Gary di Silvestri

Gary di Silvestri is a graduate of Monsignor Farrell High School in Staten Island, New York, where he was a member of the football, wrestling and track & field teams. He graduated salutatorian and was awarded the top student athlete on Staten island.[3] He has an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University, where he graduated magna cum laude and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society. Gary also has a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University, where he graduated with honors and was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma national honors society.[3][4] He has had a long career in financial services, having worked for Credit Suisse First Boston in London, England; and Morgan Stanley in both London and New York City.[5][6] In 1997, di Silvestri founded Deutsche Suisse Asset Management, and he said his business success had allowed him to pursue philanthropy full time.[7][8]

After Tropical Storm Erika, di Silvestri financed development and humanitarian projects in Dominica to assist the country's rebuilding efforts. He also helped to fund athletic programs around the world, including the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team, and several other national, university and club efforts looking to grow the sport.

With sights set on competing at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, di Silvestri earned the chance to represent Dominica by racing in five Olympic qualifiers leading up to the games. Unfortunately for di Silvestri, he fell seriously ill just prior to the start of the games contracting acute gastroenteritis, and was unable to finish the 15 km race. [9] Gary was one of four competitors to not finish his 15km event (there was also one non-starter).

Leading up to the 2014 Winter Olympic games, the di Silvestri's received a lot of positive press, including a piece from NBC Sports.[10] Since the couple were not native to Dominica, their participation in the games was unique.[11][12]

• Dominica at the 2014 Winter Olympics