St. John’s Guides Alumna to Cement Her Christian Faith and Passion for Serving Others

It was the evening she was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, the prestigious international business honor society. “My mom looked at me tearfully and said, ‘Your father would be so proud. I wish he could be here,’” Ms. Palumbo recalled. “In that moment, I could feel him with us. It was the culmination of all the late nights, challenges, and growth.”

This milestone marked the transformation of a shy, determined young woman into a confident leader with a lifelong commitment to service, faith, and excellence.

Raised in Whitestone, NY, Ms. Palumbo attended St. John’s University’s Queens, NY, campus so she could stay close to her mother following her father’s death. However, the real reason she fell in love with the University came down to one unforgettable phrase on the school crest: Educatio Christiana Animae Perfectio—“Christian education perfects the soul.”

“That phrase spoke to something deeper in me,” she said. “It reminded me that learning is more than just academics. It’s about becoming the best version of yourself—in spirit, in character, and in service to others.”

That belief would guide her through an extraordinary 30-year career in human resources, culminating as Corporate Vice President of Human Resources for MannKind Corporation. During her years at MannKind Corporation, she also served on the Board of Directors for the Southern California BioMedical Council. Previously, she held impactful roles with Unisys and Mitsui Bank.

A pivotal chapter in her career came during her 12 years at Amgen, Inc., a leading biopharmaceutical company. There, Ms. Palumbo played a vital role in the company’s explosive growth, helping expand its workforce from 1,200 employees to more than 10,000—a transformation that echoed her own growth as a professional and a leader.

“To me, human resources wasn’t about policies—it was about people,” Ms. Palumbo explained. “Helping others grow in their careers, discover their potential, and thrive—that was the real reward. St. John’s absolutely shaped that philosophy.”

Her faith and confidence blossomed at St. John’s, thanks in part to powerful moments of peer connection—like when classmates would stop her while walking on campus to ask for help with math or other subjects. “I was shy, but those moments made me feel seen,” Ms. Palumbo said. “Helping others built my confidence more than anything.” Being a member of the sorority Gamma Chi also helped her to feel she belonged.

One of the defining highlights of Ms. Palumbo’s education was her participation in the Executive-in-Residence Program at The Peter J. Tobin College of Business—a game-changing initiative where students collaborate with real business leaders on corporate projects. “I remember sitting in the boardroom of a company we had just presented to, looking around at all the executives and thinking, ‘This is it. This is where I want to be—and I know I can get there,’” she recalled.

Ms. Palumbo’s story doesn’t stop with career success. In retirement, she turned her lifelong love of animals into action by creating a Charitable Fund for Collies, working hand-in-hand with rescues across the country.

Now retired and living in California, Ms. Palumbo reflects back at St. John’s as the place that helped her find her purpose. “At the end of the day,” she said, “we’re all searching for meaning. St. John’s gave me the tools, faith, and courage to find mine.”