Alumni-Elected Trustees

The Wesleyan University Board of Trustees has an awesome responsibility during this fraught moment for higher education in America. Wesleyan, like many of its peers, faces unprecedented challenges as it strives to continue providing a world class liberal arts education to the next generation of leaders, artists, and innovators. That is why I would be honored to leverage my experience and expertise, honed over two decades in public service and the private sector, to support our alma mater.

Wesleyan challenged my outlook on the world. Standout professors pushed me to explore all sides of a topic, think creatively, and present ideas based on rigorous analysis and facts. To this day, I call on the critical thinking and life skills I developed at Wesleyan.

As a Managing Director at Bully Pulpit International, I provide strategic communications support to a broad range of clients across multiple industries and causes. Earlier in my career, I served as a Spokesperson in the White House and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, led External Affairs for Ariel Investments, and directed communications in the executive branch and in Congress. That experience continues to pay dividends today.

I owe Wesleyan a huge debt for shaping me into the person I am today, and with your support, I would be honored to repay that debt further by serving as an elected alumni member of the Board of Trustees.

• Former National Security Council Senior Director
• Former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Public Affairs
• Former Democratic National Committee Communications Director
• Board Member, French-American Foundation
• Treasury Department Distinguished Service Award, 2016
• Former Reunion Committee Member
• Wesleyan Varsity Golf Team

At a time when higher education and civil rights of diverse and underrepresented groups are threatened, this is a critical moment to support Wesleyan. As a Trustee, I would focus on sustaining Wesleyan through these challenges. I would use my experience—from nonprofit boards, business consulting, and financial services—as an effective steward and fiduciary, to help Wesleyan deal with the realities of serving all of its diverse constituencies, in the face of funding cuts or endowment taxes.

Times are fraught. Like many of you, I’m outraged to see daily news about the latest assaults on education, civil liberties, and funding. President Roth has been uniquely outspoken in defending academic freedom, human rights, and civility, and I believe that Wesleyan should remain steadfast in upholding these values.

Before my corporate career, my values were formed at Wesleyan—the importance of giving back, compassion for others, inquiry, and fact-based education. Wesleyan made me who I am today. As a Trustee, I will support actions to keep educating students through facts and research, analytical thinking, discourse and diverse viewpoints, and protection of human rights. Policies, positions, operational and financial decisions should uphold our mission and bolster financial stability. We should strengthen alumni engagement as giving and volunteering may become more essential.

My community service builds upon 30+ years in the corporate world, leveraging skills in strategy, organizational change, and financial management. Since COVID, I’ve committed most of my time to volunteering. As a Board Member of Food For Free, one of Boston area’s largest hunger-relief nonprofits, I serve on the Finance and Strategic Planning Committees. Additionally, I am Board Treasurer of the Baldwin Community Center, which provides childcare and services for elders aging in place.

I hope to continue bringing my energy, passion, and experience to Wesleyan by serving as a Trustee.Board Member, Food for Free Committee

• Board Member & Treasurer, Maria L. Baldwin Community Center
• Wesleyan Service Award, 1996
• Former President’s Council, Annual Fund National Committee, Trustee Nominating Committee, Alumni Association Executive Committee
• Head of Boston Alumni Club
• Class Agent, Reunion Chair
• Admission and Career Center volunteer

Growing up in Spokane, Washington, in a family that struggled financially, it was never a given that I’d be able to attain a top-tier college education. But generous financial aid—not just for college but for an important summer internship with the City of Spokane—made it possible to leave eastern Washington and launch a lifetime of entrepreneurship and community service.

I’ve spent the last 33 years paying back, and paying forward, the education I got at Wesleyan. I am excited for the opportunity to serve as an alumni-elected trustee so that I can help generations of Wesleyan students have the opportunity for which I’m forever grateful.

People say I’m a connector—I often find myself connecting the lifelong friends I made at Wesleyan with young graduates. I also mentor in my new role as an Executive in Residence at Columbia Business School, advising graduate students and alumni on their professions, particularly in real estate, entrepreneurship, and non-profit management.

Since living in Seattle for the past 24 years, I have actively worked to strengthen the city and the community—an experience that I would love to bring to Wesleyan and, by extension, Middletown. I served for nine years on the board of The Seattle Foundation, helping grow our assets to over $1 billion. I helped select our new CEO and worked with him, the team, and the board to optimize the foundation and make it more inclusive and transparent.

My professional experience will also be useful to Wes as it stewards its finances and real estate investments. I have developed real estate and invested in small businesses, primarily in Washington State, for the last 24 years through my company, Eagle Rock Ventures LLC.

I hope to contribute all these skills—and learn some new ones—as a Wesleyan trustee and help shepherd the college into its next generation.

• Director, Alumni Council Operations at Princeton University 
• Former Seattle Foundation Board Member
• Wesleyan Alumni Club of Seattle, President
• Former Annual Fund National Committee
• Former Class Agent
• Wesleyan Service Award, 1997
• Wesleyan Crew Team and Admission Office Senior Interviewer

It is with great excitement and humility that I put my name forward for the position of Alumni Elected Trustee. As it has done for so many of you, Wesleyan fundamentally changed the trajectory of my life. And many of my successes can be traced back to my Wesleyan education and the lifelong connections I made there.

As a proud immigrant and first-generation college graduate, I understand firsthand the transformative power of education. After growing up in Los Angeles, I found a home at Wesleyan. Here, I engaged in a dynamic academic environment that challenged me intellectually while offering me the flexibility to thrive. I was presented with new ideas and the opportunity to develop stronger writing and communication skills. The inspiring professors I met taught me to think critically, deeply, and independently. I forged friendships with people from all over the world who had unique experiences and perspectives. These people challenged how I saw the world and my place in it and helped me grow in unique ways. Together, we created a vibrant, action-oriented community committed to leaving the world better than we found it. This community is the biggest gift I took away from my time at Wesleyan.

Throughout my career in education, I’ve held various roles at different universities and independent schools. After serving in leadership roles at these schools, I’ve gained valuable insights into the inner workings of effective governance at educational institutions. I’ve been able to take part in strategic conversations on topics ranging from budget management to thought leadership on DEI initiatives. And for me, these have reinforced the importance of strongly aligning governance with a school’s mission. During my time on the board, I will work to ensure that Wesleyan secures the critical resources needed and creates frameworks that continue to uphold our core values and adapt to current and future challenges.

The unique approach to education at Wesleyan, combined with its intentional community, equip students with the skills to make a meaningful difference in the world. And I will work to maintain this dynamic combination into the future. I see this opportunity to serve on the board as a way to further strengthen the institution that has given me and all of us so much, and I would be honored to have your vote in support of this.

• Boston Area Independent School Collaborative Co-Chair
• Independent School League Enrollment Group Steering Committee
• Former Reunion Committee Member

I am deeply honored to have been nominated as an Alumni-Elected Trustee candidate, and excited by the prospect of directing my perspectives and passion toward serving my community at Wesleyan University. Wesleyan has been instrumental in shaping who I am today, and I would be incredibly grateful for the opportunity to help protect the ideals and values of Wesleyan that make it so unique, extraordinary, and special—especially during a time when higher education faces so many unprecedented threats and challenges.

Wesleyan emboldened me to be curious and empowered me to be explorative; I majored in Economics and Sociology, played two Varsity sports, and served on student government for all four years, including as Senior Class President. The diverse people, intellectual freedom, and vibrant community at Wes cultivated my passion for community-building and service: a passion that continues to define the course of my life.

My professional journey started in investment banking at Goldman Sachs and then led me to New Story, an affordable housing nonprofit best known for building the world's first community of 3D-printed homes. After graduate school (Wharton MBA, Harvard MPA), I have been focused on sports &entertainment real estate development, helping build stadiums and arenas for industry-leading sports teams and franchises. I have also continued my service to the University, holding previous positions as a Class Secretary, Regional Alumni Representative, and Guest Lecturer. My career experience has equipped me with a broad set of skills in finance, strategy, and operations, all of which I hope to bring to the Board.

Recent government actions seek to threaten academic freedom within higher education. Now, more than ever, I feel motivated to contribute my energy towards helping protect diversity, independence of mind, and bold pursuit of discovery as key tenets of Wesleyan’s ethos. I am committed to ensuring that future generations have access to the transformative experience that Wesleyan provided me, and hope to play a role in helping make this possible as an Alumni-Elected Trustee.

• Senior Class President & WSA
• Varsity Women's Crew & Varsity Women's Squash
• Tour Guide & Senior Interviewer, Psi Upsilon, Student-Athlete Advisory Council
• John F. Kennedy Fellow & Bloomberg Harvard Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School
• Former Class Secretary
• Former Regional Alumni Representative

Motivated by a deep commitment to Wesleyan’s thriving alumni community and a desire to contribute to its future growth, I am excited to express my desire to serve as Alumni-Elected Trustee.

My years of engagement with the Wesleyan community, including hosting the San Francisco GOLD party for many years, attending numerous student outreach events on campus and off, and co-hosting a San Francisco Wesleyan Presidential Visit, have provided me with a unique perspective on the needs and aspirations of our alumni and students alike. My active participation in various alumni outreach events and my dedication to mentoring students through their Wesleyan journey underscore my commitment to fostering strong, supportive networks that extend beyond graduation.

These experiences, partnered with my past 12 years of working for Apple, have shaped my understanding of both the challenges and opportunities facing young alumni in the tech sector and beyond. I feel that perspectives like these are crucial as we consider the ever-changing definition of what it means to be a citizen of the world and how Wesleyan can prepare its future graduates. I am particularly passionate about making Wesleyan’s exceptional education accessible to students worldwide, recognizing that diversity of thought and experience strengthens our community. As it is my dearly heartfelt belief that the world needs more “Idealistic Pragmatists”!

Looking forward, I envision Wesleyan as an institution that remains at the forefront of change, embracing new technologies and methodologies to prepare our students for the complexities of the modern world. By fostering open dialogue with students and alumni directly, I aim to ensure that Wesleyan continues to adapt and thrive in an increasingly interconnected global community.

I am eager to bring insurmountable energy, personal insights, and work expertise to the role of Alumni-Elected Trustee, working collaboratively to ensure Wesleyan remains a leader in innovative and inclusive education for generations to come.

• San Francisco GOLD party host
• Gordon Career Center Volunteer
• Wesleyan Presidential Event co-host
• Frequent mentor of Wesleyan students
• Bay Area Summer Sendoff, Alumni outreach and Wes parent learning event participant