Getting to Know a Trustee

A devoted longtime member of the St. Joseph’s University community, Matthew Barbis ’94, CFS, CTS, is a partner at Strategic Financial in Hauppauge and the founder and chairman of The Rose Brucia Educational Foundation, which carries a mission to reduce the number of child abductions in the United States by educating and empowering children with tools and knowledge to avoid abduction.

Mr. Barbis became a member of the University’s Board of Trustees in 2015. He lives with his wife Renee Barbis ’11, also an SJNY graduate, and their two young children in Blue Point.

The most rewarding part of his job
“In my professional career, I really enjoy helping and guiding my clients to achieve their lifetime goals and lifestyles. Most of my clients have been with me for 30 years! As the founder of The Rose Brucia Educational Foundation, my goal is to raise awareness about stranger safety and provide important educational information on a national level that will help save lives and prevent others from going through the nightmare we had to endure when we lost my cousin Carlie to a predator. Finally, as the Chairman of the Finance Committee for the Board of Trustees and a proud alum of SJNY, I take great pleasure in giving back to the institution that made me who I am today.”

Project or accomplishment he is most proud of
“Hands down, my greatest accomplishments in life are my children.”

Interesting fact
“I was destined for a life intertwined with St. Joe’s. My great cousin Amalia Simonetti was a member of the original class of 14 women to graduate from St. Joseph’s College for Women in 1920. She was also the institution’s first graduate to earn a medical degree.”

His motto
“Be grateful for what you have, but always strive to do and be better.”

His first job
“I started my own business at 9 years old. It was called the Friendly Neighborhood Weeding Service and I still have my very first business card. It’s never too early to dream big.”

The most appealing aspect of St. Joseph’s University, New York
Its rich heritage, going back to the Sisters who founded the Institution, along with the more than century-old history and our motto: Esse non videri — “To be, not to seem.”

Most inspiring trip
I’m a huge Disney fan. My wife Renee and I are members of the Disney Vacation Club (DVC), and we love that this gives our family the opportunity to enjoy the magic of Walt Disney World with our two sons for decades to come.

People who have had the greatest impact on his life
There are so many wonderful individuals who have impacted me and continue to inspire me in my day-to-day life. My grandfather was a man of great integrity. My (Nana) Grandma Rose was a big advocate for helping children and inspired me to create the Rose Brucia Educational Foundation. My parents taught me to be a complete human being. My uncle gave me my entrepreneurial drive. My wife inspires me to always strive for excellence. And, finally, my children have given me my most important task of teaching them what my family has taught me throughout my life.