In business, Daniel A. D’Aniello ’68, H’20, can only be considered an icon, and much of his success is rooted in his respect for the U.S. military and his education at Syracuse University. The Martin J. Whitman School of Management is proud to announce that this devoted alumnus, Syracuse University life trustee and generous supporter will address the Whitman Class of 2025 at this year’s Convocation.
D’Aniello is co-founder and chair emeritus of the private equity firm, The Carlyle Group, established in 1987. Prior to that, his career included positions as vice president for finance and development at Marriott Corporation and financial officer at both PepsiCo, Inc., and Transworld Airlines (TWA).
A member of Beta Gamma Sigma, Syracuse’s business fraternity, D’Aniello graduated magna cum laude from Syracuse University. He was drafted into the U.S. Navy, where he was a distinguished naval graduate of the Officer Candidate School, as well as a supply officer aboard the U.S.S. Wasp (CVS 18). After serving his country, D’Aniello earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1974.
“We could not be more excited to have Dan D’Aniello speak to our graduates this year,” says Whitman Interim Dean Alex McKelvie. “His global business acumen is unparalleled, and I am certain his words of advice, based on his own success, leadership and generous spirit, are sure to resonate with our outstanding 2025 Whitman School graduates who are eager to soak up his wisdom as they embark on the next steps in their business careers.”
In appreciation of the strong foundations he received at Syracuse University and his commitment to the U.S military, D’Aniello has been a highly valued partner to the leadership of the Whitman School of Management, serving on the Whitman Advisory Council (WAC) and also establishing the D’Aniello Entrepreneurship Internship Program to support business development and expand students’ experiential learning opportunities. His other commitments include chairman of the Chancellor’s Council and co-chairman of the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) Advisory Board.
Long-time supporters of Syracuse University, Dan and his wife Gayle gave the naming gift to the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building, home to the National Veterans Resource Center in 2018. At the opening of the building, Dan announced an additional transformative endowment and naming gift for the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families, ensuring its work will continue well into the future.
The D’Aniellos’ unwavering support for Syracuse University continued in 2022 when they committed a gift to support and expand the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Syracuse University Program in Florence, part of the Syracuse Abroad program in Florence, Italy. The program has been able to grow student opportunities, provide more faculty support, upgrade facilities, further develop the curriculum and provide scholarship support to students to attend the study abroad experience, specifically veteran and military-connected students. Most recently, D’Aniello and his wife made a transformative gift to expand Syracuse University’s Catholic Center.
The Whitman School of Management’s 2025 Convocation will be held on Saturday, May 10, at 4 p.m. in the JMA Wireless Dome.
