On Thursday, May 8th, Island School alumni and friends gathered virtually to share and participate in our 2nd annual Alumni Summit. Speakers represented classes from Spring 2001 to Fall 2024, with alumni, former faculty and staff, and current and former parents of Island School Students in attendance. If you weren’t able to make it, continue reading for a recap and video recordings of the event.

Island School Alumni Share Their Experiences

The summit kicked off with a warm welcome from our fearless founder, Chris Maxey, alumnae and Executive Director of Cape Eleuthera Foundation, Taylor Hoffman (S06); and Alumni Relations Manager, Megan Platt. 

For the first part of the evening, we heard from 3 Island School alumni who shared their expertise in their fields, while also sharing how their experiences at The Island School have impacted their journeys.

Chevelle Dixon S01 kicked things off with a talk on Sharing our Stories and Building Belonging. As Chevelle shared, “Storytelling reveals observations as hidden truths, fosters stewardship, and unlocks belonging.” She related this back to her own Life History Project during her semester in the Spring of 2001, and how that has stayed with her all these years.She provided measurable steps to share your own story and encourage others to do the same. 

Next, Olivia Gomez F15 shared on Climate Change and Oceans Investing. She shared a bit more about her post-grad life and starting in investment banking, but feeling unfulfilled in her work. She then found her current role with S2G Investments, where she is able to help invest in startups in the blue economy. She currently provides portfolio support for 17 investments across the globe. This role has allowed her to reconnect with her Island School roots, including meeting other Island School alums and Dr. Sylvia Earle! 

Finally, Garrett Pilgrim F16 gave a presentation on How The Island School Supports Mental Health and Confidence. Garrett shared about his own Island School journey, where he started his semester lacking confidence and left feeling more self-assured. He argues that The Island School leads to strong self-efficacy, especially when it comes to performance accomplishments and vicarious experiences. His time at Island School led him to pursue studies in the Psychology field, where he just earned his Master’s and will be pursuing his Doctorate of Psychology beginning this fall. 

We were then joined by 3 of our newest alumni, Dele Joa-Griffith ST24, Amelia Russel Schaeffer F24, and Jono Partridge F24, who sat on the Young Alumni Panel. They answered questions and shared about their experiences on campus and how The Island School has influenced them since returning home. Everyone in the audience was in agreement with Amelia when she reflected that The Island School is somewhere that you can learn to have fun! 

Helena Janulis S13 Speaks On Working in Blue Economy

For the final session of the evening, Helena Janulis S13 joined us as our Keynote speaker. Helena is our 2025 Founders Alumni Award recipient and shared about her work in the sustainable blue economy. Helena shared about the potential for market investments in the blue economy and the global partnerships that are working together to fight for our oceans. She also shared more about her work with The Explorers Club, including hosting World Oceans Week events, and an upcoming expedition in the Chesapeake Bay.

In all, it was an incredible and inspiring evening. While we only heard from a small group of our alumni community, it was a great representation of how The Island School mission of leadership effecting change continues to resonate for so many alumni. 

To stay connected with what we’re doing on campus and how our alumni are effecting change in the world, subscribe to our newsletter!