Welcome back to The Legacy Family Spotlight, a monthly media feature highlighting the proud tradition of attending Siena where green and gold runs through the generations. Our next family, the Marrello-Knapek family, whose Siena experiences intertwine across disciplines, professions, athletics, and generations has proven the love for Siena never fades, it’s just played on different stages.
The tradition began with Lisa M. Marrello ’88, Esq. who was originally drawn to Siena to understand the business world to better serve the family’s businesses, which currently are, Bellini’s, Jacob & Anthony’s, and Bellini’s Counter. Over time though, the liberal arts education that Siena provides shined through the golden dome and ignited Lisa’s passion for political science. When asked Lisa stated, “The Siena political science program cultivated essential skills - critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication, all of which were honed in attending law school and during my professional career. The formative experiences prepared me with a foundation of knowledge and the confidence to navigate professional and life challenges.” Lisa went on to attend law school after graduating from Siena and is now a partner at Park Strategies, LLC.
But that is just the beginning of the story. As the pages turn from decade to decade so does the tradition of the Marrello-Knapek family attending Siena College. Carter Knapek ’22 and Brooks Knapek ’22, twin brothers, followed in their mother’s footsteps by attending Siena College for their MBA degrees and baseball, after completing their undergraduate studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, where they played Division I baseball. Despite facing challenges attending graduate school during the pandemic, they found Siena's MBA program to be a transformative experience. When asked how their Siena experience impacted them the twins say, “The professors made the time to discuss business case presentations and real-world experiences that brought to life the course curriculum. Siena's commitment to higher education, its dedicated faculty, and relevant real-world coursework provided formative experiences that prepared both of us with a foundation of knowledge, and tangible skills immediately transferable to a dynamic changing landscape and business world.” Both Carter and Brooks now enjoy successful careers, Carter as a Program Manager in Government Affairs at Plug Power, and Brooks as a Product Manager at AngioDynamics.
Siena College continues to grow in the offerings of its graduate degrees, expanding the options within the School of Business, the sciences, and liberal arts. As the College continues to expand, one thing remains the same, the powerful mentorship, and connections community members have with the students. Lisa recalls two professors who were particularly impactful during her time at Siena, "Dr. Len Cutler’s political science class was an introduction to case law and taught me how to brief a case—a skill that was essential during law school. Additionally, Mr. Joe Rosetti’s marketing classes, even though I wasn’t a marketing major, were both educational and entertaining. His sense of humor and practical marketing knowledge left a lasting impression on me." While Carter and Brooks also found support and guidance with President Gibson who they say understood the challenges of balancing coursework with a sports schedule and provided unwavering support.
Living locally the Marrello-Knapek’s’ have always supported and enjoyed Siena College athletics. Lisa and her husband Larry Knapek, CPA, would always register the twins for the various basketball camps. Over the years the family has supported both the baseball and basketball teams, including our annual support of the Athletic Department Golf Tournament, SaintsAlive! Shootout. The Marrello-Knapek’s’ are excited and looking forward to the next sports season where they will cheer on the green and gold! The legacy of the Marrello-Knapek family will undoubtedly continue as they remain proud Siena supporters, cheering on the next generation of Saints both in the classroom and on the field.