Reunion Weekend | The Ellis School

Ellis Virtual Reunion Weekend: October 8–10, 2020

Join us as we celebrate classes ending in 0’s and 5’s during Reunion Weekend from October 8 to 10, 2020. Although we are unable to meet in person, we wanted to make sure you are able to get connected with your classmates, and Ellis, during the weekend. We'll have three fun-filled days of activities and events, some live and some prerecorded, that will bring together classmates of all decades to celebrate friendships and the place where those friendships began––Ellis!

Virtual events will still include long-standing Ellis traditions like the presentation of the Sara Frazer Ellis Award and newer traditions like the Alumnae Career Panel. Check out our Faculty Art Show online, hear from current Ellis students at our Student Panel, and join us for our Saturday Evening Toast. All alumnae, from all class years, are invited to participate in the online festivities and get caught up with Ellis in 2020.

ALL ALUMNAE ARE WELCOME

While the past few months have been challenging and filled with uncertainty, I have never been more proud to be a part of the Ellis community, as an alumna and current administrator—nor have I been more confident in the importance of all-girls education. Ellis faculty and students showed strength, resilience. and creativity in pivoting to online learning for Spring 2020, and our Ellis alumnae and students are out in the world each and every day making a difference. From volunteering with local organizations to providing healthcare in the face of adversity, Ellis women are true changemakers.

For the safety of everyone involved, we made the difficult decision to move all our Reunion activities online for 2020. While we will miss having you on campus, we have planned a variety of exciting live and recorded activities where you can still reconnect with old friends, network with fellow alumnae, be inspired by current students, and learn all about how Ellis is continuing to educate and graduate future female leaders. Now more than ever all-girls education, and the women it helps create, is critical.

Enjoy the traditions you know and love. See how we are empowering tomorrow’s changemakers.

Warmly,

Milestone reunion years are a great time to celebrate the friendships and experiences you forged at The Ellis School. Gifts in honor of your class power The Ellis School and allow us to continue to educate and graduate future female changemakers. While you were a student, alumnae supported you by donating to the Ellis Fund and now we ask you to do the same! Together, your class can make a difference in the lives of today’s students while honoring the legacy of your time at Ellis.

At Reunion 2020 we will honor and celebrate the classes with the highest participation rate and largest combined gift. These classes will be thanked at Reunion, acknowledged in the Ellis Magazine, and receive limited edition Ellis swag. Your Gift + Your Choice = Your Impact!

Thursday, October 8, 2020

Kick off Reunion Weekend 2020 by joining a panel featuring Upper School students to learn about what it’s like to be a current Ellis girl. Then, in the evening, browse through artworks created by our current faculty members.

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Thursday, October 8, 2020 | Schedule

Time \| Location	Invitees	Event \| Description
3:30–4:30 p.m. Live via Zoom	Open to all classes	Student Panel Hear from current Upper School students to learn about what life at Ellis looks like in 2020. Learn about classes, clubs, sports, and more!
Available online at 6:00 p.m.	Open to all classes	Faculty Art Show Click through and explore an art show featuring works from our current faculty as well as a virtual showing of alumnae artwork.

Friday, October 9, 2020

Join us online throughout the day for the chance to connect with current Ellis students, see alumnae talk about their careers, and join a class. Also, be sure to register to get more fun videos, like a campus tour and other surprises, directly to your inbox!

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Friday, October 9, 2020 | Schedule

Time \| Location	Invitees	Event \| Description
9:30–10:00 a.m. Live via Zoom	Open to all classes	State of the School The Ellis School has evolved in dynamic ways over the past 100 years, but we have maintained our fierce focus on being an outstanding place for girls. Join Head of School Macon Finley as she gives an update on the current state of the School.
10:10–10:50 a.m. Live via Zoom	Open to all classes, limited to 12 alumnae	Grade 1 Interviews Join some of Ellis’ youngest students to hear what life is like in the Lower School today and to share what your own experience was like as an Ellis girl!
10:00–10:50 a.m. Live via Zoom	Open to all classes	Join a Class “Sit in” on a class to see what Ellis students are currently learning and how the curriculum has changed. A variety of classes will be available for sign up on a first come, first serve basis.
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Live via Zoom	Open to all classes	Career Panel Featuring Ellis Alumnae Watch as alumnae share their professional experiences, answer questions from current Upper School students, and reflect on how Ellis influenced their career paths.
2:00–2:45 p.m. Live via Zoom	Class of 1970 only	Grade 4 Pen Pals What’s it like to be an Ellis girl today vs. an Ellis girl five decades ago? The Class of 1970 will find out when they meet their rambunctious, spirited, and silly pen pals from the Class of 2029!
2:00–2:45 p.m. Live via Zoom	Open to all classes	Join A Class “Sit in” on a class to see what Ellis students are currently learning and how the curriculum has changed. A variety of classes will be available for sign up on a first come, first serve basis.
6:00–6:30 p.m. Live via Zoom	Open to all classes	Presentation of the Sara Frazer Ellis Award Join us as we celebrate Kathy McMORRAN Murray ’70 and present her with the Sara Frazer Ellis Award.
Evening	All classes	Individual Class Activities Contact your Class Reunion Representative for more information. The list of Representatives can be found on the Reunion webpage. Please note, these class events will vary by class. If your class would like to virtually gather on a different day, please feel free to do so.

Saturday, October 10, 2020

Introducing Ellis Impact Day! Open to all alumnae and their families, this is an opportunity for alumnae to give back to their communities by going and doing something or from the comfort of their own home. Finally, join us in the evening for a toast to close out Reunion 2020.

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Saturday, October 10, 2020 | Schedule

Time \| Location	Invitees	Event \| Description
Published Online	Open to all classes	State of the School Recording In case you were unable to attend the Zoom event on Friday, we will be publishing a recording of the event on the website Saturday morning.
All day Wherever you are!	Open to all classes and their families	Ellis Impact Day In the spirit of giving back, we are launching Ellis Impact Day! Join your fellow alumnae across the country in giving back to your community in some way and tagging us on social media. Learn more
6:00–6:30 p.m. Live via Zoom	Open to all classes and their guests	Evening Reception Toast to a fabulous Reunion Weekend alongside your fellow classmates to close out Reunion 2020. Grab a drink and join us for a slideshow of images from the milestone years and the induction of Dr. Elissa McCARTHY Tessier ’95 into the Athletic Hall of Fame.
Evening	All classes	Individual Class Activities Contact your Class Reunion Representative for more information. The list of Representatives can be found on the Reunion webpage. Please note, these class events will vary by class. If your class would like to virtually gather on a different day, please feel free to do so.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Will there be any in-person events?

Unfortunately, due to the current circumstances, we have made the decision to suspend all on-campus events for the fall, including Reunion. All Reunion 2020 events will be virtual.
Do I have to wait another five years to attend Reunion on campus?

Of course not! Reunion is always open to alumnae of all class years. But, all members of this year's milestone classes are encouraged to come celebrate in person during Reunion 2021.
Why do you need my address when I register for Reunion?

We want to send you Ellis swag! Since we are unable to be on campus and hand out Ellis gifts, we are asking that our alums give us their most updated address so we are able to mail some Reunion swag to the right place.

Connect & Communicate With Us

Update your contact information to connect and communicate with Ellis all year long. From our alumnae newsletter and private Alumnae Facebook group, to the Ellis Magazine and Ellis Alumnae Connect, we want you to stay in the know on all things Ellis. We’re also posting, tweeting, and Instagramming campus life seven days a week, so give us a follow, like, or retweet next time you’re browsing your feeds!

Award Recipients

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Sara Frazer Ellis Awardee

Kathleen McMORRAN Murray '70

Kathy McMORRAN Murray graduated from Ellis in 1970, got her B.A. in Math and General Science from the University of Rochester, and received her Advanced Management Program degree from Harvard Business School. She is an experienced and creative business growth executive, angel investor, and advisor. Kathy is currently Principal of McMorran Strategists, LLC. Earlier, Kathy held key C-Suite roles at publicly-traded firms and partnerships—Aetna, PwC, and FARO—in operations, real estate, sales, and marketing. After living in Pittsburgh, Dallas, West Hartford, and Westchester, she now lives in New York City with her husband, Alan. Here she is a deacon at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church and a member of the Harvard Club of NYC and the University Club of NY, where she leads the Risk Sub-Committee of Audit, and she is an active squash and backgammon player.
Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee

Dr. Elissa McCARTHY Tessier '95

While at Ellis, Elissa McCARTHY Tessier played field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse for the Tigers in grade 7 through grade 12. During her athletic career, she was awarded MVP in Varsity Field Hockey in 1994 and 1995, MVP in Varsity Basketball in 1994, and MVP for JV Lacrosse in 1992, as well as Varsity in 1994 and 1995. During her senior year, she was the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award.

After graduating Ellis, Elissa was a four-year letter winner for the Denison University field hockey and lacrosse teams between 1995-99. Elissa was a five-time All-American and eight-time All-NCAC honoree. Her career was highlighted by a pair of first-team All-America honors in 1996 and 1998 for field hockey. In 1997, she was named the NCAC’s Offensive Player of the Year, and in 2004 she was named to the prestigious NCAC 20th Year Anniversary Team. She remains the only three-time All-American in Denison field hockey history. She received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Connecticut and has worked for the Veteran Healthcare Administration since 2006. She currently lives in Connecticut with her husband and three daughters.

Alumnae Career Panelists

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Susan DAVENPORT Austin '85

Susan DAVENPORT Austin '85 currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of Grace Church School in New York City. In this role, she is responsible for the overall financial management of the school. Grace Church School serves approximately 780 students from Jr. Kindergarten through 12th grade. Additionally, she serves as a board member for a number of companies and nonprofits. Prior to joining Grace Church School, Ms. Austin served as a Senior Managing Director at Brock Capital Group, a boutique investment bank, since 2013. Previously, she spent ten years at Sheridan Broadcasting Corporation, a private broadcast radio company. At Sheridan, she served as Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer and as President of the Sheridan Gospel Network. Prior to Sheridan, Ms. Austin worked at Goldman Sachs, Bear Stearns, and Salomon Brothers.

Ms. Austin was named one of the “40 Most Powerful People in Radio” in 2013 and 2014 by Radio Ink Magazine. Radio Ink also named her one of the “Most Influential Women in Radio” and/or one of the “Most Influential African Americans in Radio” from 2006 to 2015. She has been profiled twice as the cover story in Radio Ink (2005 and 2013).

Ms. Austin received her A.B. from Harvard University and M.B.A. from Stanford Graduate School of Business. She and her husband, Kenneth Austin, have two children (Abigail and Kyle) and reside in New York and East Hampton.
Dr. Nicole VÉLEZ '00

Dr. Nicole F. Vélez '00 graduated Phi Beta Kappa and cum laude from Carnegie Mellon University and with Alpha Omega Alpha honors from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She then went on to complete a combined internal medicine and dermatology residency at Harvard Medical School, and received additional fellowship training in Mohs micrographic surgery for skin cancer and cosmetic dermatology.

Dr. Vélez is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and a fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgeons. After practicing dermatology for five years in Pittsburgh, she started her own dermatology and Mohs surgery practice in Cranberry, PA. She enjoys teaching and staying on top of new advancements in her field. Dr. Vélez has published over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles and lectured both nationally and internationally on skin cancer.

When not at work, Dr. Vélez enjoys spending time with her husband, two young boys, and extended family.
Kristen HAUSER '10

Kristen HAUSER '10 is a Powertrain Fuel Economy Integration Engineer at Ford Motor Company. After earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in 2014, she relocated to southeast Michigan to join the Ford College Graduate Program. In this program, she completed five job rotations in the areas of software development, program management, and product launch to deliver products including the Lincoln Continental and F-150 Raptor.

Her current organization is responsible for designing and implementing software that controls the electromechanical systems which allow gas engines and automatic transmissions to comply with federal emissions and fuel economy standards, as well as deliver optimal performance to customers. In her current role as a fuel economy integration engineer, she uses analytical tools and lab testing to find fuel economy opportunities within these control systems and collaborates with North American, European, and Chinese teams to implement the changes and ensure future regulatory compliance.

In her free time, she participates in an amateur endurance road racing series called Champ Car with friends from work and explores remote international destinations with her boyfriend, Trevor. She resides in Royal Oak, Michigan with her two cats, Nugget and Shelby.
Michelle GIRTS '70

Michelle GIRTS '70, President of EnTranRight LLC, has been building successful businesses around technology and talent for 35 years. Michelle joined CH2M HILL as an Environmental Scientist to develop and commercialize the innovative, low-cost treatment technology of engineered wetlands, based on her research under a U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge Fellowship at the US Bureau of Mines. Before specializing in wetland biogeochemistry, Michelle worked for the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and the Portland, OR Water Bureau Water Quality Division.

Since retirement, Michelle was appointed to the Clark County Clean Water Commission, and she is active as Chair of the local chapter of the Ninety Nines (an international women pilot association), secretary of the local chapter of Sigma Xi (honorary science research association), and book group leader for the local American Association of University Women chapter. She also is active in Presbyterian church ministries, is a Master Gardener, dabbles in genealogy—and flies a Cirrus single engine airplane with her husband in her spare time.

Ms. Girts has a B.S. (Portland State University) and M.S. in Biology (West Virginia University) with minors in geology and civil engineering, and she completed course requirements towards a Ph.D. in Engineering Water Resources at Oregon State University.

Class Representatives

If you don’t have a Reunion Representative for your year and would like to be one, please contact alumnae@theellisschool.org to become one!

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Class of 1960

Cynthia SCOTT Amerman
Class of 1965

Susan DICKEY Gilmore, Pam PROPST Campbell, Nancy WANDERER
Class of 1970

Liz SUCCOP Altman, Kathy MCMORRAN Murray, Susie GILBERT Tabor, Michelle GIRTS, Parie MILLER Duggan
Class of 1975

Representative still needed!
Class of 1980

Representative still needed!
Class of 1985

Representative still needed!
Class of 1990

Representative still needed!
Class of 1995

Colleen DAILY Simonds and Sarah ALTMAN Bumstead
Class of 2000

Courtney SYSKOWSKI and Jessica RUFFIN
Class of 2005

Jessica BOPP Dawson
Class of 2010

Molly SOFFIETTI
Class of 2015

Megan MARKOVITZ

See What Your Fellow Alumnae Are Up To

Ellis Alumnae

Kristen HAUSER '10, Automotive Engineer

After earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, Kristen HAUSER ’10 relocated to southeast Michigan to join the Ford Motor Company College Graduate Program. Throughout the program, she completed rotations in the areas of software development, program management, and product launch to deliver products, including the Lincoln Continental and F-150 Raptor. Now a Powertrain Fuel Economy Integration Engineer at the company, Kristen’s team is responsible for designing and implementing software that controls the electromechanical systems which allow gas engines and automatic transmissions to comply with federal emissions and fuel economy standards, as well as deliver optimal performance to customers. In her role, Kristen uses analytical tools and lab testing to find fuel economy opportunities within these control systems and collaborates with North American, European, and Chinese teams to implement the changes and ensure future regulatory compliance.
Nicole F. VÉLEZ, M.D. ’00, Dermatologist

Dr. Nicole F. VÉLEZ ’00 is a dermatologist who specializes in skin cancer, particularly Mohs micrographic surgery. Nicole graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Cum Laude from Carnegie Mellon University and with honors from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, before completing a combined internal medicine and dermatology residency at Harvard Medical School. Committed to teaching and staying on top of new advancements in her field, she has published over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles and lectured both nationally and internationally on skin cancer. In 2019, she opened her private practice, Pittsburgh Skin, in Cranberry Township, north of the city.
Michelle GIRTS '70, Environmental Scientist

A dedicated environmental scientist who has worked in both corporate and research settings, Michelle GIRTS ’70 has been building successful businesses around technology and talent for 35 years. Prior to her retirement, Michelle worked for the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and the Portland Water Bureau as an environmental science technical specialist collecting samples for water quality lab testing, programming data analysis, and reviewing and reporting the status of water quality throughout the system and the impacts of activities in the watershed. She then moved on to work as an environmental scientist for engineering company, CH2M Hill, where she developed and commercialized the innovative, low-cost treatment technology of engineered wetlands. Since her retirement, Michelle has been named to the Clark County Clean Water Commission, is an active volunteer in her local community, a master gardener, and flies a Cirrus single-engine airplane with her husband in her spare time.
Blaine DINKIN '13, Administrative Fellow

Blaine DINKIN ’13 was in her first rotation as an administrative fellow at Forbes Hospital when COVID-19 hit. As a member of Allegheny Health Network’s fellowship program, Blaine is exploring the operational, clinical, and strategic side of the healthcare system after receiving her master’s degree in health care policy and management. When the pandemic began in March, Blaine’s role changed and she put all of her energy into producing and assembling test kits. To date, Blaine and her team have assembled close to 150,000 COVID-19 testing kits for Pittsburghers—and they’re not slowing down anytime soon.
Lorrie KIGER '04 MD, Pediatrician

A pediatrician at Children’s Community Pediatrics in Pittsburgh, Lorrie KIGER '04 is seeing firsthand the effects COVID-19 has on children and families. From telemedicine to parking lot exams, pediatric care is evolving every day, and Lorrie is giving us a peek into this changing landscape while sharing helpful tips for parents.
Captain Anne MAGNUSSEN Lockhart ’79, U.S. Navy

Captain Anne MAGNUSSEN Lockhart ’79 began her career as an intelligence officer with the Department of Defense, before climbing the ranks in the United States Navy, where she has served in a myriad of roles since 1993. From leading Joint Task Force Guantanamo, where she supervised over 170 personnel, to commanding NR Defense Intelligence Agency Headquarters 1006, Cpt. Anne has proven herself to be a capable and hard-working member of the United States military. Celebrating her fortieth reunion this year, Cpt. Anne looks back on her time at Ellis, reflects upon her military career, and shares advice for current students.
Kitty COOK ’89, Vice President of Strategic Insight

As Vice President of Strategic Insight at a full-service market research firm, Kitty COOK ’89 designs, manages, and executes custom research projects for a variety of clients and major brands. From working on Former President Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign to teaming up with the Harlem Globetrotters, Kitty continuously works to streamline and improve processes and productivity for her clients. Celebrating her 30th reunion this year, Kitty shares more about her post-graduation path, her career, and her time at Ellis.
Brooke GENERETT ’99, Social Worker

Brooke GENERETT ’99 is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over fifteen years of experience working with children, adolescents and their families. In 2012, Brooke started her own counseling practice, Generett Counseling Services, LLC, with the primary goal of assisting individuals in developing the life skills necessary for problem-solving in a challenging environment. In addition to running her own private practice, she is the Director of Prevention Services at Family Resources, a child abuse prevention agency in the Pittsburgh region, where she oversees four prevention programs. Prior to her current roles, Brooke held full-time positions at Gwen’s Girls and Communities in Schools of Pittsburgh-Allegheny County.
Abigail BAYLES Wiebenson ’59, Leadership Coach

A true lifelong learner, Abigail BAYLES Wiebenson ’59 has spent her career wearing various hats in the field of education. After 19 years as Head of the Lowell School in Washington, D.C., Abigail switched gears and became a leadership coach, working with scores of school administrators locally and globally to identify their deeply held beliefs, hone their vision for leadership, and to plan for the many facets of their schools. A ubiquitous force on the Washington school scene, Abigail has also served as a trustee at three Washington independent schools, chaired accreditation teams, taught at Johns Hopkins University, and acted as a mentor for the National Association of Independent Schools Aspiring School Heads fellows.
Hallie BENNETT ’09, DPT, Traveling Physical Therapist

Whether she’s practicing in Pittsburgh or Hawaii, Dr. Hallie BENNET ’09 can be found motivating and inspiring people across the country as a traveling physical therapist. A graduate of Ithaca College's Physical Therapy Doctorate program, Hallie moves to a new city every three to six months to heal and help patients in a variety of healthcare settings such as nursing homes, hospitals, and home health. With plans to move back to Hilo, Hawaii, this December for another rotation, Hallie is currently finishing an assignment in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and studying for a specialized certification in neurological physical therapy.
Indea HERNDON ’04, Engagement and Inclusion Consultant

As an Engagement and Inclusion Consultant at the UPMC Center for Engagement and Inclusion, Indea HERNDON ’04 aims to ensure that diversity, inclusion, respect, and cultural awareness are a core part of the UPMC experience. Her unyielding commitment to culture, community, and social change led her to work with the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh first as a Board Member for the Thelma Lovette YMCA, then as the Membership Director and Drug & Alcohol Prevention Director for the Allegheny and Homewood locations. During her tenure at the YMCA, Indea was selected to become a national trainer for the Dimensions of Diversity course, where she taught staff the importance of Diversity and Inclusion. Currently, Indea serves as the Vice President of the Board of Trustees at Pittsburgh Cares, and is a proud member of the Urban League Young Professionals and the long-standing Aurora Reading Club, one of the nation’s oldest African American book groups.
Susan SLATER Ellenberg ’83, Santa Clara County Supervisor

When Susan SLATER Ellenberg ’83 feels that something is unjust, she speaks up. As a current member of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, Susan advocates for everything from affordable housing to environmental conservation, and has even spoken publicly—and inspiringly—about her own experience with depression. She not only credits her Ellis education with playing a part in her choice to run for office, but with teaching her to work hard and believe in the power of her own voice.
Emma GILMORE Kieran ’96, Nonprofit Consultant

Emma GILMORE Kieran ’96, an Ellis lifer, knows how important it is for women to develop strong, confident voices—especially because she has used her own voice to further the mission of over 100 different nonprofits. Her experience at Ellis, along with her time as an educator, frontline fundraiser, and in-house firm consultant, instilled in her the perseverance necessary to seek out new opportunities and open her own business.
Jaime LEVINE ’92, Book Editor

Books have been a constant companion for Jaime LEVINE ’92 throughout her life. An Ellis student from kindergarten to grade 12, Jaime’s love of reading was ignited during her time at Ellis—but it wasn’t the classics assigned in English class that piqued her interest. It was the story prompts assigned by beloved retired Grade 2 Teacher Terri Wilson and the freedom to check out novels of her own choosing from the Lower School library that turned her into a budding bibliophile. Now a book editor in New York City, Jaime shares what it’s like to work in the publishing industry, how her time at Ellis prepared her with practical skills she uses to this day, and how mentors in her personal and professional life have propelled her and her career forward.
Alice CURTIS Cline ’02, Midwife

As a certified nurse midwife, Alice CURTIS Cline ’02 is a steadfast advocate and champion for women and their families during pregnancy and birth. Her commitment to helping—and empowering—others, particularly women, began at The Ellis School and evolved during her time studying nursing at Georgetown University. An Ellis lifer, Alice reflects on how her education at Ellis built her foundation, framed her worldview, and established her belief in herself.
Dara HALL Mendez, Ph.D. ’98, Epidemiologist

An Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh, Dara HALL Mendez, Ph.D ’98 is a social and perinatal epidemiologist, researcher, and advocate for women’s, maternal, and infant health. With a focus on approaches to achieve health equity, Dara explores the complex intersections between stress, racism, neighborhoods, and contexts to better understand racial and ethnic inequities in pregnancy, birth, and women’s health. Her work has been funded by the Aetna Foundation, the Kellogg Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health. In addition to her research, Dara serves on Pennsylvania’s newly formed Maternal Mortality Review Committee and is an executive member and research lead of the Infant Mortality Collaborative for Allegheny County and Advisory Board Member for Women Engaged. A champion for women’s reproductive health and well-being, Dara shares more about her work, her time in the Upper School, and how The Ellis School influenced her career path.
Ginnae HARLEY '88, Public Education

A self-starter who has followed her passions throughout her decades of experience, Ginnae HARLEY '88 has worked in government service, program development, corporate product and brand development, and public education throughout her career. Through the many twists and turns, Ginnae discovered that her most rewarding experiences have come from helping other people realize their goals and dreams. Now dedicated to bettering public education, she works for the State of Tennessee in the Office of School Improvement where she creates transformational opportunities for all students, regardless of their zip code or background, to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life.
Kate Schuler-WALSH '08, Antiquities Analyst

Ever since she was a student at The Ellis School, Kate Schuler-WALSH '08 knew she wanted an internationally-focused career. So she wasted no time after graduation and made the leap across the pond to study at the University of St Andrews. After receiving her diploma in Social Anthropology and Arabic, Kate moved to Amman, Jordan, to work with Syrian refugees at a non-governmental organization focused on community empowerment and sustainable economic growth. Fast forward a few years and Kate was back in the States receiving her master's degree in Security Studies from Georgetown University where she concentrated on terrorism and sub-state violence. Her global experience and expanding expertise then took her to a technology firm in Washington, D.C. where she developed analytical approaches for identifying illicit activity on the deep web. Now located in Manhattan, NY, Kate works at the New York County District Attorney’s Office where she investigates antiquities trafficking and works to repatriate stolen and looted artifacts to their rightful owners.
Katerina ISTOMIN '03, Musician & Counselor

A professional violist who has played with orchestras all over the world, Katerina ISTOMIN '03 is in the midst of shifting her career path from music to psychology as she pursues her Doctorate of Counseling Psychology at Carlow University. A graduate of the Juilliard School, Katerina has worked as a fellow with the Music Advancement and Gluck Community Service programs at the Juilliard School and as a teaching artist in Medellin, Colombia, with the New World Symphony. With a passionate belief that music and psychology are interlinked, Katerina calls upon her past experiences to better understand human behavior and motivate her in her new journey of becoming a licensed psychologist. Dedicated to holistic wellness on and off the stage, Katerina shares more about switching her professional focus, her all-girls education, and the influence Ellis had on her after graduation.
Susan HIGINBOTHAM Holcombe, Ph.D. '58, Humanitarian

Susan HIGINBOTHAM Holcombe, Ph.D. ’58 has had a long and illustrious career in international affairs and sustainable development. A former program director for Oxfam America, Susan served in program management positions with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Fiji, Sudan, and China as well as in the New York headquarters. She has also participated in or led field evaluations and assessments for the Ford Foundation, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNFPA, UNICEF, UNDP, World Bank, and the University of the South Pacific. A professor emerita at Brandeis University, Susan taught a range of courses in The Heller School for Policy and Management and is currently working on a book, tentatively titled Practicing Development for Sustainable Change. A global changemaker who traveled the world to improve people’s health, education, and opportunities, Susan reflects on her work overseas, her time at Ellis, and shares advice for current students.