For the Paonessa family, Siena is more than a shared alma mater. It is a lifelong thread that has connected siblings, extended family, and friends through decades of memories, traditions, and meaningful experiences rooted in one place.
The Paonessa family legacy begins with sisters Julie Paonessa ’93, Patty Paonessa Poetto ’92, Dr. Nina Paonessa ’94, and Suzanne Paonessa Scroggins ’96, and continues through the next generation with their cousins Kristen Slavick ’03 and Nicole Maresca Katz ’10, M.S. ’11. What started as a convenient, local choice for school quickly became something far more significant. While students at Siena, each of them were able to remain deeply connected with their family throughout their Siena experience, attending family gatherings while building their own independent experiences on campus. Over time, Siena became a shared foundation that shaped their futures and strengthened their family bonds.
For the Paonessa family, Siena’s significance lies in its sense of community and the relationships formed along the way. From attending multiple graduations to celebrating major milestones, including Nina’s induction into the Maddalone Wall of Success in 2023, Siena has remained a constant presence in their lives. It is the common thread that brought them together, introduced them to lifelong friends, and helped set each of them on a path toward personal and professional success.
Like many Siena families, their experiences were shaped by influential mentors and professors who left lasting impressions. Carol Venezio, a beloved member of the School of Business faculty for 40 years (1979–2019), stands out as a family favorite, having taught multiple members of the family and even serving as Kristen’s freshman advisor. Her connection to Siena runs even deeper, as her husband is a member of the Class of 1972.
Nina recalls the profound influence of music professor Peter Haley, whose classical music course initially challenged her but ultimately sparked a lifelong appreciation for the art form.
For Suzanne, her involvement with the Siena Karate Club under instructor Glenn Ward ‘86 became a transformative experience. It not only built her confidence but also inspired a lifelong passion for fitness, eventually leading to her career as a personal trainer and business owner.
Nicole credits John O’Neill, professor of Business Analytics, as a pivotal mentor who helped guide both her career ambitions and personal development. Through his mentorship, she gained clarity not only about what she wanted to do professionally, but also about the person she aspired to become.
Today, the Siena values of community, mentorship, and lifelong learning continue to guide each member of the Paonessa family. Julie Paonessa ’93 serves as the Chief Accounting Officer for an energy company in Boston, Massachusetts. Patty Paonessa Poetto ’92 is an Assistant Vice President at an investment management firm in Hartford, Connecticut, and is a proud mother of two, including a recent 2024 college graduate and another set to graduate in May 2026.
Dr. Nina Paonessa ’94 is a fellowship-trained, board-certified colon and rectal surgeon with her own private practice in New Jersey, with offices in Brielle and Manahawkin. She is also the co-editor of the surgical textbook The Surgical Treatment of Hemorrhoids and remains deeply committed to mentoring residents and medical students. Suzanne Paonessa Scroggins ’96 owns and operates Mind Over Matter Personal Training in Bangor, Maine, while also working in the accounting department for one of Maine’s largest ESOP contractors specializing in mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services; she is also the proud mother of a son who is currently a high school senior. Kristen Slavick ’03 resides outside of Orlando, Florida, where she works as a Senior Risk Consultant for a large commercial insurance broker. Nicole Maresca Katz ’10, M.S. ’11 serves as the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis at Price Chopper/Market 32 in Schenectady, New York, and is the proud mother of her five-year-old daughter, often described as her “mini-me.”
For the Paonessa family, Siena is not just a place they attended, it is family.