Centennial Alumni Spotlights

Alison Saar is a Los Angeles-based sculptor and mixed-media artist whose work has earned national and international recognition for its evocative explorations of identity, spirituality, and cultural memory. After earning her degree in art history from Scripps College, Saar developed a visual language that draws deeply from African, Caribbean, and Latin American folk art traditions. Her sculptures and installations often center on the African diaspora and Black female experience, resulting in powerful, layered narratives rendered in wood, metal, and found objects. Her work has been exhibited in major institutions across the country, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. In a recent milestone, Saar was selected by the International Olympic Committee and the City of Paris to create a permanent public sculpture in honor of the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. Her piece, Salon, now installed in the [...]

Brian Schatz is the senior United States senator from Hawaii, a seat he has held since 2012. Born and raised in Honolulu, Schatz attended Pomona College seeking both intellectual challenge and a close-knit academic community. “I was looking for a high-quality academic experience, but I didn’t want to be overwhelmed in crowds,” he recalls, “and of course I was looking for someplace warm.” At Pomona, he explored philosophy and developed habits of inquiry that would later support his work in public life. “My goal going into Pomona was to learn how to think through issues,” he explains, reflecting on an education that encouraged careful thought and engagement with complex ideas. After graduating, Schatz returned to Hawaii, where he became deeply involved in community-based initiatives. He served as CEO of Helping Hands Hawaii and directed both the Makiki Community Library and the Center for a Sustainable Future. His public service career [...]

Tochukwu “Dubem” Anyaduba and Uchechukwu “Uche” Anyaduba, a married couple from Nigeria, have a common goal: to create and deliver affordable healthcare to Nigeria. Both Dubem and Uche have successful careers in life sciences. Dubem, who has a background in Microbiology and Biotechnology, worked as a field engineer, traveling across Nigeria to install diagnostic equipment for doctors. Uche received her bachelor’s degree in Nigeria in Geological Sciences. Despite their different academic backgrounds, they both actively work to improve healthcare systems in Nigeria and reduce inequalities in access to care. Dubem shares, "I've been to places where people cannot afford basic healthcare interventions…organizations would come to community health centers and equip them with different instruments, but the instruments would keep breaking because people didn’t have the training or resources to use them properly." Uche joined Dubem at KGI in 2019. She was able to adapt quickly despite facing challenges due to [...]

Krista Berger has found tremendous honor in helping develop products and experiences that allow children to see themselves reflected in the world. As Senior Vice President of Barbie and Head of Dolls, Krista oversees the Barbie and Dolls portfolio at Mattel. She leads a global team across strategy, product development, and marketing. Under her leadership, the Barbie brand has experienced remarkable growth, doubling in size and reaching its highest sales in more two decades in 2021. Throughout her career, Krista has earned several industry recognitions, including Ad Age 40 Under 40, Brand Innovators 40 Under 40, and the Women in Toys Wonder Women Award. Krista’s leadership philosophy is grounded in the belief that everyone’s voice matters. She shares, “When people feel heard and know that their voices matter, what they say is so much more powerful. And if you can unlock courage in culture, that's when you get magic.” She [...]

Steve Bullock completed his second term as Montana's 24th Governor in 2021, overseeing the state during the COVID-19 pandemic. He recounts the challenges of managing a crisis without a guidebook, prioritizing citizens' well-being and the economy. Early on, he faced difficulties sourcing PPE and ensuring testing for vulnerable groups like seniors and Native Americans. The state 3D-printed swabs and sought help from neighboring states. Bullock emphasizes that working with differing viewpoints was essential to serving Montana's citizens. Bullock’s foundation in public service started with his education. Bullock attended Claremont McKenna College (CMC), graduating with a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. Reflecting on that time, Bullock shares, “I do believe that good ideas come from the labs of democracies, also known as the states.” He received a great education at CMC and maintains contact with his classmates and professors, who supported him in his career in government. Bullock offers CMC [...]

Jennifer Holmgren is the CEO of New Zealand-based LanzaTech, a biotechnology company that transforms industrial waste gas into biofuels and chemicals. She has over 20 years of experience developing fuels and chemical technologies and was a recipient of the 2015 BIO Rosalind Franklin Award for Leadership in Industrial Biotechnology. Throughout her career, she has been awarded numerous accolades for her work in biotechnology. Holmgren has authored or coauthored 50 U.S. patents and 20 scientific publications. Holmgren earned her undergraduate degree from Harvey Mudd College and credits her education and professional mentors for her success in biotechnology. She states, “Throughout my career and my education, I have been fortunate to have professors, managers, and peers who have pushed me to be the best I can be. I have also been blessed with a naturally positive outlook—I tend to see the potential for good outcomes rather than the risks associated with failure.” [...]

Shinara Sunderlal is the education outreach manager at the Billion Oyster Project, a nonprofit organization with a goal of reseeding New York Harbor with a billion Oysters by 2035. The organization aims to restore the vibrancy of New York Harbor's oyster population and connect with New Yorkers to raise awareness about the cause. Sunderlal studied at Pitzer College, majoring in environmental analysis with a focus on environmental policy and minoring in biology. After completing her undergraduate studies, she attended graduate school at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Her first job after graduate school was at the Wildlife Conservation Society, a global nonprofit, which was followed by a position at the New York Aquarium in Brooklyn, a role she calls her “lucky break.” Sunderlal recently spoke with Britain’s Prince William about the Billion Oyster Project’s work in the harbor, a memorable encounter that underscores the [...]