A Life of Purpose and Philanthropy: Remembering Kelli Questrom

Carol “Kelli” Questrom—an accomplished communications professional, civic leader, and longtime champion of education and the arts—passed away on December 22, 2025, at the age of 82. She is remembered for the energy, creativity, and purpose she brought to every community she touched, and for the enduring philanthropic legacy she and her husband, Allen Questrom (Questrom’64, Hon.’15), built together. Kelli Questrom also received an honorary degree from Boston University in 2015.

Kelli Questrom’s connection to Boston University is deeply woven into the story of the Questrom School of Business. In 2015, Allen and Kelli Questrom made a record $50 million gift through The Allen & Kelli Questrom Foundation—at the time, the largest gift in University history—which led to the renaming of Boston University School of Management as the Questrom School of Business. Their support strengthened the School’s foundation for long-term impact, helping to endow faculty chairs and support planning for future academic facilities—investments designed to elevate research, teaching excellence, and the student experience for generations to come.

They remained a visible presence in the life of the School—returning to campus for Questrom Day celebrations and taking time to connect with students, faculty, and staff.

A decade later, the impact of that gift can be seen in the School’s momentum and strength. Questrom has advanced across the areas that matter most in business education—attracting top students, deepening faculty excellence, expanding research visibility, and strengthening career outcomes.

Kelli was widely known for her ability to connect people and ideas—and to turn that connection into meaningful action. Over the course of her career and civic life, she helped bring ambitious public initiatives to life and supported organizations working at the intersection of culture, community, and opportunity. Through their foundation, the Questroms also backed educational initiatives in museums and other institutions, reflecting a shared belief that learning—and creative thinking—can be a powerful force for progress.

Kelli also brought a distinct creative voice to the Questroms’ shared work—shaped by her background in marketing and promotion, her design sensibility, and her natural ability to connect people around ideas with purpose. The values that guided her philanthropy were consistent throughout: a belief in education, creative thinking, and institutions that widen access to opportunity.

At Questrom, Kelli Questrom’s legacy is visible not only in the name of the School, but in what that name represents: the transformative role philanthropy can play in expanding access to opportunity, advancing academic excellence, and preparing principled leaders who will shape the future of business and society.

The Questrom community extends its condolences to Allen Questrom and the Questrom family, with gratitude for Kelli Questrom’s life, leadership, and lasting impact.