Knox College Welcomes New Trustees and Bids Farewell to Outgoing Members

Knox College is proud to introduce the newest members of our Board of Trustees, each bringing a unique blend of experience, passion, and dedication to our institution. 

Sara Jane Ahmed '12

Sara Jane Ahmed '12 serves as the managing director and finance advisor to the Climate Vulnerable Forum and V20 Finance Ministers, representing 68 climate-vulnerable countries. She founded the Financial Futures Center, focusing on climate prosperity analytics. Ahmed is on the task force on climate, development, and the IMF, as well as the board of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA). Ahmed advises least developed countries in the Green Climate Fund. A former energy finance analyst and investment advisor, Ahmed holds a Master of Science degree in Finance from the University of Rochester, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Knox College.

Mark A. Kleine

Mark Kleine serves as the President of Kleine Companies, LLC, a real estate investment firm. He began his career with John Deere in 1980 and later purchased a John Deere dealership in Galesburg, Illinois, growing Kleine Equipment, Inc. into a $150M business with six locations and 150 employees before selling it in 2013. Kleine and his wife, Jeannette, reside in Galesburg and have four children and four grandchildren. Kleine has been active in several organizations in and around Galesburg and is a current board member of OSF Healthcare and CBI Bank holding company. The Kleines are active in many other civic and non-profit activities and are community supporters through the Kleine Family Fund.

Sonya Malunda

Sonya Malunda, president emerita of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM), serves as a senior advisor with the Peterson Rudgers Group, a women-owned consulting firm that focuses on strategy, leadership development, and strategic communications for colleges and universities. She is also the principal of her firm, Malunda Consulting, LLC. As the ACM’s eighth president (2017-2024), Malunda worked collaboratively with the 14 presidents and academic deans to launch a new strategic plan to propel the organization through a new era for higher education. Before joining ACM, Malunda spent nearly 20 years leading community and civic engagement initiatives at the University of Chicago.

Tomilola “Tomi” Olotu ’11

Tomilola “Tomi” Olotu ’11, elected as the College’s new Alumni Trustee, currently serves as a corporate strategy associate at Cargill, the largest private company in America. Previously, she spent nearly a decade as a wealth management specialist in Lagos, Nigeria, assisting clients with financial planning. She holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School, where she served as President of the Graduate Business Council and an admissions ambassador. As a student at Knox, she served as treasurer of the Class of 2011 and as a member of the Women of Influence and International Club.

Donovan W. Pepper P'26

Donovan Pepper P'26 is the senior director of government relations and civic engagement for Walgreens, overseeing local and state government affairs in several regions including Texas, New Mexico, and New York City. He previously served as the national director of local government relations for Walgreens, and before that, served as director of government relations for the Illinois Restaurant Association. Pepper's career also includes roles with SBC (now AT&T), the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, and the Illinois House of Representatives. He has been honored by President Barack Obama and the Corporation for National Public Service and was inducted into the Samuel K. Gove Illinois Legislative Internship Hall of Fame. His son Dakota Pepper '26 is currently enrolled at Knox.

Each new member’s term will begin on July 1, 2024, and they will attend their first Board of Trustees meeting this coming October.

“I am truly excited to welcome such a tremendously talented group of new trustees to the Board,” Chair of the Board Tony Etz ’83 said. “We look forward to the Board’s future of continued excellence and impact, guided by the collective wisdom and vision of our new member’s insights and contributions.” 

As the College welcomes these new trustees, we also recognize two outgoing trustees, Kyle Winning '83 and alumni trustee Gwen Lexow ’90, on July 1. Winning was also named Trustee Emeritus in recognition of 12 years of service and dedication as a general trustee, forging a deep commitment to philanthropy, financial expertise, and community development. Lexow’s Title IX oversight has helped guide both the Board and the senior administration. “Gwen’s experience in higher education has been a tremendous asset to the College, and Kyle’s 12 years of service on the Board with his invaluable insights and wise counsel have helped the College in myriad ways,” President McGadney added. “We thank them both for their service.”