Q&A with St. Joe’s New National Alumni Board Leadership

The ballots are in, and the next chapter of alumni leadership begins. After weeks of voting by alumni nationwide, the Saint Joseph’s University Alumni Association is proud to introduce Jim Francesconi, BS ’07, MBA ’09, as president-elect, and Asia Whittenberger, BS ’22, MS ’25, as vice president-elect of the National Alumni Board (NAB).

Francesconi, who previously served as vice president, will replace outgoing NAB president David Lam, BS '05, MS '07.

Both Francesconi and Whittenberger answered a few questions to offer alumni a glimpse into what to expect under their leadership. 

Q: What do you want alumni to know about you as a leader of the alumni association?

Francesconi: I want alumni to know that my priority is serving all 110,000+ members of our association, across every class year and school. I’m committed to being an accessible, inclusive leader who represents the full breadth of our community. I also hope alumni will take advantage of opportunities to reconnect with the University – especially during this milestone 175th anniversary year – by attending events and engaging with fellow Hawks.

Whittenberger: I don’t take it for granted that the alumni put their voting trust into the youngest and first Gen Z VP – thank you! I’m young but I don’t flinch. You backed someone who loves thinking outside the box and pushing the needle.

Q: Why does Saint Joseph’s mean so much to you?

Francesconi: Saint Joseph’s is deeply meaningful to me because it shaped who I am – both personally and professionally. Academically, SJU prepared me for a successful career by teaching me not only the content of my major but also how to think critically and solve problems analytically. Just as importantly, the Jesuit values of cura personalis, magis, and being a person for and with others helped form me into a more well‑rounded individual and a servant leader.

Whittenberger: The education was unmatched (do you know how often I reference what I learned in college?). Plus, it’s not possible to measure the full value of how people at SJU went above and beyond for me, and continue to do so. They opened doors that changed my life. Oh, and my college friends are pretty cool, too!

Q: What is one thing you hope to accomplish during your term?

Francesconi: Along with continuing to strengthen alumni engagement year over year, I hope to build stronger connections between alumni and current students. By expanding networking and mentorship opportunities, we can help students gain early exposure to the alumni community and better prepare them for life as young professionals.

Whittenberger: A new priority of the full NAB is to encourage mentorship between alumni and current students, so I definitely want to mobilize alumni around this initiative. I can’t speak for all students, but in conversations with them, there is a high demand for individualized career guidance. In such a volatile job market, it energizes me to know that the power of the alumni network could be the pivotal difference in the life of an SJU student.