Tag: 2007

The Class of ’07 continues our journey! Lauren Ogden had her second kiddo in the fall and took more than two months to name him (in Vermont you get six months). She’s working part time at the local critical-access hospital and long-term care facility doing infection prevention and control. She’s on the board of a local nonprofit that offers teen and young parents the resources and skills they need to raise healthy families. She goes to cheer for Wes whenever she can at Middlebury sporting events. 

Himanshu “Heems” Suri is very grateful for his soccer and birding group chat with his Wesleyan family: Sara Kim, Alex Magnin, Jared DiMartini ’09, Josh Stephens, and Andre Sternberg. He released a new album, LAFANDAR, on February 16, and another album, Veena, released on May 31. This year he launched Veena (https://veena.nyc), a magazine and lifestyle brand connecting New York with New Delhi. Three times a year Veena drops new editorial and products across “Sounds, Wears, and Naturals.” Heems also started teaching about music tech and global markets at NYU. 

Dawid Wiącek is finally getting around to publishing his book this summer: What My Dog Taught Me: Lessons about Careers, Networking, and Yes, Even Resumes. After a rather lonely year without a dog, he is starting to think about rescuing another pup (but, let’s be honest, the rescuing is mutual/two-way). He is blessed and grateful to visit his 36th country this year, and if the universe allows, he’ll live to 100 and will visit 100 nations. He is currently learning French, polishing his Spanish, and perfecting his Polish, and avoiding Mandarin yet again. He gave up refined sugar for Lent and it was the single best health decision he’s ever made (ask him about it). Dawid is excited for the Summer Olympics! If anyone reading this wants to meet up in person (Zoom is so last year!) in the NYC area, whether to watch the Olympics or just catch up, please hit him up.

As of May 2024, Tori Mair is starting her own law firm with her longtime law partner, Jessica Gray. The firm will be called Santoro & Gray and will be located in Boston, Massachusetts.

Scout James has joined the Groundlings Sunday Company.

Hello, ’07 classmates! Megan here with a few updates. First of all, I need to give a little shout-out to my co-secretary, Victoria Belyavsky Pinsky. In October, she ran her debut 26.2-mile race at the Wineglass Marathon. Congratulations, Victoria!

In other news, Laura Catana reports that she recently joined the marketing team at Symphonic Distribution where she manages marketing teams across the U.S. and Colombia. She was also invited to join an artist management collective as the artist relations lead and works closely with musicians to develop their musical careers. Although she is always planning her next international adventure, Laura is back stateside and currently based in Brooklyn, New York.

Sarah Elmaleh also has some exciting career updates. She says, “2023 was big for games I’d worked on for years finally releasing: as a voice actor, Hi-Fi Rush, [and] as a voice director, The Lamplighter’s League, Goodbye Volcano High, and more Fortnite. But the biggest project by far has been chairing the Interactive Negotiating Committee at SAG-AFTRA. At the time of writing, we’ve been negotiating with the major game publishers over issues like wages, safety, and AI for over a year—with luck by the time of publishing, we’ll have a deal that protects performers in our space. Best wishes to all my fellow ’07s!”

Nicholas Nauman said, “I have disengaged with Wesleyan in recent years: at our 10-year reunion, I watched President Roth deflect students who were incredulously angry at the University’s decision to override student and staff organizing for divestment from apartheid Israel. This is why I’ve reengaged: the organizing has persisted and we can all take part.”

As always, we are eager for your updates! If you have news (big or small!), please send it to your class secretaries, Megan and Victoria, at the email addresses below. Wishing you all a peaceful and prosperous 2024.

Hello, Class of 2007!

Lydia Bell is now set up as a psychotherapist! She is working in a group practice in Manhattan called Intuitive Healing. She specializes in relational trauma, early parenthood, and work with creative people.

Scout James has been invited to join the Groundlings Sunday Company in Los Angeles.

Mariel Piña and her wife, Eva, welcomed future Wesleyan graduate (without any legacy privileges, of course), baby Rafael into their family. Mariel works as the deputy commissioner for her county’s department of mental health in New York, working to ensure equal and appropriate access to all. Mariel and her family have spent a lot of time with Wes grads recently, including at the wedding of Molly Gaebe and Leila Bozorg ’04. Ali Green was also there to help celebrate along with many others! In a recent trip to Philly, Mariel, Erich Klothen ’08, and Kim Davies caught up, and they always have time for a trip to New Hampshire to see Jon King!  Hew X forever!

Greetings classmates! Megan Kretz Harrington here with your 2007 class update. As I write, I’m looking at two feet of snow, but hopefully by the time you read this you’re enjoying warmer temperatures and a good start to your summer.

A bit of news from our classmates:

Himanshu “Heems” Suri is working on a new album! Patrick Meaney is also making moves in the music and art world. He wrote and directed the indie music romance film The Brink Of, which will be released by 1091 this summer. Recent Wes grad Olivia Crowell ’21 acted in the film and worked as a PA on set.

Dawid Wiacek writes, “I’ve been tending to my ailing dog who recently turned 13. He’s still got his pep and obsession with treats, so that’s a good sign. Also, I’m going to be a first-time uncle, so that’s exciting. On the work front, this spring I’m celebrating my fourth anniversary of formal ‘solopreneurship’ as the founder of Career Fixer LLC, and 16 total years as a career and executive coach of helping folks navigate career pivots, layoffs, difficult conversations at work, and everything in between. I don’t want to sound like I’m selling anything, and if any fellow Wes grads want to casually chat, I’m always happy to lend an ear, gratis. I got off Instagram some years ago and I’m resisting TikTok, but you can find me on LinkedIn. I continue to volunteer as an occasional mentor and career advisor for Wesleyan students, and I encourage my fellow alums to do the same—your experience and even just you lending an ear once or twice a year carries more weight and impact than you know!”

As always, if you have news (big or small!), please send it to your class secretaries.

I can’t believe it’s 2023—I hope everyone had a fantastic 2022.  As always, we have so much to celebrate and be grateful for!

Tess Amodeo-Vickery is doing well and still living in Italy, where she recently gave birth to a baby girl, Valerie Calliope (named after the muse of epic poetry, thanks to her Wesleyan Classical Civilization degree)! She’s got a new album of original folk/dream/pop songs coming out in 2023, which was produced long distance between Rome and Los Angeles during COVID and her pregnancy, and while the virtual tours she created for her Italian tour company, Clam Tours, were featured in The New York Times article commemorating the 500-year anniversary of Renaissance master Raphael’s death.

Abby Huber earned her certification as a Certified Healthcare Interpreter™ (Spanish) in January 2022 and now works as an interpreter at LPG Ophthalmology in Providence, Rhode Island, putting into practice the valuable training she received from the MIIS Professional Certificate in Spanish Community Interpreting in 2020–21. She loves making communication and connection possible for patients and providers as she promotes ethical and accurate interpreting and translation practices. Abby also has her specialized translation business on the side, at www.ajordanhuber.com, translating from German and Spanish into English not only for health care but also for history projects, particularly handwritten correspondence.

Charlie Congleton is currently in Newport, Rhode Island, and is head coach of boys’ lacrosse and teaches math at St. George’s School. He would love to connect with any Wesleyan folks in the area.

Luke Mecklenburg is married, has two dogs, and is living in his hometown of Denver, Colorado. After obtaining a JD at the University of Colorado School of Law, Luke clerked for Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Nancy Rice and then spent seven years as a commercial litigator at Snell & Wilmer, LLP.  In April 2022, Luke left private practice and joined the Federal & Interstate Water Unit, Colorado River Subunit of the Colorado Attorney General’s Office to work on protecting Colorado’s significant interests in the waters of the Colorado River. Based on this most recent position, Luke is finally convinced that getting a JD was the right move.  Luke continues to play music, including a recent stint with a local Balinese Gamelan group and with a lawyer group that presents musicals about ethical issues for continuing legal education programs. He also frequently plays ukulele and sings at friends’ weddings with his wife.

Music is in the heart of many a Wesleyan ’07er. “Nick Earhart, Lee Pender, and Nick Nauman have been jamming semiregularly with Jesse McIntosh ’05 at Jesse’s place in Los Angeles. They’re building a musical language together and have enjoyed the opportunity to hang out midweek.”

The ’07 crew is also busy creating and growing the next generation of Wes students.  Grace Nowakoski, her husband Jeff Diteman, and their daughter Florence welcomed a new baby, Alder, last summer, just after moving into a new home. They are really appreciating their yard in all New England’s beautiful seasons! She works with expectant and new parents as a birth doula, group prenatal care leader, and parent support group facilitator.

Frani Rollins and her husband Robert and daughter Lola were excited to welcome a new addition to their family, Jack Rollins, the day before she was awarded tenure at Mercer University where she is a professor of theater. April 2022 was a memorable month!

Ian MacLeod and his wife were very pleased to welcome their second son, Skye, to the world in August. Having two kids is twice the fun and love . . . and twice the work! They live in Sacramento, where they enjoy daily walks by the American River and weekend trips to the coast or up to the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Rosa Cohen-Cruz was promoted to director of immigration policy at the Bronx Defenders in early 2022. On April 3, 2022, Rosa, husband Elric, and son Islay  welcomed new baby Perrin Cohen-Cruz into the world. Older brother Islay is doing a great job at showing Perrin the ropes and the family is overjoyed and doing well.

Simon Au is hoping not to repeat the sins of the previous generation, by being too busy with work and not spending substantive time with his kid except on weekends.

Greetings classmates! Megan here. Victoria and I have a few updates to share. First, we’d like to give our thanks to the class of 2007’s reunion committee. We really appreciate the time and effort they put into our 15th Reunion! Thank you to: Eric Altneu, Liam McAlpine, Estrella Lopez, Tory Masterson, Nishita Roy, Eugene Dayanghirang, Melissa Miller, and Samantha Kantor.

On the career front, we have quite a few exciting updates. Jessica Necheles says, “I moved to Guam last year and it would be fun to know if there are other alumni out in this part of the world. I’m working as an RN at a hospital here, and scuba diving and hiking in my free time.” If you’re in or around Guam, give Jessica a shout!

Jesse Nasta reports that he is starting his sixth year of teaching in Wesleyan’s African American Studies Department. He also became executive director of the Middlesex County Historical Society in Middletown in 2020, hired via Zoom during the pandemic. Jesse says, “I am always happy to hear from classmates who are visiting campus!”

Matt Donne has been moving and shaking as well. He says, “I’m psyched about a new role I just took. I recently joined a new clinical trial start-up called Vial as a senior business development director.”

Jessica Mack has also accepted a new position. She reports, “Starting this fall I’ll be an assistant professor of history at Rowan University!” She continues, “I’ll be teaching digital history and Latin American history and launching a new center for digital humanities at Rowan. Happy to be staying in the Philadelphia area.”

And finally, Cynthia Santiago recently announced her 10-year lawyer/law firm anniversary! She says, “I’ve been assisting people in immigration cases nationwide through our legal pop-ups, hosting a national TV show, and direct representation. By my side is my husband and three beautiful kids Nico (8), Galilee (4), and Bethany (2).”

As always, we’d love to hear about what you’ve been up to! Please send any professional or personal updates to megan.kretz@gmail.com or victoriapinsky@gmail.com.

The class of ’07 has stayed busy!  Jose Chapa got married on Labor Day weekend to Adam Martin (not a Wes alum) in sunny South Padre Island, Texas!  The wedding was co-officiated by Emily Wilson-Barnard and served as a mini-Wes reunion since it was attended by Jennifer Ayala, Rosa Cohen-Cruz, Anaka Hennings ’09, Rae Kaplan ’24, Reuben Kosup-Katz, Megan Lollie, Elsa Meany, Christine Mehr, Erin Moore, Mariel Piña, and Shar-de Ricketts.  We danced the night away to Beyonce, as it was her 40th birthday!

Grace Nowakoski and her husband Jeff Diteman and their 3-year-old daughter welcomed a baby brother this summer. It’s a circus. Complete with a trapeze.  Simon Au ’07 and his ever-patient wife have managed to keep their son healthily alive for a full revolution of the Earth around the sun.

Hyung-Jin Choi moved to Hong Kong!  On the other hand, Lydia Bell is still living in Brooklyn, with her husband and their 1-year-old daughter. She recently switched career paths and enrolled in a master’s program in mental health counseling. She’d be excited to connect with other mental health professionals in New York and elsewhere!

In other career news, Frank Giantomasi was elevated to partner at Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC, New Jersey’s third-largest law firm.  Jon Pierowicz recently took the position of general counsel with Viridi Parente, a distributed renewable energy company in Buffalo, New York.

Molly Gaebe has started her own comedy theater in NYC called Rubbish Comedy Collective, and she continues to fight for abortion rights with Abortion Access Front. Molly said she would never marry a fellow Cardinal, but the Goddesses had other plans. She and Leila Bozorg ’04 are set to marry in June of next year.

Kathleen Day is deep into the working-mom lifestyle, thankfully supported by her partner, Karl Otto, who is a full-time dad to their two kids (5 years and 17 months old). She still works for nonprofit developer Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH). Following a grueling return to work 6 weeks after the birth of her son in 2020, she successfully lobbied for a dramatic change to POAH’s parental leave program. As of 2022, POAH’s 12-week-paid parental leave is among the most generous of their peer organizations. She and her husband hung out with Ben Sax and Janine Criscuolo and their family over the summer. Occasionally they connect with Rebecca Parrish ’06 and her family in Chicago.

Greetings class of 2007! Megan is here to give you the updates on classmates as we approach our 15th (!) Reunion year.

Our ranks continue to grow with many of us expanding our families! Eric Altneu reports that he moved to Philly for his ID fellowship at Temple. And he adds, “My husband (Brookes Hammock) and I had a baby in May, Mabel Rae Altneu-Hammock.” Cortney (Tetrault) Duncan and her husband welcomed their second son, Jaxon Ryder Duncan last summer.  She continues to live and work at Kent School where she coaches the field hockey and lacrosse teams and is the director of athletics.

Peggy Gullick has been making moves in her career. She says, “I’m now the Director of the Center for Human Services Research at the State University of New York– Albany; we focus on social service program evaluation in New York state and beyond. So if anyone’s nonprofit or CBO is interested in contracting with an external group for a formal evaluation, feel free to check us out and get in touch!” She adds, “Otherwise, Nick Field ’09 and I have been in Albany for the past several years, as he progresses through his neurosurgery residency. Our son Caleb was born last spring; not many Wes friends have had the chance to meet him in person so far, but plenty have over Zoom, at least!”

Doug Rubenstein reports that he and his wife welcomed their second child (a daughter) during the pandemic and will be moving back to Los Angeles later this year. He adds, “I’m currently a recruiter at PayPal and I’m also a founder of a startup tech company called CHIP Professionals. Our goal is to provide a marketplace for people to be matched with financial professionals of color in order to improve the retention rates of financial professionals of color, as well as breakdown some of the barriers that people of color have in hiring financial professionals.”

2020 was a year of change for Sarah Sluis. She welcomed her second child, Juniper, and switched coasts to be closer to her family. After vowing not to live on the other side of a ferry, Seattle’s hot housing market convinced her otherwise, and she bought a home in April on Whidbey Island (the Hudson Valley of the West Coast?). She is working for her New York–based job 100 percent remotely, and was recently promoted to managing editor of AdExchanger. She would love to reconnect with any Seattle area–based Wes alums!

Raomej Caro reports that she’ll be attending CUNY School of Law this fall with the support and encouragement of her husband, Andrew Boatti. After the 2016 election and all the havoc that came with it, plus COVID-19 and our societal response, Raomej says, “I felt ready and compelled to get my JD and really lean into pushing for change both personally and professionally.”

Matthew Franco says, “It’s been an odd year and a half!” He continues, “I was teaching at Goucher College when COVID started and then agreed to teach as part of the Goucher Prison Education Project. I taught via Zoom into the prison for a semester, and it was tremendously rewarding. When courses were delayed/canceled for the spring, I began volunteering with Johns Hopkins at vaccination clinics. After volunteering for a few weeks, I stepped into a paid position and am helping run operations for mobile clinics that serve at-risk/marginalized communities. Before I got the job offer from Johns Hopkins, I had already signed a contract for a seasonal job working for the Maryland Park Service in a state park near Baltimore. It’s been a very busy summer, but rewarding!”

Jon Pierowicz has had a busy year. He shares that he recently got married and accepted a job as general counsel at Viridi Parente, an energy storage and battery technology company.

Annie Rorem chimes in with the news that she, along with former Home Avenue residents Erica Pasciullo Cahill, Arielle Cohen, and Nicole Tirado Strayer continue to have thoughtful conversations, late night dance parties, and outdoor adventures—with one fish, one dog, one cat, four husbands, six advanced degrees, and seven children between them.

Wishing you a wonderful fall and winter! As always, please continue to send updates to Victoria or me. And stay tuned for news about Reunion and Commencement in the spring (fingers crossed we can see each other in person)!