Class Notes

Winter 2021

"The last two and a half years have been intense. With the loss of our mother, and our father being moved to assisted living, the biggest change has been moving into the role of research director at the Hirsch Lab at the UW Medicine Diabetes Institute. Just as we moved into the beautiful new South Lake Union building, anticipated for more than 25 years, the pandemic added that interesting touch of working from home. We are doing OK, holding our breath to see what the season's changes bring about for us all. Hope everyone is distancing, masking, and staying safe."

Summer 2021

"In my work life, I help manage one of the largest archives of atmospheric, coastal, geophysical, and oceanic research in the world. Since March 2020, I've been the Data Stewardship Division's Colorado Site Lead at NOAA-National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). When I say I work for NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), I get a lot of "Do you work with whales?" "Is the Arctic changing?" or "Will it rain tomorrow?" I tell people that I help protect our data resources that feed into products and models that inform climate and marine research. I live in Seattle with my partner and dog. I'm a loyal friend, dog mom, garden historian, daughter, and Auntie LaLa to my niece and nephew. I am also an inveterate traveler, avid needlepointer, accomplished baker, and people connector."

Winter 2021

"I recently reached the 20-year milestone in my career as a professor at Harvard University, where I teach courses in European social theory and philosophy. The summer before the pandemic, my wife and I were wandering across Europe, and I was giving lectures in various cities, including Amsterdam, Cambridge, Frankfurt, and Berlin. I continue to publish criticism in periodicals such as The Nation, The New Republic, and The New York Review of Books. My most recent book is Migrants in the Profane: Critical Theory and the Question of Secularization. The past year or so, I have been conducting all instruction via Zoom, which affords me the joys of remaining in my socks all day, though I miss live interactions with students, often because over Zoom I can't hear their laughter when I tell a joke. Maybe I need better jokes."

Summer 2021

"I have been working in the Oregon wine industry since 2004. For the last five years, I have been the director of consumer sales at Montinore Estate Winery. Currently, I am most proud of my role as co-chair of ¡Salud!, an organization that provides health care to the migrant farmworkers that the wine industry relies on. Through fundraising, winery contributions, and volunteer efforts, this organization has helped care for vineyard workers for 30 years. This past year, we have provided COVID-19 testing and care and administered vaccines to workers and their families. I live with my winemaker husband, Gary, in the Oregon countryside, and my two adult kids live in the Portland area."

Winter 2021

"After working with refugees in the U.S., U.K., Middle East, Asia, and Africa for more than 25 years, I have launched my own nonprofit organization, Refugees in Schools Everywhere (RISE). We fund high school and college scholarships in the country of asylum. I appreciate my UPrep education so much. It taught me the value of service to others and to think globally, act locally."

Winter 2021

"I create reality. I help my children grow and bloom. I practice art and quietude. I am making friends with beautiful, glowing people. I am feeling helpless and alone and scared, until I can feel joy and wonder. I try to keep wonder active daily! I am starring in a fabulous love story that is my life. Happily ever after isn't boring." 

Summer 2021

"I recently joined the U District Partnership as their new executive director, after working 10 years in downtown Seattle, most recently for the Downtown Seattle Association, and, prior to that, for the Chinatown-ID Business Improvement Area. In my new role, I am excited to lead a team to support the small businesses in the U District, while also guiding planning efforts as the neighborhood welcomes the light rail and unprecedented new residential and commercial development."

Summer 2021

"About two years ago, I joined the Seattle Kraken and Climate Pledge Arena as their VP of sustainability and transportation. My work is focused on how fans will get to and from all the arena events and implementing the sustainability vision to make Climate Pledge Arena the world's first certified net-zero-carbon arena. Built in 1962 for the World's Fair, Climate Pledge Arena has been able to preserve the original 44-million-pound roof, which is a National Historic Landmark, while we build a brand-new arena underneath. Home to both the NHL's Seattle Kraken and the four-time WNBA champion Seattle Storm, Climate Pledge Arena will also host other great events in the heart of Seattle Center's campus. I'm so thrilled to work for a company that's committed to sustainability while helping to preserve an important part of Seattle's history."

Summer 2021

"I recently joined Ethan Stowell Restaurants, one of the premier restaurant groups in Seattle, as co-owner and president. Ethan Stowell Restaurants includes five-star favorites, including Goldfinch Tavern, Tavolata, and How to Cook a Wolf. After UPrep, I attended Colby College and received my MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. Upon returning to Seattle, I founded Kigo Kitchen, which ultimately merged with Ethan Stowell Restaurants. I'm an active UPrep alum and served on the UPrep Alumni Board. I now have three small children - Maggie (6), Ellie (4), and Steven III (1) - and live with my wife, Laura, near Green Lake."

Winter 2021

"I am a local orthodontist with practices in Bellevue and downtown Seattle. My husband and two daughters enjoy playing outdoors, reading books, and finding joy in day-to-day life."

Winter 2021

"Our family sincerely hopes everyone in the UPrep community is well amidst this pandemic. We have started a Facebook group called Pulling Together. Like rowers who must pull together as a team, this page aims to help others via inspiring posts and community dialogue meant to life one another up, knowing that a rising tide lifts all boats. Additionally, our family has been spending time in the country. I achieved my Brazilian jiujitsu blue belt last year, am working on my MS in industrial/organizational psychology, and reconnected with former classmate (and psychologist) Massimo Backus, who recently started his own consulting business." 

Winter 2021

"We have found that getting to spend more time outdoors is a silver lining of this last year. Hope everyone from '03 is doing well!"

Winter 2021

"Hi Pumas! This last year has certainly been full of unexpected changes, and most exciting for me has been stepping full-time into my own business as a well-being coach for professional women. It's been fun to see how my previous experiences have led me to help busy, professional women give themselves permission to break free from external pressure, stress, and expectation, and design a soul-driven, balanced, and consciously connected life. Please reach out if you'd like some support leading from your soul's purpose, igniting deep connection and authentic self-exploration, gaining clarity on your path, and finding joy in the celebration of your individual intersectionalities and unique soul. I'd love to connect with you at sandrawashington.com!"

Winter 2021

"We moved from D.C. to San Diego, in an epic cross-country, mid-pandemic road trip, hitting up as many national parks as possible. Now we're settled in a great home, 10 minutes from the beach, and I've started a new position with the digital marketing team at an L.A.-based company called goodr. They sell sunglasses with a hilarious brand voice, which is incredibly fun to write in. Shout out to the class of 08's: Alli Arrigoni, Hannah Asher, Nina Rabins, and Erin Bosetti! I love you all, and our daily group chat makes my heart soar."

Winter 2021

"After graduating with my masters in HR management from University of Southern California in December, I spent a few months traveling and completing my yoga teacher training in Southeast Asia. I returned in March, just in time to retrieve my dog, Olive, and move into a new apartment to quarantine in Newport Beach, California. I've spent significant time volunteering with the Alzheimer's Association and am working as HR manager/business partner for Children's Hospital of Orange County."                                                                                                                                                  

Winter 2021

"My husband and I are still living in the UK and expecting a baby girl in February 2021! I would love to connect with any UPrep alumni living in the U.K."

Winter 2021

"For the past several months, I've been isolating with my family, helping care for my brother and becoming a master of Bananagrams. I also recently transitioned into a new role as a digital campaign manager for Wikipedia. Outside of work, I've enjoyed wildlife photography for several years, which has inspired me to begin learning how to paint. I also want to give a shout-out to my former classmate and good friend Sam Thomas, who is a first responder and a true hero."

Winter 2021

"Weathering the pandemic in beautiful La Conner, I've filled my time with family, growing a business, and reflecting on everything. My partner of two years, Pat, and my little dog, Tony, have been my constant companions and refuge, and I certainly couldn't keep going without their love. This pandemic led to me losing my full-time retail job, which allowed me to establish my own business, Curated by Ivy, on Etsy. I sell vintage home goods, clothing, and art, and act as everything from CEO to custodian! Appreciating these positives and accomplishments in my life has been my saving grace, and I'm so thankful for my family, Pat, and his family. Loving and protecting those around us is truly the most important thing one can do every day. My best wishes of health and happiness to the UPrep community."

Winter 2021

"I have been combining my passion for climbing with my studies of gender, racial, and environmental inequalities. I am working toward becoming a mountain guide through the American Mountain Guides Association. I'm an avid rock, alpine, and ice climber and have successfully climbed many technical routes, ranging from glaciated peaks in the Cascades to big walls in Yosemite. I'm working to make the outdoors more inclusive and to provide access to the mountains to marginalized groups in an environmentally responsible way."