New president and five new board members share insight and commitment with Tulane Alumni Association
When Mike DePaul (B ’84) first came to Tulane from New Haven, Connecticut, he found a place to call home. Now, as he takes the reins as Tulane Alumni Association president, he’s eager to foster that same connection for other alumni.
“Like President Fitts says, that marriage with the city just creates an environment and an atmosphere. Tulane became home for me. I established myself there. After graduation I interviewed locally and decided to stay local,” says DePaul, who was a New Orleans resident for many years before relocating to his present home of Baton Rouge in 1997.
An avid Green Wave fan, DePaul has remained connected with Tulane since his graduation. In 2013, he took things to the next level, serving on his 30th Reunion Committee and the Tulane Fund Advisory Board. Becoming a member of the TAA Board of Directors was a natural evolution, according to DePaul.
Currently, DePaul is a senior vice president for Investar Bank in Baton Rouge. Though he jokes that in Baton Rouge Tulane faces “a pretty big obstacle, dressed in purple and gold,” he’s thrilled by the rising esteem with which Tulane is held. “Tulane now is much more accepted here. I think it is the result of the efforts of the Louisiana Council and the focus on keeping kids in state.”
And he’s done his part. For the past several years, DePaul has led Hello Wave events to welcome incoming Tulanians from Baton Rouge into the fold.
During his tenure as TAA president, DePaul hopes to reconnect with more alumni. “What I would like is if we can start reaching some of those disconnected alumni, and begin to learn what we are not doing, why more of them aren’t connected and if we can begin to find some of the things that would help.”
The growing widespread facility with technology offers promise, according to DePaul. “COVID helped us get better at virtual meetings, I think now you are more connected, and the miles don’t matter. As such, whether you are in Dallas or Mexico City or London, there’s little difference.”
DePaul credits the sterling leadership of past TAA presidents, such as immediate past president DeAnn Golden (NC ’92), as placing the alumni association on firm footing for success.
“If I can be as good as the five or six presidents I’ve watched before me, I’ll be very satisfied! Tulane is a big part of my life. When people ask where you went to college, it’s awfully nice to say I’m still connected.” — Mike DePaul (B ‘84)
The Tulane Alumni Association Board also welcomes the following alumni:
• Clubs Representative Michael Arata (A&S ’89, L *92) is an actor, film producer and former Green Wave football player. A New Orleans resident and chief executive officer of Michael Arata Productions, he was a member of the Environmental Law Clinic and co-founder of the Tulane Sports and Entertainment Law Society when he was a student. A devoted alumnus and vibrant team-builder, he was a member of Tulane Law School’s 30th Reunion Committee and frequently attends local alumni events as well as hosting dinners for undergraduates and student-athletes. He has additionally served on the boards and volunteered at numerous non-profit and charitable organizations over the years and continues to organize local food drives and community volunteer efforts.
• School of Social Work Representative Jeanne M. McKay (SW *00) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker currently serving as senior program manager with the New Orleans Children’s Health Project, which is the only pediatric health clinic serving primarily undocumented children. Born and raised in New Orleans, McKay is a tireless community advocate. She runs a leadership program for BIPOC students from Xavier who hope to attend Tulane University School of Medicine, and also works with the School of Medicine’s Pediatric Interest Group to help fundraise and plan events for their St. Baldrick’s fundraisers.
• Member-at-Large Representative Jeffrey “Jeff” Schiffman (B ’05, CS *16) is a senior strategic leader for educational consulting firm EAB. Prior to joining EAB, Schiffman was the director of admission for Tulane’s Office of Undergraduate Admission. A collaborative leader with a knack for bringing people together, Schiffman brings extensive higher education experience and Tulane pride to his new role.
• Member-at-Large Dr. Felicia D. Stoler (NC ’89, P ’23) is a registered dietitian, nutritionist and exercise physiologist with her own private practice. An active and involved alumna since her own graduation, Stoler is also Tulane parent to new fellow alum Zachary Stoler Wellman (B ’23). A dynamic leader with a deep love for all things Tulane and New Orleans, Stoler has also served as president of the Tulane Club of New York and as chair of her 30th Reunion.
• Member-at-Large Bobby Yan (TC ’95) is a director, writer and editor with the Disney Directing Program and the HALF initiative. While studying at Tulane, Yan created the Asian American Student Union. The seven-time Emmy Award-winner has continued his engagement by establishing the Bobby Yan Lectureship in Media and Social Change, and has been recognized by President Fitts’ Tulane Trailblazers initiative, which celebrates the contributions of people from diverse backgrounds who have made a substantial and lasting change at the university.
