Pomona College elected Evelyn Nussenbaum PO ’84, healthcare advocate and former journalist, and Paul Ghaffari PO ’80, founder of investment company Pursuit Funds, to the Board of Trustees on July 1.
The four year terms for the two new members began over the summer; however, in-person board meetings will commence this October in Claremont.
“Trustees provide strategic guidance and fiduciary oversight and ensure the College’s academic excellence and long-term sustainability,” Board Secretary Geoff Pearson said in a statement released by the college.
Nussenbaum was asked to serve on the board after receiving the Blaisdell Distinguished Alumni Award in 2024 for her advocacy work for children with epilepsy. After being elected, Nussembaum said she initially felt surprised, then honored.
“Pomona has stayed with me in many ways, so I feel delighted to be asked to help,” she said.
Nussenbaum graduated from Pomona in 1984 with a degree in English literature and film.
She said that her liberal arts education has served her in many different career paths. She first worked in the film industry before transitioning to journalism, writing for CNN, the New York Times and the New York Post. Following her career in journalism, Nussenbaum began working in healthcare advocacy.
“Anything that teaches you to write and think and synthesize and analyze is a help in many careers,” Nussenbaum said, reflecting on her liberal arts education.
Nussenbaum added that she’s excited to work on the board for the next four years, saying that attending Pomona was a life changing experience for her.
“I feel very protective of Pomona and devoted to it and that’s one of the reasons I am so invested in the idea of serving on the board,” she said. Nussenbaum previously served as a board member on two smaller nonprofit organizations, but Pomona marks her first experience on a university board.
Nussenbaum said that she is going into her term motivated and with an open mind, hoping to help in any way she can amidst federal attacks against higher education.
“If anyone wants to reach out to me, I would be grateful for the chance to talk to any students about anything they want to talk about,” Nussenbaum said.
Ghaffari, elected alongside Nussenbaum, has an extensive career history in finance after graduating from Pomona in 1980 with a degree in international relations.
Ghaffari has served as a vice president for J.P. Morgan and portfolio manager at Morgan Stanley. He later founded Pursuit Funds, an investment company, where he currently serves as chairman and chief investment officer.
“Joining the Pomona College Board of Trustees is a deep honor and privilege, an opportunity to engage in our community and a responsibility to bring whatever life experiences and skills I have for the benefit of [a] greater Pomona [College],” Ghaffari said.
Ghaffari said during his first year, he’ll focus on listening and learning from not only fellow board members, but from students and faculty at Pomona to gain an understanding of the college’s potential challenges.
“My top priority as a trustee will be applying myself to any issue or project that needs work, regardless of whether it is in an area of my expertise, or where fresh perspective can be lent and be constructive,” Ghaffari said.
Like Nussenbaum, Ghaffari said that he sees higher education facing enormous challenges today, and that it is the job of campus leaders, including the board, to preserve the fundamental values of higher education.
“College leadership has faced the challenges of the last year head-on, has brought all stakeholders together to address issues and to move forward constructively as a community,” he said. “I hope to contribute to this process and the cause of upholding our college’s core.”
Reflecting on his time at the Claremont Colleges, Ghaffari said that his career path was guided by his studies of international relations and economics at Pomona. He added that his extracurriculars and humanities endeavors enhanced his experience, in addition to studying abroad, ultimately preparing him for a range of career paths.
“That breadth of academics and extracurricular experiences has defined my life,” he said.
Now, Ghaffari and Nussenbaum alike said that they are excited and honored to give back to Pomona, noting that Pomona’s students, classes and colleagues made a large difference in their careers and life trajectories.
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