Rhode Island Governor Raimondo Named Chief Marshal

Governor of Rhode Island Gina M. Raimondo '93 has been elected 25th reunion chief marshal and will lead this year's Commencement exercises at Harvard’s 367th iteration of the event.

The honor is accorded to members of each year's 25th reunion class who have achieved success in their careers, contributed to their communities, and served the College, according to the Harvard Alumni Association. Notable alumni who have held this position include former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, class of 1904, and Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg '91.

The search for chief marshal began over a year ago when members of the class of '93 nominated their peers for the position. A committee consisting solely of members in the class of '93 then reduced almost 80 total nominations to just nine before selecting their final choice.

Raimondo graduated magna cum laude from the College and went on to earn a doctorate in sociology from Oxford University, where she was a Rhodes scholar.

After obtaining a J.D. from Yale Law School in 1998, Raimondo interned for U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood of the Southern District of New York and worked in venture capital before starting her own firm, Point Judith Capital.

Raimondo then went on to serve as general treasurer for Rhode Island before running for governor in 2014. She became the first woman to hold this position. Raimondo also currently serves on the board of trustees of the Yale Corporation.

Mukesh Prasad ’93, one of the 25th reunion chairs, described Raimondo as someone who “always had an interest in serving society” and understood that “good policy is not always based on politics.”

“Governor Raimondo represents excellence in all three,” he said, referring to the domains of her profession, society, and Harvard. “We’re proud to have her represent the class of ‘93 and to represent the alumni.”

Harvard’s 367th commencement will be held on May 24, 2018. It will be livestreamed.