Tommies in Our Communities
Toni Dandrea '11
Location: St. Paul, MN
Tommies in Our Communities
Location: St. Paul, MN
The University of St. Thomas represented both tradition and opportunity for Toni (Villella) Dandrea ’11. Drawn by the university’s reputation as a business powerhouse and inspired by her family’s connection to the school, she saw St. Thomas as the ideal place to launch her career. The close-knit campus environment and strength of the Tommie alumni network confirmed she had found the right fit.
Today, Dandrea serves as CEO at Tonzo Tech, a forward-thinking AI operations company dedicated to freeing teams from repetitive tasks through smart automation. By turning chaotic day-to-day chores into smooth, hands-free workflows, Dandrea's company gives business leaders their time back so they can focus on growth instead of micromanagement. While her career began in marketing management, she realized that true business growth requires both great front-end messaging and flawless back-end execution, a realization that ultimately led her to become CEO at Tonzo Tech. Backed by the support of university mentors who recognized her potential, she continues to build on that strong professional momentum in the Twin Cities business community.
Dandrea credits the Tommie Network as a defining factor in her journey. “There is a tangible sense of Tommies looking out for Tommies,” she said. That connection continues to shape her professional success and commitment to the Twin Cities business community. For Dandrea, St. Thomas provided a bridge between family legacy and professional leadership, giving her the confidence to grow her career in the same community she calls home.
Living the St. Thomas mission of “all for the common good” means investing in the well-being of the community that helped shape her. As a business leader, wife and mother of three, she strives to model how professional ambition and service can go hand in hand. Whether mentoring others, supporting local businesses or raising her family in the Highland and Mac-Groveland neighborhood near campus, she remains deeply connected to the Tommie spirit.
Her advice to current Tommies is practical and encouraging: pursue internships, explore your interests and trust the process of discovering your passion. “Find what excites you and give yourself the space to grow into it,” she said.
“The defining factor of my journey has been the power of the St. Thomas network. It runs deep within the Twin Cities business community, and there is a tangible sense of 'Tommies looking out for Tommies’.”
“I incorporate the St. Thomas mission by staying rooted in the community that shaped me. Being ‘All for the Common Good’ means recognizing that my success as a business leader is inseparable from the health of my neighborhood and the people within it. From my leadership at Media Bridge to my role as a mother of three in the Highland/Mac-Groveland area, I aim to lead by example, showing that professional ambition and a commitment to serving others can, and should, go hand-in-hand.”
“Do the internships. There is no substitute for the experience you gain outside the classroom; it’s the bridge to your first job offer. At the same time, don't get so caught up in the future that you forget to live in the moment. St. Thomas is a special community. Enjoy it! Work hard, get the experience, but don't take life so seriously. The most successful people I know are the ones who learned how to balance professional drive with a sense of humor and a genuine love for the journey.”
“Don’t feel like you need to have your entire career mapped out on day one. Find your passion first, and give yourself the grace to explore until you do. When you are genuinely passionate about your craft, your career growth will take care of itself.”
“St. Thomas gives you the best of both worlds: a tight-knit community and a massive professional reach. The alumni network is a powerhouse in the Twin Cities, providing a direct pipeline to career success. You’ll learn from top-notch professors who prioritize real-world experience over just theory. And with the Athletics programs now making waves, the energy and Tommie pride on campus are at an all-time high. If you want a school that prepares you to lead and connects you for life, this is the place.”