Vin Cipolla


Vin Cipolla is an American entrepreneur and civic leader noted for his contributions in both the private and public sectors. He is the founder of three media and information technology marketing firms and has served as chief executive officer for six U.S. corporations in the financial services, telecommunications, consumer goods and media industries. Additionally he served on nine corporate boards throughout his career. He is a supporter of the arts and an active proponent for environmental preservation and sustainability as evidenced by his positions on the Board of Directors for more than twenty-five non-profit organizations including the National Park Foundation and the Municipal Art Society of New York, where he also served as President.

Early life and education

A native of Massachusetts, Cipolla attended Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he was awarded Bachelor of Arts degrees magna cum laude in both English and government studies, was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, and received an honorary induction into Beta Gamma Sigma, the MBA Honors Society.

Career

Entrepreneurial

Cipolla launched a number of successful entrepreneurial endeavors in his early career. The Cipolla Group, a direct marketing firm based out of New York City, was founded in 1983 and merged with Boston firm Ingalls, Quinn & Johnson in 1991. In 1993, Cipolla left IQ&J to form Pamet River Partners, a digital marketing company. After growing through expansion into London and Paris offices, Cipolla sold Pamet River Partners in 1999 to TeleTech Holdings, where he briefly remained as CEO of Pamet and Digital Creators.
Cipolla left TeleTech later in 1999 to form HNW, Inc., developing wealth management software.

Corporate

In 2003, Cipolla became CEO of Veritude, a global employment agency that is a division of Fidelity Investments. During this tenure, he sat on the board of Veritude and also of Fidelity Charitable Services, Fidelity's philanthropic arm.

Civic involvement

Cipolla is active in several civic organizations focused on conservation and the arts.

National Trust for Historic Preservation

Starting in 1993, Cipolla served as executive vice president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, where he published the Trust's national publication Preservation.

National Park Foundation

In 2005, Cipolla was named CEO of the National Park Foundation, the private philanthropy that raises funds to support the US National Park system.

Institute of Contemporary Art

He served on the board of trustees for the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston for 15 years, including 9 years as chairman and president, before becoming chairman emeritus. Among his accomplishments was the development and completion of a new museum building.

Municipal Art Society

Cipolla joined the board of the Municipal Art Society of New York in 2008, accepting the role as president in early 2009. Under his leadership, the MAS has produced a number of public projects that include the 9/11 Tribute in Light Memorial. He founded the MAS Summit for New York City, the city’s largest annual urban policy conference and conducts the MAS Survey on Livability with the support of the Rockefeller Foundation. He is an active proponent of the rebuilding of a new Penn Station in New York City and relocating Madison Square Garden, calling the rebuilt train station "the key infrastructure and development project of our time and an essential investment in the future of our city."

Others

Additionally, Cipolla sits on the boards of National Parks of New York Harbor Conservancy, Ballet Hispanico, the Augustus Saint-Gaudens Memorial, The Christie's Charity, and .

Awards and honors

Cipolla is married to landscape artist Celine McDonald and has four daughters.