serves in a pivotal strategy and go-to-market role within Microsoft’s government practice, empowering state and local governments to leverage various technologies, with a keen focus on AI, to transform citizen services and optimize operations. Prior to Microsoft, Samir had extensive experience serving in several chief information officer roles in both the public and private sectors. His deep expertise in technology strategy, operations, project delivery and product management across a broad spectrum of industries makes him an invaluable speaker for graduates entering the tech industry.

Carolyn Merkel, MSM '97, a Martin Tuchman School of Management graduate in technology management, is a founding partner of Mariner Analytical, LLC. She will deliver the keynote address at the Ph.D. ceremony on May 15 at the WEC. Merkel's consulting firm specializes in providing realistic, fair and actionable knowledge- and science-based advice to clients in regulated industries. Since its inception in 2004, Mariner Analytical has been at the forefront of offering cross-disciplinary solutions in markets ranging from agriculture, pharmaceuticals, construction to food. Prior to forming Mariner Analytical, Merkel was part of the research and development team at McNeil Nutritionals, where she helped develop SPLENDA® sweetener. Merkel's commitment to leveraging science and expertise to address complex challenges underscores her significance as a speaker for doctoral graduates poised to make meaningful contributions in their respective fields.