Terrier Volume 75, Number 2 - Winter 2011-2012 | Page 11

Profile of a Terrier Left: Ken Daly with his wife Laurie and their four “The impact we’ve made is probably greater children. than anything else I’ve done. If I just walk the Below: 1988 Yearbook floor here, you will meet, no exaggeration, broader leadership skills. Some of us are a dozen current St. Francis students working better at one or the other but you really as interns. We started that program about need the balance of 20 years ago and many of our workers have the two.” come through the ranks that way, including That balancing our Treasurer ( Lorraine M. Lynch ’92 , act is perhaps the National Grid Vice President, U.S. Treasury).” most important reason In addition to the internships, Daly Mr. Daly has risen up estimates that National Grid has hired more the ranks at National than 100 St. Francis graduates. Grid. With wonderful But Daly was not content with his relationparents and wife Laurie, ship with his alma mater. He (whom he calls the true wanted more involvement and has hero of the family,) and now become one of the newest “ aving taught for 18 years and having been H four young children, members of the St. Francis Board Mr. Daly says flexibility is key. of Trustees. “This is the ultimate a student for four years and having hired more “Family always comes first but step in supporting the College at than 100 graduates, I think I’m in a unique work is a close second especially the highest level; to help influence with these types of leadership and support the institution. position to work with academics on shaping roles. There are some days I’d It’s part of the continuing 25-year programs, on informing St. Francis’ curriculum rather be with my family but I payback,” said Mr. Daly. need to be at work and there are Although one might think that to prepare students for the future.” some days where I should be fundraising would be Mr. Daly’s focusing even more on work focus, based on his business but I need to be with my family. You have to really prioritize.” contacts and experience, he has other goals. “Having taught for Mr. Daly admits that the commitment can be taxing but he points 18 years and having been a student for four years and having hired more than 100 graduates, I think I’m in a unique position to work with out that the hard work you put in pays dividends. “You really need to look at it as a career not a job. You need to look at it as an investment academics on shaping programs, on informing St. Francis’ curriculum in your future.” to prepare students for the future.” The commitment works both ways. Daly is thankful for the It’s not the first time Mr. Daly has played against stereotypes. Company’s Tuition Aid program, which enabled him to receive an “I always say to folks — how did an English major from Brooklyn MBA in Finance from St. John’s, an MS in Human Resources from wind up becoming the financial controller, working in England, NYU-PolyTech, and achieve the distinguished Chartered Financial of a very large, global company. It’s not the obvious path.” Analyst (CFA) designation. Mr. Daly credits his undergraduate English degree with helping He says you also have to enjoy what you’re doing. “I always tell folks, him with the necessary “soft skills” in becoming a leader. “My hard if you’re not having fun, change something. Change yourself. Change skill is finance. I’m a numbers person, a math person. I really like the environment. Change the job if you have to. You have to really statistics and analytics and that’s helped me greatly in business. enjoy what you’re doing because you do it so often.” But the soft skills are even more important as you advance in a company. It’s communication skills, writing skills, listening skills, S T. F R A N C I S C O L L EG E T E R R I E R | W I N T E R 20 1 1 –2 0 1 2 | 9