Active, engaged philanthropy is a purpose-driven commitment for Mary Dupont ’68, ’93H, and her husband, Robert Decelles. Charter members of the Bryant Leadership Council of Donors, they were honored as 2014 Champions for Philanthropy with the Outstanding 1863 Society Members Award.

The retired partners at global accounting giant KPMG have uniquely leveraged a variety of funding sources to support Bryant’s mission of delivering a path-breaking learning experience that prepares graduates to drive change and make a difference.  

We have seen firsthand the impact that scholarships can have on students’ educational experiences. We wanted to do the same thing at Bryant. Now having initiated the scholarships, we have a closer and tighter connection to Bryant that is a lasting legacy.

Combining personal donations, corporate matching gifts, and their bequests, Dupont and Decelles have leveraged multiple funding sources to advance their philanthropy at Bryant. By including a gift to Bryant in their will, they have increased the impact of their scholarship.

Dupont, the first woman partner-in-charge of human resources among all Big Four accounting giants, credits Bryant for her career trajectory that included many firsts among the then male-dominated accounting profession on her path to becoming one of the firm’s most accomplished partners. After 33 years with KPMG, Dupont created EffortTZ Foundation, a non-profit that provides scholarships for orphaned boys and Maasai girls in Tanzania.