Six of our classmates will share their stories – an eclectic mix of things that have mattered most throughout their lives. Relationships. Children. Experiences. Challenges. Self-discovery.
Neil Donnenfeld: From Adversity to Awareness and On To the Best Years of My Life
At 50 years old, Neil faced a frightening medical diagnosis, the unwinding of his marriage, and a loss of career purpose after selling his company. However, 10 years later Neil is happier than ever, living his best values-based life. He’ll share the story of his journey and what he’s learned about what’s most important to him.
Alix (Goldman) Casler: Living Genuine, Brave, and True: Queer Identities and Allyship
Alix is mom to three amazing LGBT adults. Having grown with her own children and cared for countless LGBTQIA++ children and their families as a pediatrician, Alix now works as a corporate leader in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Alix will share her journey as an ally by weaving together her experiences into a timely view of Pride, Privilege, and the human need for Psychological Safety. Alix hopes to be joined by two of her sons for the evening: Matt is a consultant in Manhattan, and Nick is an ER resident at Dartmouth-Hitchcock.
James McKim: What Do You Get When You Cross Computer Science With Philosophy?
Having spent the majority of his career in technology, James’ career meandered through HR and entrepreneurship to organizational development while at the same time he was pulled, unexpectedly, into the world of social justice. A few years ago he found a way to combine his passions by helping organizations ignite superior performance through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). An author, speaker, coach, Chair of the Episcopal Church's Committee on Reconciliation, and leader of the NAACP in New Hampshire, James will share his unique and very personal perspective on the current state of DEI, opportunities for healing the divisions we face in our society, and the role we all can play in creating a better world where everyone feels they belong and can have abundant life.
Laszlo Madaras: Learning to "meet with Triumph and Disaster, And treat those two impostors just the same" (Rudyard Kipling, “IF”)
Looking back, Laszlo’s “disaster” of not getting into medical school when he graduated from Dartmouth opened more opportunities for “triumph” than he could have imagined. However, by the time he ultimately became a physician and worked in Rwanda in 1994, he had learned that neither his triumphs nor his disasters defined him. They were unimportant to the patients he served there – they wanted only to know that he cared for them and could help them.
Lisa (Ottaviano) McLaughlin: Different Drummer
After building a career as a professional engineer specializing in chemical and environmental engineering, Lisa’s life took a left turn with the birth of her second child. His early development didn’t proceed as swiftly or as easily as her firstborn’s and, before she knew it, she was on an entirely different journey. This new path led to doctor’s offices, special education services and health insurance bureaucracies. It has ultimately led into the realms of advocacy, cutting-edge medical research and adult transition services. For anyone who has parented a child on the Autism spectrum, or those just starting the journey as grandparents, Lisa would like to share some of the valuable lessons she has learned along the way.
Mario Cohn-Haft: Life in the MOTFA: Ups and Downs of a Naturalist in the Amazon
Mario really didn't expect to convert a six-month research internship into a lifetime, but back in 1987, banding birds in remote rainforest for room and board and total immersion in a foreign language seemed absolutely irresistible. Thirty-six years later, the pay improved a little, the job security considerably, and the adventures just keep adding up. Of course, there are prices to pay and lessons to learn trying to get by in the world's biodiversity capital. But, as his first boss used to say every time a newbie said something dumb or asked for something impossible, "What do you expect in the Middle Of The F*@$#% Amazon?”