Edward Galante Named Northeastern Board Chair
The former ExxonMobil executive assumed the leadership role for the university Board of Trustees in June 2026.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in People
Edward Galante officially assumed the position of chair for the Northeastern University Board of Trustees in June 2026. He succeeds Rich D'Amore in guiding the strategic vision, mission, and financial assets of the university.
Why it matters
The Board of Trustees acts as the primary governing body that steers university policies and long-term financial health. Galante, an alumnus of the institution, now oversees a board consisting of 30 members tasked with managing these institutional responsibilities.
The Board of Trustees operates with 30 members, each contributing to the oversight of university finances and policy. This governance structure maintains continuity alongside ex officio members like Joseph E. Aoun.
The players
Edward Galante
He is the current chair of the Northeastern University Board of Trustees and a retired ExxonMobil executive.
Rich D'Amore
He previously held the position of chair for the Northeastern Board of Trustees before vacating the role.
Joseph E. Aoun
He serves as an ex officio member of the Northeastern Board of Trustees.
The details
Galante brings extensive corporate experience to the board, having worked at ExxonMobil for 34 years before retiring in 2006. A 1973 graduate of the College of Engineering, he has maintained ties to the university, most notably establishing the Galante Engineering Business Program in 2007.
Timeline
Edward Galante earned his undergraduate degree in 1973.
Galante served on the ExxonMobil Management Committee in 2001.
Edward Galante retired from ExxonMobil in 2006.
Galante established the Engineering Business Program in 2007.
Galante assumed the chair of the Board of Trustees in June 2026.
Market Landscape
This transition aligns the university leadership with figures who have significant experience in major corporate operational management. It reinforces a trend of utilizing industry veterans to oversee the strategic direction of large academic institutions.
The leadership change dictates the overarching policy direction for students and staff at the university. While the transition of the chair position does not immediately alter daily operations, it sets the agenda for future university investments and strategic initiatives.
The takeaway
Galante brings decades of corporate management experience into his role overseeing university policy and assets. His background emphasizes a continued integration between academic engineering curricula and professional business application.
Further reading
Learn more about local leadership shifts on the Boston People section page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Huntington News.
