Two Accomplished Alumnae Share:
How a FNES Degree can Lead to a Varied & Rewarding Career

Jeanne H. Braun, ’78, is the Executive Vice President, Department of Hospitals and Special Programs at Physicians’ Reciprocal Insurers (PRI), one of the largest physician owned insurance companies in the United States. She started the hospital underwriting division over 20 years ago and is credited with expanding the depth and breadth of the company as a result of her efforts. Ms. Braun focuses on the development of insurance products for hospitals and facilities as well as large groups of physicians with an eye toward customizing coverage for unique exposures. This includes an off shore captive insurance company and spearheading risk management programs to minimize patient incidents that give rise to claims.

Ms. Braun started her career as a hospital risk manager and hospital administrator. A graduate of Queens College and CW Post Center at LIU, she held a number of successive positions in various New York hospitals where she was responsible for clinical, ancillary and support services. Immediately before joining PRI in 1994, Ms. Braun was Associate Administrator at Long Island Jewish Medical Center (now Northwell). While at LIJ, she was also responsible for managing operating budgets of approximately $90 million including the hospital’s capital equipment acquisition program.

Ms. Braun earned her BA in Community Health at Queens College in 1978 and her MPA from CW Post in 1982. She is also a licensed insurance broker in New York and Connecticut and has her Associate in Risk Management (ARM) certification from the Insurance Institute of America. She is a former President of the New York Chapter of the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) and former Chairwoman of the Spencer Educational Foundation, a 503C corporation that sponsors scholarships for students of risk management.

Patricia M. Veneziano, ’75 While a student at Queens College, CUNY, Department of Home Economics, as it was called in 1971, Patricia Veneziano began her management career in hospital food service. The work/study was an introduction into organization, delegation, time management and employee relation skills. This “on the job training” allowed her to build a foundation for success in the three careers that followed over the next 40 plus years.

Upon graduation in 1975, Patricia continued in food service for another 3 years. As the economy struggled, Patricia gratefully remained in the field until she realized the future for a woman could in fact have more workplace opportunity. It was a time of change in society.

It was possible to transfer the skill set to retail management and eventually, retail advertising production. Patricia grew to become a Vice President in charge of sales collateral for a one billion dollar retail company by 1985. By 2002 the economy once again drove down the value of retail businesses and Patricia was part of a corporate downsizing.

Through networking and practical community service, Patricia’s skills once again brought her to the attention of executives in the banking industry. After a short training period, she was back in the work force where she has been since 2003.Born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, Patricia is very grateful for the education she received at CUNY. She has remained in touch and looks forward to being part of the future of FNES at Queens College.