St. John’s Alumna Celebrates Journey of Leadership, Learning, and Legacy
“Work hard, play hard” is more than a motto for Siobhan Anderson ’01TCB, ’02M.S.—it’s a guiding principle behind her impressive career in finance.
Yet, her commitment to lifelong learning truly defines her leadership style and approach. As she creates value on her own terms, Ms. Anderson inspires others to pursue success through learning, leadership, and integrity.
My time at St. John’s shaped who I am, both personally and professionally.
Her roots at St. John’s University run deep. Ms. Anderson’s grandfather, John Connell ’35C, and her mother, Patricia (Connell) Shea ’62C, both studied mathematics at St. John’s, with her mother breaking barriers as one of the few women of her era in graduate studies.
“Both my mom and my grandpa were incredible problem solvers,” she explained. “They taught me that challenges are opportunities to grow.”
Ms. Anderson credits their resilience and analytical mindset as the foundation of her own leadership and decision making, striving to honor their legacy in every role. Driven by a passion for learning, she excelled as anaccounting major, balancing demanding coursework with multiple jobs to fund her education. These challenges instilled a strong work ethic that would shape her career.
She also embraced campus life, joining the Kappa Phi Beta sorority and forging lifelong friendships. The excitement of cheering for the Men’s Basketball team during their 2000 BIG EAST Conference Tournament Championship win remains a cherished memory that was shared with her own children as the 2025 team was named BIG EAST Basketball Tournament champions.
“My time at St. John’s shaped who I am, both personally and professionally,” she recalled.
Her career began before graduation as she took graduate classes during her senior year. After earning her master of science degree in accounting in 2002, she joined KPMG for its reputation as a launching pad for financial leaders, quickly rising to manager by embracing challenges and continuous learning.
“I realized early on that loving the work and loving to learn would be my greatest assets,” she shared.
In 2007, Ms. Anderson advanced to Nasdaq as a director, leading due diligence for major transactions and integrating diverse cultures and processes. Her leadership resulted in streamlined operations and profitability, evolving her from a technical expert to a strategic change agent.
“True impact comes from bringing people together with a shared vision,” she said.
Transitioning to Revlonmarked a pivotal turn. She rose from Director of Financial Reporting to Chief Accounting Officer, Treasurer, and Head of Investor Relations, leading transformative acquisitions, including Elizabeth Arden, and launching global shared service centers.
“It was empowering to have the responsibility to drive change,” she explained.
By 2015, with four young sons and an expanding career, Ms. Anderson and her husband sought a better balance. Hasbro, headquartered in Rhode Island, offered a family-oriented culture and the opportunity to relocate from New York City, allowing her to be present for her children while leading global finance initiatives. At Hasbro, she held multiple senior leadership roles in global finance, leading acquisitions, including the Power Rangers franchise and the entertainment business behind Peppa Pig, and leading the finance arm of Hasbro’s global transformation to optimize costs for strategic investments. Colleagues describe her style as hands-on, collaborative, and focused on empowering teams to innovate.
Today, Ms. Anderson works in New York City as head of Global Financial Planning and Analysis and Investor Relations at Wella Company. Since joining in May, she is dedicated to simplifying financial operations and enhancing the strategic narrative, championing advanced analytics for agile decision making and improved stakeholder engagement.
She credits her family’s influence with shaping her leadership approach. “Every major decision I’ve made—career moves or strategic initiatives—was grounded in the values instilled by my family. I strive to lead with integrity, empathy, and a commitment to lifelong learning. My mother taught me that true leadership means lifting others and creating opportunities for growth.”
With each new challenge, Ms. Anderson remains guided by her ethos of working hard and always learning. Her story is a testament to the power of integrity, personal values, and balance.
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The son of Eastern European immigrants, Ron Weidner ’81CBA arrived at St. John’s University with a world view shaped early by resilience, faith, and responsibility that only intensified during his time there. “I grew up in a tight-knit Gottschee community in Brooklyn and Queens, NY, surrounded by people who had lost everything during World War II and rebuilt their lives from scratch,” he explained. “From an early age, the values in our home were apparent: work hard, be grateful, serve others, and never take freedom or opportunity for granted.”
From late-night gigs as an undergraduate to chart-topping success with his wife, Donna Summer, St. John’s alumnus Bruce Sudano ’69SJC has enjoyed a career defined by persistence, faith, and song.
“I grew up in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn—it was a very eclectic neighborhood,” Mr. Sudano said. He attended Our Lady Help of Christians for elementary school, and then Brooklyn Preparatory High School, before enrolling at St. John’s University.
Steven DiPardo, C.P.A. ’07TCB, ’08MS made it his mission years ago to advocate for students who shared his desire for a college education at St. John’s University—as well as attaining a prosperous and meaningful place in the world.
“I have always been very interested in recruiting and connecting with St. John’s students, listening to what their questions are, and being able to provide them with answers that are based on my life experience and what I experienced during my years as a student,” said Mr. DiPardo, a certified public accountant who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Master of Science degree in Taxation from The Peter J. Tobin College of Business.