TOGETHER, WE ARE STRONGER.

50 YEARS OF WOMEN AT SEVERN

BY DR. CARRIE MACVEAN GRIMES '91

50 YEARS OF WOMEN AT SEVERN

Generations of alumnae have launched their futures from our Water Street campus, exemplifying the values of the Severn School community as artists, leaders, advocates, activists, and more. From seeds sown in our classrooms, their creativity, drive to serve and support others, and compassionate leadership make the world a more beautiful, meaningful, and just place for all.

CREATIVE CONNECTIONS

Friendships forged on Water Street often translate to connections in the working world. Those connections took one idea from creative inspiration to small business reality, showcasing the talents and creative perspectives of three inspiring alumnae artists. It was Mother's Day. Matt Sarro '91's wife was flying home from a girl's weekend in Florida. “As usual, I had forgotten a card. I packed our three boys into the car and hit the grocery store. I couldn't find a single card that I was willing to buy, so I packed the boys into the backseat again and headed to the pharmacy. Still nothing.” Ultimately, he settled for a blank card and a plant from a local nursery. Matt spent the rest of the day thinking about how much he hated the process (and the card he ended up with!) and started brainstorming a better way to choose and send cards. The idea for Fluttr was born (www.sendfluttr. com). Fluttr, a disruptor in a static industry, is a unique card subscription service where customers can select, sign, schedule, and send high-quality, physical cards. Their goal is to make it as easy and convenient as possible to send a card in minutes from your phone, tablet, or computer. Customers can select from hundreds of cards created by a creative network of independent artists, including Admiral alumnae Kate Bouchard '14, Julia Deckman '03, and Missy Dunaway '06.

Matt and his team discovered Kate, Julia, and Missy through the Severn alumni network, and were eager to invite them to contribute to the Fluttr's creative network of artists. “The Severn network has been tremendous through this entire process. specifically raising our angel round of funding during COVID. Ben Harries '93, Chris Accinelli '93, Jim Gibbons '91, Matt Baker '91 and many others have helped with networking, introductions and support through the fundraising process. I've also met other alumni including Wendy Jones '83, Blake Nolan '95 and Liz Whitehead '95 who we hope are part of our growth in the years to come. Lastly, finding such wonderful artists from the Severn alumni network has been incredible. Missy and Kate are incredible talents and have a wonderful collection of cards. And Julia was the first artist we ever signed so she will always be a part of Fluttr's history.”

Julia Deckman '03 describes herself as having been “an artist my whole life, but I didn't realize it until I was an unfulfilled adult. I finally recognized that painting and creating is my passion when I was about 27 years old and began pursuing my art career.” She is grateful for being able to live an authentic and rewarding life since shifting her professional focus to art. In her art, she aims to translate everyday instances into surprising moments of beauty. “I use color and proportions to compare and contrast reality and fantasy. I want to evoke positive and thoughtful emotions with my pieces.” And Julia recognizes how much she has been influenced by this past year. “2020 has resulted in so much reflection. I have become much more self aware; how I treat myself matters as much as I treat others. Our homes and environments matter and should be cultivated and cared for. I think many

50 YEARS OF WOMEN AT SEVERN

other creatives are experiencing similar realizations and our process and approach to work is therefore evolving. I have found an abstract approach that is incredibly exciting and therapeutic to me. My work should speak to me first before it can speak to others.”

Julia believes there are many ways to develop an artistic career and that the trick is being authentic to yourself, process, and values. “I have focused on constantly creating work while engaging in my local community. By continuing to create, I have found what process and approach work best for me; I have discovered new media and subject matters. I have been able to evolve and develop my work, thereby remaining perpetually inspired and excited about being in the studio.” By engaging in her local community Julia has built genuine relationships with other creatives as well as clients. She credits these relationships for breathing life into her career.

While she claims Georgia O'Keefe as her “hero” in terms of artistic influence, she recalls that her early days of painting were in former Severn arts department chair Ms. Carol Duncan's art studio where she was first exposed to oil paints (as well as O'Keefe). “Because I didn't go to art school, I may never have been exposed to oil painting if I hadn't stumbled into Ms. Duncan's painting class. Thank goodness!”

Throughout her career, Julia has learned the importance of perspective. “'Success isn't ever really attained, it evolves after each accomplishment. There is no finish line. When I am feeling stuck or frustrated, I remind myself of where I came from.” Partnering with Fluttr has been an exciting collaboration for Julia. “At this phase of my career, I truly enjoy collaborating with other artists. I am both a Fluttr artist and outreach contractor. I help sign up other Fluttr artists and it's a joy to see so many friends in the roster."

You can learn more about Julia and her creative collaborations at www.juliadeckmanstudio.com.

Kate Bouchard '14's art takes a spin on everyday objects. “I love drawing food, creatures, books, and people here and there. I think that I am very much still discovering my style so the work I create often changes along the way. Sometimes it is more sketch-like, and other times I spend a lot of time refining each subject.” Kate hopes her work encourages people to see the everyday in a fun or different way. “Maybe the next time you buy tomatoes at the grocery store you will realize that they are little works of art.”

Kate loves drawing and painting because they encourage her to constantly look for new perspectives on what she sees in the world. “I draw a lot of food, animals, and everyday objects around the house, but like to distort them in ways that give them more of a personality and story. I used to draw a lot of still life objects and animated movie characters, and once I moved away from drawing things in a hyperrealistic style, I was able to develop my own way of seeing the world around me. Illustrating something new is a way of spending more time with it and making my appreciation more permanent.”

Kate currently works in social media for children's book publishing and is constantly exposed to new artists and illustration techniques. “I make sure to always have my learning hat on because I think there are so many incredible artists illustrating picture books right now.” She describes her biggest source of current inspiration as the art community on Instagram. “I feel like I hit the 'bookmark' button at least 30 times a day because I see so many incredible works of art that I want to draw inspiration from in the future!” She believes the Instagram art community “is a really wonderful place for sparking creativity.”

Reflecting upon those who've influenced her budding career, Kate recalls a great piece of advice she received from her animation professor her senior year of college. “Our homework for each semester was to draw every day in our sketchbooks. It didn't matter if it was for 30 seconds or 30 minutes, we just had to draw every day. This activity helped me to learn that creating is a process and it's not always about the end product. To this day I try to draw or make something every day.” Her persistence and practice have certainly begun to pay off, both as a creator for Fluttr and in her recent work as a freelance artist for Admiral alumna Claire Bowersox Vetter '03's family food business, Tessemae's, where Kate's art was featured in their new product line. “I think a big part of success is believing that you can continue doing what makes you happy or even scares you if you continue to put in the work.”

Like many Severn artists, Missy Dunaway '06's relationship with Ms. Duncan was instrumental in her creative development. Ms. Duncan allowed Missy to spend extra hours in the art room while she built her portfolio for college. And she encouraged Missy to seek an education in a liberal arts program that would allow her to pursue several passions. This advice was invaluable, as Missy credits her undergraduate study at Carnegie Mellon University for laying the foundation for her artistic style. “As a student in the Bachelor's in Humanities and Arts (BHA) program, I was given dual admission into the College of Fine Arts and School of Humanities. After four years of studying painting and material & visual culture side by side, I strive to pair research with art and communicate findings through painting.”

In 2013, Missy was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to research Anatolian textiles in Turkey. In 2019, she was awarded a New Student Scholarship to the Academy of Realist Art in Boston, where she is currently studying. This year she was awarded a Folger Shakespeare Library Fellowship and will be their artist in residence in November. Missy's debut book, The Traveling Artist: A Visual Journal, is an illustrated travelogue of eighty colorful paintings that documents her five-year international journey as a Fulbright Fellow, artist in residence, and solo traveler. Visit missydunaway.com to learn more.

Through her partnership with Fluttr, Missy is donating a percentage of purchases of her designs to support the World Wildlife Fund. Her greeting cards feature critically endangered animals and she donates all illustrator royalties to environmental conservation. “I like to use painting as a learning tool, and my projects often explore new interests. Previous projects have investigated ornithology, Anatolian textiles, and English literature. This collection of greeting cards gave me an opportunity to look into critically endangered animals.” For Missy, having the chance to partner with fellow Severn alumni on this new business has been “a delightful walk down memory lane. It's been so uplifting to connect with the Severn community and support each other, especially after such an isolating year.”

50 YEARS OF WOMEN AT SEVERN

UPLIFTING OTHERS THROUGH SERVICE

Since first arriving on campus in the fall of 1971, Severn's women have fostered connections across communities in service to others. In their lives and work, bring to life the words in our mission, "a lasting desire to serve." “As a child of immigrants, I grew up understanding the experience of being a stranger in a strange land. While working in the courts, it became apparent that many foreignborn victims needed advocates to walk them through the legal process and help them get to the other side.”

— Gustava “Gusty” Taler '74

Gustava “Gusty” Taler '74 is the chief operating officer of Maryland Legal Aid, a private nonprofit organization that provides lifechanging, civil legal assistance to lowincome and marginalized individuals and communities, empowering them to overcome challenges, achieve stability, and independence, and enjoy an overall better life.

In 1997, Gusty founded the MultiEthnic Domestic Violence (MEDOVI) Project, the first program in the Baltimore region aimed at serving the legal needs of foreign-born victims of domestic violence. In her previous work at the Women's Law Center of Maryland and the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Gusty saw firsthand that few foreign-born victims sought legal action against domestic violence. “As a child of immigrants, I grew up understanding the experience of being a stranger in a strange land. While working in the courts, it became apparent that many foreign-born victims needed advocates to walk them through the legal process and help them get to the other side.” Through a grant written under the aegis of the Women's Law Center, Gusty established the MEDOVI Project, which continues to this day. For more than 23 years, the project has helped thousands of immigrants and their children with domestic violence and immigration issues. Coming full circle, Gusty continues her relationship with the MEDOVI Project through a Violence Against Women Act grant from the state, given to Maryland Legal Aid to work in partnership with the Women's Law Center.

Reflecting upon her early career in social work and public relations followed by her transition to law, Gusty shared, “I've been all over the map ... I think to some extent that has enriched my career, has enriched my life, and has exposed me to many different perspectives. My work at Maryland Legal Aid has given me the opportunity to use my law degree for the good of the community, and it has also allowed me to help manage and grow a large, multifaceted, statewide organization.”

In 2015, in response to the civil unrest in Baltimore, Gusty developed the “Lawyer in the Library” program to provide legal services to Baltimore's most vulnerable citizens in the communities in which they live; the first legal clinic was located in a West Baltimore library. Since then, the program has expanded to community centers, schools, places of worship, other nonprofits, and even hospital settings. More than 10,000 people statewide have been served through these legal clinics. “Lawyers, particularly those who serve the most vulnerable among us, need to be in the community. They need to go where the people are ... [Maryland Legal Aid] has held legal clinics in almost every library in the state ... and the library system in Baltimore County has retrofitted a bus to take lawyers around Baltimore County to serve the poor. Maryland Legal Aid helps thousands of people each year address their most basic needs and secure what

50 YEARS OF WOMEN AT SEVERN

is rightfully due to them. From a career standpoint, it doesn't get much more rewarding than that.”

Psychologist Dr. Cheryl Helman Madden '91 always felt a calling to help others. She dedicated her studies to making that calling a career, pursuing a double major at Washington University in psychology and women's studies, a doctoral degree at Widener University, and ultimately licensure as a clinical psychologist and school psychologist in Pennsylvania. Early on, she worked at Green Tree School in Philadelphia, a school that provides education, therapeutic and clinical support to children with autism spectrum disorder and severe emotional disability. Their philosophy is rooted in the belief that every child should have the opportunity to learn the academic, social, emotional, and vocational, and life skills they need to achieve resiliency and succeed in their learning, living and working environments. Her subsequent years of private practice were rewarding and enabled her to provide individual, family, and group psychotherapy for clients aged six through adults. “My treatment approach is strengths-based and collaborative. I see the therapist's role as helping the clients to draw on their strengths to overcome challenges.”

She also served as a consulting psychologist for Delaware County's Head Start program, which provides comprehensive services for low-income children from birth to entry into kindergarten. The program is child-centered, family-focused, comprehensive, and community-based. Head Start services are designed to address developmental goals for children, employment and self-sufficiency goals for adults, and support for parents in their work and child-caring roles.

In 2012, Dr. Madden shifted her work to focus on supporting the mental health and wellness of the veteran community as a psychologist for the Veteran's Health Administration. The VHA is America's largest integrated health care system for veterans with services for posttraumatic stress disorder, psychological effects of military sexual trauma, depression, grief, anxiety, and other needs. Over her nine years with the VHA, Cheryl's work has incorporated a variety of responsibilities including patient intake evaluations and referrals for treatment and helping veterans and their families secure compensation and pension benefits. While rewarding, this work is also challenging. Many of the veterans she serves are in crisis situations and are initially “resistant to treatment before meeting with us ... so it's a unique opportunity to create a positive experience with a mental health provider to those who may be resistant beforehand.”

Dominique Thompson Mann '09 is currently a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Maryland, but she has been committed to serving those in need for over a decade. After graduating from High Point University with a major in psychology and a minor in human relations, Dominique moved to Arizona to work as a child protective services specialist for the Arizona Department of Child Safety where she supported the most vulnerable young people in the state. Mann ensured and assessed child safety and well-being, oversaw case plans to reunify families, represented her department as the legal guardian for children in need, and connected families with services and resources to enhance safe environments for their children. This transformational boots-on-the-ground experience inspired her to seek her master's degree in social work at the University of Maryland. “I've always wanted to do social work or psychology ... I realized social work is very versatile and I feel like social work is a great way for me to put my talents to use in different ways.”

Later in her career as a clinical social worker for The National Center for Children and Families, Dominique provided crisis support and early intervention techniques for youth and families, especially those with acute mental health needs or past trauma. Her professional training as a yoga instructor was instrumental in empowering her clients to increase mindfulness and alleviate anxiety in their lives. And in her work now as a child intervention behavior therapist with school children in the state of Maryland, Dominique strives to support children to become fully integrated into the school system, to succeed and flourish. When she talks about helping families and children, Dominique's eyes twinkle. “Seeing the improvement in a child and being able to help those families is just amazing to me.” She also takes great pride in having created a nonprofit with colleagues called Never Too Young, which is geared toward teaching underserved young people life skills through seminars and programs designed to empower and inspire

"No matter what appears on the surface, everyone has a story that should be appreciated, processed, and shared. I want people to understand that they're not alone and that they are worthy."

— Dominique Thompson Mann '09

50 YEARS OF WOMEN AT SEVERN

them. When she considers how her chosen path has impacted her perspective, Dominique said "that no matter what appears on the surface, everyone has a story that should be appreciated, processed, and shared. I want people to understand that they're not alone and that they are worthy."

When reflecting upon her time at Severn, Josie Cipriano '09 recalls being passionate about humanitarian issues. “I was the biggest nerd in Mr. Buckley's Global Studies class, and even chose to forego AP European History to take more global studies courses my senior year. If there was a student-led protest or day of awareness, I was either behind it or participating in it. So being a part of a nonprofit organization isn't really a surprise.” Salvavision, the organization Josie currently works with, is particularly close to her heart given its powerful mission to provide aid and support to asylum seekers, those being illegally detained at private detention centers, and returnees who have been deported. Salvavision is an organization which “works for those who are not able to speak out and stand up” by providing legal aid, basic hygiene items, food, clothing, shelter and many other resources to these individuals. Salvavision also provides access to programs for economic and community support for those who have been deported to their home country. Josie and her partner, poet and activist Javier Zamora, were called to this work in part due to Javier's personal experience immigrating to the U.S. by crossing the Sonoran Desert unaccompanied at age nine from El Salvador. Javier has achieved national acclaim for his poetry collections which retrace this harrowing journey. Salvavision was founded by Dora Rodriguez who immigrated to the U.S. from El Salvador in the 1980's though the Sonoran Desert at age 18. She became a social worker and has dedicated her life to helping others who are forced to risk their lives crossing the Mexico–United States border.

Although the work Josie and Javier do with Salvavision saves lives, Josie is clear to point out that people die in the desert every day. “One of the more difficult experiences I've had with Salvavision was participating in a memorial service for a 13-year-old girl named Josseline, who died trying to cross the desert. Her younger brother was forced to leave her behind by the group's coyote, who promised someone would be back for his big sister. Her parents were promised that she would make it across safely, and were lied to about which route she was going to take. Unfortunately, this story is not an uncommon one.”

Together, Josie and Javier helped launch Salvavision's new resource center in Sasabe, Mexico in May. While enthusiastic about the progress this represents, Josie is passionate in her assertion that a commitment to serving those in need is everyone's responsibility. “Organizations like Salvavision are necessary. Even so people are suffering, being treated inhumanely, and are left to die as they try to protect themselves and their families. I work with Salvavision because I can't imagine not working with them. Anyone who has a child, parents, friends, people they love should care about this work.”

50 YEARS OF WOMEN AT SEVERN

LEADERS FOR GOOD

Good leadership is about empowering and inspiring others. It's about making choices for the right reasons, exploring what matters, and acting toward the greater good. Through purpose and passion, these alumnae leaders are transforming our local and global communities making the kind of change that lasts. “Leading through that kind of organization change gave me insight into strong leadership, change management, effective communication ... and how to stay true to who you are and your values."

— Sherie Cornish Gordon '98

The eldest of four siblings, Sherie Cornish Gordon '98 was the first in her immediate family to graduate from college. From her experience at Severn, she recalls intimate class sessions with caring faculty and staff who were invested in her growth as a student. The array of opportunities, including field trips, arts, dance, sports, and special programs, also had a unique impact on her journey.

Life after Severn included four years as a collegiate basketball player at HBCU Morgan State University, a pivotal chapter in her life. The Morgan State community “became like family to me ... outside of my experience as an athlete, it helped me gain perspective for the impact of higher education on a person's life ... there were professors who cared and advisors who helped guide me along the way.” During her senior year, Sherie met Jacqie McWilliams who is currently in her 9th year of serving as commissioner of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). “Jacqie was a mentor and champion; she took me under her wing and taught me the value of women leaders in higher education and intercollegiate athletics.” Sherie credits McWilliams for teaching her the importance of being prepared and building relationships, of learning the craft of the work, and of believing in her capacity for growth and leadership. “When I was twenty years old the associate vice president of Morgan State asked me to step into the role of interim business manager for the athletics department ... I was thrust into a leadership role and I was open to learning. I was like a sponge.”

Following graduation from Morgan State, Sherie pursued her graduate degree at Temple University in Philadelphia with the goal of becoming a college basketball coach. After discovering that coaching wasn't her chosen path, she transitioned into administrative athletics roles at the University of Maryland, American University, and Norfolk State University. Her star rose dramatically at Norfolk State where she was promoted four times over her nine-year tenure to senior associate athletics director. Under her leadership, the university hosted external events including the Junior Olympics which had a multi-million dollar economic impact on the Hampton Roads community and helped to increase the academic performance and experience of youth in the area.

50 YEARS OF WOMEN AT SEVERN

Reflecting upon her time there Sherie shared, “We'd had success on the field and in the classroom. My tenure was incredible there, but I knew there was a ceiling.” As if on cue, her mentor and champion McWilliams came calling with an opportunity to work alongside her at the CIAA. This role was critical in providing quality championship experiences and scholarship dollars to support twelve member institutions.

At CIAA, Sherie cultivated an outstanding reputation as a leader in higher education athletics. Universities took notice and recruited her for various opportunities. When then president of Albany State University in Georgia came calling, seeking an athletics director, she knew it was the right move. During this incredible opportunity, she managed the merger of Albany State with Darton State College amidst resistance from certain stakeholder groups. “Leading through that kind of organization change gave me insight into strong leadership, change management, effective communication ... and how to stay true to who you are and your values ... my guiding light as a leader was to stay student-centered.” Sherie became a skilled coalition builder and made significant contributions to merging the cultures of these two institutions. “This was when I realized my calling was greater than athletics ... I wanted a larger role building community relationships and partnerships.”

Sherie was soon recruited by the president of Humboldt State University in Northern California for the leadership role she'd been hoping for, chief of staff of the northernmost campus of the 23-school California State University system. Since joining Humboldt State two years ago, Sherie has served as a front-line leader in emergency management, strategic planning, and enhancing the university's relationships. Most recently while serving as interim CFO, she played a critical role garnering support from the governor in HSU's vision to ascend to the 3rd polytechnic institution in the state, including work in diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. “We've had some tough discussions on campus around what this means for our students and our workforce, and our ability to show up as who we are every day. This includes bridge building, meeting people where they are, having hard conversations, and inviting people into the conversation.” Throughout all of these roles, Sherie has focused on serving every student and doing what's best for the organization. She also honors the role which mentors, champions, and dreams have played in her career. “Dream big; there are so many pathways to what people dream. Don't get caught up in anyone else's journey. Be present in your own journey. And remember, you are never alone. You have your Severn community and your Severn alumni network there to support you.”

Upon graduation from Severn, Rupal Kharod '99 set out to study medicine. But she was uninspired by her freshman chemistry course at the University of Maryland, and the lack of a spark gave her pause. Unsure of where to go from there, she harkened back to Highley Thompson's 10th-grade World Literature course that introduced her to Paolo Coelho's Bildungsroman, "The Alchemist," in which the young protagonist is guided to realize his true self. She re-read the story and had an awakening. It wasn't the science of a career in medicine that appealed to her, “it was the helping people part.”

From there, she spent her undergraduate years exploring literature and developing expertise in several languages. A chance run-in with former Severn faculty member Jeff Hardy inspired her to apply as a parttime linguist for the FBI. Discouraged by the long application process that extended through her years at law school, Rupal pivoted to work as an attorney, an interpreter for the courts in D.C., a volunteer for The Foreclosure Project, and a court mediator for Anne Arundel County. But after watching a terrorist siege in Mumbai on TV as her parents flew, unaware, into the city, Rupal reapplied to the FBI. She was determined to wait out the process and use her language skills for the greater good. In 2011, Rupal began her career as an FBI intelligence analyst, working on every major terrorist attack since the Boston bombing and preventing countless others. She built a reputation as a technology and communications expert and expanded the scope of her work beyond counterterrorism to investigations in counterintelligence, cyber, violent crime, and child exploitation.

After several years with the FBI, she took a position at Capital One leading their operations and intelligence team; her expertise was a perfect match. Staying current on emerging technical trends was a challenge, "but it was necessary to improve how we find the criminals planning terrorist attacks, selling state secrets, running blackmarkets for drugs and weapons, or preying on children. And it's the same skillset, coupled with my national security background, that helps me lead a team that was created to prevent the next massive cyber attack or data breach at Capital One. If I had stayed in law enforcement with U.S. Intelligence, I would have worked on investigations after a breach. Here, I get to work on preventing the next breach and finding those threat actors before they succeed.” Rupal also contributes to the national security mission through engagement in the nonprofit space, serving as a founding member and vice president of marketing and communication for the FBI Association of Intelligence Analysts (launching September 11, 2021.)

Rupal's passion for doing good drives

50 YEARS OF WOMEN AT SEVERN

her career choices. “I didn't know where that career path would lead, and I still don't know what comes next, but it'll be guided by that singular purpose." Her avid thirst for learning is another guiding force, supported by the incredible mentors who recognized her intellect and drive. She says an interaction with one mentor nearly ten years ago “shaped the trajectory of my career. It gave me the confidence to lean into my instincts, to speak up even if my voice was shaking, to take on large challenges and difficult problems. And it all started because he had faith, before I did, that I could do great things.”

So how does she stay sharp now that she's no longer engaged in daily tactical work? Self-awareness and a commitment to lifelong learning. “If you're always the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong rooms. It means that you're purposefully seeking out just the people that agree with you and the conversations where you already know the answers. To be better, you always have to be willing and wanting to learn.”

Carrie Ponder Cousins '02 is an executive vice president at Burson Cohn & Wolfe, a global public relations and communications firm named PRovoke Media's 2020 Global Agency of the Year. She recalls the beginning of her career in New York City as a young Vanderbilt graduate interning in public relations. “I enjoyed helping a brand craft an interesting story that people would want to read about . . . and seeing that come to life in a publication. I parlayed that into working with bigger and bigger brands, and working with more and more senior executives.” She now works with Fortune 500 companies and their most senior leaders to help tell their stories through media, events, and other channels. She notes that “recent research out of the Business Roundtable (a collective of CEOs of major corporations) shows that citizens today are looking more toward corporate leaders than to political leaders for a path forward. What I care deeply about is making sure that there is diversity across corporate leading voices . . . [these voices] have a huge impact on “It is so critical for [these CEOs] to help shape society around questions like: How is your company responding to political and social unrest? How are you making your company more equitable? How are you providing more opportunities for women? Today it's more important than ever that corporate leaders take on that responsibility.”

— Carrie Ponder Cousins '02

where society heads. I feel fortunate to be in a position where I can encourage brands to push women forward.” Carrie and her team work closely with CEOs to empower them to think critically about their public personas. “It is so critical for [these CEOs] to help shape society around questions like: How is your company responding to political and social unrest? How are you making your company more equitable? How are you providing more opportunities for women? Today it's more important than ever that corporate leaders take on that responsibility.”

While Carrie has worked with figures ranging from Bill Gates to members of Michael Jackson's family, her most gratifying work involves coaching women as companies increasingly focus on equality and seek to spotlight female executives in their industries. Serving as a lead media trainer for Bloomberg's New Voices program, Carrie works with a diverse range of women to build their confidence and prepare them to appear on Bloomberg TV and other network platforms. In 2018, Bloomberg launched its New Voices initiative to increase the representation of women sources in both online and on-air content. The program has established a definitive global list of women experts in finance and business, a system to track diverse sourcing, and funding for media training for top women executives and other underrepresented voices. The goal is to advance the position of women in the news and increase the number of credible sources who are women. “It matters who assigns a story, who reports and writes it, and who edits and shapes it, as well as whose voices are drawn upon to tell it.” The New Voices program is working to improve gender balance and increase ethnic diversity at every level and holds managers accountable to making progress across these metrics. Since the program's inception in 2018, Cousins is immensely proud to say that she has helped Bloomberg more than triple its representation of women on TV. “What I'm doing is different from the nonprofit world... but I believe I'm helping shape society more from the top in terms of the opinions and

voices that [people] are reading about in the news.”

During her undergraduate days at Clemson University, Victoria Royer Coley '00 majored in communications studies and worked as a reporter for the university's television station. She was soon bitten by the media bug. “I spent my summers interning with various media companies, both local and national, building critical skills, networking, and getting a sense for opportunities within a career field that I was highly interested in.” Following graduation in 2004, Victoria pursued a career in news production and accepted a full-time position at Fox News Channel working in the D.C. Bureau with a focus on policy and political coverage. Working alongside news heavyweights as a producer, and later as the coordinator of the network's Washington booking unit, Victoria shaped the editorial direction of programming and research, and wrote and produced guest segments. “I landed interviews with political newsmakers and coordinated breaking news coverage both in the bureau and in the field.” Working for the number one cable news network came with a lot of joy, but also a lot of stress. For Victoria, there was never a dull moment or quiet day. “I always tell those interested in news that it never stops.”

Her family's small business in the lifestyle magazine industry provided the next professional opportunity for Victoria. She learned several aspects of the business from advertising sales and design to editorial writing and subscriber circulation. During this time, while living and working in Annapolis, Victoria also joined a small group of young professionals in launching the Rotaract Club of Annapolis, a junior club sponsored by the Rotary Club. She served as the club's founding president and dedicated many nights and weekends to service activities and meetings. Although the family business was booming and she enjoyed both the niche market and people she met while traveling, the world of policy and politics called her back. But instead of producing the news, she transitioned into public relations as

50 YEARS OF WOMEN AT SEVERN

a deputy communications director. “Our work focused on media coverage, earned and paid, for various education and awareness projects. Then, in 2012, I was approached to lead the communications department at Independent Women's Forum and Independent Women's Voice. I long admired the work of Independent Women to preserve and advance freedom.” She didn't hesitate to accept the opportunity and continues with IW today as their vice president of communications.

As a member of executive leadership at IW, Victoria oversees a team of ten full-time professional women, as well as external freelancers and firms, including media, digital marketing, social media, creative design, video production, web development and design, copywriting, branding, campaign, and membership personnel. “Our spokeswomen are on TV an average of three times daily. Our opinion editorials are published in the top national newspapers like The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and USA Today, and we are frequently called upon to weigh in on public policy by media outlets. Just this week, we spoke to The Atlantic and CSPAN about alternative policy solutions to help more parents get access to child care. When I see the work I do making a difference in people's lives ... it makes the high-pressure, high-stakes environment all worth it.”

Reflecting upon how Severn's mission is lived out in her work, Victoria emphasizes that Severn offers an unparalleled experience for students. “What I value most about Severn is when you study at Severn, you learn how to succeed. It is one of the many reasons that my husband and I are so excited to have our children starting at Severn's Chesapeake Campus this fall. With anything that I do — work in my career or volunteering within my community — I strive to do the right thing the right way. Within that, it encompasses several key practices introduced by my parents and elevated by my Severn experience: fairness, honesty, and humility.

SPOTLIGHT ON NOTABLE ALUMNAE: GRADUATES OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY

Captain Cheryl Herrick Lauer '87 paved the way as the first alumna of Severn School to go on to graduate from the United States Naval Academy, joining over 1,200 Severn alumni midshipmen dating back to the school's founding in 1914. Other Severn alumnae who have carried on this proud tradition include Margaret Morton Jackson '06 and Mia Hencinski Stender '06. Samantha Stearns '16 and Julia Christie '20 are currently enrolled at the Naval Academy.