2024 Duke Alumni Awards Honor University Innovators

A trailblazer who launched Disney’s first sustainability goals. A beloved faculty member shaping the next generation of musicians. A duo of alumnae working to reduce the damaging effects of chemicals in our world. 

These are just a few of the 72 alumni all-stars honored during Duke Alumni Engagement and Development’s annual alumni awards. The ceremonies took place in conjunction with Founders’ Weekend during Homecoming Weekend, Sept. 27-29, on Duke’s campus.

“It was an honor to be one of the hosts of the Centennial Alumni Awards ceremony. It’s always humbling to read all the amazing nominations, and it’s such a proud full-circle moment to see the winners on campus and on stage,” said Laura Heilenday ’06, M.B.A.’12, Duke Associate Vice President and Chief Engagement Officer at AED. “These winners have truly exemplified themselves through extraordinary commitments to Duke, their communities and global society. Being in the presence of such greatness makes me so proud to be an alumna and an employee of Duke.”

Awardees included the following Duke alumni:

• Beth Franke Stevens ’81, P’14, was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest award presented by AED, for her lifetime dedication to conservation and sustainability. She is the former head of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, helping launch the park in 1988 and supporting international conservation projects. Stevens is responsible for the company’s environmental programs, including developing Disney’s first climate goals, engaging with international employees on sustainable practices and launching campaigns to inspire environmental stewardship in kids. She is an active partner with the Nicholas School of the Environment, giving back to countless non-profit organizations and is recognized for her environmental contributions to the planet. 

   

• Allan Friedman ’99, was awarded the Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award (ADUTA), one of Duke’s only student-nominated honors. He is a lecturing fellow at Duke’s music department and director of the Duke Chorale, a 55-member vocal group. Friedman has dedicated his life to music, for many years collaborating locally in Durham and with Duke. Now, he works with students who share the same love for music, calling it his “dream role.”

   

• Danielle Squires ’02 was awarded a C.A Dukes Award, honoring alumni with long-time involvement and services to Duke. She is the managing director and head of diverse segments at Wells Fargo’s Corporate and Investment Banking. Squires serves on the Wells Fargo’s Black and African American Executive Forum. Along with her leadership and volunteer service with Duke Black Alumni, she is committed to engaging alumni with Duke community members.

   

• Cassie Kozyrkov A.M.’12 is the Few-Glasson Alumni Society honoree, recognizing alumni from The Graduate School. A world-renowned data scientist and statistician in artificial intelligence, Kozyrkov is the first chief decision scientist at Google. She founded “decision intelligence,” an interdisciplinary approach that enhances AI’s ability to make effective decisions. 

   

• Lauren Bartlett Heine M.S.’94, Ph.D.’97 and Stacy Condon Glass M.B.A.’99, are co-awardees of a Beyond Duke Award, recognizing alumni who have made a difference in their communities. They’re co-founders of ChemFORWARD, a nonprofit organization dedicated to safer chemistry practices. They are creating more sustainable chemicals and products through green chemistry and engineering, while developing key partnerships to create transparency within the science industry.

   

• John Lin ’99, was awarded a Forever Duke Award, presented to alumni who have contributed their time and efforts to better Duke. Lin is a product management and business development executive at DigiLens, Inc. One of the founding members who helped mobilize the Duke Asian Alumni Alliance, Lin is also regionally involved in Northern California and a longtime mentor dedicated to community representation. 

   

The full roster of awardees are as follows:

Distinguished Alumni Award

• Beth Franke Stevens ’81, P’14

Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award

• Allan Friedman ’99

Charles A. Dukes Award for Outstanding Service 

• Charlie Berardesco ’80
• Mychal Harrison ’01
• Nick Leonardy ’81, M.D.’85, P’08
• Danielle Squires ’02
• Christy Susman ’88

Few-Glasson Society Alumni Society

• Cassie Kozyrkov A.M.’12

Beyond Duke Award

• John Armbrust B.S.E.’04
• Lauren Bartlett Heine M.S.’94, Ph.D.’97
• Stacy Condon Glass M.B.A.’99
• Andrew Hanna ’14
• Emily Wang M.D.’03
• Brandon Williams ’06, M.Div.’13

Forever Duke Award

Individual Awardees

• David Bowsher J.D.’99
• Elizabeth Weiser Caswell ’91, P’24, P’27
• Becki Feinglos ’11
• Rick Gieryn ’79, P’13
• Jim Goldfarb ’92
• Kyle Kreick ’08
• John Lin M.B.A.’99
• Cat Saleeby McDowell ’00
• Neeli Nadella ’01
• Valerie Rind ’83
• Ted Segal ’77
• Donna Claycomb Sokol M.Div.’00
• Ron Temple ’90
• Steven Winkler M.H.A.’78

Group Awardees

Group 1: Duke First Changemakers

• Joseph Francis ’99
• Ana Homayoun ’01
• Hunter McGhee ’18
• Gerardo Parraga ’18, J.D.’21
• David Robertson ’15
• Sloan Talbot ’19
• Gabi Wurmitzer Ph.D.’12
• Jen Yam ’14
• Katie Taylor McKeown ’19

Group 2: Duke Boston Women’s Forum Co-Chairs

• Caitlyn Clarke M.M.S.’11
• Shannon Malloy ’19
• Kelly Fuhrman Taylor ’03

Group 3: Duke Philadelphia Thanksgiving Food Drive Committee

• Ali Brucker ’96
• Kate Golby Carp ’80, P’15, P’17
• Janice A. Gault ’87, M.D.’91, P’24
• Ian Li ’11
• Danielle Graham Brown ’04
• Anne Grauer ’73
• Sandy Drygas Cavazos B.S.E.’97, P’24, P’26
• Shereen Arthur White ’06

Group 4: DukeNY 2023 Welcome to the City Party Co-Chairs

• Meghna Patel B.S.N.’14
• Lars Scofield ’92
• Kevin Thompson ’09, M.M.S.’10

Group 5: Duke Class of 1973 50th Reunion Co-Chairs

• Jake Akers ’73, P’00, P’02, P’06, P’08, P’09
• Rob Bogan B.S.E.’73
• Jayne Booker ’73
• Jane Clayton ’73, P’11
• Dara DeHaven ’73, A.M.’74, J.D.’80
• Artyn Haig Gardner and Max Gardner ’73, P’98
• Gerald L. Hassell ’73, P’08
• Wendy Jay Hilburn ’73
• George Lucaci ’73, P’16
• Celestea Gentry Sharp ’73
• Mark Stalnecker and Susan Matamoros Stalnecker ’73, P’06
• Mary Wilson Stanley B.S.N.’73
• Bob Steel ’73
• Fred Sutherland ’73, P’03, P’06
• Michele Ruddy Vernon ’73, P’05, P’09
• Hope Morgan Ward ’73, M.Div.’78, P’01
• Laura Meyer Wellman ’73, P’11

Group 6: Duke Nashville Black Alumni and Young Professionals Leadership

• Courtney Hunter ’10
• Sherry Gibbs M.B.A.’94