Clarkson is marking a historic first: The Alumni Association Leadership Board is now led by three women — President Lisa Jeffers ’03, MS ’21, Executive Vice President Catherine (Kate) Dangremond ’01, and Immediate Past President Monica Young ’00 — who share a vision to strengthen and connect the Clarkson community.
Jeffers, Dangremond and Young join other women leaders of our University community, including Nancy D. Reyda ’81, Chair of Clarkson’s Board of Trustees, and Michelle B. Larson, who will begin her role as Clarkson’s 19th President on April 1 (See sidebar).
“Being able to collaboratively lead with these exceptional women to support Clarkson and our Alumni community is possible because of the transformative impact of our Clarkson education, the differentiating skills we gained from our Clarkson experience, and Clarkson’s enduring commitment to training and empowering us as future leaders,” says Reyda.
Leading the Way for Women in STEM — and Beyond
These leaders have faced and overcome challenges in their careers, particularly in traditionally male-dominated fields like STEM and healthcare.
Jeffers, Senior Manager of Regulatory Affairs at Emergent BioSolutions, reflects on the balance many women strive for in their careers.
“One of my biggest challenges as a woman in STEM has been finding a balance between my career and personal life,” shares Jeffers. “With the right support, I’ve learned that success doesn’t have to come at the expense of one or the other — it’s something I continue to work on daily.”
For Young, Executive Director at AEM Corporation, stepping into leadership roles in unfamiliar spaces has presented challenges.
“There have been times when I was the ‘only’ woman or ‘youngest’ person in a room of leaders, which can be intimidating and lonely,” says Young. “I’ve learned to prepare, connect with others beforehand, and most importantly, remind myself that I was invited for a reason — I have something to offer.”
Similarly, Dangremond, Vice President of Population Health Strategy at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, reflects on the underrepresentation of women in healthcare leadership.
“I feel fortunate to have found a career in healthcare where I can impact my community and help ensure people get the care they need,” she says. “However, while 75% of the healthcare workforce is women, we hold only 25% of leadership positions. I’ve experienced moments where my voice was discounted, but I’ve also had the privilege of working with incredible women who taught me to advocate for myself and others. Leadership is about ensuring all perspectives are heard and respected.”
Strengthening Clarkson’s Alumni Network
Beyond their professional successes, these leaders are deeply committed to engaging and empowering Clarkson alumni worldwide.
Jeffers, who first joined the Alumni Association to help fellow alumni connect, believes in the power of the Clarkson community.
“I love how supportive Clarkson alumni are of each other, personally and professionally,” says Jeffers. “Leadership is about fostering connections and creating opportunities for others to succeed.”
Young echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of representation.
“It’s important to show that Clarkson is a place where people from diverse backgrounds, with different goals and life experiences, can thrive,” she says. “By engaging alumni with unique perspectives and celebrating their achievements, we send a powerful message to current and future students: This is a place where you belong.”
How Alumni Can Get Involved
The leaders agree — there are many ways for alumni to stay connected and give back to the Clarkson community. Whether attending regional alumni events, mentoring students or simply updating alumni profiles, every action makes a difference.
“The best thing to do is just get started,” says Dangremond. “Connecting with fellow alumni, sharing your story, or even considering hiring a Clarkson graduate are all meaningful ways to stay engaged.”
Young adds, “Following Clarkson on social media, attending an event or speaking with students about your career path — these small actions strengthen our community in big ways.”
Looking Ahead
As Clarkson’s Alumni Association Leadership Board moves forward under this dynamic team, a new era of excitement and engagement is taking shape.
“I am thrilled to welcome President Michelle Larson to Clarkson and to continue working with Nancy, the Board, and the University’s leadership team as we find new ways to connect and engage our community,” says Jeffers. “Clarkson’s alumni network is strong and growing stronger every day. And we’re ready to take it to the next level.”
Michelle B. Larson, PhD has been appointed the 19th president of Clarkson University and the first woman to lead the institution in its 128-year history. Dr. Larson, a physicist by training, previously served as President and CEO of the Adler Planetarium in Chicago. She begins her presidency on April 1. See the full announcement here.