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The strong Trinity family legacy started with her father, Thomas DePatie \u201952, a former trustee of the college, followed by brother-in-law Robert Buffum Jr. \u201977 and cousin Peter DePatie \u201985. She married Victor Consoli \u201987, and they are Trinity parents to two daughters, Olivia \u201919 and Grace \u201922. <\/p>\n
For the first 15 years after her own graduation, Consoli, armed with a degree in economics, embarked on a career in the garment industry, working retail and wholesale with companies including Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor in New York and eventually running the women\u2019s division of Nautica Sportswear. Over time, she launched her own business, Boxtree Interiors, serving a variety of residential and commercial clients. She also volunteers as a manager of merchandise sales for her summer community of Quonochontaug, Rhode Island, where she once served as town clerk. <\/p>\n
Since becoming a stay-at-home mom, Consoli says, her flexible schedule has allowed her to get more involved with committee work at Trinity. Throughout the years, she has served on the Trinity College Alumni Association Executive Committee and the Social Reform Charter Committee and as a member of the Long Walk Societies. She has been an admissions volunteer, an alumni interviewer, and an Elms Society ambassador. She currently serves as her class president, as a class agent, and as a member of the Board of Fellows, the Women\u2019s Leadership Council, and the Parents Leadership Council. <\/p>\n
She particularly enjoys being on the Parents Leadership Council because of the relationships formed among parents, students, and the college. \u201cIt\u2019s important for families to know that we\u2019re here for them, too,\u201d says Consoli. \u201cBeing on the council is especially gratifying because I facilitate new families becoming connected with the college. Creating a welcoming environment for them will help them see the work we do and hopefully encourage them to become involved. The more new parents are involved, the better work we can do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Consoli says that philanthropy was a large part of her upbringing, and she continues to value that philosophy. \u201cI\u2019ve been a donor to the college for a lifetime, and I can\u2019t imagine not helping our school,\u201d she says. \u201cWhen I saw there were specific improvements needed, that really spurred me on to become more involved. I love being the person who connects everyone and shows them what a wonderful place Trinity is.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is gratifying to be the one who connects a new family with a passion to a need we have at the college,\u201d she continues. \u201cMost people donate to specific things that resonate with them, and Trinity has so many specific needs right now that it is all about [matching] the right people to the fundraising efforts for that need. I feel very connected to my father through my fundraising for Trinity as that was his focus through his years as a trustee of the college. It\u2019s my pleasure to continue that legacy for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kerry Smith, Trinity\u2019s director of family giving, says Consoli plays an important role in creating a warm and friendly environment for parents. \u201cShe\u2019s a valuable asset to the college through her ability to welcome and connect parents to one another,\u201d says Smith. \u201cHer advocacy and dedication to help Trinity become the best that it can be is an embodiment of all we desire in a volunteer. We\u2019re very fortunate to have her.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT By Catherine Shen Growing up in a multigenerational Trinity family, it was natural for Diane \u201cDede\u201d DePatie Consoli \u201988, P\u201919, \u201922 to stay involved with her alma mater. \u201cTrinity has always been very important to my family. I basically grew up on campus,\u201d she says with a laugh. \u201cThe experience was more than … <\/p>\n