This year brings 10 dynamic new members to American University's Alumni Board. Their diverse perspectives and insights will strengthen our already-dynamic alumni leadership. Dating back to the 1950s, the alumni board leads AU's alumni association, providing perspective and insight to professional staff in their outreach to alumni. Board members advise the university regarding how to improve the student experience. On the board, all five schools and colleges are represented, as well as varied professional industries, racial and ethnic backgrounds, identities, genders, and generations.

New members include:

Paul Bamonte, SPA/MA '17, is the Deputy Commander for the U.S. Army Office and Chief of Public Affairs. Paul has remained involved with AU since his recent graduation serving as a member of the Key Executive Program's conference board and an ambassador to the AU Veterans Community. He also has been heavily involved with the National Endowment for the Arts initiative Creative Forces, which provides support to military veterans who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and traumatic brain injury.

Eugene Costa, Kogod/BSBA '77, is Senior Vice President and Group Lead for Europe and Asia, ICF. Eugene is actively involved with AU, having served as a member of the Kogod Advisory Council for the past four years and as a judge for the Kogod case competitions for the last five years.

Adam Katz, WCL/JD '86, is a Tax Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Adam has been an energetic supporter and advocate of AU since graduation. He serves as an alumni mentor with WCL students, offering career planning and advice. Notably, Adam has been an influencer within PwC through his work as the firm's relationship partner with AU, which has prioritized AU for career events, hiring, and donor matching, and has enabled him to collaborate with Dean Delaney and Dean Nelson while leading more than 225 AU alumni at PwC. He is proud of his newest title, AU parent, as his son joined the community this past fall. Adam also is a member of the Parent Leadership Council.

Daniel Leon-Davis, SIS/BA '13, is Co-Founder and Senior Creative Director for the Soze Agency. Daniel has served as social media chair for the Latino Alumni Alliance, spoken on campus regarding career advice, attended many events in New York City, and served as a Social Media Ambassador. Currently, Daniel is acting as a mentor to both a fellow alumnus and a current AU student.

Irene Magafan, SOC/BA '02, SOC/MFA '12, is a Video Archive Production Specialist and Editor for the World Wildlife Fund. She maintains her commitment to AU through advocacy, guest lectures, and panel participation. She also taught a course to high school students as part of AU's Discover the World of Communication summer program in 2010.

Sherry Soanes, WCL/JD '97, is a Trial Attorney at the US Department of Justice. Sherry teaches as an adjunct professor, serves as a volunteer judge for Moot court competitions, and participates in networking and recruiting events. Recently, she was the intern coordinator within the Department of Justice, working in conjunction with WCL.

LaTanya Sothern, SOC/BA '92, is an Assistant Principal for Prince George's County Public Schools and the Owner and CEO of Sothern Education Solutions, LLC. Since graduating, LaTanya has been engaged with the AU community in a wide variety of ways. She served as co-chair for the Congressional Black Congress Alumni Reception, co-chair for All-American Weekend, chair of a Gospel Choir alumni event, planning assistant for the Black Greek alumni rally, and facilitator for university leadership conversations. Currently she is co-chair of membership for the Black Alumni Alliance.

Danielle Vogel, WCL/JD '07, is Founder of Glen's Garden Market in Washington DC. Danielle supports the AU community through gifts in kind from her business to AU conferences and fundraisers. She also has written fundraising communications for WCL, served as a guest speaker in classes, guided students on a tour of her store, and hosted several WCL events.

Returning to the board with renewed two-year terms are:

London McCloud, Kogod/BSBA '02, Trade Specialist for the U.S. Department of Transportation

Jolene McNeil, SPA/BA '97, Director of Event Operations for the Biotechnology Industry Organization

These members join the following current board members:

Joe Vidulich, SPA/BA '08, Manager, State & Local Government Relations, Capital One (AUAB President)

Rob Johnson, SPA/BS '81, Assistant General Counsel – Legal Services, Exxon Mobil Corporation (AUAB Vice President, Operations)

Sara Nieves-Grafals, CAS/BS '75, CAS/MA '79, CAS/PhD '80, Retired Clinical Psychologist (AUAB Vice President, External Relations)

Amy Lampert, SOC/BA '94, Vice President, Time Square Inc. (AUAB Secretary)

Andrea Agathoklis Murino, SPA/BA '98, Partner, Co-Chair, Antitrust and Competition Practice, Goodwin Procter LLP (AUAB Immediate Past President)

Piya Charanjiva, Kogod/BSBA '91, Partner, Virginia Philip Wine Shop & Academy

Rachel Weiner Cohen, SPA/BA '04, WCL/JD '08, Counsel, Wilmerhale 

Kristen Eastlick, CAS/BA '95, SPA/MA '96, Chief Administrative Officer, Berman and Company; Vice President of Programs, Capital Research Center

Kerry-Ann Hamilton, SIS/MA '05, Senior Vice President – Global Health and Education, GMMB 

Jonathan Mathis, Kogod/BSBA '04, Executive Director, The Next Step Public Charter School

Chris Quintyne, SPA/BA '07, Associate Director of Legislative Affairs, Executive Office of the Mayor of Washington, DC

George "Cookie" Reed-Dellinger, Kogod/BSBA '69, Kogod/MBA '71, Senior Vice President, TeleMedia/Internet Analyst, Washington Analysis