Alumni-Elected Trustees

The first time I left my home country (Jamaica) was the day I flew to the U.S. and went to campus for international students’ orientation. I remember being terrified and unsure of what to expect, but my fears quickly dissipated the moment I set foot on campus, which became my home over the next four years. 

In addition to the top-notch education I received at Wesleyan, which I credit in large part for my professional accomplishments, Wesleyan also instilled in me the importance of community service and giving back. That is in part why I founded a non-profit to provide scholarships to Jamaican high school students from low-income households, and why I’ve dedicated significant time and effort to providing pro bono legal services to indigent individuals. I’m also extremely grateful to Wesleyan because I met the love of my life on campus during our freshman year. 

For these and other reasons, Wesleyan holds a special place in my heart, and I’m keenly interested in helping to preserve and build upon its defining and unique features. As someone who attended Wesleyan as an international student and a scholarship recipient, I believe I have a unique and important perspective to contribute. I’d also welcome the opportunity to leverage my professional expertise as a management consultant and corporate lawyer in service of the wider Wesleyan community. 

•        Senior Associate Attorney, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher
•        National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 (2020)
•        Founder & Chair, The Mitchell Education Foundation
•        Wesleyan Class Agent and Fundraising volunteer
•        Former Reunion Committee member
•        Former Wesleyan regional events host
•        Wesleyan senior interviewer and tour guide (2010 – 2011)

My name is Aaron Veerasuntharam, and through my ten years of volunteering for Wes, I have always advocated for underrepresented groups within the University and would do the same as a board member.  

My Wesleyan journey was not conventional: my parents, who fled the Sri Lankan civil war, unfamiliar with "liberal arts" or Wesleyan, were skeptical when I was admitted. Despite their doubts, we all eventually saw Wes as where I belonged. Wesleyan instilled a limitless sense of possibility in me—to study broadly, embrace diverse interests, and aim for impactful change. Ultimately, I found my voice at Wesleyan and learned to speak out in accordance with my values. Having experienced this transformation, I'm eager to help others access similar opportunities.   

To that end, I currently serve on the Alumni of Color Council, the Alumni Association Executive Committee and as chair of the Asian Pacific American Alumni Council. I've supported diversity, one of Wesleyan's biggest strengths, by hosting events, leading orientation sessions, and facilitating in-person career workshops for first-generation and low-income students with the Gordon Career Center. Additionally, I helped organize my class's five-year reunion and am currently co-organizing my ten-year reunion while fundraising as a Class Agent.  

Having served in numerous alumni leadership roles, I am driven to become a Trustee to further my commitment to service. By working within the Board's committees, including University Relations and Campus Affairs, I would aspire to highlight voices that are important to be represented on the Board and in Board-level discussions.  

• Sustainability Manager in Cisco's Chief Sustainability Office 
• MBA from University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business 
• Member, Alumni Association Executive Committee and Alumni of Color Council  
• Chair, Asian Pacific American Alumni Council 
• Class Fundraising volunteer 
• Reunion Committee Member 
• Speaker, Gordon Career Center and the Resource Center 
• Mentor and keynote speaker, First-Things-First FGLI Orientation Program  

It would be a privilege to serve Wesleyan as an Alumni-Elected Trustee. At this critical time in the arc of liberal arts higher education, I am eager to effect strategic change to help Wesleyan unlock the power and passion of the alumni community to strengthen bridges with students and better tap the distinctly diverse perspectives, insights and experiences that distinguish Wesleyan. 

For 16 years, I have worked at Princeton University, building what many consider to be one of the strongest alumni communities globally. I oversee the board of the Alumni Association, working alongside the president and vice president to set priorities aligning alumni and the University. Our 80-member leadership team creates initiatives that foster belonging and unite a broad constituency. Previously, I worked across Princeton’s alumni programs, including Reunions (which brings back 25,000 people every year), classes, regions and affinity groups. 

I’m especially proud of developing a series of conferences targeted to historically underrepresented communities (Black, Latino, Asian, LGBTQ+, and women) who didn’t have a strong sense of belonging while on campus. To provide a bit of perspective, recently over 3,000 alumnae attended a multiday women’s event, with 300+ women having a speaking role. Bringing back unengaged alumnae had a lasting impact, re-igniting their ties to the University and each other. These women became ambassadors for the institution and were eager to find meaningful ways to give back. 

My expertise and experience building community complements the 25 years I spent in commercial banking, consumer brand advertising, innovative marketing and as an entrepreneur creating a successful events and catering company. 

Wesleyan gave me the confidence and knowledge to be a creative problem-solver, act on my ideas, take informed risks and find my truth. I hope to have the opportunity to use my skills and insights to enhance our community and the impact we can have together—for today’s students, for each other, and for Wesleyan. 

• Director, Alumni Council Operations at Princeton University 
• Secretary, Board of Trustees of the Historical Society of Princeton 
• Former Vice Chair, Regional Board of Trustees of Planned Parenthood 
• Former Associate Trustee Board member of McCarter Theater 
• Wesleyan University Service Award Recipient, 2021 
• Binswanger Prize for Excellence in Teaching Committee member 
• Longtime Reunion Committee member 
• Longtime Alumni Admission volunteer