After ten years of dedicated service on the NYU Stern Alumni Council, including three years as Chair, Tony Watkins (MBA ’11), Director of Global Partnerships at Google, is passing the torch to Earl Fitzhugh (MBA ’12), Chief Operating Officer of Global SMB Sales at Microsoft. Earl will be stepping into the role of Chair on August 1, 2025.

A longtime member of the Council, Earl has demonstrated a deep commitment to the alumni community through his service as vice chair of the Digital Connections Committee since 2022. Earl is also an enthusiastic participant in the Corporate Ambassador Program. Most recently, he hosted an engaging event at Microsoft alongside Professor Arun Sundararajan, where they led a dynamic discussion on emerging trends in technology. He also spearheaded the Council's first partnership with Stern Solutions, where MBA students teamed up with a faculty expert and the Digital Connections Committee to tackle a real-world business challenge on scaling the reach of our Stern Network, the School’s alumni engagement platform, bringing classroom insights directly into action.

“We are delighted to have Earl as the new Chair of the Council. I’ve seen his devotion to the alumni community through his eagerness to take on the role of corporate ambassador at Microsoft and his dedication to connecting alumni within the tech industry,” says Erin Malone, executive director of the Alumni Relations department. “We are excited to see the new directions that Earl will lead the Council, and we look forward to partnering closely with him.”

Earl Fitzhugh (MBA ’12, left) and Tony Watkins (MBA ’11, right)

“I’m thrilled to take on this role as Chair,” said Earl. “The Alumni Council is such an important part of the School because it serves as a bridge between alumni and Stern. Over the past four years that I’ve served on the Council, I’ve witnessed how passionate alumni are about giving back and staying engaged with Stern—whether through student recruitment, mentorship, or supporting scholarship. I’m excited to work with alumni on an even larger scale.”

Tony shared his enthusiasm for Earl’s leadership and looks forward to seeing how he guides the Council. “I valued my time as Chair. It was a privilege to have such an intimate connection to alumni,” he reflected. “I’ve seen Earl’s impact firsthand, especially when we worked together to support Stern Network. Since then, he has been dedicated to expanding programs that keep alumni engaged with the School.”

The Alumni Council is an alumni volunteer leadership group that works with the administration to guide alumni programming, support School initiatives, and encourage philanthropy. It is composed of several committees, each headed by alumni leaders.

The Council has maintained tremendous growth under Tony’s leadership, with the addition of diverse members who represent all facets of the alumni community. In recognition of his service, Tony was honored at the 2025 Haskins Giving Society Award Dinner as the inaugural recipient of the Torchbearer Award for his unwavering commitment to the School—from mentoring students and supporting career services to spearheading digital engagement initiatives and inspiring alumni giving.

Tony will join the NYU Stern Executive Board, expanding his work with the School. “It has been a privilege to work with Tony over the years,” said Amanda Parker, associate dean of Development and Alumni Relations. “His warmth, positivity, and natural ability to bring people together have made a lasting impact on the Stern community. He approaches every opportunity with enthusiasm and a ‘say yes’ attitude, which has made him an admired leader and a true friend to the School. We are delighted that Tony will continue his connection to Stern through his new role on the Executive Board.”

Read more about Earl Fitzhugh in a recent alumni profile story.