CAMPAIGN STORIES

Jason Macari has a 35-year career in developing, manufacturing, marketing, distributing, and selling consumer products and medical devices. He is currently president and CEO of Baby Delight, Inc., a mom-centric baby products company aimed at helping parents lives a little easier in a hectic world. He also has 12 years of experience managing and developing commercial real estate and is currently president and CEO of Macari Properties, Inc., which manages, develops, and owns Commercial Real Estate in Rhode Island.

Jason has always valued his WPI education and maintained his connection to WPI. Most recently, he was involved with the Tech Advisors Network, which provides advising and networking services to support WPI innovators and entrepreneurs. In Unity Hall, Jason and his wife, Martha Anne, supported a meeting space on the second floor. He is excited about the ways this new building will support collaboration across the increasingly blurred lines between and among disciplines.

What interests you or excites you most about Unity Hall?
I am most excited about the collaboration between disciplines and the idea of all students being encouraged to work cross functionally. The world isn’t as cleanly separated between mechanical, electrical, computer, and other disciplines as it once was. The lines are more blurred than ever, and it takes different talents and outlooks to make projects successful in today’s world.

What motivated you to support this new facility?
I am very thankful for my education at WPI. First, the curriculum is great and challenging but also the way that WPI has really focused on projects that are solving bigger problems and challenges in the world today is exciting. For me, it was also critical to have many like-minded people going to school, teaching, working, and running the school that it helped me understand how I could fit into the workplace and the type of work I might be doing. I was the first engineer in my family and the learning process for many students starts with “why are they taking all of these technical classes” that have me pulling my hair out. If you understand why you are working so hard it really helps you work harder and smarter.

What do you hope your gift will achieve—either for future generations of students and faculty at WPI, or for individuals and communities beyond our campus, or both?
I really hope my gift helps WPI students become the leaders in solving the big problems in the world today. I really like the idea of well-rounded engineers, project managers, and scientists having more understanding of the bigger picture and the different talents needed to solve those bigger problems.

What does “Beyond These Towers” mean to you?
For me I am trying to make products that help moms, dads, and babies live better, safer lives. I think we all see where humanity is going and how we are confronted with the biggest problems humankind has faced. Technology can be a big part of the solution rather than creating the problems. That is what it means to me.

What excites you about WPI now and in the future?
Right now, it’s all about teaching WPI’s students in the best, most well-rounded way possible. For the future, someday I would love to be involved in some type of research that solves a big problem in the world. Maybe when I retire!

What would you say to other alumni and friends to encourage them to stay connected—and to participate in Beyond These Towers: The Campaign for WPI?
Although most of us were only at WPI for four or so years, it really set the foundation for the rest of our work lives. I would like to think by giving back we are paying our education forward, and in some way, contributing toward making the world a better place—through students who are aware and equipped to solve all kinds of challenges in the world today. When you talk with students today and look at what they are working on with their projects, you realize they are very aware of this world’s shortcomings and deeply desire to solve them. It’s inspiring to think they will—someday soon.