Students, Alumni Make Career Connections at 7th Annual Alumni Career Forum

St. Margaret’s Middle School and Upper School students had the chance to get a glimpse into their future last week, as Tartan alumni in fields ranging from legal to medical to entertainment to engineering returned to campus to offer insight into a variety of career paths.

The Tartan Alumni Association’s 7^th annual Alumni Career Forum was an afternoon of activities designed to connect Tartans past and present and give students the chance to hear first-hand about professions they may be interested in.

“This day weaves together the intrigue of students and their future with the journeys of Tartan Alumni from myriad backgrounds,” said Jillian Gray, St. Margaret’s assistance director of advancement for alumni relations. “There is a comfort level and curiosity from both sides. St. Margaret’s is fortunate to have so many alumni pursuing career passions and a keen interest in giving back and sharing their expertise with their first alma mater.”

Middle School students heard the career perspectives of Allison Powell Dupont ’02, a marketing manager for Roadtrip Nation, and Ian Thomas ’09, co-founder and app developer with KKIT Creations. Both shared stories about their journey, explaining how their time as a Tartan eventually evolved into the career paths they pursued.

Upper School students began with a presentation by keynote speaker Gina Arreola ’97, corporate citizenship program manager for Disneyland Resorts, who explained her role in communications and community relations for the world-renowned brand. She took questions by students in a session moderated by St. Margaret’s junior Hannah Olsen.

Following the keynote, Upper School students were able to choose two breakout sessions with alumni in career fields they were interested in. Alumni spoke of their time at St. Margaret’s, their college path and how their career progressed to its current place.

The day concluded with a joint student and alumni networking reception in the Upper School courtyard, where the conversations continued.

Alumni participants included:

Anthony Arreola ’01, managing partner of Arreola Park LLP
Gina Arreola ’97, corporate citizenship program manager for Disneyland Resorts
Mara Balak ’03, kindergarten teacher at St. Margaret’s
Chris Barwick ’12, field representative for U.S. senator Dianne Feinstein
Kira Cahill ’09, actress and executive director of Halos and Heroes
Megan Canright ’99, director of scientific operations for Forensic Analytical Consulting Services
Kevin Clampitt ’89, partner at Corepoint
Kelly Dooley ’01, freelance fashion stylist and entrepreneur
Allison Powell Dupont ’02, senior digital marketing manager for Roadtrip Nation
Darren Fancher ’89, founder and CEO of CASEpeer, LLC
Jean Freeman ’96, principal and CEO of Zambezi
Rachael Stoddard Gilly ’02, senior development manager for Essex Property Trust
Shireen Heidari, MD ’04, assistant clinical professor for palliative medicine at Stanford University
Cameron Hiller ’08, premium sales consultant with Legends, LA Stadium and Entertainment District
Lindsay Palmer Joseph ’06, director of talent at StaffRehab
Kristy Khachigian ’89, public affairs consultant and principal of KK Consulting
Chris Manager ’01, senior magento developer at Jamersan, LLC
Kristin Helms-McDaniel ’95, grade 3 teacher at St. Mary’s
John Norton ’89, English professor and chair of the English, writing and modern language department at Concordia University
Olivia Santora ‘13, women’s performance designer at Stance
Novelle Shakeel ’06, president and CEO of Parisian Management
Desiree Staples ’09, actress and founder of Co.Lab
Ryan Tanaka ’12, engineering master’s student at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technolgy and two-time intern at Tesla Motor Company
Nicholas Terrafranca ’09, musician and manager of Tustin Buick GMC
Ian Thomas ’09, co-founder and iOS engineer at KKIT Creations
Andrew Wood ’03, associate attorney at Baker and Hostetler LLP