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VOLUNTEERRegional Peer Advisors
Connecting Alumni Leaders Across the Globe
Since 2015, the Regional Peer Advisors have served as a vital bridge between Cornell’s Regional Programs staff and the volunteer leaders of alumni clubs and associations. Their mission: to support the growth, development, and success of Cornell’s regional alumni communities.
What Regional Peer Advisors Do
Regional Peer Advisors are experienced alumni volunteers who:
- Mentor club and association leaders
- Share updates and strategic guidance
- Provide training and tools for success
- Advocate for regional needs
- Foster alignment with Cornell’s mission
By maintaining consistent, personal contact with local leaders, Regional Peer Advisors help ensure that clubs and associations are well-supported and positioned to thrive.
Why It Matters
Strong alumni clubs and associations are the foundation of a vibrant Cornell community. Regional Peer Advisors play a key role in:
- Strengthening alumni engagement
- Enhancing communication between Cornell and volunteers
- Promoting meaningful, mission-driven programming
Their work directly supports the Regional Programs’ goal of providing timely, thoughtful support to alumni volunteers.
A Growing Network of Support
What began with just three founding members has grown into a dynamic committee led by a chair and composed of dedicated advisors. Each Regional Peer Advisor represents a specific geographic region, bringing local insights and leadership to the broader Cornell alumni network.
Together, they serve as:
- Ambassadors for Cornell
- Mentors for new and existing leaders
- Conduits for feedback and innovation
Get Involved
Interested in learning more or connecting with your Regional Peer Advisor? Contact the Regional Programs team to find out how Regional Peer Advisors can support your club or association. Read on to find out more and speak with your Regional Programs Staff Contact to discuss opportunities.
Current Regional Peer Advisor biographies
Important calendar dates
Mark your calendar with these essential dates to help plan your year of regional programming.
- Annual planning: April 1–June 1
- Cornell’s fiscal year: July 1–June 30
- Student Send-offs: July and August
- Cornell Cares: July and January
- Welcome to Your City: August and September
- Zinck’s Night: the third Thursday of October
Regional Peer Advisor Job Description
Join our dynamic team as a Regional Peer Advisor and play a pivotal role in strengthening our global alumni community. As a Peer Advisor, you will be the bridge between the Office of Alumni Affairs’ Regional Programs and club/association board leaders, helping them navigate campus guidance and achieve their goals.
Key Responsibilities:
- Serve as a communication link between Regional Programs and volunteer board leaders.
- Assist clubs and associations in their growth and development.
- Collaborate with Regional Programs staff to communicate new strategies and program updates.
- Provide meaningful guidance to enhance the goals of clubs and associations.
- Foster a motivated, responsible, and engaged alumni community.
Qualifications:
- Alumni of Cornell University with a passion for volunteerism and community building.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups.
- Commitment to fostering personal discovery, growth, and scholarship.
Why Join Us? Be part of a mission-driven team dedicated to educating the leaders of tomorrow and extending the frontiers of knowledge. Our community values initiative, integrity, and excellence, and we strive to create an environment of collegiality, civility, and responsible stewardship. As a Regional Peer Advisor, you will contribute to the enrichment of the human mind and spirit, serving not only our alumni but also the broader community, state, nation, and world.
Regional Peer Advisor History
Starting in the 2015-2016 academic year, the Office of Alumni Affairs’ Regional Programs team launched the Regional Peer Advisors initiative with the hard work, support, dedication and creativity of Arturo Carrillo ’96, MEng ’97, Jamie Carrillo ’96, and Jenny Kelly ’89.
Founding Regional Peer Advisor Members:
- Arturo Carrillo ’96, MEng ’97: Arturo has a diverse background in finance and human rights advocacy. Arturo’s commitment to community building and volunteerism has been instrumental in the creation of the Regional Peer Advisors initiative. His volunteer leadership roles include Chair for the CU Council Nominating Committee, Chair of the Regional Peer Advisors, President, Programming Chair, and Director of Special Interest Groups for the Cornell Alumni Association of Dallas Fort Worth, Immediate Past Chair, Membership Chair and Life Member for Cornell University Council, Member for the Tower Club National Committee, Chair and Member of CAAAN, Member of the FHTR Awards Selection Committee, Vice Chair and Committee Member of the Cornell Alumni Association, and Member of the Tower Club National Committee.
- Jamie Carrillo ’96: Jamie is actively involved in the Cornell Alumni Association of Dallas-Fort Worth, organizing events and fostering connections among alumni. Her passion for higher education and community engagement has driven her efforts to support and guide alumni volunteers. Jamie’s leadership roles also include Member CAAAN Advisory Council, CAAAN Chair Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network, Vice President, Treasurer, CAAAN Cornell Alumni Association of Dallas Fort Worth, Member Cornell University Council
- Jenny Kelly ’89: Jenny has contributed significantly to Cornell’s alumni network through her roles in various volunteer committees and councils. Her dedication to mentoring and supporting regional leaders has helped shape the Regional Peer Advisors program. Jenny’s many roles include leadership with her Class Council and Affinity Chair for 1989, as a member of CATN, Cornell University Council, Member and Co-President for the Cornell Club of Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton, Director for the former Cornell Alumni Association, member of the Regional Phonathons, and as a member of the Tower Club National Committee.
Regional Peer Advisor biographies
Carl Berglind JD ’00
Carl Berglind has been the Chair of the Regional Peer Advisors Council since 2024 and a member since 2022. Carl graduated from Cornell Law School in 2000 and has held several Cornell alumni roles since graduation, including currently serving as a member on the Cornell University Council and the 2025 Cornell Law School reunion committee, and previously serving as a board member and President of the Cornell Club of Colorado. He is a practicing attorney who works on Mergers & Acquisitions and other matters in the health care and life sciences industries for U.S. and international clients. Carl is also a dedicated outdoorsman who explores the western United States when he is not attending his kids’ hockey and basketball games. He lives in Denver, Colorado, with his wife Meghan (Law ’00), their three boys, two English Setters, and two cats.
carl.berglind@outlook.com
Cara Cardinale ’99
Cara was raised in New Hartford, New York. She graduated from Dyson in 1999 and went on to get her J.D. at Cardozo School of Law. She works as an author and editor of legal publications. Cara has been on the Board of the Cornell Club of Rochester for almost two decades, currently serving as its president. She is a member of Cornell University Council and the CAAAN Advisory Committee. She was the longtime chair of the Rochester, NY CAAAN committee and also served as CAAAN’s Upstate New York General Chair.
Cara is a mom to two teenagers and a labradoodle, Revere.
cmc23@cornell.edu
Alexi Clinton ’96
Alexi was born and raised in Ithaca and graduated from Cornell with a BA in Psychology in 1996. She earned a Master’s in Anthropology from California State University, East Bay, before deciding to pursue a career in nutrition and dietetics. She received a BS in Nutrition Sciences from the University of Arizona in 2005, and after spending time in Boston and Boulder, Colorado, she returned to Ithaca in 2008. She has been living here ever since with her husband and three energetic young cats. She currently works as Clinical Nutrition Manager at Cayuga Medical Center, and serves as Immediate Past President of the Class of 1996, President of the Cornell Club of Ithaca, and is a member of Cornell University Council.
teagirl@gmail.com
Morgan Jones MBA ’15
Morgan graduated in 2015 with an MBA from the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management. He is the former president of the Johnson Regional Club of NYC, president emeritus of NYC Cornellians, and a member of the Cornell University Council and the Cornell Alumni Advisory Board. Morgan also holds a bachelor’s degree in Chinese language and culture studies from Middlebury College and a graduate certificate from The Hopkins-Nanjing Center. Morgan is currently director of community engagement at Avenues the World School and lives in New York City with his wife, Zoe, and daughter Esmé.
maj99@cornell.edu
Jenny Kelly ’89
Jenny grew up in Fairport, NY and graduated from Cornell in 1989. She and her three siblings are owners of Ritter’s Printing & Packaging in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Her Cornell volunteer roles include: Peer Advisors, CATN, Council, past president of Cornell Club of Ft. Lauderdale and Boca Raton, Class of 1989 Council, and Treasurer of Tri Delta House Corporation. Jenny and her husband live in Coral Springs, FL and have a daughter and a cat. In her spare time she enjoys running, reading, travel and visiting her daughter who lives in Philadelphia.
jenny@rittersprinting.com
Trevor Steer ’89
Trevor was born and raised in Jamaica. He moved to USA (Hartford, Connecticut) when he was 15 years old. He attended Weaver High School (Class ’85) and went to Cornell (Class ’89) to study Mechanical Engineering. After graduating he worked for Ford Motor Company was there for 18 Years. Trevor currently works for General Motors and has been there since December 2007. Since graduating from Cornell, Trevor has always lived in Ypsilanti, Michigan (about 30 miles west of Detroit) and he considers himself a “Detroiter”. Trevor is happily married with a 9-Year-Old child. Some of Trevor’s Favorite Activities are travelling, Jamaica is favorite vacation spot, Dancing Especially loves Live Bands, Soccer both watching on TV and going to games, Golf in the warmer weather and Skiing in the colder weather.
trevor.steer@gm.com
Please contact Amanda Massa for information on your Regional Peer Advisor.
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