The ‘08 Update 2008 Class Newsletter May 2018
Editors’ Letter Upcoming Alumni Events Happy Spring, ’08s! It’s hard to May 20: Lake Minnetonka Cruise and Dinner in believe it’s been almost a year Excelsior, MN since we were together in Hanover for our 10-year May 22: Daniel Webster Award Ceremony reunion—and one weekend honoring Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster ’78 in Washington, DC was just not enough to catch up on all the exciting things our classmates are doing. That’s June 5: Golf Outing in Lafayette, NJ why we’re so excited to launch “’08’s In Their
Words,” where we highlight the adventures of June 24: Summer Picnic in Bernards Township, NJ some of our fascinating classmates. Whether political, entrepreneurial, athletic, professional, July 27-30: Camp Dartmouth for parents and kids or personal, we hope you’ll find their stories as in Hanover entertaining and inspiring as we do.
- Lauren Bennett and Anna Thompson Pearson August 25: Moby-Dick in Nantucket event featuring Professor Donald Pease at the Nantucket Whaling Museum in Nantucket, MA
Campus Updates Visit Alumni.Dartmouth.edu for the latest events in Ø Mindy Kaling ’01 will deliver this year’s your area Commencement address Ø 15 Dartmouth athletes, including our own Dave Chodounsky, competed in the Winter Class Dues, Class Notes, and DCF Olympic Games. See p. 3 for Dave’s story! What’s the difference between all these things?
Ø President Phil Hanlon announced The Call to Class Dues: Our Class Dues support newsletters (like this Lead campaign to raise $3 billion for financial one), mini-reunions, and two class projects on campus. aid, research, leadership and arts programs, Visit 2008.Dartmouth.org to pay yours. and campus improvements by 2022 Class Notes: Solicited and written by our dreamy Class Secretary, Chris Barth. His updates go the Alumni Plan a Mini-Reunion! Magazine and are shorter features than what you see here. The ‘08 Update only goes to fellow ‘08s and contains longer Want to get together with ’08s in your city? stories and features than the Alumni Magazine. While we We’ll help with planning and funds. Contact are all friends, if you want to be featured in the ‘08 Update, mini-reunion chairs Whitney Waugh email us instead of Chris. ([email protected]) or Dunia Rkein Dartmouth College Fund: These are your donations to ([email protected]) for more details. the College that are separate from Class Dues (your funds go directly to Dartmouth and not to us).
Big Mouth on Netflix - everyone should watch.
Interviews have been edited ’08s IN THEIR WORDS for length and clarity
JORDANA SHEILA
KIER DUNNING
Tackling Periods, Road Tripped Solo
Tampons, and Tough from Boston to Conversations Santiago, Chile
What I’m up to…and what I love about it…. What I’m up to…and what I love about it…. I’m currently building a business called LOLA, a new lifelong brand I just moved to San Francisco and started working as in-house for women’s reproductive health. We first launched as a challenge to corporate counsel for Esurance. The transition from a big law firm to the major tampon brands that we believe are stale, inconvenient, in-house work has been so refreshing, and living in SF has been a and opaque with their ingredients story. But after hearing from ton of fun so far. women all over the country who were asking us for resources at different stages of their reproductive life, it became clear that there The accomplishments I’m proudest of… was a larger opportunity to build a brand that can evolve with her as About a year and a half ago, I quit my law firm job, bought a truck she encounters new reproductive phases. My favorite part about with a rooftop tent, and took a massive road trip from Boston down what I’m doing is starting seemingly uncomfortable conversations to Santiago, Chile (with my dog Rory in tow). Over the course of a around topics that have gone under the radar for far too long, and year, I navigated crazy cities and cliff-side roads, camped on beaches seeing how engaged and comfortable folks become. We’re launching from Baja to Ecuador, off-roaded through salt flats in Bolivia, woke a new category in a few weeks and I can’t wait to hear what our up next to deserted ruins in Peru, hiked around mountains and customers say. waterfalls and giant palm trees, made friends from around the world, and watched campfires burn down in absolute solitude. I'm The accomplishments I’m proudest of… proud not just of the incredible adventure I had and the myriad Probably doing this - I majored in Music for undergrad and not in challenges I overcame along the way, but also because it was the first my wildest imagination could I have thought I would have ended time I veered completely off a more traditional path and created my up being the period lady. But the idea/execution of this brand has own route (quite literally, in some places). It was the best decision resonated with consumers, investors, even our competitors. It’s been I've ever made. amazing (and also really hard). My biggest fear… My biggest fears… I'm afraid of how FAST time is passing, and the idea that it will all Failing. Haha. Also, doing something professionally that I didn’t just slip by when I'm not paying attention. Oh and quicksand, I'm care about. terrified of quicksand.
The lesson from Dartmouth that helped me most… My favorite Dartmouth memory… I was actually just back on campus for the Entrepreneurs Forum and I have a hundred Dartmouth memories, of lounging in dorm beds at one point was listening to some alums talk about the college’s with friends, dinners after rugby practice, late nights in Baker Berry; values, one of which was an adventuresome spirit. And it’s true, a thousand memories of crossing the Green, donning flair while right? We all trek up to a place in the middle of nowhere for four blasting Snoop Dogg and Leona Lewis; a million grilled cheeses at years and do weird things like dress up and run around bonfires. the Hop; a billion pong games; a trillion little moments with lifelong That value was distilled more clearly for me once that alum said it. friends. And they are all my favorite. Having had the opportunity to cultivate that adventuresome spirit at Dartmouth is what’s helped me both professionally and What’s next….and what’s down the road… personally. (Meanwhile my roommates are like... you never left the Next is enjoying the adventure of a new city, new job, and new (and house. I know Brian, I know.) old) friends. After that... I don't know!
What’s next….and what’s down the road… Currently bingeing… Literally who knows. Maybe running another company that tackles I have been on a huge more embarrassing topics?? audiobook binge lately. I read a little of everything, and Audible Favorite member of the Class of ’08… is my go-to for long drives, Claire Bickett! Early on at LOLA she sent me business cards with my commuting, dog walking, teeth- head superimposed on Queen Elizabeth and Beyoncé and made my brushing, and other spare title Tampon Queen. You couldn’t ask for a more supportive friend! moments throughout the day. A few recent favorites that lend Currently bingeing… themselves well to the audio Big Mouth on Netflix….everyone should watch. format include The Color Purple (read beautifully in dialect by the author), Born a Crime (also read by the author), and the Red Rising series. Big Mouth on Netflix - everyone should watch.
’08s IN THEIR WORDS
DAVE ANNE STAVA-
MURRAY CHODOUNSKY
Crushing the Running for Winter Olympics State
Representative
What I’m up to…and what I love about it…. What I’m up to…and what I love about it…. For the last 10 years I have been a member of the U.S. Ski Team, I’m currently running for State Representative (D) in the Chicago circling the world, training and competing on the World Cup circuit. suburbs. The best parts of running for office are... It's been an amazing journey, topped off by earning my second trip 1) Giving so many of us who have felt unrepresented by to the Olympics this winter. I really enjoy travelling and all the my tea party opponent a voice in advocating for friends I make along the way. I know that is what is going to stay positive change. with me for the rest of my life: not what place I got where, but the 2) Having a good excuse to reach out to just about any experiences I had and the people I shared them with. The thrill of person I’ve ever met to catch up (and of course, ask for competition is also quite a rush. I tried to be conscious of the feeling a donation.) I had the moment when I was in the starting gate at the Olympic slalom and hold on to that feeling because I knew that was my final Also, please help me reach my goal of raising $50K by Olympics. Nerves, adrenaline, excitement, focus, determination, and Memorial Day! Recurring donations are especially even relief that the buildup is over, all at the same time. appreciated: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/stavamurray The accomplishments I’m proudest of…
Obviously being able to represent Team USA at the Olympic games The accomplishments I’m proudest of… twice was such an honor. But honestly, one of my proudest moments Using my 15 min of fame (mainly spinoff media from the recent was unquestionably being part of the team that won the NCAA Time Magazine “Avengers” cover) to encourage other women and skiing championship in 2007. Without scholarships it’s not very people in currently underrepresented groups to run for office. If you often that a team comes together to do something like that. are considering running for office, please reach out to me as I’d be
glad to help with what I’ve learned. My biggest fears… My skiing career is coming to an end soon, whether that moment is My biggest fear… this year or next (I haven't quite decided yet) and that thought is Whatever attack ads are headed my way later this year. fairly scary. It is exciting to realize that I have this opportunity to y poor ROI given primary trends in our district. completely restart my life and do whatever I like, but it is also a little My favorite Dartmouth memory… scary moving on from something I have done literally my entire life Getting engaged on the Green in front of the Christmas tree (despite and into the "real world" at this age. I am quite lucky to have a the negative temps & hazards of wearing heels on ice hills). Turned degree from Dartmouth, so that will help me out with the transition. out pretty well as our third child is due on our 10th anniversary this It will just take a little time. summer (6/28/18).
My favorite Dartmouth memory… What’s next….and what’s down the road… When I got accepted to Dartmouth, I had never even visited campus, Just focusing on running for office & having a baby- taking things so rolling up to the green from the on the Dartmouth Coach from one day at a time and appreciating the opportunities I’ve been given. Boston [freshman fall] was the first time I ever saw it. That was
probably my favorite experience. There was a strong sense of new Last time I drank a Keystone Light… adventure and excitement which was pretty cool. Reunion Summer 2017; appropriately consumed while winning at
pong. The lesson from Dartmouth that helped me most…
My senior year I was invited to join the U.S. team in Europe for 2 weeks to race on the international circuit. It was right during winter term, and I was certain my professors were not going to be OK with it. I was afraid to ask, but I found out that if I communicated my goals and desires clearly, they were happy to work with me to figure it out. I took two weeks off to have a very difficult and unsuccessful series of competitions—and I had to work like hell to make Anne’s Time everything up when I got back. But it was well worth it as I got my foot in the door of the national team. I have to thank my professors magazine cover! at the time for being understanding and realizing my dream. That directly helped me reach two Olympic winter games! And the lesson? I guess always pursue your dreams no matter what you have going on, and communicate those dreams to others around you so they can help you get there! Never give up...it's cheesy but it's true! ’08s IN THEIR WORDS
ERICA OWEN
JONES ZIDAR
Living Her Best Econ “Prof” at Life in NYC Princeton
What I’m up to…and what I love about it…. I'm in my tenth year in education and in my first year as the Upper What I’m up to…and what I love about it…. School Dean of Students at Friends Seminary, a private, K-12 Quaker I am living in New York and am currently an economics professor at school in Manhattan. I never thought I'd be in a position in which Princeton. I taught a class on the future of fiscal policy at the every single disciplinary case comes across my desk, (also hilarious, Woodrow Wilson school and a PhD class on public economics this for anyone who knows me), but I really do love my career--no two year. I spend most of my time on research projects and focus on days are the same and my students keep me busy, entertained, three areas: the taxation of businesses and high income people, local (although sometimes, I laugh when I'm not supposed to), humbled fiscal policy, and the creation and distribution of economic profits. and hopeful for the future. Next year, I'll be serving as the Assistant My favorite part of being an econ professor is having the freedom to Head of the Upper School, though I'll still have a foot in the work on topics that I find interesting and that might help improve classroom, teaching a senior elective on intersectional feminism. The policy. best part of my career--other than teaching the next generation of anti-racist, feminist warriors--is two weeks for spring break and The accomplishments I’m proudest of… three months off in the summer, which I spend traveling the world, Two co-authors and I worked with folks at the US Treasury to try to usually solo, and drinking all the liquors. understand the ownership structure of partnerships and other businesses. Partnerships can have multi-tiered and circular The accomplishments I’m proudest of… ownership structures, which made following the money to the Being unafraid and unashamed to be myself and stand in my truth, ultimate owners and figuring out how much tax they paid quite without apology or explanation, in every space that I occupy--and difficult. We ended up identifying a pool of $100 billion that paid this has taken years to cultivate, so yeah, I'm real proud of that. particularly low taxes. The following U.S. budget increased enforcement on these types of partnerships, and these provisions My biggest fears… were estimated to raise a lot of revenue. This work also helped us Failure, complacency and snakes. realize that private business ownership is key for understanding why inequality has been going up recently. My favorite Dartmouth memory… Every single night that I tried to be a responsible student and human The lesson from Dartmouth that helped me most… being--like, "I'm not gonna drink at meetings"; "I'm gonna go the I really enjoyed my time at Dartmouth. I met a ton of great people, library"; "I'm gonna do work tonight." And then the pong gods and had a lot of fun, experienced the excitement of the run up to the 2008 my triflin friends conspired against me; every single time I explicitly election, and got to know several Econ faculty. I remember Doug named that I wasn't going out, without fail, turned into the most Staiger once said something like the following -- if you are not a ridiculously ratchet nights of my Dartmouth career. Those late genius like Ken Arrow, then the best way to succeed in economics is nights/early mornings are some of my favorite memories from to apply ideas from one subfield like trade to questions in other Dartmouth--the unexpected, un-premeditated nights of perfect, subfields like public finance. I have certainly followed that advice unmitigated chaos. and it helped me get my first job after grad school.
What’s next….and what’s down the road… What’s next….and what’s down the road… In the immediate future, I'll continue working in education, and I I plan on continuing to work as an economics professor and trying plan on going back to school within the next five years for either an to contribute to public policy debates. Educational Doctorate or a PhD. In 25 years, I'll be 57 and fabulous-- we'll have to see what's to come! Currently bingeing… I have been watching a bit of standup (Michelle Wolf on Last time I drank a Keystone Light… HBO, Sebastian Maniscalco and the Standups on Netflix), listening 10 year Reunion! Social in the TriDelt (Chi Delt?) basement. to Pod Save America and online history lectures, and reading a lot of econ papers and nerdy tax reform stuff. Currently bingeing… I was super late to the game and binge-watched season 1 and 2 of Issa Rae's "Insecure" and got my whole damn life! Obsessed.
Submit to the Next ’08 Update: Know an ’08 classmate with an interesting story to tell? Want to share your own story with your classmates? Email us at [email protected] with nominations for features in our next newsletter.