Investing in our Communities
Community and giving back. To Daniel M. DiLella ’73 VSB, who serves as the President and CEO of Equus Capital Partners, Ltd., a national real estate investment company, the core Augustinian values of community and service are ingrained within his professional and personal life.
In the 1990’s, DiLella spearheaded the revitalization of a Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia. Through the implementation of a strategic plan, fixing the school’s infrastructure, and raising the necessary capital, the school now boasts a 97% graduation rate, with the same percentage opting to attend college.
Within his role at Equus, DiLella, along with his partners, created an industry-leading investment firm with a focus on “operating ethically and fostering an environment that promotes community and collegiality amongst our employees.”
Equally, however, DiLella never forgot his VSB roots. To further student development and careers, he funded the establishment of VSB’s Daniel M. DiLella Center for Real Estate, providing students the academic and professional development opportunities to succeed in the field of commercial real estate.
“I saw an opportunity to strengthen the school’s finance and investment curriculum by adding real estate classes,” DiLella notes. “Today, VSB students not only have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the real estate world in the classroom, but can access industry leading experts through educational programs and networking events and participate in hands-on learning experiences like the real estate student managed fund.”
In 2004, DiLella was awarded the St. Thomas of Villanova Alumni Medal by the Villanova University Alumni Association. Additionally, in 2011, he was awarded the Bartley Medallion by the Villanova School of Business. Both awards recognize DiLella for his extraordinary service to his community, Villanova University, and VSB. Through leading by example, he hopes other VSB students and alumni continue to positively impact their communities and, importantly, their school.
“Villanova is big on community and giving back,” DiLella said. “It is my hope that students will give back and contribute their time and talents to continually move the university forward for years to come.”
Daniel DiLella ’73 VSB
“I am proud to embrace the core Augustinian values of community and service through my work in establishing the DiLella Center for Real Estate at VSB.”