The Business of Love: Valentine's Day and Consumer Trends

Valentine's Day has evolved into a significant economic and cultural phenomenon, with projected expenditures reaching $27.5 billion in 2025. The enduring popularity of traditional gifts—48% of consumers purchasing greeting cards and 27% opting for flowers—underscores the holiday's deep-rooted commercial influence. While many embrace these customs, a growing segment resists the commercialization, favoring alternative expressions of affection or anti-consumption approaches. Ultimately, Valentine's Day serves as a lens through which to examine the intersection of tradition, commerce, and shifting consumer behaviors.

They Met at the Snack Bar…

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Vincent Barrella and Barbara Gugliemelli’s love story began on Pace University’s New York City Campus in early 1973. The two met through mutual friends at the Snack Bar, a popular hangout for full-time students, and connected at a party hosted by Barbara and her friends in what is now Maria’s tower on on February 3, 1973. Vincent still wonders if the invitation was because he owned a car and had to pass her parents’ house on the way in to Pace and was able to pick up the food for the party. Regardless, they both consider that night their first date and have celebrated it in the city every year since. A week later, their first official date took them to a double feature at the Walker Theater in Brooklyn, watching Night of the Living Dead and Play Misty for Me.

Vincent graduated from Lubin in June 1973 with a BBA in Public Accounting, while Barbara earned her associate’s degree in Secretarial Studies that same year.Despite their different paths, their love grew stronger, and by November 1973, they were engaged. Barbara continued her studies at Pace, completing her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1975. The couple married on June 21, 1975, surrounded by friends from their Pace days.

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Barbara’s professional journey brought her back to Pace as an administrative assistant to Ruth Ferguson, chair of the Elementary Education Department. After earning her master’s degree from Fordham University, she later taught reading in Pace’s Challenge to Achieve at Pace (CAP) program. After her time with the CAP program, Barbara went on to Brookdale Community College where she is a full professor in the Reading Department and has served as chair of that department. Vincent began teaching business law at Pace and eventually became a full-time faculty member in the Tax Department, now known as Legal Studies and Taxation within the Lubin School of Business. The Barrella family grew with the births of their three children—Melissa, Michael, and Richard—all of whom went on to earn degrees from Pace University.

Today, Vincent serves as chair of the Legal Studies and Taxation Department. Both he and Barbara remain actively involved with the Pace community. They are now proud grandparents who cherish time with their grandchildren and enjoy traveling, from European adventures to Disney trips. As they approach their 50^th wedding anniversary, Vincent and Barbara’s journey reflects the spirit of Pace’s Go-Getters—committed, ambitious, and always moving forward.

Suneel Sajnani '85, '92 and Calli Planakis-Sajnani '88

A Dual MBA Love Story

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Meet Suneel and Calli, who have been married for almost four decades. They first met in 1983 in the Birnbaum Library on the New York City Campus while both were studying for their MBAs. Calli, a first-generation college student, earned her dual MBA in international business/finance from Pace, then later went on to earn an MS in journalism, as well as a PhD in public policy and administration. Her distinguished career in public policy/public health is a credit to her determination and drive to make a difference in the world.

Suneel, once an international student at Pace, is currently senior managing director, head of Infrastructure and Cloud Services at Cetera Financial Group. He earned both MBA and MS degrees from Pace, specializing in information systems and computer science. He is a seasoned technology executive and a member of Pace University's Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information System's Advisory Board.

Suneel and Calli's daughter, Ariana Sajnani, is an MFA graduate of Pace University Actor's Studio program. She is a highly accomplished actor, producer, dancer, singer, and musician, whose career includes theatre, film, and voice-over credentials. Her production company, SunCal Productions International, recently produced Sir Madam Sarpanch, an award-winning satirical film which celebrates the resilience of an intergenerational group of women working together within their social circles to fight corruption.

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After earning their MBAs, Suneel and Calli went on to careers in banking, insurance, and public health. Suneel reflects upon the times when they were just MBA candidates studying in the library: "Our classmates and friends included students from around the world representing many countries. We had the opportunity to witness a diversity the likes of which we had never experienced in any other academic setting. Calli and I have achieved much professional success from the theoretical and practical knowledge we gained from our Pace University education. What makes this success sweeter is that we found each other at the same time." Take a walk down memory lane and read Suneel and Calli's story!

Albert Hogan '58 and Betty Stutzman '59

The Phone Number Was Wrong, But the Lady Was Right

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In 1955, Albert Hogan '58 and Betty Stutzman '59 were two accounting majors navigating their classes at Pace University's Lubin School of Business. But as fate would have it, a simple petition—and a bit of humor—set the foundation for a lifetime together.

Betty, who was running for president of the Freshman Student Council, was making the rounds, collecting signatures to support her campaign. When she approached Albert, he signed using the name "Ben Hogan," a nod to the famous golfer. Betty wasn't amused. She called him out on the joke, and before long, what started as irritation turned into a genuine conversation.

From then on, they began meeting before their accounting classes, getting to know one another in quiet moments between lectures. When Betty gave Albert her phone number, another humorous hiccup ensued. After several calls where a man informed him, "Betty's not here," Albert finally reached her—or so he thought. This Betty turned out to be someone entirely different, and Albert found himself apologizing to both her and her husband. Later, Betty gave Albert the correct number.

Life soon threw challenges their way. Albert went on to serve in the Army at Fort Dix (New Jersey), while Betty spent summers with her family in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. But they stayed in touch over the years. By the time they married at City Hall in New York City, across from Pace University's Civic Center building in 1962, their bond had only grown stronger.

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The couple started their married life in an apartment in Elizabeth, New Jersey, eventually settling in Cranford in 1964, where they raised two children who, fittingly, both went on to attend Pace University's Lubin School of Business. From train rides and ferry commutes to long hours of study, Al and Betty built a life rooted in shared values and experiences.

Today, Albert and Betty's story is a reminder of how the simplest moments—a name on a petition, a phone call, or a shared class—can spark something extraordinary. It's a story of humor, resilience, and partnership, all beginning in the halls of Pace University.

Riya Golani '25 and Parth Soni '25

A Journey of Love and Ambition

Riya and Parth's journey from India to the U.S. is a testament to partnership and ambition. Together for eight years, they navigated their master's studies and professional paths side by side, including their work at the Lubin School of Business Office of Communications and External Relations—a true story of love and shared aspirations. Both are Seidenberg students who met while youngsters in India. They decided to attend college in the U.S. and chose Pace! Riya and Parth continue a long tradition of Lubin and Seidenberg sharing the student talent pool to place graduate assistants, interns, research assistants, and student aides in various roles at both schools.

"You Can Get There From Here"!

At Lubin, we pride ourselves on getting our students to where they want to go. Charmaine L. Slack '91, a member of the Lubin School of Business Advisory Board and an attorney in private practice in New York and her hometown, the US Virgin Islands, demonstrates that a Lubin education can help you turn your dreams into reality!

Slack attended Pace as an undergraduate student and majored in Management Information Systems. She graduated summa cum laude and also graduated with the distinction of having the highest GPA in her major.

It was her connection to Pace that served as the foundation upon which she would craft a career trajectory that afforded her opportunities to work in different places around the globe and uniquely positioned her to work with and advise international business leaders throughout the world.

As a freshman she worked part-time at the Internal Revenue Service. Commencing in her sophomore year until graduation, she participated in Pace's Co-Op program and was able to gain additional real-world experience that would prove invaluable. As a Co-Op student, she worked part-time at JP Morgan on Wall Street while attending Pace full-time. During this time she was also receiving a number of offers from well-known global companies due to her participation in the program. She developed a multiplicity of competencies in different areas during her time at JP Morgan. Overall, Pace's proximity to the Financial District made her Co-Op experiences even more remarkable.

Slack recalls that the year she graduated from Pace the motto for her class was "You Can Get There From Here"! This line resonated with her and remains with her to this day. She worked for six years for JPMorgan in New York City, initially as a systems analyst for foreign securities trading, and later was promoted to an associate officer. She supported interest rate derivatives trading, traveling to the company's London and Tokyo offices in connection with the creation and implementation of a related global mark-to-market scenario and pricing system for exotic options and other derivative products developed for the traders in the company's New York, London, and Tokyo offices. Everywhere she went employers, clients, and people in general were impressed with her resume, thanks to the experience she gained as a Co-Op student at Pace.

Eventually she would resign from JPMorgan and attend Harvard Law School, where she earned her juris doctorate. Later, she would go on to New York University to earn a master's of law degree in taxation.

Slack had the opportunity to work after her first year at Harvard Law at a local law firm in Bangkok, Thailand. She then worked as a summer associate and associate in the Atlanta and New York offices of the international law firm Jones Day, where she was promoted to partner in the New York office in its Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice. She practiced with the firm for almost 20 years prior to ultimately launching her own private practice. Throughout her legal career she has advised senior executives, as well as boards of directors and compensation committees of public and private entities on a wide variety of executive compensation and equity arrangements. Her counsel includes corporate governance advice and technical guidance on tax and securities rules affecting compensation and benefits.

Slack has spoken on cutting-edge executive compensation matters; she is a past chair of the Federal Securities Law Issues Subcommittee of the American Bar Association's Employee Benefits Committee, Taxation Section; she serves on the board of Girls Incorporated of New York City; she is a former member of the Leadership Advisory Committee for the National Women's Law Center, former chair of the firm's New York Diversity Committee, and is a member of the New York City Bar's Committee on Recruitment and Retention of Lawyers.

Pace is a Launchpad...Pace is also the 'Best Kept Secret'!

"Pace is a Launchpad," Slack has said, referencing that the university launches careers. "Pace is also the "Best Kept Secret"! Slack places emphasis on the fact that Pace students gain access to first-class career and ivy league opportunities.

Charmaine Slack is the embodiment of what we work toward instilling in Lubin students as it relates to having an entrepreneurial mindset. She has never placed herself in a box or rested on her laurels. Her life has been full of positive career outcomes and the Lubin School of Business is proud to claim her as one of its own.

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We sat down with Associate Professor of Psychology Maren Westphal, PhD, to learn about her research and work with students at Pace University’s Pleasantville, New York, campus.

Professor Westphal’s research and clinical interests focus on resilience, mindfulness, and their applications in mental health, particularly for individuals coping with adversity.

Research with a personal connection

Westphal’s interest in resilience research began during her physical rehabilitation following a horseback riding accident. Seeking to explore how a positive mindset can impact physical and emotional outcomes, she studied clinical psychology at Columbia University’s Teachers College, where she examined the relationship between expressive flexibility in emotional expression and flexible emotion regulation, and adjustment to acute and cumulative stress under the mentorship of George Bonanno, PhD, a renowned resilience researcher.

Flexibility in emotion regulation refers to the ability to manage internal experiences and external expressions of emotions in a way that is consistent with one’s needs and goals. For example, a recently bereaved salesperson who is crying while sharing her experience with a trusted friend may receive the validation and support that she needs at that time; in contrast, expressing sadness while serving customers could reinforce a sense of not being able to manage the demands of one’s life. In her research with Bonanno, Westphal found that expressive flexibility is associated with better adjustment in students exposed to a high number of stressful life events, ranging from relatively mundane stressors to higher aversive events (e.g., difficulties with personal finances, change in academic workload, death of someone close to them). This better adjustment was shown in improved mental health and well-being, physical health, quality of social interactions, ability to accomplish goals, and coping ability, as rated by their close friends.

Westphal’s research interests center on the following areas:

Mindfulness in Healthcare

Westphal has found that mindfulness shields against the detrimental effects of work-related stress on mental health and burnout and predicts less anxiety, depression, and social impairment in emergency care professionals. Her research with this population, who consistently face stressful situations, suggests that mindfulness may serve protective functions in stress-exposed individuals. This finding is consistent with a large body of research on psychological and physiological benefits of mindfulness-based interventions such as mindfulness-based stress reduction program (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) that use practices such as meditation to help people become more mindful.

Westphal’s recent work explores quality of life among individuals with spinal cord injuries, challenging assumptions about diminished life satisfaction.

Disability and Quality of Life

Her recent work explores quality of life among individuals with spinal cord injuries, challenging assumptions about diminished life satisfaction. She emphasizes that healthcare providers need training to mindfully and emphatically interact with patients, focusing on person-centered interactions that promote autonomy and acknowledge patient experiences beyond their medical conditions. Traditionally, rehabilitation after spinal cord injury has focused on physical outcomes, with little involvement of patients in decision-making. However, there is increasing recognition that a patient’s unique life context, values, and personal goals need to be considered in treatment planning and assessment of rehabilitation outcomes. Together with a team of researchers from Switzerland and the Netherlands, Westphal has found that patients reported better quality of life when healthcare providers exhibited attitudes, communication styles, and behaviors that helped encourage patients and their families to take an active part in their rehabilitation process (e.g., by being transparent, understanding, optimistic, and respectful, and including patients in decision-making).

Education and Inclusivity

Westphal advocates for expanding cultural competence training in counselor education to include disability awareness. This involves recognizing disability as a natural aspect of human diversity and understanding the barriers people with disabilities face. These barriers include not only inaccessible environments but also societal biases, such as assuming people with disabilities are less capable. This neglected area of training, she argues, is critical for preparing mental health professionals to provide effective care across diverse populations, including those with visible and hidden disabilities.

Westphal plans to continue integrating mindfulness into clinical training and teaching at Pace University. She aspires to further conduct research in this area, present her findings at upcoming conferences, and potentially develop a textbook on disability competence in mental health care. She is currently working with Pace student Hannah Cahill on a scoping review that explores the potential benefits of mindfulness training for developing the cultural competence of healthcare providers working with individuals with physical disabilities. This project is supported by an Emerging Scholar Fellowship awarded by the Gosin Center for Equity and Inclusion at Pace University, which was instituted to encourage collaboration between graduate students and senior faculty. She emphasizes that her work could contribute to improved support for people with disabilities, which she sees as an underrepresented but growing demographic in psychology and healthcare.

Westphal’s research areas collectively underscore her commitment to advancing psychological resilience and inclusive practices in both clinical and educational settings.

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University is proud to announce that Achinthi Vithanage, Associate Director of Environmental Law Programs & Professor of Law for Designated Service in Environmental Law at Haub Law, was named to the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Environmental Lawyers: The Green 500. Since featuring on the inaugural Law Dragon 500 Leading Environmental & Energy Lawyers list in 2021, Professor Vithanage has been recognized on this list for four consecutive years.

The prestigious list is comprised of 500 lawyers carefully selected and based on research, nominations, and a variety of environmental expertise. “To be recognized on such an impressive list of top environmental leaders in the country is an honor,” said Professor Vithanage. “Through our ongoing research, advocacy, and practice in environmental law we are all contributing to addressing the world’s most pressing environmental challenges for the benefit of present and future generations. Congratulations to my friends and colleagues who are also recognized on this list and who work to make strides each day in the area of environmental law. Thank you to Lawdragon for recognizing the impact that Haub Law’s leaders have had and continue to have on the environmental field and beyond.”

In addition to teaching International Environmental Law and Environmental Externship seminars, Professor Vithanage is also an Advisory Board Member of Haub Law’s Sustainable Business Law Hub. Professor Vithanage also serves on the Council for the ABA’s Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, and is a founding Co-Chair of the Environmental Law Society Network. It was also recently announced by Haub Law that Professor Vithanage will be part of the dynamic leadership team appointed to advance the school’s top ranked environmental law program. Beginning in June 2025, Professor Vithanage will assume the role of Executive Director of the Environmental Law Program, which has been ranked #1 by U.S. News & World Report for four consecutive years. Professor Vithanage also serves on the Secretariat to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Academy of Environmental Law, is a member of the World Commission on Environmental Law, and an originating member of the International Association of Energy Law, a global network of early career energy law professors.

Also included on the list are Haub Law alumni, Anne Carpenter ’09, Partner, Hogan Lovells, Samuel Brown ‘07, Partner, Hunton Andrews Kurth, Kirstin Etela ’04, Partner, Day Pitney LLP, and James May ’91 (LLM), Richard S. Righter Distinguished Professor of Law, Washburn University School of Law, and former Haub Visiting Scholar and Visiting Professor at Haub Law.

“As a leader in the field of environmental law, we are once again so proud to have some of Haub Law’s environmental leaders recognized on the annual Lawdragon Green 500 list,” said Jason J. Czarnezki, Kerlin Distinguished Professor of Environmental Law, and Associate Dean of Environmental Law Programs and Strategic Initiatives. “Our environmental leaders of tomorrow are learning from the leadership of today. Haub Law is proud to have faculty, alumni, affiliates, and colleagues that will help to lead us toward a greener and more sustainable future.”

The 2025 Lawdragon Green 500 list also included other Haub Law affiliates, including: 2021 Haub Law Environmental Law Distinguished Junior Scholar and 2022 Lloyd. K Garrison Lecturer on Environmental Law, Sharmila Murthy, Director for Environmental Justice in the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and 2022 Gilbert and Sarah Kerlin Lecturer on Environmental Law, Roger Martella, Chief Sustainability Officer for GE.