Alex and Ani Donates $1 Million to Bryant IB Program

Alex and Ani, a fast-growing jewelry company based in Cranston, announced it will donate $1 million to Bryant University's International Business Program.

The money will go towards the school's international business program.

The program connects local companies that need business consultants with seniors earning IB degrees at the university.

In a release, Alex and Ani CEO Giovanni Feroce said he "believes that the multilingual students deliver solid business plans and help to navigate local businesses through international territory."

“Corporate partnerships like this one with Alex and Ani give our students opportunities to practice what they learn in the classroom as they prepare to lead in a global context,” said Jose-Marie Griffiths, vice president for academic affairs. “In addition, the company is an especially relevant corporate role model. Its domestic success is turning into an international success in front of our students’ eyes, and its commitment to corporate philanthropy offers Bryant students an example to follow.”

Feroce said the gift represents the company's "give as we grow" approach to philanthropy.

“With Carolyn’s support, we are coordinating major gifts to local institutions that are long-term partners in creating jobs in Rhode Island. Bryant was at the top of that list,” he said. Rafaelian’s father, Ralph, graduated from Bryant in 1955. In honor of the gift, Bryant’s Chafee Center for International Business has renamed its conference room The Ralph Rafaelian ’55 Conference Room.

Alex and Ani first approached the Chafee Center looking for help as it expanded its business into space. The center helped Feroce connect with faculty and students in the IB program. This past spring, Alex and Ani joined 16 other companies to partner with the IB Senior Practicum - a business lab where seniors work as consultants to help companies "meet global business challenges."