On the Rise Podcast

Iona University Office of Alumni Engagement
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The "On the Rise Podcast" is brought to you by the Iona University Office of Alumni Engagement, highlighting the wide variety of skillsets and strengths of the alumni community.

  1. Oct 7

    40 Years of Service at Iona with J. Kevin Devlin CFC, Ed.D., ’61

    Born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Woodside, Queens, New York, Brother James Kevin Devlin’s life has been joyous in teaching and educational administration since 1961. His career has taken him from Montreal, Canada and Warwick, RI to New Rochelle at Iona Grammar School, Iona Prep School and over 40 years at Iona University in a multitude of departments. Two areas of special energy are HOPE Community Services in New Rochelle and formerly Abraham House, in Bronx, New York.   Graduating from St. Sebastian’s Grammar School, Power Memorial Academy, and in 1961 from Iona, Kevin earned a master's degree from Seton Hall and an Ed.D. from Fordham University in 1998.  Family has brought multiple blessings from mother Ellen and father Louis, brothers Tony and Mike, sister, Ellen, brother-in-law, Roy, nephew, Kevin, and nieces Laura, Cathleen and Beth, all alumni of Iona. And friends continue to bring energy and enrichment every day. Witnessing the magnificence of God’s earth through photography has been a special gift.   Participating in the community life of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers and the Chrisitan Brothers’ Schools, especially at Iona, brings unique blessings and joy. The interactions of the Iona community students with one another, faculty, administration, and staff are deeply meaningful.  “Teaching and education have been pure gifts from God. There has never been a moment since 1961 that I did not want to teach or work in education. I am most thankful for this joy-filled life as an Edmund Rice Christian Brother and as an educator,” reflects Brother Devlin.

    40 Years of Service at Iona with J. Kevin Devlin CFC, Ed.D., ’61

  2. Sep 23

    Episode 22 - From Iona to the FBI Seamus McElearny'89

    Séamus McElearney began his distinguished career with the FBI in 1998, joining Squad C-10 of the New York Organized Crime Branch. Tasked with investigating the Bonanno and DeCavalcante crime families—infamously known as “the real Sopranos”—Séamus quickly made his mark. In December 1999, he was assigned to arrest Anthony Capo, a violent soldier in the DeCavalcante family, as part of a sweeping indictment. Not only did he safely execute the arrest, but he also achieved a historic breakthrough: persuading Capo to become the first made member in the family’s century-long history to cooperate with law enforcement. This unprecedented move triggered a domino effect of cooperation that ultimately led to the dismantling of the DeCavalcante family. In all, 71 defendants were convicted, 11 murders were solved, and seven trials transpired. As a result, Séamus and the team received the U.S. Attorney’s Office Director’s Award. Following this six-year investigation, Séamus was promoted to lead Squad C-38, overseeing the Colombo crime family. Under his leadership, the squad dismantled the Colombos through a series of operations—including spearheading the largest Mafia takedown in FBI history. The Bonanno squad was later merged into C-38 under his command. As Supervisor, Séamus oversaw investigations that led to the conviction of more than 200 defendants, the resolution of 20 murders, and nine successful trials—driven by relentless teamwork. Throughout his career as an Agent and Supervisor, Séamus helped convict ten Mafia bosses, recover five bodies, and solve the murder of an NYPD officer. He was part of historic FBI teams that dismantled three organized crime families—an achievement no one else can claim. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the fight against organized crime, Séamus was invited to the White House in 2013, where he was personally commended by the President. His work has earned numerous honors, including: • Service to America Medal Finalist • Federal Executive Board Outstanding Supervisor Award • NYPD Chief of Detectives Achievement Award • Federal Law Enforcement Foundation Investigator of the Year • FBI Medal of Excellence • Irish Echo Top 50 Leader in Law Enforcement · Commendations from the Italian National Police and Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA) • Numerous citations from U.S. Attorney’s Offices of the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York After completing his term as Supervisor in 2013, Séamus returned to casework, shifting to violent crime. He led the first-ever RICO indictment against a Mount Vernon street gang, resulting in its dismantlement. In 2016, he transitioned to white-collar, leading numerous fraud investigations until retiring from the FBI in 2019. Currently, Séamus is the Global Head of Corporate Security for a major financial institution.

    Episode 22 - From Iona to the FBI Seamus McElearny'89

  3. Sep 10

    Inside the President's Bunker on 9/11 with Robert Darling '87

    In October 2007, Lieutenant Colonel Darling retired from the United States Marine Corps with just over twenty years of active-duty service. He flew attack helicopters in Desert Shield and Desert Storm during the first Gulf War and in Somalia, Africa, in support of Operation Restore Hope. In June 1998, he was selected to fly as a presidential pilot with Marine Helicopter Squadron One and in October 2000, was handpicked to work for the White House Military Office, Airlift Operations Department. It was in that capacity that Lt. Col. Darling supported the President, Vice President and National Security Advisor in the President's Emergency Operations Center (PEOC) on September 11, 2001. As a public speaker on crisis leadership and decision making, Bob has addressed numerous academic, government, and military organizations to include Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and as a guest lecturer on the subject of Crisis Leadership and Counterterrorism at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Bob is the author of 24 Hours Inside the President’s Bunker, 9/11/01: The White House. He is the President and CEO of Flash Emergency Management, a crisis leadership training and technology company located in Stafford, Virginia.

  4. Aug 12

    Episode 21 - Building Relationships in Real Estate with Sarah Haq '19

    Award-winning real estate advisor Sarah Haq helps buyers, sellers, and developers navigate Lower Westchester County real estate with clarity, strategy, and modern marketing designed for today’s market. Sarah works with first-time buyers, luxury home sellers, relocating NYC clients, investors, and new construction developers.As a top-producing Westchester County realtor in the industry with 6 years of experience, Sarah specializes in the Sound Shore communities of New Rochelle, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Rye, Rye Brook, Harrison, and Purchase. Sarah is known for her modern marketing approach, leveraging high-impact digital media to reach today’s buyers and sellers. She creates engaging video content and distributes it across multiple platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn. Sarah's dynamic clips have received thousands of views, leading to multiple transactions, including sales by qualified buyers locally, nationally, and internationally.Born and raised in New Rochelle and now a resident of the Shore Acres neighborhood in Mamaroneck, she has deep roots in the Westchester community, making her an invaluable asset with an impressive understanding of local neighborhoods, schools and market analytics. Recognition & Production$30M+ in Transactions (2024 - 2026)Ranked among the Top 1.5% of Real Estate Professionals in the U.S.2025 Houlihan Lawrence Gold Sales Award — Top 20% of 1,450+ associates2024 Houlihan Lawrence Gold Sales Award — Top 20% of 1,450+ associates2026 Five Star Rising Star Award — Top 3% of Westchester County agents2025 Five Star Rising Star Award — Top 3% of Westchester County agents2024 Five Star Rising Star Award — Top 3% of Westchester County agentsProfessional AffiliationsNational Association of Realtors (NAR) MemberHudson Gateway Association of Realtors (HGAR) MemberOneKey Multiple Listing Service (OKMLS) MemberFounder, Your Cities Backyard Referral NetworkListings Featured inThe Wall Street JournalThe New York TimesThe New Rochelle ReviewFun FactsFluent in SpanishLoves waterfront walks, weight-lifting and PilatesPassionate about travel, interior design, and discovering local restaurantsDog mom to Winston, her Maltipoo and unofficial showing assistant

  5. Jul 15

    Episode 20: Dan Correia

    Daniel is a Private Banker at JPMorgan Private Bank, helping families navigate life transitions and optimize their personal balance sheets. He provides personalized guidance across banking, lending, investments, trusts and estates, and philanthropy. As a proud Iona University alumnus, father, and lifelong student of finance, Daniel respects those building their legacies and strives to be a valuable partner in enhancing his clients’ financial lives.

  6. Jun 18

    Episode 19: Cathy McCabe '85 and Deblina Jha '25MS

    At Iona University, mentorship can bloom from the most unexpected scenarios. Hear from Cathy McCabe '85 and Deblina Jha '25MS on how the two met at Iona and how their working relationship exemplifies the kinds of doors that can open from networking. About Cathy McCabe '85 During a career spanning more than 30 years, McCabe has been a senior financial services executive who drove business results, ensured regulatory compliance, and optimized organizations. Known for her values-based leadership, McCabe pursued her passion for improving the financial lives of individuals and their families. Under her leadership, her team helped more than 1.5 million individuals achieve and exceed their financial goals. She was the executive sponsor of innovative TIAA financial literacy programs developed and delivered to serve the needs of diverse individuals and groups, including women, the Hispanic and Latino communities, and the LGBTQ+ community. McCabe comes from a long line of Iona graduates, including her parents and six older siblings. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Iona, graduating summa cum laude. McCabe’s family established the Catherine H. ‘71MA and Hugh J. McCabe ’49 Endowed Scholarship in 2002. McCabe remains an active alumna of Iona. She served on the Women’s Advisory Board and was honored as part of Iona’s Women’s Legacy Fund, celebrating the 50th anniversary of women attending Iona. She is a member and Co-Chair of Iona’s Advisory Board for its Gaels Go Further Mentoring Program and is a current Mentor. McCabe is also a member and Co-Chair of the Major Donor Committee of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), leading the fight for the LGBTQ+ community. McCabe launched Cathy McCabe Coaching LLC and is currently a Life & Leadership Coach.About Deblina Jha '25MS Deblina is a Couples and Family Therapist and the founder of SelfLoveApps.com , an emerging mental health and wellness platform dedicated to promoting self-love and strengthening relationships through accessible, technology-driven solutions.  Jha is from India, a culturally responsive therapist, who integrates client's race, ethnicity, religion, culture, class, gender to relational clinical work with families and individuals aged 5 to 80 years.  Jha earned my Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Iona University, graduating in 2025. Jha is deeply committed to integrating therapeutic care with innovative digital tools to expand access to mental health support.

  7. May 26

    Episode 18: Victoria Bruno '10

    Victoria Bruno is the Business Development Manager at KINGS Capital Construction Group, Inc., a commercial general contractor, site development contractor, and developer serving the greater New York region. She is also a licensed New York State Real Estate Salesperson and, as of 2025, has expanded her professional focus into real estate acquisitions and dispositions, embracing new opportunities for growth and investment. In her role, Victoria works closely with executive leadership to drive business development strategy, strengthen brand presence, and cultivate meaningful partnerships. She leads internal and external communications and is known for her relationship-driven approach, consistency, and ability to connect with people in a way that creates lasting impact. Victoria is deeply involved in the regional business and real estate community. She is an active member of the Westchester County Association and serves on the Next Gen Leadership Committee. She also serves as Co-Chair of the Women’s Leadership Initiative through ULI, where she is passionate about empowering women in the industry and is currently helping to plan and organize a mentorship initiative to support the next generation of leaders. A proud graduate of Iona University, Victoria remains closely connected to her alma mater. She participates in the Gael Connect mentorship program and was recently featured as a guest on an Iona alumni podcast, where she shared insights on her career journey and professional growth. She has also been a guest on the Building & Realty Institute podcast. She is a former Chairperson of the Business Council of Westchester’s StarPower Program and a former member of the Building & Realty Institute, where she also served on the Board of Trustees. Through her work with KINGS and the KINGS Charitable Foundation, Victoria is committed to giving back to the community. The organization’s initiatives include an annual Holiday Benefit, a Thanksgiving Turkey Drive distributing over 15,000 turkeys, and a Back-to-School Backpack Drive supporting hundreds of students and families in need. Victoria has been recognized for her professional achievements and community impact. She was named a 2024 Women in Business honoree by 914INC. and a 2023 Millennial of the Year by Westfair Communications. In 2023, she was also honored with a Proclamation from the Westchester County Board of Legislators. Victoria brings a thoughtful, driven, and relationship-first approach to her work, continuing to build a career rooted in connection, growth, and impact that lasts.

  8. May 18

    Episode 17: Sam Polanco '02

    Sam Polanco '02 is a seasoned technology leader and currently serves as Head of Quality Engineering for Instruction Capture, Pricing and Reference Data at BNY, one of the world’s leading global custodial banks. BNY’s responsibilities span oversight of $58+ trillion in Assets Under Custody (AUC) and $2.1 trillion in Assets Under Management (AUM), ensuring operational excellence and technology-driven innovation across mission-critical financial platforms. Sam is widely recognized for his strategic leadership in automation and AI-driven transformation initiatives. He has spearheaded projects leveraging AI-powered solutions designed to enhance pricing integrity through autonomous multi-agent systems, significantly reducing manual workloads and improving data accuracy. With over 25 years of experience in Financial Services technology, Sam has successfully led large-scale operations and complex IT programs for multi-billion-dollar global corporations. His expertise spans software development, quality engineering, and advanced automation frameworks, with a strong focus on Agile methodologies, DevOps practices, and continuous improvement. He is known for building high-performing teams, driving innovation in pricing workflows, and implementing robust governance models to ensure compliance and quality standards. Sam’s credentials include:- Master of Science in Information Systems from Stevens Institute of Technology ‘08- Bachelor of Business Administration from Iona University ‘02- ISTQB Certification. He is also a KPMG Board Readiness Fellow, a member of HITEC, and an Emerging Executive Program Fellow, Iona University Alumni Board Member and Advisory Board Member for the Gaels Go Further initiative at Iona, reflecting his commitment to leadership development, career sponsorship, and industry engagement.

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About

The "On the Rise Podcast" is brought to you by the Iona University Office of Alumni Engagement, highlighting the wide variety of skillsets and strengths of the alumni community.

Information

  • Creator
    Iona University Office of Alumni Engagement
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Iona University Office of Alumni Engagement
  • Show Website
    On the Rise Podcast