Alumni Career Forum Connects St. Margaret’s Students to Professionals in a Variety of Careers

Alumni dating back to St. Margaret’s very first graduating class of 1986 came back to campus and shared their professional knowledge with Middle and Upper School students.
 
From insight into the entertainment industry, to first-hand tips from entrepreneurs to advice on succeeding in the medical field, St. Margaret’s students took part in a day of learning and networking with more than 30 Tartan alumni at the sixth annual Alumni Career Forum. Alumni dating back to St. Margaret’s very first graduating class of 1986 came back to campus and shared their professional knowledge with Middle and Upper School students.

Middle School students listened to speeches by Sean Dryer ’08, a medical student at UCLA, and David Reese ’05, an aerospace project engineer at The Aerospace Corporation. Both alumni shared their story of how St. Margaret’s was the launch pad that eventually led them down their career path.

Upper School students began with a Q&A session with keynote speaker Noah Burbank ’04, a data scientist at SalesforceIQ. Dr. Burbank spoke of his time at St. Margaret’s, his studies at Stanford from undergrad to PhD when he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do for a career, and eventually to his job at SalesforceIQ where he leverages big data to create innovative products for the world’s No. 1 customer relationship management software company.

After Dr. Burbank’s presentation, students in grades 11 and 12 broke into two 30-minute sessions meeting with the alumnus of their choosing to listen to their career path and ask questions about their profession. Students in grades 9 and 10, meanwhile, listened to three different speakers in Hurlbut Theater.

Afterward, the students and alumni were able to interacted in the Upper School quad at a student-alumni networking reception.

“It’s inspiring for students to catch a glimpse of life post-St. Margaret’s and explore the possibilities, however vast they may be,” said Jillian Gray, St. Margaret’s assistant director of advancement for alumni relations. “We are so appreciative of our alumni who truly serve as a touchstone for our students in this realm.”

New this year was the opportunity for students and alumni to take professional headshots for use as a LinkedIn profile photo. In addition, several St. Margaret’s seniors served as hosts, assisting the alumni throughout the day and introducing them at their sessions.  

Here are the alumni who participated:

Chris Allen ’89, chief coach and consultant for RC Coaching and Development.
Kurt Belcher ’97, CEO of STAJets
Jennifer Bourguignon Blount ’87, Lower School Principal at St. Margaret’s
Noah Burbank ’04, data scientist at Salesforce IQ
Megan Canright ’99, director of scientific operations for Forensic Analytical Consulting Services
Kevin Clampitt ’89, president of Bay Prime Seafood Company
Charles Cox ’11, propulsion engineer for SpaceX
Sean Dryer ’08, medical student at UCLA
Darren Fancher ’89, founder and CEO of CASEpeer, LLC
Scotty Ferguson ’09, floating lab specialist, curriculum writer and science instructor at The Ocean Institute
Bryan Flores ’11, CEO of Innovative Influence
Brooke Birtcher Gustafson ’03, managing director of Birtcher Development, LLC
Nicole Hughes ’05, owner of Nicole Mare Events
Georgina Lean ’09, PhD student at UC Irvine
Amanda Lim ’09, first assistant and project manager for Elizabeth Stewart Living
Robert Little ’86, attorney for the Law Office of Robert Little
Chris Magill ’01, VP of legal for Viant Technology
Shannon Hilgers Nissen ’93, owner of Shannon Hilgers Nissen Orthodontics
Todd Newman ’91, staff anesthesiologist at Newport Harbor Anesthesia Consultants
David Reese ’05, aerospace project engineer for The Aerospace Corporation
Mark Risner ’86, attorney at The Law Offices of Mark T. Risner
Jessica Roe ’09, Master’s candidate at USC
Spencer Scott ’05, deputy public defender for County of San Diego
Novelle Shakeel ’06, president and CEO of Parisian Management, Inc.
Max Sutro ’08, client marketing associate at Athletes First
Ian Thomas ’09, CTO of Geodex
Nick Troop ’04, Esports events product owner for Riot Games
Taylor Chase Wagniere ’06, associate attorney at Blecher Collins & Pepperman
Andrew Wood ’03, associate attorney at Baker Hostetler LLP
Cory Yeh ’94, founder and medical director of Yeh Facial Plastic Surgery
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