“This year marks the 40th anniversary of Without a Net.”
—Risa Sang-urai Harms C’00
1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s
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Deadlines 7/15 for the Sep|Oct issue; 9/15 for Nov|Dec; 11/15 for Jan|Feb; 1/15 for Mar|Apr; 3/15 for May|Jun; and 5/15 for Jul|Aug.
1955
Dorothy Mitchell Huber CW’55, of Devon, Pennsylvania, writes, “Many classmates who went on to be mothers may appreciate a poem I wrote in 1963. My baby carriage, taken on many Penn Alumni Days and events, showed off Thomas C. Huber W’83 C’83 CGS’04 and then Michele Huber EAS’87 W’87. My late daughter Michele is remembered on campus at a mini-park with benches outside the Towne Engineering building entrance. Dedicated in 1992, the park pays tribute to her and her late fiancé Bryan D. Giles EAS’87 W’87 [“Alumni Profiles,” Jan|Feb 2009], plus two distinguished engineering notables.” Dorothy’s poem “Sweet Fate” follows: “In days gone by, I reminisce, / I’d walk the campus wide / In skirt and socks, with wind-blown locks, / My true love at my side. / I’d scoot to class, this shy young lass, / My arm with bracelet jangling / My books, my world, clutched eagerly / With Math and Shakespeare tangling. / Now years have fled, and lo I find / The picture’s changed with marriage / I briefly stride o’er campus wide / And push a baby carriage. / The bracelet’s gone, replaced by watch / To check on time for feeding. / The book I carry for when I tarry / Is Dr. Spock for reading. / The world, the then and now, combined, / Each mirrored through life’s glass. / Knowledge’s patron becoming a matron, / Ah yes it’s bound to pass. / But wait, sweet fate, there is no loss / Of learning time for me / The baby grows on Brahms and prose / In our Penn nursery.” She notes that “true love” here referred to the children’s father, the late Michel T. “Mike” Huber W’53 ASC’61, Penn’s former director of alumni relations and publisher of the Gazette [“Obituaries,” Sep|Oct 2015].
1962
James Edward Jones GFA’62, a painter and printmaker, exhibited his work during the month of February at the Charlestown Retirement Village in Catonsville, Maryland. This is the third year that James has exhibited as “artist of the month” for Black History Month. James, who turned 88 in January, was also recently recognized with a named scholarship at Morgan State University, where he taught for over 30 years.
1964
Stuart Resor C’64 writes, “In the fall of 1959 my friend and fellow high school classmate Glen Taylor and I traveled from Indian Hill, Ohio, to Cornell by bus in the cold and explored that campus carefully, then went down to Penn to do the same. [A Penn admissions representative] interviewed us both at the same time. Later that fall I showed up, and [the rep] remembered me and welcomed me into the University. I had the best architecture starting classes, learning drafting penmanship, lettering, and perspective drawings from Professor House! I still prefer to use all that as computer drafting is not so fun.” Stuart adds, “I think Grace Kelly came to Penn in 1960 or ‘61. She walked just behind our Alpha Chi Rho fraternity house at 219 S. 36th Street. I saw her from a side view as she passed the Van Pelt library with her family, I think. Can anyone help get more info on this? She grew up in Philadelphia, and her mom [Margaret Majer] once taught physical education at Penn. Her dad [Olympic rower John Kelly Sr.] might have been at the University Hospital at about that time.” Stuart can be contacted at [email protected].
1965
Fredric M. Blum WG’65 writes, “After nine years as a systems analyst in operations research consulting, then four years founding and operating my own firm in residential design and construction, by good fortune I’ve been a forensic mechanical engineering consultant for the last 40-plus years. Recently, I published a book entitled, Principles & Practice of Forensic Mechanical Engineering. Avocationally, I’ve been a sculptor, fine art photographer, and more recently a professional woodworker. My sculptural training included studying at Penn’s Graduate School of Fine Arts and mentoring with noted Philadelphia sculptor Bernard Brenner. My photographs have been shown in private exhibitions. As a woodworker, I founded my own firm, Fredric Blum Design, 12 years ago and since then have created custom tables for clients all over the country. My MBA has contributed to success in all of my entrepreneurial endeavors.”
David R. Kotok W’65 G’01 G’07 is the author of five books, most recently The Fed and the Flu: Parsing Pandemic Economic Shocks. The book, coauthored with Michael R. Englund, Tristan J. Erwin, and Elizabeth J. Sweet, has been called “a well-researched, engaging economic history of pandemics” by Kirkus Reviews. In addition to writing, David cofounded the investment management firm Cumberland Advisors, where he serves as a strategic advisor.
Rick Williams C’65 is the author of a new book, Create the Future: Powerful Decision-Making Tools for Your Company and Yourself. Drawing upon his expertise as a former management consultant, company founder, and CEO, he lays out five steps to “creating the future: 1) Define the challenge; 2) Imagine success; 3) Create options; 4) Evaluate barriers; and 5) Choose the future.”
1968
W. Dennis Keating L’68 was the recipient of the 2024 Award for Contributions to the Field of Urban Affairs from the Urban Affairs Association. From the press release: “His scholarship advancing the idea of the right to housing has national and international reach; and he is an exemplar of a locally rooted researcher, contributing significantly to community development organizations, equity in urban planning, and advancing fair housing in Cleveland, Ohio.” Dennis is a professor emeritus of urban studies and law at Cleveland State University, and he retired in 2015. His most recent book is Cleveland and the Civil War (The History Press, 2022).
Lawrence E. Kramer C’68, a professor of English and music at Fordham University, has authored a new book, Experiencing Sound: The Sensation of Being. In it, he explains how paying attention to sound can transform how we make meaning out of experience.
1970
Bob Anthony W’70 was recently honored by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners for his 36 years of service as an Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner. When he retired in January, he was the longest-serving utility commissioner in the United States.
Morris A. Nunes C’70 W’70 has published his seventh book, Mnemonic Trivia: Book #1—The New Way to Play Trivia. In this workbook, the first letter of each answer helps spell out a message. Questions cover all kinds of topics, alphabetically indexed from Accounting to Zoology. The book, available on Amazon, is based on the first 25 of the 121 Mnemonic Trivia Nights he has conducted to date over the last 10 years in the community where he lives in Georgia. He plans to publish at least four more in the series.
1972
Sandy Snitow Gorman CW’72 GEd’73 writes that although she is no longer involved in her educational consulting practice, she continues to be extremely busy with other pursuits and interests. She and her husband moved from Stamford, Connecticut, to Manalapan, New Jersey, where they currently live. She would be glad to hear from any alums who would like to say hello, and she can be reached at [email protected].
1973
Ken Kahn C’73 writes, “After retiring as a senior researcher at the University of Oxford, I began exploring how children could creatively use chatbots. This led to me publishing a book on my research. The Learner’s Apprentice: AI and the Amplification of Human Creativity is a non-technical book for teachers, parents, and children who want to cocreate apps, adventures, and stories with chatbots.”
1974
Carrie Menkel-Meadow L’74 and Andrea Kupfer Schneider are coauthors of International Conflict Resolution Processes. From the book’s press materials: “This interdisciplinary text presents the major forms of conflict resolution used in international disputes in a wide-ranging variety of topics.” Carrie is a law professor at the University of California, Irvine School of Law.
Lennox E. Montrose W’74 writes that he has “contributed to and provided support to Scotland’s tree planting initiative and forestry cultivation program,” allowing him, thanks to a quirk of Scottish law, to use the title of Lord (or Laird). Lennox continues, “Further research showed that the honor of such title was bestowed upon ‘Lord Lennox Everton Montrose’ during the reign of HM Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and was ratified during the reign of HM King Charles III of the United Kingdom.”
Linda Rabben CGS’74 self-published her 12th book, Book of Changes, a collection of poems spanning 50 years, many incarnations, and four continents. In late 2023 she published her 11th book, Through a Glass Darkly: The Social History of Stained Glass in Baltimore. Her other 10 books are about human rights and related subjects. She gives presentations about her work at community groups, colleges, and senior centers.
1976
Stephen Hochheiser C’76 has been elected chair of the board of directors of HOPE Center (hopecentermn.org), a nonprofit that works to prevent domestic and sexual violence. Since retiring after a 30-year career in academic publishing, Stephen has volunteered in leadership roles in higher education and in local community organizations in Northfield, Minnesota. He and his husband have also funded libraries at HOPE Center and at The Key, a local safe space for youth. Stephen writes that he makes “an annual trip to Philadelphia to visit friends, check out old haunts, and walk around campus.”
Chris Jennewein C’76 G’76 writes, “My 53-year career in media that began at the Daily Pennsylvanian continues with another university affiliation. TimesOfSanDiego.com, a local news website I launched in 2014, is now part of NEWSWELL at Arizona State University, home of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. We’re developing an innovative business model to support newsrooms in local communities across the country. And with four student interns working for our San Diego newsroom, it’s an echo of the old DP experience.”
1977
Dr. Walter Brodis C’77 M’81 writes, “I started out as an internist in a small town, where, within a few years, I was completely disabled by bipolar disorder. For 18 years, I received electroconvulsive therapy and stabilization, but without remission.” During this time of disability, he says, he worked as an artist. “When I was at Penn in pre-med, I took painting courses with Rackstraw Downes. That was the beginning of a painting career that lasted several decades.” Walter has recovered and continues to work as both a physician and artist now. His work can be viewed at Rockymtnart.com.
Joanne Burke Mulcahy C’77 Gr’88 is the author of a new biography of Marion Greenwood, an artist well known for her murals in the 1920s. Marion Greenwood: Portrait and Self-Portrait—A Biography is the first book about this feminist pioneer who made a living as an artist in a time when few women could and catapulted to fame when she became the first woman to paint a public mural in Mexico. Joanne has taught creative nonfiction at Lewis and Clark College, and in prisons, libraries, and other community settings for over 30 years.
Kevin Vaughan C’77 has been appointed to the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA), which is planning the state’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Kevin has also been serving as a trustee of Lincoln University for the past 18 years, and for the last nine years, he has chaired the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, which provides financial oversight to the Philadelphia budget.
1979
Dave Lieber C’79 is author of a new book, Dandy Don Meredith: The First Dallas Cowboy, a biography of the 1960s-era American football player, sports commentator, and actor. Dave has worked for more than 30 years as a newspaper columnist. This is his 10th book. More information is available at DonMeredithBook.com.
Jill Howlett Mays OT’79, an occupational therapist and leader of garden groups, has written a clear guide for people of all ages and abilities who want to start gardening. In Nurturing Nature: A Guide to Gardening for Special Needs, she explains how gardening can strengthen a myriad of physical and mental skills, such as fine motor skills and sensory exploration. Temple Grandin, a prominent speaker on autism and animal behavior, says the book “provides lots of practical, fun gardening activities for children. They will learn that nature is much more interesting than electronic devices.”
1980
David H. Laufman C’80 has joined Caplin & Drysdale as senior counsel in the firm’s Political Law Group. His expertise is in white-collar investigations, congressional investigations, national security matters, and counseling clients on compliance with the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
1981
Joe Feldman W’81 retired from his career as a corporate development executive at the end of 2022 and a year later launched Cover My Mental Health (covermymentalhealth.org), a nonprofit supporting patients, families, and clinicians to overcome health insurance obstacles to care. Before retiring, Joe began advocating for access to mental health care after overcoming denials for his daughter’s residential care, including with a successful federal lawsuit. His advocacy work has included “policy-driven discussions with legislators and regulators, a board role with the Kennedy Forum Illinois, presentations to parent groups, and publication of actionable guidance such as a 2021 article in the Journal of Psychiatric Practice on medical necessity letters,” he writes. Joe and his wife Jan live in suburban Chicago. Their son Henry lives in San Diego and daughter Alice in Evanston, Illinois. He also serves on the board of Thresholds (a Chicago-based firm providing support to those living with mental illness) and Acadian Kitchens (a for-profit seasonings business in Louisiana).
Katrin Kandel C’81, CEO of Facing the World, was honored with Vietnam’s 2024 National Volunteer Award for her work with children with facial deformities. She was the only foreigner to receive the award from the Central Youth Union. Facing the World, a charity established in 2002 in the UK, sends medical teams to Vietnam and other developing countries to assist children with facial deformities and also runs training programs for doctors and raises funds for surgical equipment. It has helped thousands of children since its founding.
Jeff Lobach L’81, an attorney at Barley Snyder, is being honored, along with his wife Cindy, with the 2025 Distinguished Humanitarian Award from Penn-Mar Human Services, a nonprofit that provides services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The award recognizes “individuals who have courageously dedicated their lives to community service and shown unwavering support for Penn-Mar’s ongoing mission and to the region.”
1982
Beth Kephart C’82, an adjunct teacher of creative writing at Penn, has released her 40th book and debut novel for adults, Tomorrow Will Bring Sunday’s News. In a story inspired by her own mysterious grandmother, she introduces 16-year-old Peggy Finley, coming of age in Philadelphia during World War I. From the book’s description: “Ultimately, Tomorrow asks this question: How do the stories we imagine become the truths we won’t forget? It offers history as commentary on the world we live in now.”
1983
Thomas C. Huber W’83 C’83 CGS’04 see Dorothy Mitchell Huber CW’55.
Lisa Learner GFA’83 exhibited two of her landscape paintings in a tree-themed show at Old City Jewish Arts Center in Philadelphia during the month of February. Examples of her work can be found on her website, lisalearner.com.
1986
Dave Polsky C’86 see Risa Sang-urai Harms C’00.
1989
Robert Alpern W’89 writes, “I’m pleased to share that I retired last year and am relishing having more time to engage in a myriad of interests (sailing, cycling, guitar, piano, volunteering, camping, and more). After a couple of years with Morgan Stanley Realty and a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, I enjoyed a 31-year career with a large insurance company in Cincinnati. I worked in many areas of commercial real estate, peaking with my role in the development of the Great American Tower at Queen City Square, Cincinnati’s tallest and largest building. I enjoyed my job and the work we did, yet it was time to turn attention to my hobbies. I’m gratified for 27-plus years of marriage, two adult children, and good health. I’d love to catch up with Penn Band, Ware, Sphinx, and other friends: [email protected].”
Vicki Rothbardt Oswald GEd’89 has published a new book, Prose Poetry 1971–2024, through Xlibris, which includes a lifetime of her poems that she wrote from age 13 up until now.
1991
Rob Murdocca W’91 writes, “At age 55 and a half, I finally decided to run my first marathon. After a 17-week progressive training block, I ran the Houston Marathon on January 19 while the polar vortex reached down there too—finishing 23rd out of 266 in the men’s 55–59 age group, plus also achieving a ‘BQ’ (a Boston Marathon qualifying time) of 3:28:12 (needing to beat 3:30:00 for M55–59).”
1993
Jim Garver C’93, an attorney specializing in workers’ compensation, has joined the office of Pond Lehocky Giordano. He leads the firm’s Altoona, Pennsylvania, office.
1994
Christophe Charlier C’94 W’94 has published a book, La Motte-Feuilly, un château de familles en Berry, son histoire, son architecture et ses secrets, about the medieval château in France that he bought 20 years ago. Christophe writes, “It has been a passion project for me to research the history of the château and the lives of the families that have left their imprints on it before me. I encourage everyone to look at our website, chateaudelamottefeuilly.com, to read more about the château, the book, and the possibility to visit and rent the château.”
Justin Foa W’94 has been appointed executive vice president of Alera Group and national practice leader for the firm’s Property & Casualty practice.
Lauren Francis-Sharma C’94 and Airea Matthews C’94, former poet laureate of the city of Philadelphia, were featured presenters at the Philadelphia Free Library’s Author Events Series on March 6. The two discussed Lauren’s latest book, Casualties of Truth, a literary novel about the legacy of South African apartheid.
Michael Gomez C’94 WG’99 see Brian Terp W’98.
1995
Dr. Aly Cohen C’95, a rheumatologist and expert in integrative medicine and environmental health, based in Princeton, New Jersey, has published DETOXIFY: The Everyday Toxins Harming Your Immune System and How to Defend Against Them. She writes, “DETOXIFY connects the dots between everyday chemicals and the epidemic rise in immune disorders and autoimmune disease … and what we can all do to reduce exposures, manage immune disorders, and prevent illness.” You can follow Aly’s health and wellness tips and disease prevention information on her social media pages and podcast, The Smart Human.
Donna S. Pearce G’95 is coauthor of STOP! Shift the Energy at Work: A New Approach for Leaders & Teams. From the book’s description: “By engaging with teams through sensing their energy, and supporting them to do the same, you can create the conditions for forward movement and breakthrough results. Unlike traditional business guides, this book explores the dynamics of energy in the workplace and offers an inspiring approach enriched with real-world examples and original artwork.”
1996
Steven Pizzo GEx’96 writes, “I achieved a 40-year milestone of supporting research, development, testing, engineering, and production of radio frequency–based systems as a systems engineer, technical director, program manager, and project manager, with the last 13 as the chief engineer/vice president for electronic warfare for Aspen Consulting Group/Technology Lab in Sea Girt, New Jersey. In 2023 I was inducted into the C5ISR Hall of Fame (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) at the US Army Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland; and in 2024 I was inducted into the InfoAge Wall of Honor at Camp Evans (formerly Fort Monmouth) in New Jersey. My Penn education has been invaluable in helping me to innovate, execute, manage, lead, and build teams.”
1998
Geoff Passehl C’98 is a private wealth advisor and founder of Passehl Financial, a financial planning firm based in Mickleton, New Jersey.
Shawn Seaman GAr’98 GFA’98 has been appointed as chief development officer at The Fallon Company, a commercial real estate development firm headquartered in Boston.
Brian Terp W’98 shares that he had “another off-site reunion in Park City (UT)” with Grant Geisen C’98, Michael Gomez C’94 WG’99, Robert Horton W’98, Adam Kellogg WG’99, and Josh Thimons W’98 WG’99 “to ski, gamble, eat, drink, and watch the Super Bowl together in early February. The gang would love to see more peeps join next year.”
1999
Adam Kellogg WG’99 see Brian Terp W’98.
2000
Risa Sang-urai Harms C’00 writes, “This year marks the 40th anniversary of Without a Net, Penn’s premier improvisational comedy troupe. On March 1, alumni from across the country gathered with current members at Platt Student Performing Arts House to celebrate. Attendees learned Net’s origin story from cofounder Dave Polsky C’86, pored over vintage show memorabilia, and honored the memories of Jamie Lichtman C’87 and Mike Young C’89. Alumni also took part in an improv jam, playing games from all eras of Net, including: ‘Pet Peeves,’ ‘Jeopardy,’ ‘Pan Left, Pan Right,’ and ‘Sex with Me’ (I am blushing as I write this). The celebration continued at Houston Hall’s Class of ’49 Auditorium, where alumni enjoyed the hilarious closing performance of Net’s Spring Show, Gooney Tunes. Attendees included: Jim Carpenter C’86 L’89, Dave Polsky C’86, Greg Elin C’87, Carolyn Ikari-McCarthy EAS’87, Dana Herman Covey C’88, James Stahl C’88, Peter Burton C’89, Marci Chapman W’89, David Hilder C’89, Roberta Kastelic C’90, Brad Krumholz C’91 and his photocopied headshot of Colin Campbell C’91, Stephanie Brown C’92 CGS’04, Gideon Evans C’93, Larry Wagner C’93, Charlie Wells C’94, Avish Parashar EAS’95, Katherine Minarik C’98 L’06, Manlio LoConte C’99, Jessica Tkacs Way Nu’99, Paul “Paco” Elsberg C’00, Risa Sang-urai Harms C’00, Peter Schell C’00, Jeff Koleba C’01, Brian “Gerald” Levy C’06, John Swierk C’08 EAS’08, Artem Nurlat C’16, Sofia Demopolos C’17, Luke Clements C’19, Carson Kahoe C’19, Brent Weisberg C’20, Sabrina de Brito C’21 GEd’23, Ellie Hoffman C’21, Lulu Lipman C’22 L’26, Simon Stephanos C’22 WG’24, Daniella Clayborn C’25, Jarod Rejonis W’25, Jacob Ross C’25, Colleen Shanahan Nu’25 GNu’27, Ted Kwee-Bintoro C’26, Ashwin Laksumanage C’27, Paris Ye W’27, Perry Hingsbergen C’28, and Lihini Ranaweera EAS’28. We would love even more alumni at the next Without a Net reunion! To join the mailing list, please send your contact information (including graduation year) to [email protected].”
Lynn Ortale Gr’00, president of Maria College, a private Roman Catholic college in Albany, New York, attended the 10th annual Yale Higher Education Leadership Summit in January. “Higher education is at a crossroads, and we must come together to strengthen our collective mission,” Lynn said in a press release. The release continued, “A highlight for Dr. Ortale … was seeing Dr. Amy Gutmann [Hon’22], former president of the University of Pennsylvania, receive the Legend in Leadership Award for her transformative contributions to higher education.”
2004
Lauren Rogal C’04 has been promoted to professor of law at Vanderbilt University. Lauren developed and teaches at Vanderbilt Law’s endowed Turner Family Community Enterprise Clinic, which provides transactional legal services to nonprofit organizations, underserved entrepreneurs, and social ventures. In the 2024–25 school year, Lauren was a visiting professor at Georgetown University Law Center.
Elizabeth Todd-Breland C’04 is the coauthor of a new memoir of Karen Lewis, former president of the Chicago Teachers Union, titled I Didn’t Come Here to Lie: My Life and Education. From the press materials: “In 2012, Karen Lewis led the Chicago Teachers Union to a historic strike, challenging the city’s powerful mayor and paving the way for an unprecedented wave of teacher strikes in the decade that followed.”
2005
Eric Hintz G’05 Gr’10 and Arthur Daemmrich C’91 are the coauthors of a new book, Inventing for Sports, which can be downloaded for free at scholarlypress.si.edu/store/all/inventing-for-sports. They write, “Inventing for Sports pulls back the curtain on the inventors who transform how sports are played, watched, and officiated. Through a series of case studies, the authors trace sports technologies from initial frustration or inspiration through testing and regulation to global use.”
2006
Brenda Harkavy C’06, a trial attorney, has joined the Crime Victim Team at the Philadelphia-based personal injury law firm Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan. Prior to her civil work, she was a Special Victims Unit prosecutor in Maryland.
Dan Kaplan EAS’06 and Telai Deng Kaplan W’09 are thrilled to announce the birth of their daughter, Charlotte, in February. She joins them and their three Welsh Corgis at home in Melbourne Beach, Florida. Telai works as a creative manager for New York City–based Vibrant Emotional Health, and Dan is a programs director at RTX Corporation, overseeing a portfolio of secure communications products.
Stephanie Gantman Kaplan C’06 has been promoted to vice practice group leader of the Labor & Employment Group at Blank Rome LLP. She concentrates her legal practice on labor and employment litigation and counseling.
2009
Telai Deng Kaplan W’09 see Dan Kaplan EAS’06.
Jennifer Snyder Prior LPS’09, a labor and employment lawyer, has been promoted to partner at Kaufman Dolowich LLP. Jennifer practices out of the firm’s Philadelphia office and represents employers in all areas of employment litigation, including defending against discrimination and retaliation claims.
Jeffrey M. Rosenfeld L’09 has been promoted to vice practice group leader of the Tax, Benefits & Private Client Group at Blank Rome LLP. He concentrates his practice in the area of business tax law.
2012
Lauren Hall LPS’12 has been named chief development officer of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. From the press release: “Lauren was diagnosed with MS in 2017, which makes her connection to the Society’s mission a personal one and drives her commitment to advancing breakthroughs for people affected by MS.”
2015
John Zazzera WAM’15 has been named president and CEO of Florida Bancshares and First National Bank of Pasco Florida. He writes, “My son, Chase Zazzera, will graduate from the University of Alabama in May with a degree in finance and accounting and a minor in economics and computer science. Chase plans to attend Wharton for his MBA. My daughter Gianna Zazzera graduates in May from the University of Florida College of Nursing with an RN-Master of Science in nursing and is looking to advance her medical career. Gianna graduated from the University of Alabama in 2024 with a BS in public health and health professions. I became a first-time grandfather as my daughter Nicole Zazzera gave birth to a beautiful son.”
2016
Nick Cherukuri LPS’16, founder and CEO of ThirdEye, was invited to deliver a TED Talk in Philadelphia discussing the transformative impact of AI and AR on society last fall. The talk can be viewed at youtu.be/5gxkl7RKzYg. In addition, Nick was awarded Forbes’ 30 Under 30 designation for his work in enterprise technology. He holds five AI/AR patents currently published by the US Patent and Trademark Office, and his company, ThirdEye, has recently surpassed a $1 billion valuation.
Jackie Dunayevich Raab GNu’16 GrN’24, a clinical director at Penn Medicine, was a guest on Next Steps to Leadership, a podcast hosted by Dr. Stephen Oliver. The episode, which aired on February 18, is titled “Achieving Equitable, High-Quality Patient Care,” and is available on all podcast platforms.
2018
Aurora Kripa LPS’18 has been appointed president and CEO of KenCrest, a nonprofit that supports adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Previously, she served as the charity’s chief operating officer.
2022
Céline Apollon GCP’22 is an inaugural John Lewis Civil Rights Fellow and a Fulbright Scholar based in Congo-Brazzaville. She writes, “My research is focused on codesigning safe spaces of healing with survivors of gender-based violence in Brazzaville. In addition to Brazzaville, I have been galvanizing multidisciplinary coalitions in Botswana and South Africa (with the National Shelter Movement) to galvanize action to improve existing shelters and design trauma-informed spaces moving forward across Africa.”
2023
Selina Li C’23 is the cofounder of a new nutrition tracking app, gymii.ai. She explains, “What sets our app apart is its innovative AI technology that allows users to simply snap a photo or record a video of their meals to automatically track their nutrition. Additionally, we’ve incorporated social features that make the nutrition journey fun and engaging by connecting users with friends.” Selina, former co-captain of the women’s golf team at Penn, says she understands “the importance of proper nutrition and the challenges that come with tracking it. This app was born out of my passion to simplify this process while making it enjoyable.”
2025
Harry Cicma WMP’25 recently became a Six Star Marathon medalist, a Tokyo Marathon medalist, and a Major Marathon Hall of Famer, after medaling in all six major marathons: Boston, New York, Berlin, London, Chicago, and finally, Tokyo, which he completed on March 2. Each race was 26.2 miles. Harry writes, “Wharton and Penn are truly home to me, and the valuable life lessons and business lessons that I learned at Wharton have continued to inspire me in work and athletics. The professors have been amazing mentors.” Harry is president and CEO of Harry Cicma Productions LLC, a full-service TV and media production company, and is also an Emmy Award–winning sports anchor on CBS News TV in Miami.
