Former Director of Alumni Council Operations at Princeton University and Board Member
Princeton, NJ
Livia Wong McCarthy is a community architect and strategic leader whose career is defined by her ability to build enduring bridges across diverse constituencies. For 18 years, Livia served as an executive leader within Princeton University’s alumni community—widely regarded as one of the world’s most robust and engaged networks. In this role, she oversaw the Alumni Association board and collaborated with university leadership to set strategic priorities for a global network of 100,000 alumni. Livia’s legacy at Princeton is centered on equity and authenticity, both at the board level and the entire alumni cohort. She helped pioneer a series of transformative, multi-day conferences for historically underrepresented communities, fundamentally reshaping their relationship with one another and the University.
After early years in New York City in commercial banking at Manufacturers Hanover Trust and advertising at Saatchi & Saatchi, she pivoted to entrepreneurship, launching a successful special events business following the birth of her eldest daughter. Livia later returned to the corporate sphere to help guide Merrill Lynch through the digital transformation of the late ‘90s, showcasing her ability to innovate through periods of intense market evolution.
Livia received a BA in Government from Wesleyan University.
Beyond her professional achievements, Livia is a dedicated advocate for education and community, serving on the boards of both Wesleyan and the Historical Society of Princeton. She grew up in Princeton and returned in 1995 with her husband Joe to raise their family. They have two loving daughters and a lovable Westie. Livia enjoys exploring farmers markets, cooking, and eating.
With Joseph D. McCarthy