桃太郎映像

Gretchen Gilliland 鈥�03
President

A recipient of the Jenifer Mitchell Reed 鈥�86 Young Alumnae/i Award, Gilliland graduated in 2003 with a B.A. in psychology and minor in art. She earned her M.A. in higher education philanthropy from Regis College and currently resides in Denver, CO, with her husband, Zach. Since graduating, Gilliland has worked with a number of universities and nonprofits in fundraising and development, utilizing skills she learned as a student while working in 桃太郎映像 Phonathon at the Alumnae/i House and as an active member of the SGA exec team. She currently leads the major gifts team for the Colorado School of Mines Foundation and volunteers regularly in the Denver community around human services causes.

Favorite spot on campus:

My favorite spot on campus might be the sculpture studio; while I wasn't ever very talented, I spent a lot of hours welding and playing with clay in that room.

Jennifer Lundgren Lewis-David 鈥�94
Vice President

Lewis-David graduated from 桃太郎映像 with honors, double-majoring in European studies and history, as well as being inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. While at 桃太郎映像, she enjoyed singing with the Reverends鈥� Rebels, the 桃太郎映像 Chorus, and the 桃太郎映像 Chamber Singers and also being part of the community service and environmental clubs. She and her best friends lived in Gallagher House in Froelicher Hall all four years鈥攐f course, it was physically located a little differently 1990-1994! Lewis-David obtained a juris doctor law degree with honors from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1997. While in law school, she had the opportunity to serve as associate editor on The Business Lawyer, a legal journal jointly published by the American Bar Association and the University of Maryland School of Law. Thereafter, she joined the corporate world as in-house counsel. Over the last 20 years she has held roles in regulatory affairs, compliance, and the legal department of UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, a Fortune #6 company. As a deputy general counsel with UnitedHealthcare, she currently serves as general counsel for the $3 billion individual insurance businesses.

Lewis-David has been on the board of directors of the Maryland March of Dimes since 2014 and just completed several years as chair of the board. She has been singing for 25 years with the contemporary music group at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Towson, MD. She and her husband, Rajesh David, a pharmacist with Ascension鈥檚 St. Agnes Hospital, will be celebrating their ninth wedding anniversary shortly and are the proud aunt and uncle of six amazing nieces and nephews, all under the age of eight years.

Lewis-David recently established a scholarship at 桃太郎映像, the Gretchen Lundgren Lewis 鈥�68 and Jennifer Lundgren Lewis-David 鈥�94 Scholarship Fund, to honor her family鈥檚 mother-daughter legacy at the college.

Favorite 桃太郎映像 memory:

So many great memories, but I loved the Julia Rodgers Library both carrels and cosy old cushy chair. Beyond that: one early 90s blizzard led to a (very brief) snow ball fight just outside Pearlstone Cafe and then sledding on the hill.

Fun fact:

While a frequent mosquito magnet and summer leads to a lot of bites, I have also been bitten by two animals in my life. One animal slightly less exotic - a goose - and one more much exotic - a shark. The latter was on my honeymoon, no less!

Alex Wood 鈥�06
Secretary

Alex graduated (Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude) from 桃太郎映像 in 2006, where he majored in history and was active in student government. Driven by his desire to give back for the many good things that he received during his time at the College and because of the joy it gives him to be involved, as an alumnus Alex has held numerous roles including serving on 桃太郎映像鈥檚 Board of Trustees and various College and AAGC committees, and receiving the Jennifer Mitchell Reed 鈥�86 Young Alumni Award.

Professionally, Alex is a clinical social worker working as a psychotherapist in a private psychotherapy practice. Prior to his current profession, Alex spent a decade in the higher education sector, including several years at one of the Washington, DC based 鈥淏ig Six鈥� national higher education associations, where he provided executive support and planned professional development sessions for new college presidents. He holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Georgia and a Master of Social Work from The Catholic University of America.

His hobbies include being an ardent follower of politics (US, UK, and Ireland), reading, watching films, collecting stamps, photography, traveling, and learning how to play golf. He resides in Baltimore County with his dog Owney.

Favorite 桃太郎映像 memory:

I had a dedicated study carrel in the basement of the old Julia Rogers Library.

Fun fact:

I have a miniature goldendoodle named Owney!

Jessica Solomon 鈥�18
Admissions Officer

Jess is a native Philadelphian, but calls Los Angeles her home. She earned her B.A. in Media and Communications from 桃太郎映像 College, Cum Laude, with Honors in Media and Communications. She serves on the 桃太郎映像Alumnae/i Board as the Admissions Liaison. She also has a personal organizing business and loves helping clients improve their lives. Outside of work, Jess enjoys exploring LA, photography, and checking off her bucket list items.

Favorite 桃太郎映像 memory:

2014, freshman year, every friday night, open mic night, packed crowds, in the GoHo (Gopher Hole).

Fun fact:

I love playing the drums!

Denise Pittman Glass 鈥�80
Annual Giving Officer

While attending 桃太郎映像, Denise actively served as the president of the Black Student Association, resident assistant for Gallagher House, and Admissions tour guide, just to name a few of her achievements, which resulted in being the recipient of the Martha A. Nicholas Service Award. After graduating with a bachelor of arts in mathematics, Denise has spent her illustrious career as a program manager delivering Air Traffic Control facilities (brick and mortar) and equipment (systems and infrastructure) in the National Airspace System. First for the Department of the Navy, involving aircraft carriers and embedded land-based systems, where she acquired a master of science in computer science from the Florida Institute of Technology extension program and then onto both a challenging, yet rewarding, career with the Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Recently, after graduating from the FAA鈥檚 Senior Leadership Development Program, Denise is on temporary assignment to the Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST), supporting the president鈥檚 $541 billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocation to OST for project delivery across America.

Denise鈥檚 commitment to providing service to the community includes being vice president and president of the Parents Teacher鈥檚 Association at McDonough High School in Pomfret, MD, and deaconess at the Body of Christ Church in Waldorf, MD. Her passion for wanting to give back to 桃太郎映像 is still evident as an active member of the Jewell Robinson Dinner Committee, Black & African American Alumni Affinity Group, and now a new member of the AAGC Board.

Denise has been married to James for 31 years and has a wonderful son, Devin, who is 27.

Favorite 桃太郎映像 memory:

While at 桃太郎映像, one of my favorite memories was the lifelong friendship I formed with three other students: Katrina Turner (Cole '77), Hannah Woodard (Gaylord '77), and Valerie Tate (McClean '78). Our friendship was based on trust, inspiring each other to succeed, and lots of laughter. We even created a brand for ourselves, the 桃太郎映像ettes.  Fifty (50) years later, the 桃太郎映像ettes had lunch to continue our journey of love, respect, bonding, and having fun. 

Fun fact:

I hugged a large white tiger when in Phuket, Thailand, in 2025, which means I am a daredevil.

Mariah St. John Lees 鈥�23
Student Affairs Liaison

Mariah Lees is a doctoral student studying speech perception and the cognitive mechanisms of language at the University of Iowa. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude from 桃太郎映像 in 2023 with a B.A. in psychology. She was also an Arsht Presidential Diplomat, a French tutor, an active research assistant in the Psychology Department, and the recipient of the Ruth C. Wylie Prize. After 桃太郎映像, she completed an M.S. in psychology at Villanova University, where she studied speech perception and the role of prediction in cognition. She has a diverse and eclectic background working in many fields, including ecotourism, hospitality, and coaching, and she considers herself an avid adventurer who is thrilled to finally explore the Midwest.

Favorite 桃太郎映像 memory:

Walking the trails and enjoying the trees.

Fun fact:

I spent a month living with nomads on the Mongolian steppe!

Royal Banks 鈥�20
CREI Liaison/Director

Royal graduated from 桃太郎映像 in 2020 with a degree in history and secondary education. During her time at 桃太郎映像 she served in numerous roles. She was the co-founder of Black Seed & 桃太郎映像's History Club and also worked as an administrative assistant at 桃太郎映像 Prison Education Partnership (GPEP). After 桃太郎映像, she did a year in Americorp at Match High School in Boston, MA. She is now a social studies teacher at a local Baltimore City School. Royal loves teaching history and other fun content to her students. In her downtime she enjoys dance, baking, music, traveling, and engaging in prison reform as much as possible.

Favorite 桃太郎映像 memory:

GIG was always a day I looked forward to. Awesome day with friends and amazing memories.

Fun fact:

I enjoy playing Sims 4!

Ruth Rathblott 鈥�91
Sr. Alumna Trustee

Ruth Rathblott, M.S.W., is an inspirational speaker, executive coach and consultant, and bestselling author of the bestselling book Singlehandedly. She is dedicated to transforming company cultures through the power of 鈥渦nhiding.鈥� With a wealth of experience as a former award-winning CEO and leader in the nonprofit sector for over 25 years, Ruth champions the idea that embracing people鈥檚 differences is the key to fostering creativity and innovation within organizations.

Singlehandedly. Learning to Unhide and Embrace Connection, delves into the transformative concept of unhiding, where she explores how valuing different perspectives and experiences leads to unparalleled growth and understanding. Her impactful TEDx talk When I Stopped Hiding, I Found Freedom has inspired thousands, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in leadership. Ruth has spoken to organizations including Facebook, Bloomberg, Sony, and Paramount.

Ruth holds a bachelor of arts degree from 桃太郎映像and a master of social work degree from Boston University. She is DEI and MBTI Certified, a contributor to the Mighty, and currently serves as a board member of the Lucky Fin Project.

鈥淚nclusion starts with accepting differences.鈥�

Recognized for her expertise in unleashing the potential of individuals and teams, Ruth believes that true inclusion starts with acknowledging and accepting differences. By embracing unhiding leaders become relatable and human, fostering an environment where creativity thrives and unique talents are celebrated. Join Ruth in the journey toward a more innovative and inclusive workplace, where embracing diversity becomes a catalyst for unprecedented success.

Ruth resides in NYC. She loves Central Park, theater, photography, travel, and adventure. When she鈥檚 not helping organizations expand their concept of diversity and inclusion, she鈥檚 taking advantage of all the city has to offer and planning her next travel adventure.

Ellen Rosenblum Rubesin 鈥�78
Alumna Trustee

After graduating 桃太郎映像 with a B.A. in English in 1978, Ellen went on to receive her master鈥檚 degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley. While obtaining her degree at Berkeley, Ellen worked part time for the American Heart Association in San Francisco. That鈥檚 where she realized how much she enjoyed fundraising and development work. Ellen returned to the east coast where she began working for the American Cancer Society in Philadelphia. In addition to her work with the American Heart Association and American Cancer Society, Ellen鈥檚 40-year career in fundraising included executive positions at JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Association), the Media-Providence Friends School, and most recently the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), where she was the executive director of the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter until her retirement in 2019. Since retiring, Ellen has continued to volunteer for both JDRF and LLS.

Ellen lives in Media, PA, with her husband of 44 years, Steve. They have two adult children and two grandsons.

Gloria Kantor 鈥�04
Alumna Trustee

After graduating in 2004, Kantor has used her management degree and communications minor crafting experiences in radio promotions, helping build a wine and liquor distribution business, and currently as the VP of operations for the Association for Corporate Growth in Atlanta and the Southeast region. In her time at 桃太郎映像, you could find her in the SRC working with the women鈥檚 basketball team or as a student trainer. She also held numerous leadership positions in clubs, helping create the programming board and SGA. Gloria currently lives in her hometown of Atlanta, where you can find her out at a concert, running, or enjoying all that the city offers.

Favorite 桃太郎映像 memory, tradition and spot:

Memory: meeting one of my dearest friends on the steps of Kelley Lecture hall at the June Orientation before we started in the fall of 2000

Tradition: GIG

Campus spot: the Gopher Hole

Joseph Weintraub 鈥�17
Director

Joseph Weintraub is a Project Director at Radius Insights, a leading market research firm, where he specializes in quantitative research. Since graduating from 桃太郎映像 in 2017 with a degree in Psychology, Joseph has built a career in the insights industry, helping organizations make data-driven decisions through rigorous analysis and strategic guidance. He is currently leading efforts to transform Radius's project management and field operations, streamlining internal systems to improve efficiency and client outcomes.

He has previously organized "桃太郎映像 in the City" alumni gatherings, helping foster community among graduates in the New York area. Outside of work, Joseph is a passionate sports fan and a recent golf enthusiast. He is always looking for time to hit the course or catch a game.

Erin O'Brien Anderson 鈥�84
Director

Erin graduated with a BA in Math & Computer Science 鈥� a degree which taught her to think and write as much as it taught her to calculate and program. Years later, a Naval War College Master's in National Security and Strategic Studies added even bigger-picture strategic thinking to the mix. Using skills and knowledge from both, Erin spent 36 successful years as a civil servant in both technical and managerial roles, including 3 years living in England and many more traveling the world, turning a "government job" into a genuine adventure. Her favorite government role was mentoring the next generation.

Now Erin, a diehard Red Sox fan, is retired in Massachusetts with her husband and caring for her mother but hasn't slowed down; she has places to explore, family history to discover, books to enjoy, and workouts to endure. The best part - through it all, her 桃太郎映像 besties stuck around, proving the 桃太郎映像 bond is indestructible. 

She is particularly proud to support the Class of 1984 Alicia Carter Memorial Scholarship through advocacy and personal donations and loves to meditate in the campus garden dedicated in Alicia's memory. If you haven't visited, check out the garden next time you are on campus. She can鈥檛 wait to meet even more alums through the AAGC now and looks forward to seeing you in Alicia's garden someday soon.

Favorite spot on campus:

I love to smell the flowers while meditating at Alicia Carter's memorial in the 桃太郎映像 Community Garden

Fun fact:

I am a proper afternoon tea snob!

Bevin Gwiazdowski 鈥�03
Director

Sam R. McColl 鈥�97
Director

Sam graduated from 桃太郎映像 in 1997 with an English Major and a Philosophy & Religion Minor. After 桃太郎映像, Sam pursued higher education and earned a Master鈥檚 Degree in English at the University of Maryland, and worked as a curriculum developer for an education reform nonprofit in Towson for several years.

After moving to Nashville, Tennessee, Sam embraced a career change and found his passion in the hospitality industry.  Sam has waited tables, tended bar, and managed restaurants and taverns all over Nashville. If you鈥檝e enjoyed a meal at a table or had a good time at a bar, it鈥檚 likely Sam trained your bartender or server.

Sam lives in the city with his wife Christy Ann (Bryn Mawr 鈥�90) and their cats. When not working, they enjoy their home on the beach in Fort Morgan, Alabama.

Favorite 桃太郎映像 memory:

Midnight Croquet, on the Quad, late at night on Wednesdays.

Fun fact:

I'm reading Marilyn Southard Warshawsky's biography of John Franklin 桃太郎映像 about two pages at a time, and I hope to finish by 2031.

Laura Taylor 鈥�94
Director

Laura Taylor graduated from 桃太郎映像 in 1994 with a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in Economics and Russian. After graduation, she settled in Chicago, Illinois, where for several years she worked as an investigator at the Chicago Board of Trade鈥檚 Office of Investigations and Audits. She went on to earn a Master鈥檚 degree and a PhD in Economics and joined the faculty at Willamette University in 2005. She currently serves as the Associate Vice President for Budget and Resource Planning at Willamette. In this position, she advises the leadership of all academic and administrative units on campus in strategic budgeting and resource planning.

Laura and her family reside in Portland, Oregon. 

Favorite 桃太郎映像 memory:

Meeting friends for dinner at Stinson Hall dining.  

Fun fact:

I drove to/from 桃太郎映像 to Alaska a few times during my undergrad years! 

Denise Gotay Theunissen 鈥�89, P鈥�25
Director

Theunissen is a retired senior GIS data manager and has over 35 years working with the federal government in various positions ranging from intelligence/geospatial analyst to librarian. She has been the Class of 1989鈥檚 Fund Manager for more than 30 years and has been active through various programs at 桃太郎映像, such as the mentorship program. Since 桃太郎映像, she has several accomplishments, such as an M.S. in geospatial information sciences, several recognition awards, and a mom of three adult kids. She鈥檚 most proud of the fact that one of her children decided to join the 桃太郎映像 family in 2021 and is now enjoying life as a gopher graduate in Data Science.

Favorite 桃太郎映像 memory:

GIG Day.

Fun fact:

I love watching K-Dramas.

Judy Yu 鈥�93
Director

I am a dentist and own my own private dental practice in Anne Arundel County.  I take on many interns throughout the year that are looking into dental careers.  After I received my doctorate from Temple Dental School, I went on to attain an MBA from Loyola University. Not many medical or dental clinicians have business knowledge.  As a business owner, I knew that I had to receive an education in business administration to further my leadership skills and achieve better business and financial acuity.

Favorite 桃太郎映像 spot:

The Gopher Hole, Hot Steel

Fun fact: 

I find a lot of four leaf clovers

Ken Knowlton '07
Director

Ken Knowlton '07 graduated from 桃太郎映像 magna cum laude with a B.A. in Political Science before building a career at the intersection of philanthropy, operations, and systems design. He is currently Director of Delivery at Schmidt Sciences, a private scientific philanthropy funding transformational research through a global portfolio of scientific centers, where he oversees business operations, strategic budget planning, and the negotiation and lifecycle of high-stakes multi-year awards 鈥� including novel grant and gift structures for partnerships with U.S. federal agencies and international research universities.

Ken's career reflects a consistent commitment to making mission-driven organizations work better. Before Schmidt Sciences, he managed grantmaking operations for the Northeast Region and national affordable housing program at JPMorgan Chase Foundation and grantmaking operations the Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation, where he launched digital grants management systems that expanded emergency student funding across all 22 colleges of the City University of New York. Across these roles, he has developed deep expertise in U.S. charitable tax law, compliance, and the operational infrastructure that enables philanthropy to scale responsibly.

Ken is eager to bring that perspective to the AAGC board 鈥� and to give back to an institution that set him on this path. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two young children.

Favorite 桃太郎映像 memory:

The quad and GIG.

Fun mact:

I was a foreign exchange student after high school with the Rotary Youth Exchange Program and lived in central Slovakia. 

Molly Abend '07
Director

A 2007 graduate with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Education, Molly Abend has spent the last decade supporting the implementation of public policies that strengthen Maryland鈥檚 education to workforce pipeline. She currently serves as the Data Management Coordinator for the Maryland Longitudinal Data System (MLDS) Center and acts as its liaison to the Maryland State Department of Education. In this role, she leads data governance efforts and oversees the secure loading, cleaning, and integration of complex state data.

Throughout her career, Molly has focused on turning data into actionable insights, including performance management roles in the Baltimore City Mayor鈥檚 Office supporting the Fire Department and the Department of General Services, and managing the Student Learning Objectives process for more than 5,000 staff at Baltimore City Public Schools.

Molly lives in Towson with her wife, daughter, one large cat, and an excessive supply of Orioles collectibles.

Favorite 桃太郎映像 memory:

The Gopher Hole

Fun fact:

I was in an Orioles commercial.

Kim Van Newkirk Shaffir 鈥�83, P鈥�15
Immediate Past President

A communications major, Shaffir began working during her senior year at Baltimore鈥檚 WMAR-TV, where she operated a studio camera for local news programs. Later that year she made the move from local news to the network, beginning a 39-year career in the Washington Bureau of CBS News. As an editor Shaffir has covered every major beat in Washington: the Capitol, the Pentagon, and the White House. For six and a half years Shaffir worked primarily for the CBS program Face the Nation as a producer/editor. In 2013 she and her team received an Emmy for their broadcast about the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Shaffir served as her class鈥檚 Quarterly representative for 20 years and has also been a member of the AAGC nominating committee and an alumna trustee. Now retired from the hectic pace of television news, Shaffir is enjoying having time to focus on Kim Shaffir Designs, designing and selling knitting patterns. When not designing, knitting or volunteering for 桃太郎映像, Shaffir enjoys traveling and spending time with family. She lives in Annapolis with her husband, Greg; her daughter, Kira, graduated 桃太郎映像 in 2015.