Learning by Doing

A week after graduating from UB, John Doyle, BS ’86, started work as a trainee at AIG—the beginning of what would become a rewarding 35-year-plus career in the insurance industry. One of the first things he learned was just how much he already knew. 

“Although I’d had limited exposure to the professional world, the technical and academic learning at UB positioned me for a strong start—I felt well-prepared relative to the other trainees,” Doyle explains. 

As Doyle rose through the ranks to become president and CEO of Marsh McLennan, the world’s leading professional services firm in the areas of risk, strategy and people, he encountered recent graduates who had varying degrees of familiarity with the world of business. Some came in with resumes touting hands-on learning in the corporate environment, while others, like him, didn’t have access to those experiences. 

That’s why he and his wife established the John and Katherine Doyle Experiential Learning Fund, supporting experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate students in the School of Management. 

“Education is the pillar of our philanthropic efforts because it’s a great equalizer—it can level the playing field,” Doyle explains. “That early experience of starting my first job with limited visibility into the professional world and how much my UB experience helped really stuck with me. I know there are many more students at UB like the younger me for whom this fund will have a great impact.”

While today’s management undergrads have access to digital resources and distance learning that didn’t exist during Doyle’s years at UB, he believes firmly that there’s no substitute for the nuanced learning that happens when students can share space with seasoned pros.

“You learn from doing, hopefully with the guidance and mentorship of experienced, talented professionals,” Doyle says. “Even in today’s era of hybrid work and artificial intelligence, nothing can compete with the deep learning that takes place with in-person, experiential learning.”

In establishing the fund, the Doyles were able to leverage two incentive programs. Under the SUNY Impact Foundation’s Charitable Tax Credit Program, the Doyles had the opportunity to receive an 85% tax credit from New York State for a portion of their gift. In addition, the couple maximized the impact of their gift through the SUNY University Center Endowment Match Program, in which New York State matches $1 for every $2 gift to endowment. Both programs extend the Doyles’ generosity, inspiring a greater number of students to seek out management experiences that will launch rewarding careers. 

“I want the funds to make it possible for more students to immerse themselves in a professional environment and, if they’re lucky, discover a passion for that business,” Doyle says. “When I graduated, I wasn’t looking for a job in insurance—I was just looking for a job! But getting to do meaningful work—and seeing the positive impact it had on people, businesses and communities—was a big draw for me. It still is.”

Learn more about the SUNY Impact Foundation NYS Charitable Tax Credit Program.