Western New England University (WNE) is pleased to announce that Martin J. Walsh and Amy Fliegelman Olli will serve as the keynote speakers for the University’s 2025 Commencement ceremonies on May 15, 2025. Walsh, former U.S. Secretary of Labor and current Executive Director of the National Hockey League Players’ Association, will address undergraduate students, while Olli, a retired Executive Vice President and General Counsel at VMware and WNE alumna, will speak to graduate students.
President Robert E. Johnson expressed his enthusiasm for this year’s distinguished speakers, stating, “The caliber of our 2025 Commencement speakers reflects the values and aspirations of Western New England University. Marty Walsh and Amy Fliegelman Olli are both exceptional leaders who have made a lasting impact in their respective fields. Their journeys of perseverance, advocacy, and innovation will undoubtedly inspire our graduates as they embark on their own paths to success.”
Undergraduate Commencement Speaker: Honorable Martin J. Walsh
A lifelong advocate for workers’ rights, Marty Walsh has dedicated his career to supporting labor movements, public service, and economic empowerment. Born and raised in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood, he began his career as a union construction worker before rising to become President of Laborers Local 223 and head of the Greater Boston Building Trades Council, representing 35,000 workers.
Walsh served for 16 years in the Massachusetts House of Representatives before being elected Mayor of Boston in 2013, where he championed economic growth, education, civil rights, and social services. In 2021, President Joe Biden appointed him as the 29th U.S. Secretary of Labor, where he played a pivotal role in strengthening worker protections, expanding job training programs, and improving workplace conditions nationwide. In 2023, Walsh transitioned to his current role as Executive Director of the NHL Players’ Association, continuing his lifelong commitment to labor advocacy.
Walsh’s personal journey has shaped his leadership—having overcome Burkitt’s Lymphoma as a child and embracing recovery from alcoholism, he remains a staunch advocate for healthcare access and second chances.
Graduate Commencement Speaker: Amy Fliegelman Olli
A distinguished legal executive and WNE alumna, Amy Fliegelman Olli has had a remarkable career in corporate law, leading global legal teams across multiple industries. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Western New England University in 1988 and has since become a trailblazer in corporate law and governance.
Most recently, Olli served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel at VMware, a global software leader. Prior to VMware, she held senior leadership roles at Avaya, CA Technologies, and IBM, where she managed legal teams spanning the Americas and Europe. With more than 25 years of experience, Olli has been recognized for her leadership and influence, receiving prestigious accolades such as the “Legends in Law” award, the “Transformative Leadership” award, and being named one of Silicon Valley’s “Women of Influence.”
Beyond her legal expertise, Olli has been a champion of corporate philanthropy, social responsibility, ethics, and diversity. Her dedication to mentoring and empowering future generations makes her an inspiring speaker for WNE’s graduate classes.
“Marty Walsh and Amy Olli have each made a lasting impact in their respective fields—Marty through his unwavering commitment to public service and labor advocacy, and Amy through her leadership in corporate law and dedication to ethical business practices,” said Interim Provost Lisa Celovsky. “Their careers reflect the values of perseverance, integrity, and leadership that we strive to instill in our students, and we are honored to welcome them into the WNE community.” WNE will confer honorary doctorate degrees to each speaker.
Western New England University is honored to welcome these distinguished leaders to inspire and celebrate the Class of 2025.
The WNE Commencement Ceremonies will take place this year on Thursday, May 15 at the MassMutual Center. More than 600 undergraduates will attend the Undergraduate Ceremony, which begins at 10:00 a.m., followed by approximately 300 graduate students attending the Graduate Commencement Ceremony at 3:00 p.m.
