American University alumni are changemakers in their communities and leaders in their fields. From politics to education and public health to economics, AU graduates are shaping the future for generations to come. This year, the university’s Alumni Association celebrates six distinguished alumni for their outstanding achievements. 

The Alumni Board and the Office of Alumni Relations will honor recipients of the 2023 Alumni Awards on Thursday, May 18. These awards are the highest honors presented by the Alumni Association. Please join us as we celebrate these alumni and the changemaking spirit of American University.  

The 2023 Alumni Award Winners are:

Global Alumni Leader Award

The Global Alumni Leader Award honors alumni whose substantial impacts on society exemplify AU’s tradition of service and leadership in the context of a global community. 

His Excellency Brigadier (Rtd.) Dr. Julius Maada Bio, SIS/BA ’99, SIS/MIS ’01 

His Excellency Brigadier (Rtd.) Dr. Julius Maada Bio, SIS/BA ’99, SIS/MIS ’01, was inaugurated as the fifth President of the Republic of Sierra Leone in 2018. He began his public service career as a school teacher before joining the Sierra Leone Army. He previously served as Chief Secretary of State, Chief of Defense Staff, Minister of Information, Minister of Marine Resources, and Deputy Head of State. In his home country, Bio is popularly referred to as the “Father of Democracy” because of his contribution towards the restoration of democracy and attainment of peace. He is a well-known philanthropist and humanitarian through the work of the Maada and Fatima Bio Foundation.

Dr. Dambisa Moyo, CAS/BS ’91, Kogod/MBA ’92, Hon. DHL ’22 

Economist; Author; Member, House of Lords

Baroness Moyo of Knightsbridge is a member of the United Kingdom’s House of Lords. She is a principal of Versaca Investments—a family office focused on growth investing globally. She also serves on a number of global corporate boards, including 3M Corporation, Chevron, and Conde Nast, as well as the Oxford University Endowment investment committee.

Her areas of interest are in capital allocation, risk, and ESG matters. Dambisa is the author of five bestselling books on the global macroeconomy and geopolitics. She holds a PhD in economics from Oxford University and a master’s degree from Harvard University.

Neil Kerwin Alumni Achievement Award

Renamed in 2016 to commemorate the successes of AU’s first alumni president, the Neil Kerwin Alumni Achievement Award recognizes alumni who distinguish themselves through their professional accomplishments.

Dr. Fanta Aw, Kogod/BSBA ’90, SPA/MA ’94, CAS/PhD ’11
CEO and Executive Director, NAFSA: Association of International Educators

Dr. Fanta Aw is the CEO and Executive Director of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the largest and most comprehensive international education association with more than  10,000 members. NAFSA is dedicated to international education and exchange with members around the world  and throughout the US. Dr Aw served as the president and chair of NAFSA board of directors from 2013 to 2016, the longest tenure of any individual in that role in NAFSA’s history. Prior to serving in this role, Dr. Aw served for over 30 years in various roles at American University, most recently as Vice President for Undergraduate Enrollment, Campus Life, and Inclusive Excellence and previously as Assistant Vice President of Campus Life and Director of the Office of International Student and Scholar Services. She is the School of International Service’s Hurst Senior Professorial Lecturer and has taught graduate courses related to immigration, internationalization of higher education, and education policy. 

Alumni Recognition Award

The Alumni Recognition Award recognizes alumni who inspire the world around them through service to the community or a philanthropic mission. 

Anne Caprara, SPA/BA ’01
Chief of Staff, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker

Anne Caprara has managed and consulted with candidates and elected officials at every level of state and federal government. She currently serves as the Chief of Staff for Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Caprara was also the campaign manager for Pritzker’s successful gubernatorial campaign where he defeated the Republican incumbent by almost 16 points. Before that, Caprara served as Executive Director for Priorities USA Action, the main SuperPAC supporting Hillary Clinton for President in 2016.

In 2014, she was political director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, helping to oversee Senate races in 33 states. In 2011 and 2012, Caprara served as the DSCC’s Deputy Political Director, covering all Senate races east of Wisconsin. In 2008, she was campaign manager for Betsy Markey, a first-time candidate running against a three-term Republican Congresswoman in Colorado’s 4th congressional district. Markey won the race by 12 points and over 41,000 votes in a district where Republicans outnumber Democrats by 45,000 voters. Caprara subsequently served as Markey’s Chief of Staff from 2008 until 2010. She has also worked as Chief of Staff for Ohio Congresswoman Betty Sutton and as Deputy Research Director at EMILY’s List.

Alumni Eagle Award

The Alumni Eagle Award recognizes alumni who have rendered outstanding service to the university and/or the Alumni Association. 

Amy Lampert, SOC/BA ’94
Vice President and COO, Lampe, LP

Amy Lampert was born and raised in St. Louis. In addition to her degree from AU, she holds master’s degrees from Emerson College and Webster University. Amy is vice president and COO of her family’s company, where she manages multiple properties and investments and handles all daily operations. She currently serves on the boards of Congregation Temple Israel and Girls In the Know, is vice chair of development of the Women’s Philanthropy Board of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, vice president of the American University Hillel Board, is a member of the American University School of Communication Dean’s Advisory Council, and is an active admissions volunteer at American University.

Rising Star Award

The Rising Star Award recognizes recent alumni (who received their degree within the last 10 years) who are already making significant contributions to greater society through professional or philanthropic work. 

Dr. Katherine Grill, CAS/MA ’16, CAS/PhD ’17
CEO and Co-founder, Neolth

Dr. Katherine Grill is the CEO and co-founder of Neolth, a technology company that provides personalized mental health support to teens through a self-guided platform. Prior to founding Neolth, she worked at Children's National pediatric hospital conducting NIH research, co-founded a community health program for young adults, and was a university professor teaching courses in psychology and neuroscience at undergraduate and graduate levels.