Johnson School Announces 2025 Alumni Award Winners

The Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management will honor four graduates with distinguished alumni awards on May 8 in New York City at this year’s Big Red Bash, the school’s biggest celebration of the year. Vishal Gaur, Anne and Elmer Lindseth Dean of the Johnson School, will present the awards.

Hosted by the Office of Alumni Affairs, Big Red Bash brings the Johnson School community together to celebrate its shared connections, the impact of business, and the outstanding achievements of this year’s alumni award recipients.

The school is proud to introduce its 2025 Alumni Award Winners:

• Antonio M. Alvarez III, MBA ’91, will receive the Joseph Thomas Leadership Award, a lifetime achievement award that recognizes his exceptional demonstration of vision and leadership, sound business sense, and commitment to community.
• Katherine P. Ward Feld, MBA ’82, JD ’83, will receive the Samuel C. Johnson Distinguished Service Award, a lifetime achievement award that recognizes extraordinary alumni for their sustained and exemplary commitment to the school and its alumni.
• Gregory G. Gatta ’97, MBA ’12, will receive the Robert J. Swieringa Recent Alumni Service Award for his exemplary commitment to Johnson and its alumni, and continued engagement with the Johnson School as a volunteer leader in many engagement activities.
• Shartoyea Scott Dixon, MBA ’06, will receive the Wilbur Parker Inclusion Award for her exceptional leadership and strong commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the Johnson School community and the business world.

L. Joseph Thomas Leadership Award: Antonio M. Alvarez III

As managing director of Alvarez & Marsal Europe, Alvarez has shown exceptional leadership guiding the consulting company’s Europe practice, which he launched in 2001 into a powerhouse of over 2,500 professionals.  His strategic vision, deep insight, and proven ability to execute complex transformation programs with urgency have helped reshape numerous multinational companies—including Rolls Royce, Endemol Shine Group, and Accor Group—enhancing both their market position and enterprise value.

Beyond his work with some of the largest global corporations, Alvarez has played a pivotal role in addressing “systemic risk” situations.  He has served as chairman or chief restructuring officer for major entities at critical junctures, including NMC Health (responsible for nearly 50 percent of health care delivery in the United Arab Emirates) and Agrokor (which represented over 20 percent of Croatia’s GDP).  His expertise in navigating complex restructuring challenges, improving operational efficiency, and driving long-term sustainability has been invaluable to these organizations and the broader communities they impact.

Alvarez’s leadership extends far beyond his professional accomplishments. He is known for his unwavering commitment to ethical business practices, fostering diverse and inclusive environments, and giving back to the community. He mentors emerging leaders and has contributed to a variety of charities. His work embodies the spirit of service, responsibility, and leadership that the L. Joseph Thomas Leadership Award seeks to recognize.

Samuel C. Johnson Distinguished Service Award: Katherine P. Ward Feld

Feld has served in senior legal and compliance roles in asset management throughout her distinguished career, including at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), since 2013. At the SEC, Feld has made significant contributions to the examination of investment companies and advisers. She has demonstrated leadership and expertise in identifying higher-risk areas for examination and shaping strategy to address emerging issues. Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including the SEC Chairman’s Douglas Adams Award for her outstanding contributions to the examination program.

Beyond her remarkable professional achievements, Feld has been a tireless advocate for the Johnson School and its programs for more than four decades. She has played key roles in numerous leadership capacities, including as a member of the Johnson Advisory Council (JAC), past chair of the Johnson Advisory Council nominating committee, and a class agent for her Johnson School reunions. She has fostered connections within the Cornell community through her involvement as a member (now emerita) of the Cornell University Council, a member of the Cornell Alumni Trustee Nominations Committee, and her work with the Cornell Law School, where she has served as president of the Law School Alumni Association and inaugural chair of the Cornell Law Public Sector Alumni Network.

Feld has also actively contributed to academic initiatives, including guest lecturing for various Cornell programs. Feld’s dedication to Cornell and its alumni, along with her exemplary professional career, embodies the values and commitment the Samuel C. Johnson Distinguished Service Award recognizes.

Robert J. Swieringa Young Alumni Service Award: Gregory G. Gatta

Gatta is a managing member of Blue Barn Partners, an investment and advisory firm focused on middle-market private equity and select real estate development opportunities. A double Cornellian and dedicated volunteer leader, he has more than 25 years of experience in private equity, investment banking, and senior operating roles. His expertise in navigating complex, high-pressure environments, combined with his continuous improvement skills rooted in Six Sigma and Lean methodologies, has made him a respected leader across various sectors, including packaging, energy, and brewing.

Gatta has been an active and passionate volunteer leader at the Johnson School and Cornell, serving on the Johnson Advisory Council and as current chair of the Johnson Recent Alumni Council. His past roles include serving on the Cornell University Council and the Johnson Dean’s Leadership Committee, where he contributed to shaping the school’s future and fostering a strong connection among alumni, ensuring that the next generation of leaders are well-supported and connected.

Gatta is also deeply engaged in his community, where he is dedicated to making a positive impact. He has held leadership positions on several boards, including the Radnor Ice Hockey Club and the Schuylkill River Development Corporation.

Gatta’s legacy of leadership, generosity, and commitment continues to inspire future generations of Johnson School graduates, qualities recognized by this distinguished award.

Wilbur Parker Inclusion Award: Shartoyea Scott Dixon

With more than 20 years of experience in organizational leadership, operations, and business development, Dixon has consistently demonstrated a passion for building diverse, high-performing teams and driving meaningful change in the industries she’s worked in.

As vice president and chief programs officer at Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), Dixon has played a pivotal role in strengthening partnerships between corporations and business schools while overseeing programs impacting thousands of students, early-career professionals, and senior leaders. Her leadership at MLT has helped the organization achieve an impressive job placement rate for college students of more than 90 percent and a similar acceptance rate to business schools for young professionals.

Dixon’s dedication to inclusion is deeply personal. She is an alumna of MLT’s MBA Prep Program, where she learned about the Johnson School. At the Johnson School, she demonstrated her leadership as president of both the Black Graduate Business Association and Net Impact clubs, helping to grow a diverse and inclusive community within the school.

Before joining MLT, Dixon founded MixxMedia, a mobile technology company specializing in augmented reality, where she secured a U.S. patent and built partnerships with major companies, including Walgreens and Kodak. She also held leadership roles at Kaplan, a global education services company, where her efforts led to significant increases in enrollment, student retention, and career placement rates.

Dixon’s work has inspired many, creating environments where diversity and inclusion thrive. Her impact continues to be felt across industries, and her contributions exemplify the values that the Wilbur Parker Inclusion Award and its namesake, Wilbur Parker ’50, MBA ’50, stand for. Her leadership has opened doors for underrepresented groups and motivated others to champion diversity and foster inclusive, thriving communities.