New Alumni Leadership Program Launches
Building Leadership by Continuing the Cooper Connection
The John Cooper School Alumni Office proudly launched a new initiative this year, Young Alumni Professional Development, designed to connect recent graduates and Upper School students with alumni who are actively navigating their professional lives. The inaugural program brought alumni back to campus for an afternoon of career-focused conversations, mentorship, and networking, offering students an authentic look at life beyond Cooper.
Held on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, the event featured a full afternoon of alumni-led sessions and networking opportunities. Alumni speakers represented a wide range of industries, including healthcare, engineering, law, finance, media, technology, and social impact, sharing candid insights on career paths, workplace culture, leadership, wellness, and professional growth.
“This initiative was created to meet students and alumni where they are as they begin to imagine their futures,” said Sara-Kate Johansen, Alumni Engagement and Giving Officer. “Young Alumni Professional Development allows students to hear honest, real-world perspectives from alumni who were recently in their shoes. These conversations help bridge the gap between school and the professional world in a meaningful way.”
The program featured alumni panelists from across graduating classes, including Erin Cassidy ’01, Caitlin McFarland ’01, Ren Mitchell ’04, Joseph Rosenthal ’06, Melisa Pferdehirt Rosenthal ’06, Brittany Metcalf Dein ’09, Karim Asi ’11, Natasha Siddiqi Toor ’11, Jaan Bains ’12, Rebecca Hill ’13, and Samantha DiGerlando ’20.
"My favorite part about coming back to Cooper is seeing all my teachers and seeing how the campus has improved and expanded," said Samantha DiGerlando ’20.
"My favorite part of being back at Cooper was the alumni workshop. Even though I'm no longer a student at Cooper, I'm still benefiting from being here and continuing to learn," said Amy Tian, '24.
Throughout the day, speakers addressed topics such as navigating workplace expectations, advocating for oneself, aligning careers with personal values, managing mental health, and building meaningful professional relationships.
"My favorite part about coming back to Cooper is seeing all my teachers and seeing how the campus has improved and expanded," said Samantha DiGerlando ’20.
"My favorite part of being back at Cooper was the alumni workshop. Even though I'm no longer a student at Cooper, I'm still benefiting from being here and continuing to learn," said Amy Tian, '24.
Throughout the day, speakers addressed topics such as navigating workplace expectations, advocating for oneself, aligning careers with personal values, managing mental health, and building meaningful professional relationships.
Kalli Lovejoy, Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement, emphasized the importance of alumni involvement in shaping the next generation of Dragons. “Our alumni are one of Cooper’s greatest resources. This program creates space for them to share their journeys honestly, including the challenges, detours, and growth that come with building a career. It is powerful for students and alumni to see the many different paths success can take.”
In addition to panel discussions, the event featured networking opportunities and professional headshots, underscoring the program’s emphasis on practical preparation and confidence-building for students and recent graduates.
Christen Wilson, Chief Advancement Officer, noted that the initiative reflects Cooper’s long-standing commitment to community and lifelong connection. “Young Alumni Professional Development is a natural extension of our mission. By fostering relationships between alumni and students, we strengthen our community while preparing students to lead with purpose, resilience, and integrity long after they leave campus.”
"My favorite part about coming back to Cooper is seeing the tremendous growth and how much the school has added to the experience for the students, but at the same time, seeing a lot of things have stayed the same. It's good seeing the school has held onto its roots," said Karim Asi ’11.
"My favorite part about coming back to Cooper is seeing the tremendous growth and how much the school has added to the experience for the students, but at the same time, seeing a lot of things have stayed the same. It's good seeing the school has held onto its roots," said Karim Asi ’11.
As a new addition to the Cooper Alumni Series, Young Alumni Professional Development is poised to become a cornerstone of alumni engagement, offering students a valuable perspective while reinforcing the School’s enduring belief in the power of connection, mentorship, and shared experience.
The John Cooper School
From Curiosity to Wisdom
The John Cooper School is an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational, college preparatory day school. Our mission is to provide a challenging education in a caring environment to a diverse group of select students, enabling them to become critical and creative thinkers, effective communicators, responsible citizens and leaders, and lifelong learners.
The John Cooper School seeks to attract qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds to its faculty, staff, and student body. The School does not discriminate against any individual in admissions, educational programs, personnel policies, general practices, or employment, on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, or age.
The John Cooper School seeks to attract qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds to its faculty, staff, and student body. The School does not discriminate against any individual in admissions, educational programs, personnel policies, general practices, or employment, on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, or age.
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