Celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2025 and the inspiring voices who led the celebration. The Palumbo-Donahue School of Business Commencement honored graduates for their hard work, leadership, and commitment to making a difference—featuring powerful messages from keynote speaker Sharon Kelley (B’86), Chair of Revenue Cycle at Mayo Clinic, and Gina Govojdean (B’12), Vice President of Procurement at Howmet Aerospace and recipient of the Young Alumna Achievement Award.
Sharon Kelley (B’86), Commencement Address
A Difference-Making Career
When Sharon Kelley, the Chair of Revenue Cycle for Mayo Clinic’s worldwide operations, returned to Duquesne University to deliver the 2025 commencement address for the School of Business, she brought with her decades of leadership experience and a message grounded in authenticity, resilience, and purpose.
In her keynote address, titled “Lead with Your Why—Even When You Feel Like an Imposter,” Kelley drew on deeply personal stories to encourage graduates to embrace imperfection and lead with courage. She recounted an early career moment when, during a lunch interview at a Big Eight accounting firm, she unknowingly drank from a finger bowl. Far from ruining her chances, the confidence with which she handled the mistake earned her the job. “You don’t have to be perfect to belong,” she told graduates. “You just have to be brave enough to show up anyway.”
Kelley’s career has been characterized by her ability to take bold steps forward, even in the face of uncertainty. She shared an inspirational story about how she helped secure critical, life-saving care at the Mayo Clinic for a stranger’s relative, despite feeling unqualified to intervene. Today, he is alive and thriving. “What if I had let imposter syndrome stop me?” she asked. “Real impact happens when we’re open to unexpected moments and lead from the inside out.”
Her willingness to lead with vulnerability was also evident when, in 2023, she shared with her 1,600-person team the devastating loss of her 37-year-old stepdaughter to a fentanyl overdose, prompting an outpouring of support and stories from colleagues. She shared that, “Vulnerability isn’t a weakness—it’s what allows healing and trust to happen. If you want to build a legacy—not just a résumé—be the kind of leader who makes it safe to be real.”
Addressing the graduates, many of whom began their college journey during the pandemic, Kelley praised their resilience: “That resilience is now a part of your story, and it will carry you further than any GPA ever could. You are exactly what the world needs next.”
Her closing charge to the Class of 2025 was simple but powerful: “The world doesn’t need you to be perfect. It needs you to be present. It needs you to be real. It needs you to act with heart—especially when it’s hard.”
In both her career and her keynote speech, Sharon demonstrated that the heart of a true difference-maker influences beyond titles and metrics and transforms lives.
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Gina Govojdean (B’12), Young Alumna Achievement Award
Difference-Making leadership
Since graduating from Duquesne University in 2012 with dual majors in Supply Chain Management and Legal Studies, Gina Govojdean has forged a career defined by resilience, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to opening doors for others. Her rise at Howmet Aerospace has been nothing short of remarkable—becoming one of the youngest procurement leaders in 2018, the first female plant manager in the company’s engineered structures business in 2022, and by 2024, one of the youngest female executives in her current role as Vice President, Procurement, overseeing a $1 billion revenue portfolio.
Beyond her corporate success, Govojdean has remained deeply connected to her alma mater as a member of the Duquesne Supply Chain Management Advisory Council and a vocal advocate for women in the manufacturing industry. Her passion for challenging the status quo has inspired countless young professionals. In honor of her accomplishments, Gina was presented with Palumbo-Donahue School of Business Young Alumna Achievement Award, awarded to alumni under 40 who have demonstrated outstanding early-career successes and commitment to the community.
“Making others around you see their own ability and potential is next level,” she told graduates. Her inspirational speech included the importance of good leadership, stating, “It has been my experience that believing in people and inspiring them to achieve great things is the single most rewarding part of being in business.” She concluded her speech by telling the graduates that “You have the potential to change things and impact the experiences of those who come after you—that’s your legacy.”
Her leadership and advocacy have earned her national recognition, including being named a 2025 Women MAKE Awards honoree by the Manufacturing Institute and being included on Pittsburgh Magazine’s prestigious 2025 40 Under 40 list.
Gina’s work embodies Duquesne’s mission proving that success is measured both by professional achievement and by the positive change you inspire in others.
May 2025 Commencement
2025 School of Business Graduating Class
Graduates looking to a bright future.
President Ken Gormley with members of the Delta Chi fraternity.
School of Business Student Athlete
Masters in Accountancy student, Kiryn Komata, at commencement.
President Ken Gormley with 2025 graduates of the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business.
Marissa Panzetta and Sarah Martin outside of Rockwell Hall on graduation day.
President Ken Gormley with 2025 graduates of the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business.
School of Business graduate looking to a bright future.
Sharon Kelley (B’86) giving her commencement speech.
Gina Govojdean (B’12) speaking after receiving the Young Alumna Achievement Award.
Dr. Kathryn Marley and Gina Govojdean