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- Reunion 2025
Stoneleigh-Burnham alumnae continue to inspire through their accomplishments and outstanding contributions in their chosen field. The Alumnae Awards Committee and the Alumnae Relations Office announce award recipients during reunion weekend.
The Emerson Medal
Created for the School’s 150th Anniversary, The Emerson Medal recognizes Susan Mabel Hood Emerson, who rescued her alma mater, the Mary A. Burnham School, in 1938 and brought it back to its former glory. Mrs. Emerson and her family served the Mary A. Burnham, Stoneleigh-Prospect Hill, and Stoneleigh-Burnham schools for many years, and the recipient of The Emerson Medal demonstrates the grace, tenacity, and humility with which Mrs. Emerson lived her lifetime of service.
RECENT RECIPIENTS OF THE EMERSON MEDAL
2019: Laura Richards ’60 SPH
The inaugural awarding of the Emerson Medal was presented to a woman who not only demonstrates these traits but inspires those around her to do likewise. Laura Richardson has served SBS as a Class Agent, a Trustee, and for 5 years as Board Chair (2003 to 2008). Her quiet leadership, unwavering support, service, and stewardship set an example for the entire school community. Throughout her time at and in service to SBS, Laura has earned the love and respect of thousands of Stoneleigh-Burnham sisters.
The Distinguished Alumna Award
Created in 2010 to honor alumnae who have stood out amongst their peers. This award is presented annually and bestows institutional recognition on one alumna who has distinguished herself in her personal or professional life, intellectual pursuits, or her dedication to service of community, country or society.
RECENT RECIPIENTS OF THE DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA AWARD
2025: Pamela Gadboys Layton ’75
Chief Executive Officer and a founder of 4immune Therapeutics, Inc., a company at the forefront of novel cell therapy targeting autoimmune disorders like early-stage type 1 diabetes. Founder of multiple biotech companies, consistently taking products from concept to market, including the first pure stem cell allograft for spinal fusion surgeries.
2024: Annette Cazenave ’74
With a B.A. from Drew University, an M.B.A in Global Management from Thunderbird School of Global management at a time when very few women were entering the business world (and even fewer the international business world), and only 5% of her class was female, she has over 44 years of comprehensive business management experience in finance and investments.
2023: June Coolidge Scott ’83
A Charge Nurse at Brigham and Women’s medical surgical telemetry unit, co-founder of Visual Vitality Consulting Inc, working with businesses to promote diversity and inclusion for citizens with a disability, and serve as its President and CEO. Guest lecturer at her other alma mater, Simmon’s University, and annual volunteer at the medical tent for the Boston Marathon.
2023: Caroline "Carrie" Mitchum ’83
Honoring her work as an actress on TV and film, as a Cordon Bleu trained chef and restaurateur, as well as her philanthropic work in disaster relief.
2022: Margaret Altmiller McIntosh ’72
An international level equestrian, having competed at the Olympic level. In 1999, she suffered a fall at a competition, resulting in a spinal cord injury. She competed as a member of the 2016 United States team at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Margaret is also an inductee to the Stoneleigh-Burnham Equestrian Wall of Fame.
2021: Charlotte Prescott Newton ’71
Having earned master’s level credits in Nursing Administration, Charlotte completed a graduate professional certification in Fundraising Management at Boston University, making a dramatic career shift from neonatal intensive care nursing and research in neonatal medicine to brokerage.
2019: The Members of the Class of 1969
Presented to the class representing the 50th Anniversary of the merged Schools of Stoneleigh-Prospect Hill and Mary A. Burnham. The 2019 Distinguished Alumnae Award acknowledges the strength and determination found among the members of the Class of 1969 who rose to the challenges presented to them in 1968.
2017: Mary E. Maloney ’69, MD
Director of Dermatologic Surgery and Chair of Department of Dermatology, UMass Memorial Medical Center
Professor, University of Massachusetts Medical School
2016: Holley Chant ’81, LEED AP, GSAS CGP
Green Building, Sustainability and Design Professional Executive Director – Corporate Sustainability
KEO INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANTS
2015: Susan Lawson Farmer ’60 SPH
First woman elected to statewide office in Rhode Island in 1982 as Secretary of State.
President, Rhode Island PBS Foundation
2014: Carissa Tudryn Weber ’96
Systems Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Developed technology for the Mars Curiosity Rover and was the detector system engineer and the engineering technical authority for the Euclid Flight Instrument Detectors Group.
2013: Joan Hutton Landis ’47 SPH
Poet, published in the Transatlantic Review, the New York Times, Parnassus, Poetry in Review, The Gettysburg Review, Salmagundi, Spoon River, and Poetry.
Former chair, Liberal Arts Department at Curtis Institute of Music.
2012: Judith Howard Whitney-Terry ’56 MAB
Peace Corps volunteer
Former Member, Board of Directors of the National Peace Corps Association
Local and international volunteer
2011: Denise Bruner ’70, MD
First female Fellow of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians (ASBP)
Speaker, noted television and radio guest.
2010: Karen Van Lengen ’69
FAIA; Kenan Professor of Architecture Former Dean of the School of Architecture, University of Virginia.
The Distinguished Young Alumna Award
Presented for the first time at Reunion 2019, this award is given to an individual who has made outstanding contributions in her chosen field or to Stoneleigh-Burnham.
RECENT RECIPIENTS OF THE DISTINGUISHED YOUNG ALUMNA AWARD
2025: Jordyn Pigott ’15
Jordyn received her BA from Carleton College in 2019 in political science and international relations, and her MA from American University in 2023. Having worked with USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, US Department of Justice, US Census Bureau, and the NYC Mayor’s office, she also is a professional dancer and singer in traditional African Diasporic tradition. She teaches and performs with Ni Dembaya West African Drum And Dance Ensemble and Mwendi Traditional Cameroonian Ballet in the greater Washington DC area.
2024: Kate Strousse ’13
Assistant Director of Property Valuation and Review at the Vermont Department of Taxes, Kate holds a bachelor's degree in political science and mathematics from the University of Vermont and a Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in human resources management from Champlain College. While in college she joined the Alumnae Board, serving one term as president before becoming a member of the Board of Trustees for one term.
2021: Two alumnae were presented with The Distinguished Young Alumnae Award at the Reunion Gala.
Joyhdae Albert ’01
Joyhdae currently serves as office manager in the New York City office of Roth Capital Management. Following graduation from SBS, she earned a degree in Business from Tufts University, where she was a Goldman Sachs Scholar. She continued her education at Berkeley College in New York, NY, earning an Associate’s Degree in Business-Administration Marketing. Joydhae has also held positions at the Harlem Arts Alliance, the 40/40 Club, and the Hall Company. At SBS, she was a member of Student Council, was part of the Debate Team, sang in Octet, served as a Blue Key Guide, and was chosen as Sweater Girl. Joyhdae served on the SBS Alumnae Board and is a founder of FundBLACKWomen, an organization that crowdfunds and counsels black women founders.
Mary Dooley ’03
Mary graduated with a PhD in School Psychology from UNC Chapel Hill. Her dissertation, titled "We're Here Too: The Black Female Experience in North Carolina Schools," explored systemic, institutional, and direct racism these students face with the least amount of support. She is a pediatric psychologist in integrated primary care settings, working within the community and schools to support marginalized and oppressed children and families. She is an advocate for structural, systemic changes. Mary presents at conferences, in schools, and for a variety of organizations, focusing on topics including abuse, mandated reporting, trauma, anti-racist/anti-bias practices, and white supremacy.
2019: Jessica K. Meese ’04
Jessica attended Carnegie Mellon University, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, a Minor in Vocal Music, and a Master’s Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. After relocating to New York, Jessica found time to continue performing. In 2011 Jessica joined The Blue Hill Troupe, wrote and performed a one-woman cabaret 2013: Don’t Tell Mama, in New York, and in 2015 was invited to join Uncommon Chord: New York. Field engineer on contracts renovating elevated train stations for New York City Transit, continuing as Project Engineer at Longi Engineering working on the East Side Access project on systems, civil, and architectural contracts from bid to close-out. Part of the Construction Management team on the East Side Access project for Long Island Railroad, building new tunnels and a new concourse in Grand Central Terminal, NYC. Deputy Construction Manager at Jacobs Engineering as part of the team on the East Side Access project for Long Island Railroad, building new tunnels and a new concourse in Grand Central Terminal, NYC. Acknowledged professionally with the 2018 Jacobs Engineering Systems Managers of the Year Award.
The Ferdon Award
The Elinor Johnstone Ferdon, Mary A. Burnham Class of 1954 Alumnae Leadership Award is presented to an alumna who, like Ellie, has demonstrated outstanding leadership within our community.
RECENT RECIPIENTS OF THE FERDON AWARD
2025: Resa Schuster Ike ’85
This award is presented to an alumna who, like Ellie, has demonstrated outstanding leadership within our community. For anyone who has met Ellie, or gazed upon her portrait in the Blue Room, her grace, poise, and determination are apparent. Those qualities serve one well in when active in leadership roles that benefit alumnae and the School as a volunteer for and representative of Stoneleigh-Burnham. Given in recognition of. Resa's hard work, initiative, and love for Stoneleigh-Burnham. For reminding us what it looks like when someone truly leads with heart.
2019: Charlotte Lewis-Hankus ’72
2016: Melissa McKallagat ’96
2010: Pam Brewster Bensen ’64 SPH
2005: Janet Spencer ’50 SPH
2004: Maureen P. McCarthey ’77
1997: Laura Richards ’60 SPH
1992: Melissa Leach Dickson ’72
1989: Elinor Johnstone Ferdon ’54 MAB
Equestrian Wall of Fame and Athletic Hall of Fame
Created in 2010 and 2012 respectively, the Equestrian Wall of Fame and Athletic Hall of Fame honor equestriennes, athletes, coaches, teams, and others who have made outstanding contributions to riding and athletics during their time at Stoneleigh-Burnham or in life thereafter.
We are accepting nominations for the Equestrian Wall of Fame and Athletic Hall of Fame. Click here to submit a nomination form.
RECENT INDUCTEES TO THE EQUESTRIAN WALL OF FAME
Caroline Roffman ’06
Alexandra Linscheid O’Toole ’03
Dr. Rose Paddock McWilliams ’03
Samantha Pleasant ’02
The 2001 IEA National Championship Team including:
Ashley Grant ’04
McKenzie Rollins ’01
Emily Wood Thompson ’01
Naomi Gendron-Waidlich ’01
Flora Wu ’01
Dr. Kate Echeverria ’98
Vicky Castegren ’94
Kimberly Cartier Dome ’94
Vicki Humphrey Oliver ’91
Alexandra Warriner ’90
Kelsa Fuller Zereski ’88
Amy Stegall ’86
Jerilyn Jacobs ’85
Libby Cowperthwaite Schmittdiel ’84
Mina Payne ’78
Abby Fuller ’77
Suzanne Bell Fraser ’72
Margaret “Gigi” Altmiller McIntosh ’72
Joannah Hall Glass ’59S
RECENT INDUCTEES TO THE ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
Chinwe Okorie ’13
Nimpa Lonlack ’08
Hayley Descavich ’08, Director of Dance
SBS 2000 New England Champion Softball Team
Emily Kiablick ’97
Sonya Lamonakis ’93
Colleen Bannister ’92
Valerie Scott Firestein ’85
Mina Payne ’78, Riding Instructor
Anne Quantrell Dennen ’70
Victoria “Tori” Askerberg ’69
Ann Sorvino, Dance Instructor