Taft Voices

Kayla Robinson '19

A natural athlete and leader, Kayla uses her high-profile positions at Taft to help make others feel at home.

Philip Howard '66

As an author and founder of Common Good, a nonpartisan reform coalition that describes itself as working to simplify government to put humans back in charge, cut red tape, and limit bureaucracy that prevents progress, Philip Howard is being recognized for his impressive work with Taft's highest alumni honor. He is also senior counsel at the New York City law firm Covington & Burling.

Marcus Valenta '19

Marcus Valenta's connection to science runs deep, and may be rooted in a history he has only recently come to know.

Vanessa LeFebvre Robinson ’95

Vanessa LeFebvre Robinson is leading the women’s merchandising team at Stitch Fix, one of the most successful and exciting fashion/technology companies in the world. Starting at her mother’s clothing store before she went to UPenn, then moving on to a position as a buyer at Lord & Taylor, along with other prominent retailers, she is now at the forefront of fashion selection using technology.

Micah Umeh '19

Micah Umeh is guided by strength and values that shape his character and drive his achievement.

Dennis Liu '02

Netflix has ordered a 10-episode series of the sci-fi family drama called Raising Dion, based on Dennis Liu's short film and comic book of the same name. A graduate of NYU's Tisch School for the Arts, Liu has spent much of the last 10 years directing commercials and music videos for a variety of artists.

Eleanor Streit '19

The science of language sparks Eleanor Streit's passions, which led her to take a leap of faith.

Tom Losee ’84

Combine running and stand-up paddleboarding and what do you get? RUN/SUP®, outdoor sports entrepreneur Tom Losee’s increasingly popular training program that fuses his two favorite recreational fitness activities. For more than 10 years, Losee has worked in the stand-up paddleboard business in Florida’s northwestern Gulf Coast.

Eva Baurmeister '19

By jumping in with both feet and feeling the support of the Taft community, Eva Baurmeister continues to grow as a student, an athlete, an artist, and a leader.

Adam Yonkers '89

Adam Yonkers '89 says that making a huge career change in his early-30s freed him to take on a career that feeds his soul. He went from corporate communications—marketing and public relations at a big corporate law firm—to teaching U.S. history and foreign policy to high schoolers at Palo Alto Unified in California.

Jeff Lamson

History

Jeff Lamson's quest to uncover the layers of history not found in a textbook drives his passion for both teaching and learning.

Katie Maxey Sorrentino ’85

Ever wonder how retailers seem to know what you want to buy before you do? Mining data about our likes and dislikes to help perfect the relationship with consumers is what Go Think!, the company of Katie Maxey Sorrentino ’85, is doing to help guide retailers across the nation.

Harrison Clay ’92

Early in his career, Harrison Clay ’92 began thinking about methane as a solution to the nation’s dependence on foreign oil and a way to reduce greenhouse gases. Read about Clay’s role as BP’s vice president of strategic development, global environmental products, and his work in biogas and biomethane project development.

Simone Foxman ’07

As an investing reporter for Bloomberg, Simone Foxman’s beat specific to the finance industry allows her to “uncover stories that the public deserves to hear,” she says. Read about her role as a journalist that allows her to be part of conversations happening at the highest level in the world of finance.

John McGowan ’81

John McGowan ’81 created Mathematical Software, a start-up dedicated to researching and developing tools and algorithms that can be used to automate complex data analysis. Learn about his work to help firms analyze their research and development in data-intensive areas such as medicine or pharmaceuticals, finance, and engineering.

Klara Skrivankova ’96

In her role at Anti-Slavery International, Klara Skrivankova ’96 works with businesses on tackling forced labor in supply chains. Read more about her efforts to eradicate the modern slavery that reaches, often invisibly, into many aspects of our lives.

Doug Ellis ’54

After a long career in the textile industry, Doug Ellis ’54 decided it was an ideal time to return to his passion of flying. Ellis is a volunteer pilot for Angel Flight, which offers free transportation to patients in need of medical treatment.

Tyler Kneisel '99

Dockwa, cofounded by Tyler Kneisel ’99, makes reserving boat slips a snap. Since its launch in 2015, tens of thousands of boaters now find, reserve, and pay for moorings in real time, using the award-winning Dockwa platform on their computers or the free mobile app.

Carly Borken

Director of Environmental Stewardship; Global Studies & Service; Science

Carly Borken brings a world of experiences into the Taft classroom.

Osi Bialunska '19

 

Osi recently traveled to Nepal an experience that brought new clarity and understanding to the value of a Taft education.

Caleb Hannon '18

 

Caleb's efforts to immerse himself in other cultures have taken him around the world, and have  him on track to earn a Global Studies and Service diploma from Taft in June.

Peter Van Der Mije ’98

After working for notable chefs in New York City, Peter Van Der Mije ’98 opened Osteria Leana, a chic, casual Italian restaurant in Oyster Bay on Long Island. He’s established a place that is small, local, and accessible for diners craving a city experience along the North Shore coastline, with easy access to excellent fresh produce and seafood.

Ally Anderson '18

Ally Anderson '18 worked with scientists from the New York Botanical Garden to develop an algorithm for an electronic plant identification program.

Taylor Jacobs '18

 

Taylor blends the places in her heart with her passion for touching children’s lives.

Leslie Herrlinger Lanahan ’73

Leslie Herrlinger Lanahan ’73 has made it her and her family’s mission to bring awareness about alcohol poisoning and hazing in order to save lives.

Khalid Tellis
English

 

One day, Khalid Tellis may write a book he'll call Joy and Humor in the Classroom. For now, that's exactly what he brings to Taft.

Liila “Lee” Hass ’77

A trained naturopath, yoga instructor, and counselor, Hass works as a high-needs support counselor at Risdon, and her role is to focus on inmates with mental health issues and other disabilities—people who have brain injuries from long-term drug use or trauma or who have other mental health issues.

Luisa Bonachea ’00

Luisa Bonachea ’00 combines her legal training with her love of wine in a fulfilling career. Read about her work as an intellectual property attorney based in Napa Valley and serving the wine industry.

Max Sandvoss '98

Read about the goat farm and creamery owned by Max Sandvoss ’98 in upstate New York and his transition from actor to experienced farmer and cheesemaker. He and his brother, Trystan, are committed to the entire natural process with grass-fed animals and organic pastures. First Light sells its cheeses at farmers’ markets and to stores and restaurants across six states.

Joanna Kleszczewski '18
Artist and ISP Scholar

Joanna Kleszczewski '18 tells stories through her art; each piece speaks volumes.

Gabriela Gonzalez Carpio '17
Capturing Ambiguity Through Art

Gabby is an artist in every sense of the word. She used the Independent Study Program to expand her skills and repertoire.

Nick Firestone ’84

Nick Firestone ’84 has loved racing since age 3. At 51, he’s a professional race car driver who has raced among the most acclaimed drivers in the world and has been racing since the late 1980s. Firestone’s niche is go-karts, and he regularly races in the U.S. and internationally.

Peter Horne '18
Head Mon

 

Peter came to Taft to hone his leadership skills, and found even greater opportunity than he imagined.

Sarah Surber
Dance

Sarah Surber teaches students to express thoughts and emotions though movement.

Ashley Wilberding Balavoine '90
Perfumer

As a perfumer, Ashley creates scents that are in products most of us use every day.

Leigh Sharpless '17
ISP Scholar 

Leigh Sharpless '17 is studying cutting-edge cancer therapies, with an eye on the future.

Gabe McMackin ’94

Gabe McMackin ’94, chef and owner of The Finch, a restaurant in Brooklyn, wasn’t planning to “shoot for the stars,” when he opened. The Finch and McMackin’s were recently awarded a Michelin star.

Lindsay Leal

Mathematics, Mid Class Dean

 

Lindsay Leal's time as a boarding school student help shaped her approach to being a boarding school teacher.

Billy Himmelrich ’82

Since 1999, owner Billy Himmelrich ’82 has been running Old School Bakery in Delray Beach, Florida, and providing bread to top restaurants, hotels, and country clubs in Southeast Florida, along with donating unsold bread to the Palm Beach County Food Bank and helping raise money for hunger relief through events.

Christopher Brown '64
English

Chris Brown '64 had "spectacularly good" English teachers at Taft. Naturally he became one.

Maeve Millen '17
ISP Scholar

Maeve is passionate about social issues, with wealth inequality at the top of the list.

Belle McDougald '17 and Emily Weaver '17
ISP Scholars

Belle and Emily wanted to educate the community about simple and sustainable ways to help the environment.

Kaedi Dalley '18
Singer, Actor, Leader

Kaedi Dalley's talent, passion, and leadership inspire respect and awe, while galvanizing our community.