Distinguished Alumni Award
Elizabeth (Elder) Villafana 80BBA
Elizabeth Elder Villafana is considered by many in Minneapolis financial circles to be one of the brightest young business executives in the Twin Cities area.
Villafana, a 1980 finance graduate from the College of Business Administration, has been an impressive achiever in her relatively short professional life, while also being actively involved in community affairs and the future of the University of Iowa.
After graduation from the UI, Villafana began her career as an investment analyst with Piper, Jaffray & Hopwood, Inc. of Minneapolis, and in 1982 she was named a vice president of that securities and brokerage firm. Only three short years later she became a Chartered Financial Analyst, which is testimony to her efforts to enhance her position in her profession.
Villafana also maintains other business interests. She is vice president for finance of Greatbatch Gen-Aid Ltd. This company grew out of an association with Cornell University researchers and is currently working to develop an effective therapy for the treatment of the AIDS retrovirus, as well as conducting medical research in other disease-related fields.
Not content to merely put in her eight hours and go home, Villafana is also active in a national philanthropic organization. Her main interest is the Kips Bay Boys' Club in New York. She and her husband have provided considerable support for this particular club, and she manages its substantial endowment portfolio.
Over the years since her graduation, Villafana has maintained an interest in the University of Iowa. She and her husband have actively supported efforts to enhance the computer facilities in the College of Engineering. Both Elizabeth and Manuel Villafana are members of the President's Club.
About Distinguished Alumni Awards
Since 1963, the University of Iowa has annually recognized accomplished alumni and friends with Distinguished Alumni Awards. Awards are presented in seven categories: Achievement, Service, Hickerson Recognition, Faculty, Staff, Recent Graduate, and Friend of the University.