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Laurel School’s Distinguished Alumna Award Recipients
Laurel School’s Distinguished Alumna Award Recipients
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Alumnae
Distinguished Alumnae
Advocates for the underserved and the environment; healers of the sick; entrepreneurs, inventors and trailblazers in their fields; authors, artists and educators—
Laurel women inspire us.
Since 1978 the Laurel School Alumnae Association has honored women who dreamed big dreams, dared to follow those dreams and in doing so broke barriers, became mentors, assumed leadership roles in their careers and communities and connected to the larger world.
List of 3 items.
Distinguished Alumna
The Distinguished Alumna Award is given annually to one alumna, distinguished in her field of endeavor—professional, business or civic/volunteer—and who has already celebrated her 20th reunion.
Young Alumna of Distinction
The Young Alumna of Distinction Award is given, at the discretion of the Distinguished Alumna Committee, to an alumna in her 20th reunion year or younger who has made a notable contribution to her field of endeavor—professional, business or civic/volunteer.
Lifetime Achievement
The Lifetime Achievement Award is given at the discretion of the Distinguished Alumna Committee to any Distinguished Alumna nominee who has already celebrated her 50th reunion to honor a lifetime's body of work, volunteer and/or professional.
2026 Distinguished Alumna
List of 1 items.
SUSAN COLLINS BOSLAND '76
Educator
One can trace Sue Collins Bosland’s four-decade career as a teacher, primary and middle school director, coach, advisor, and head of school to her four years in Laurel’s Upper School. Just ask her. During her tenure as the Head of National Cathedral School for Girls (2019-21), Sue explained the genesis of her commitment to girls’ education: “I went to an all-girls school and it changed my life. I gained confidence and learned to explore new interests, take calculated risks and appreciate multiple perspectives. The smaller classes, strong academics, and the fact that excellence was individually defined inspired my overall educational experience. Laurel is where my interest in leadership began.”
2026 Young Alumna of Distinction
List of 1 items.
BRITTANY LEVY MD '11
Resident Physician and Innovator
A general surgery resident, Dr. Brittany Levy ’11 knew there had to be a better way to save lives. Hemorrhaging is a leading cause of death in trauma, but an estimated 30% of tourniquets, meant to stem blood loss but improperly applied by civilian first responders, can lead to severe complications or death. So she designed the TalkiTourni LLC, an automated device to improve the outcomes of adequately applied tourniquets outside of a hospital setting, thereby reducing the rate of preventable death related to uncontrollable extremity bleeding or hemorrhage in trauma. The TalkiTourni LLC provides interactive audio and visual emergency instructions on how to apply the tourniquet properly and works in much the same way that an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is used in standard CPR. In a situation where every minute counts, Brittany’s innovation is especially beneficial in rural areas where there is longer travel time to the nearest hospital.
2026 Lifetime Achievement
List of 1 items.
MICHAEL ANNE JOHNSON '64
Attorney
If there is a through line in Michael Anne Johnson ‘64’s professional and personal life, it is one of character and counsel intertwined with an inherent commitment to community. An honors graduate in history and Spanish at The College of Wooster, Michael Anne headed to the east coast and worked as a textbook editor and hospital public relations specialist in Boston before returning to Cleveland to obtain her JD at Case Western Reserve University School of Law. After serving as a law clerk to Judge Saul G. Stillman at the Ohio Court of Appeals, Eighth District, she worked as a litigation associate in a Cleveland law firm before joining the Office of the United States Attorney, Northern District of Ohio.
2026 Distinguished Alumnae Committee
Bobbie Brown ’72, Chair • Sally Saunders Roth ’60 • Ginna Langmack Cowan ’89 • Tiffany Laufer ’91 • Allison Chan ’05 • Melanie Terwoord ’06 • Kristen Nemeth Steimer ’12
HOW TO NOMINATE AN ALUMNA
Alumnae in the News
Megan Lum Mehalko '83 Named a Crain’s 2026 Notable Woman in Law
3/11/2026
Congratulations to
Megan Lum Mehalko '83
, former Laurel School Board Chair, current Trustee, and co-chair of Benesch’s Corporate & Securities Group, on being named a 2026 Notable Woman in Law by
Crain’s Cleveland Business
Kayla Cameron '23 Receives OSU Pace Setter Award
3/10/2026
Congratulations to
Kayla Cameron '23
, who received the Ohio State University Max M. Fisher College of Business Pace Setters Award, which is given annually to the college’s top students.
Jami Morris ‘21 and Laurel’s Athletic Hall of Fame Featured in Chagrin Valley Times
2/16/2026
Jami Morris ‘21
was featured in a
Chagrin Valley Times
article
about her recent induction to Laurel’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Jami is a two-time golf State Champion and founder of the non-profit organization Hit Fore Hope, which raises money for cancer research and the University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center.
Jane Startzman ‘70 Named Women’s History Project 2026 Women of the Year
2/16/2026
Laurel alum
Jane Startzman ‘70,
co-founder and director of the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival, has been selected as a 2026 Woman of the Year by the Summit County Historical Society.
Ann Thoburn Fauver ‘40 Included in WGBH Story About Figure Skating Judges
2/9/2026
Ann Thoburn Fauver ‘40
was included in a
WGBH video news story
that takes a behind the scenes look at how figure skating is judged.
Rosemary Mudry ‘02 Guest on Laurel Parent-Run Podcast In Her Land
12/2/2025
Laurel parent and alum
Rosemary Mudry ‘02
, Executive Director of Cleveland Public Market Corporation, was a guest on the
In Her Land podcast
with hosts
Mara Kamat
(Laurel parent) and
Carrie Aguilar ‘03
(Laurel alum and parent).
Yale Daily News Story Authored by Chandler Haynes '27
11/3/2025
This summer,
Chandler Haynes '27
interviewed
Julie Donahue '79
, Laurel’s Director of Alumnae and Community Engagement, and
Dr. Meredith Stewart Reimer '95
, Alumnae Board President, for a
feature on alumnae networking
through the Yale Daily News Summer Journalism Program.
Aleka Dodla '26 Featured in Fairport Wealth Blog
11/1/2025
Aleka Dodla '26
is featured in a recent
Fairport Wealth blog
post highlighting her experience as an intern and mentee through the Heather Ettinger Internship and Scholarship Program.
Heather Ettinger
is Fairport’s retired Chairwoman and a Laurel alumna from the Class of 1979.
Jami Morris ‘21 Featured in Cleveland Jewish News for Hit Fore Hope
10/23/2025
Jami Morris ‘21
was featured in the
Cleveland Jewish News
for her non-profit Hit Fore Hope, which held its fourth annual chip, putt, and drive event this past July in Cleveland and raised $174,000 for cancer research through the University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center.
Holly Gleason ‘81 Nominated for 12 National Arts & Entertainment Awards
10/1/2025
Laurel alumna and author and writer
Holly Gleason ‘81
, has been nominated for 12 National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards, including two for the HITS features “
Country at a Crossroads
” and “
Grammy Chew: Country
” according to
HitsDailyDouble.com
Mia Dent ‘23 and Zoe Dent ‘27 Co-Author Curriculum for Black Girl-Serving Organizations
10/1/2025
Congratulations to Laurel alumna
Mia Dent ‘23
and her sister
Zoe Dent ‘27
, who co-authored the curriculum, “Bold, Black, & Becoming: A Healing Curriculum for Black Girls."
Kennedy Whitaker ‘24 MLK Essay Contest Winner
9/18/2025
Congratulations to recent grad
Kennedy Whitaker ’25
, who won 1st place in the 35th Annual MLK Essay Contest sponsored by East View Church!
Kathleen Norchi ‘12 Highlights Cleveland Opera Performance on New Day Cleveland
7/27/2025
Congratulations to Laurel Alum
Katie Norchi ‘12,
who performed Opera in the Italian Garden in July. She was featured on
New Day Cleveland
, where she promoted the event and spoke about the beauty of the Cultural Gardens as a perfect backdrop for the performance.
Jami Morris ‘21 Honored at ESPY Awards
7/16/2025
Laurel alumna
Jami Morris '21
—two-time OHSAA Division II State Golf Champion—was honored this month at the ESPY Awards for her incredible work with Hit Fore Hope, the nonprofit she founded in 2022 to support lymphoma research at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center.
Board Member Bethany Bryant Honored with Crain’s Cleveland Business Award
7/10/2025
Congratulations to Laurel Board Member and Treasurer
Bethany Bryant
, Regional Managing Director at The Glenmede Trust Company, N.A., on being named a 2025 Smart Women Awards honoree! In addition, Mrs. Bryant was also named one of Crain’s Cleveland Business Notable Leaders in Finance!
Fiona Thackaberry Stevens ‘30 and Gabrielle Haigh ‘09 Shine in “The Higgler”
6/10/2025
Fiona Thackaberry Stevens '30
and Laurel School alumna
Gabrielle Haigh '09
both appeared in the world premiere of “The Higgler”, an opera composed by Margi Griebling-Haigh, directed by Marla Berg, and conducted by Steven Smith.
Rosemary Mudry ‘02 Named One of Crain’s Cleveland Business Women of Influence
5/15/2025
Congratulations to
Rosemary Mudry ‘02
, Executive Director of the Cleveland Public Market Corporation, has been named one of Crain’s Cleveland Business Women of Influence.
Taylor Thierry ‘21 Drafted to the WNBA
4/15/2025
Taylor Thierry ‘21
was selected in the third round of the WNBA 2025 Draft and will join the Atlanta Dream! Taylor had a very successful high school career as a Gator and went on to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Congratulations!
Holly Gleason ‘81 Named NAEJA Independent Journalist of the Year
2/3/2025
Holly Gleason ‘81
has been named the National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Association's Independent Journalist of the Year in December. She started the new year receiving an Audie nomination given to recognize the year's achievements in spoken word, especially audio books and dramas.
Tamara Broderick ‘03 Receives Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers
1/15/2025
Congratulations to
Tamara Broderick '03
, who is one of 400 federally funded early-career scientists and engineers to receive the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) on behalf of President Biden.
20
Alumnae in the News (all)
Past Distinguished Alumnae
These are the remarkable women role models on whom the Alumnae Association has bestowed its highest honors.
[YAD = Young Alumna of Distinction; LA = Lifetime Achievement]
List of 52 items.
2025
Anne Conway Juster '80
Educator, Civic Leader, Philanthropist
Mollie Barnard '06 (YAD)
Molecular and Genetic Epidemiologist, Cancer Researcher
Judith Wynn Rousuck '69 (LA)
Theater critic and author
2024
Lynnette Jackson Crenshaw ’93
Sr VP, Key Private Bank and Community Leader
Cindhura Reddy ’04 (YAD)
chef/restaurateur and James Beard Semifinalist
Helena “Holly'' Worthen ’60 (LA)
US labor historian and author
2023
Anne Lindblad Quanbeck '75
Retired CEO, EMMES
Ainslee Alem Robson '11 (YAD)
Award-winning Ethiopian-American director, writer and media artist
2022
Deborah Hannon Rosenblum ’80
Assistant Secretary for Defense of Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Defense Programs
Jamie Taylor ’02 (YAD)
LPGA professional, founder Black Golf Directory and JT Mobile Training
Jane Startzman ’70 (LA)
Co-founder and Director, Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival
2021
Alison Feighan ’80
Owner, The Feighan Team
Therese Claxton Fleisher ’03 (YAD)
Healthcare Integration Coordinator for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services; COVID-19 incident Commander; Community Liaison for the Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Initiative
Timotha “Timy” McGoff Sullivan ’57 (LA)
Animal Welfare Champion and Changemaker
2020
Dr. Ellen Rome '80
Head of the Center for Adolescent Medicine at Cleveland Clinic Children’s and a Professor of Pediatrics at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University
Grace Livingston ’06 (YAD)
Community Leader in Grief Management and Mindfulness Training
Betsy Kaufman Sampliner ’58 (LA)
Educator and Community Volunteer
2019
Gwill York
75
Co-Founder, Lighthouse Capital Partners
Meghan Thornton Parquette
01 (YAD)
Principal, Brooke Roslindale Charter School
Janet MacMahon Carll
48 (LA)
Community Volunteer
2018
Marne Levine ’88
Chief Operating Officer, Instagram
Tamara Broderick
03 (YAD)
ITT Career Development Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Kathy Chilcote Pender ’55 (LA)
Community Volunteer and Psychotherapist
2017
Deborah Becker ’73
Research Senior Associate and Director, the IPS Employment Center, the Rockville Institute at Westat
Caitlin Leibert ’03 (YAD)
Head of Sustainability, Chipotle
2016
Holly Gleason ’81
Writer, songwriter, music journalist, critic and publicist
Nichelle McCall ’01
(YAD)
Tech Entrepreneur
2015
Shelley Osmun Baranowski '64
Historian, Author, Distinguished Professor
2014
Mary French Conway ’46
Community Volunteer
Lt. Katherine Wirtz ’05
(YAD)
Officer, US Navy
2013
Sandy Buchanan ’74
Executive Director, Ohio Citizen Action
Emily Johnson Jackle ’98
(YAD)
Organic Farmer
2012
Barbara Peterson Ruhlman '50
Philanthropist, Community Volunteer, Fundraiser
2011
Kathryn Hellerstein '70
Assoc. Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, Poet, Scholar/Translator of Yiddish poetry
Tiffany Laufer '91
(YAD)
Filmmaker
2010
Heather Roulston Ettinger '79
Advocate for women and their financial health
Amanda Cinalli '04
(YAD)
Professional athlete (soccer)
2009
Virginia "Ginny" Foote '73
President & Co-Founder of the US-Vietnam Trade Council
Camilla Taylor '89
(YAD)
Attorney, Lambda Legal
2008
Elizabeth D. McKinley ’78
Physician, Academic Society Dean at Case Western Reserve Univ.
Roopal Patel '89 (
YAD)
Physician, President's Initiative on Malaria
2007
Kay Sproat Chorao '54
Children's book illustrator and author
Kathleen Sullivan ’85
Nuclear disarmament activist and educator
2006
Carol Madison Graham '74
Executive Director of the US-UK Fulbright Commission
2005
A. Lindsay Frazier ’76
Pediatric oncologist and researcher
2004
Mary DeCredico '77
Author, historian and Vice Academic Dean, U.S. Naval Academy
2003
Virginia deConingh Fleming '48
Activist for social reform
2002
Katharine Lee Reid '59
Director of the Cleveland Museum of Art
2001
Elisabeth Galvin Kirsch ’58
Founder/Director of domestic abuse shelter
2000
Nina Freedlander Gibans ’50
Arts advocate extraordinaire
1999
Anne Hopkins Burnham '47
Community activist, preservationist
Elizabeth Morrison Marcotte '69
Environmentalist, energy conservation consultant
1998
Sylvia Robinson Cruess '47
Physician, hospital administrator and health policy maker
1997
Sally Pastorelle Reed '57
Physician and founder of a free clinic
1996
Anne Hollis Reese '55
Mental health educator
1995
Betty Hitchcock Rose '33
Civic Activist and Inventor
1994
Joan Shook '72
Pediatrician
1994
Priscilla Tyler '26
Educator and specialist in Aboriginal literature and art
1993
Kathryn Beck Kris '51
Psychiatrist
1993
Lucy M. Ziurys '75
Astrophysicist
1992
Donna Ferrato '68
Photojournalist
1991
Jean Steel '53
Nurse Practitioner
1990
Andy Logan Lyon '38
Journalist, Columnist
1989
Gwill Linderme Newman '50
Brain research and mental health activist
1988
Helen Teagle Clements '26
Lobbyist for nursing home standards
1987
Anne O'Neil '46
Provincial, The Sacred Heart Order in the United States
1986
Mary Ellen Beck Wohl '50
Chief of Respiratory Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital
1986
Elaine Grasselli Hadden '49
Community Revitalization Activist
1985
Myra Evans Lapeyrolerie '77
Entrepreneur
1985
Louise Ireland Humphrey '37
President, Metropolitan Opera Association
1984
Terry Horvitz Kovel '46
Authority on antiques/collectibles
1983
Susan Crile '60
Artist
1982
Ann Denton Blair '31
Radio and TV Bureau Chief
1981
Mary Feil Hellerstein '39
Pediatrician
1980
Natalie Moore Babbitt '50
Children's book author/illustrator
1979
Elizabeth Brooks Ford '14
Public health and nursing education advocate
1978
Kate Ireland '48
Chair, Board of Governors, Frontier Nursing Service
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Lyman Campus | Laurel School
1 Lyman Circle
Shaker Heights, OH 44122
Phone:
216-464-1441
Admissions:
admissions@LaurelSchool.org
General:
info@LaurelSchool.org
Butler Campus | Laurel School
7420 Fairmount Road
Novelty, OH 44072
Phone:
216-464-1441
Admissions:
admissions@LaurelSchool.org
General:
info@LaurelSchool.org
#1 All-Girls School in Ohio