VILLANOVA, PA — Villanova University has expanded its governing board with four new trustees, drawing leaders from faith, philanthropy, business, and law as the Catholic institution positions itself for its next chapter.
The university announced that the Very Rev. Barnaby Johns, OSA, Kristin E. Reed, David K. “Duke” Reyes, and Robert F. Tyson have joined Villanova’s 38-member Board of Trustees, effective January 1. University officials said the appointments reflect a deliberate blend of mission-driven leadership and professional expertise.
“Father Barnaby, Kristin, Duke and Bob exemplify the spirit of servant leadership at the heart of Villanova’s Augustinian mission,” said the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, president of Villanova University. He said each trustee brings a perspective shaped by faith, education, and service that will help guide the university as it builds on recent momentum and plans for the future.
Johns serves as Prior Provincial of the Augustinian Province of St. Augustine in California. Raised in Worcestershire, England, his path to religious life included studies in England, teaching in Japan, and work in communications in London before entering Augustinian formation. Ordained in 2020, Johns was elected Prior Provincial in 2024 and holds advanced degrees in history, Scripture, and Catholic school leadership.
Reed, a Villanova alumna, brings decades of philanthropic and nonprofit leadership. Active in commercial real estate, she has held board leadership roles with the Boys & Girls Club of Newport County, St. Sebastian’s School, and the Westwood Educational Foundation. She previously served on Villanova’s President’s Advisory Council and helped lead the university’s “For the Greater Great” campaign in New England.
Reyes, also a Villanova graduate, is chief executive officer of Reyes Holdings, a global food and beverage production and distribution company with operations spanning multiple continents. His corporate leadership is matched by extensive board service with institutions including Georgetown University, the University of Chicago Medical Center, and several major civic and youth organizations.
Tyson, a Villanova alumnus and trial lawyer, is the founding partner of Tyson & Mendes, a national law firm with more than 280 attorneys. He is widely known for his work in high-profile litigation, including a landmark multibillion-dollar case before the California Supreme Court. Tyson has remained deeply connected to Villanova through alumni leadership and service on the university’s President’s Advisory Council.
University officials said the new trustees will help guide Villanova through a period marked by heightened competition in higher education, evolving student needs, and continued emphasis on mission and community engagement.
Founded by the Augustinian Order, Villanova has emphasized that its board plays a central role in safeguarding the university’s academic quality, financial strength, and Catholic identity — responsibilities that now rest with an expanded group of leaders drawn from across the country and the Church.
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