Alumni

Alumni Council

The Alumni Council is the primary volunteer leadership group for alumni of The Webb Schools. We consist of 40 men and women, who represent seven decades and many regions worldwide. The Council’s goals are to connect alumni to Webb, Webb to the alumni body, and alumni with each other.

The Alumni Council meets four times a year to plan programs and activities which benefit the Webb community. These include:

  • Career Evening – alumni guest speakers share their career experiences with sophomores
  • Senior Dinner – annual event to welcome the newest class of alumni to our alumni family
  • Regional alumni events include cultural and sporting activities and networking opportunities
  • WebbWorks online alumni community for career assistance and mentoring
  • Affinity Groups for Women of Webb (alumnae networking), Webb15 (young alumni group for classes of the past 15 years), and Latinos of Webb.
  • Archival projects in support of our Centennial Celebration in 2022 and beyond. These include the Teachers of Webb Survey and the Oral History Video Project.

If you would like to contact the Alumni Council with a question or comment, please email alumni@webb.org, or login to the Online Community.

2023-24

Meet The Alumni Council

 

Kathy Fredrich ’02 graduated from the University of California at San Diego with a B.S. in animal physiology & neuroscience and a B.A. in psychology. She is the associate manager, global brand development & marketing at Hasbro and was previously in the pet industry for about a decade, working at Natural Balance Pet Foods. She has also been involved with the UC San Diego Alumni Los Angeles Regional Club since 2006 and has served as a past club president. While at Webb, Kathy was a dorm counselor at North Hutch and was active on the volleyball and basketball teams. Member since 2013.

David Ivey-Soto ’82 is the current National Treasurer and a former National Secretary of the American Culinary Federation serving on its Board of Directors. David Ivey-Soto earned his AOS from the Culinary Institute of America where he was on the Dean’s List, was the Student Council President, and was Sommelier de Vin. He was honored to be selected as a Fellow of the Culinary Institute of America where he worked with chefs Clark and Canner in the Fish Kitchen and with Mr. Schmitter in the American Bounty Dining Room. He has earned Certified Executive Chef (CEC®) and Certified Culinary Administration (CCA®) from the American Culinary Federation. In 2005 he earned an MBA from the College of William & Mary. David is very active in his Webb class; serving as a reunion chair, serving as a regional representative on the Alumni Council, and hosting events in D.C. Member since 2013.

Jason Brooks ’99  is the Founder of harkness.ai, which shows how individual interactions affect meeting dynamics and delivers feedback that prompts users to reflect on their participation habits. He has been a speaker at Sophomore Career Evening and now joins the Alumni Council. Previously, he was the head of Upper School at The Episcopal School of LA. While at Webb, Jason was involved in basketball, track and football. Jason has a long list of higher education degrees including degrees from Trinity University, Valparaiso University and Harvard University. Jason lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Christa. Member since 2022.

Diana Escalante ‘12 earned her B.A. from Georgetown University in government, Spanish and Portuguese. Diana also earned a dual MBA and Doctor of Law degree from American University in 2020. She is an associate attorney at Orbach, Huff & Henderson LLP and previously worked at GEICO as a law clerk in its General Counsel office. While at Webb, Diana was active in the performing arts and served on the Chapel Council. Member since 2021.

Ariel Fan ’10 is proud to have started her environmental advocacy career during her time at Webb as the founder of Project Earth on the Service Council — organizing beach cleanups, plastic bag recycling campaigns at the dining hall and advocating to ban Kleenex tissues on campus due to unsustainable foresting practices. Today, as the founder and CEO of GreenWealth Energy Partners, a turnkey developer of EV charging and LED lighting solutions, Ariel is helping government and real estate clients develop infrastructure to transition to the clean energy future. GreenWealth is proud to be the first woman and minority-owned energy company certified in the state of CA — advocating for diversity and equity in today’s new clean energy economy. Ariel received her degree in environmental policy, economics and art history from Barnard College of Columbia University. Member since 2020.

Christine French ’90 is a research analyst at Grassroots Health, where she has co-authored several papers on the relationship of Vitamin D to several health conditions. Prior to that, she spent seven years at the UC Center for Water Resources working on agricultural water management. She has been a reunion chair many times and often attends regional events. She’s also been a speaker at Sophomore Career Evening. At Webb, Christine was a student counselor. Christine attended UC Santa Barbara and UC Riverside. Christine lives in Redlands with her husband, Ross. Member since 2022.

Jim Hawkins ’70 is very engaged within his class, and he took a great interest in achieving the DEI match from the E.E. Ford Foundation. Jim has a long career in commercial real estate and is a senior associate at Lee & Associates Commercial Real Estate Services, Inc. in Orange. Jim achieved his B.A. from USC and his M.S. from UC Davis.  He lives in Newport Beach with his wife, Betsy. Member since 2022.

Praveena Jeereddi ’90 is president of the Hospitalist Corporation of Inland Empire, a medical group servicing Pomona Valley Hospital and various medical facilities in the Inland Empire. She received her B.A. in psychology from UC San Diego and completed her internal medicine training in New York. She resides in Claremont with her husband and three children and, as a medical doctor, has served the geriatric population in the local area since 2001. Member since 2018.

Stephanie Ho ’04 is Senior Vice President of Operations at Media Res Studio in Los Angeles, CA. Outside the office, Stephanie has been teaching for various Equinox clubs throughout the Los Angeles area since 2009. She helped open the company’s downtown LA location in 2013, and has hosted charity cycling classes in which Webb Alumni have attended. At Webb, Stephanie was very active in athletics at Webb, and holds records for VWS Track & Field. Since graduating, she has been a champion for fundraising among her class, she has been a reunion chair, a career evening speaker, and was the inaugural recipient of the Young Alumni Rising Star Award in 2014. Stephanie is coming back to the Alumni Council this year after serving two consecutive 3-year terms from 2016-2022. Member since 2016.

Faye Karnavy Sahai ’86 has been a reunion chair for many of her reunions over the years, been a class agent and has often contributed content to the Daughters Strong Facebook group. Faye is a graduate of Claremont McKenna College and UCLA. While at Webb, Faye was in the VWS Chorus, Student Council, was a student counselor, and was co-editor in chief of El Espejo. Faye is the managing director of the Telosity Fund at Vinaj Ventures. The fund invests in early-stage companies with solutions to improve the mental health and well-being of young people. Faye lives in San Carlos with her husband, Avanish. Member since 2022.

Sandeep Madhavan ’99 is a private wealth advisor for Ameriprise based in Newport Beach. He earned his B.S. from Babson College, with a concentration in finance and statistics. During his senior year, Sandeep began an internship with a franchise of American Express Financial Advisors, which led to starting his own practice in Boston. Since 2003, he has built a team that focuses on the needs of busy professionals and small business owners who are looking to make smarter decisions with their money and lives. Sandeep and his wife, Dana, moved back to the Los Angeles area in 2012. Their family, which includes children Maxwell, Wyatt and Everett, is actively involved in charities focused on the environmental and education. Member since 2021.

Bassil Madanat ’04 graduated from UC San Diego with a B.S. in Physiology & Neuroscience, and earned his J.D. from Pepperdine School of Law. A registered patent attorney, Bassil is the Founder and Principal Attorney at MAD IP, A Professional Law Corporation, where he handles a variety of commercial IP matters for start-ups and Fortune 500 companies alike. Before private practice, Bassil externed at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, worked in Legal Affairs at Fox Broadcasting Company and clerked for The White House Office of Science & Technology Policy under President Barack Obama. While at Webb, Bassil was Day Student Representative, co-headed Junior Fountain and was active in Varsity sports, including soccer, track & field, and cross-country. Member since 2023.


William “Bill” Ripley ’60 is a California native who was a member of the Camera Club and yearbook staff at Webb, He started the Chapel Guild and participated in soccer and track. He attended Hobart College for two years and then entered the U.S. Peace Corps and served in Peru for two years. Returning in 1966, he finished his B.A. in Spanish and Latin American Studies from the University of Redlands. He taught at the Dunn School for three years and then spent a year in Spain earning a master’s degree in Spanish literature from Middlebury College. He joined the Webb faculty in 1971 and taught Spanish and was the college counselor until 1981. In 1979, he served one year as interim headmaster. He left Webb in 1981 to attend Princeton Theological Seminary, where he received a Master of Divinity in 1984. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church USA and served churches in Texas and California. Bill was an adjunct professor of Spanish at Rio Hondo College and Azusa Pacific University. After 33 years in the classroom, Bill has now taken full retirement. Recently, Bill and his wife, Erin, spent an incredible three weeks in Peru with members of the Peccary Society. Member since 2018.

Dakota Santana-Grace ’11 graduated cum laude from Harvard University with a degree in government. At Webb, Dakota founded the debate team, was a Peccary Scholar and was an active member of Webb’s theater and performing arts scene. He is an associate at the Boston Consulting Group and is based out of their Boston office. He is excited to serve as regional representative for the Boston area and looks forward to working with the Webb alumni community. Member since 2011.

Nihar Shah ’04 is a graduate of Columbia University and NYU School of Law. He is the founder of Santa Bella Investments, LLC, a specialty finance firm focusing on alternative energy. While a day student at Webb, Nihar was a member of the varsity football team and student government. Since graduating, Nihar has spoken at Sophomore Career Night and participated on the reunion committee.

Eissa Villasenor ’98 is a refugee officer at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. She has served as a class agent and was the chapel speaker during Alumni Weekend in 2018. She often attends events in her area and has served as a mentor during networking mixers for the school. At Webb, Eissa was a member of the Latino Alliance and was vice president of VWS student government. Eissa earned her B.A. at Mount Holyoke College and her J.D. at the University of Minnesota. Eissa lives in La Quinta. Member since 2022.

Jim Wetrich ’75 has been a class agent for many years and stays connected within his class. Jim is a graduate of USC, Tulane University and Emory University. Jim is the CEO of The Wetrich Group and provides executive outplacement, leadership development, coaching and executive search services to health care providers. He’s also a Board of Councilors member at The Carter Center and an adjunct professor of marketing at Texas Wesleyan University, among many other positions in the healthcare, biosciences and coaching industries. Jim lives in Southlake, Texas with his wife, Nancy. Member since 2022.

Doug Gregg ’66 is a longtime supporter of Webb and a past reunion chair. He has resided in Carlsbad since 1983. Doug was a deputy district attorney for the County of San Diego until his retirement in 2008 and was happily married to his wife, Christine, for 36 years until her passing. He attended USC for his undergrad and received his J.D. from California Western Law. At Webb, Doug was a member of the choir for four years (under the direction of Bill Blanchard ’51), and a member of the folk singing group, New Essex Three. He was also an active member of Block W, playing varsity tennis for three years, JV football and varsity football. Doug became president of the Alumni Council on July 1, 2017. Member since 2012.

Ben Davis ’11 graduated from Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California with a degree in studio/jazz guitar. At Webb, Ben played a lot of music and a lot of water polo. He fondly remembers his time on the Honor Committee and the words of wisdom imparted by his teachers in and out of the classroom. There were few long walks on the beach at Webb but plenty of work crews. He is the music director and assistant dean of students at the Orme School. Member since 2018.


Kunal Shah ’97 is a founding partner at PBS Engineers in Glendora, California. He has been a volunteer for many years, serving as a reunion chair, class agent and a frequent guest speaker at Sophomore Career Evening. Kunal received his B.S. with honors from UC Irvine. He lives in Orange County with his wife and two children. Member since 2013.

Gauri Gadgil ’06 received her B.A. in international relations & French from Wellesley College. She completed a year as an AmeriCorps VISTA and continued on as a staff member at the International Rescue Committee in San Diego, working with resettled refugees before moving back to the East Coast for graduate school. Gauri completed her M.A. in international relations & economics from Johns Hopkins University. She resides in Washington, D.C., where she’s worked on issues related to urbanization, sustainable development and climate-resilient infrastructure with the World Bank, UNOPS and, most recently, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Member since 2018.

Whitney Wharton ’05 received her B.A. in psychology from Georgetown University. She was formerly an assistant managing clerk for the law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP in Washington, D.C. Whitney and her husband relocated to Southern California in July 2013, and she started work as a project Eengineer with Dickinson Cameron Construction Co. in Carlsbad. She runs her own business, Agaves of California, and is co-chair of the Alumni Council’s Women of Webb Affinity group. Whitney became vice president of the Alumni Council on July 1, 2017. Member since 2013.


Will Habos ’04 recently completed his MBA at Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Previously, he worked in the investment banking field for Canaccord Genuity. He has a B.S. in finance and accounting from New York University’s Stern School of Business. Member since 2014.

Jessica Dholakia ’07 is a senior manager at Taulia, Inc., a financial supply chain company that works with global brands. She has a B.A. in international relations from George Washington University and resides in San Francisco, CA. Member since 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abigail Johnson Hess ’12 graduated from Wellesley College with a bachelor’s degree in media arts & sciences and political science. She is the multimedia lead at Robinhood and was formerly a multimedia reporter at CNBC Studios in New York City where she has interviewed presidential candidates, congress members, senators, college presidents, academics, economists, CEOs, celebrities and professional athletes. Previously, Abigail worked in digital media at 270 Strategies and Third Bridge Group Limited. She was also the voice of the CNBC show “Suddenly Obsessed,” which profiles companies and trends that seemingly come out of nowhere. While at Webb, she was a senior ambassador and day student and competed on the varsity soccer and varsity track and field teams. Member since 2021.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alexis De La Rosa ‘11 attended Bryn Mawr College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and Latin American, Latino, Iberian people and cultures. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in higher education/higher education administration. She works for the University of Pennsylvania as an assistant director of development for undergraduate financial aid and serves as a member of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Action Committee. Alexis was a volleyball, water polo, and track & field athlete at Webb and participated in the Global Citizen Corps. Member since 2021.

Preston Clarke ’98 graduated from Wheaton College with a B.A. in economics and earned his MBA from the University of Arizona. He is a managing partner of Arizona Venture Consulting, which provides advisory services to early stage and growth companies. He was formerly COO of Matador Network, an online travel magazine and journalism school. While at Webb, Preston was a dorm prefect and a member of the varsity soccer, swim and water polo teams. He resides in Scottsdale, Arizona. On the council, Preston has been active in supporting the Webb15 Affinity group and Webb@Work internship program. Member since 2009.

Keating Leung ’98 received his bachelor’s degree in business administration and computer science from University of Southern California. In 2004, he started a company in manufacturing and designing auto parts for auto manufactures. While at Webb, Keating was a member of the varsity water polo, wrestling and swim teams. He resides in Hong Kong with his wife and daughter.

Jimmy Hsieh ’89 is the founding partner of VANON Capital Partners, based in Taipei. He is married with two daughters. He has a bachelor’s degree in economics from UC Berkeley. Previously, he was head of equities in Taiwan for Citigroup Global Markets and he also worked for Salomon Smith Barney. Member since 2012.

Joanne Goh ‘99 graduated from Cornell University with a MEng and B.S. in chemical engineering. A Hong Kong native, she resides in Shanghai and is a vice president and China market specialist at Citi. While at Webb, Joanne was a boarder, and she has particularly fond memories of dance, chemistry and French classes. She is proud to become the first alumni regional rep in Shanghai and cannot wait to share her Webb experiences and help promote Webb in the region. Member since 2018.

Chan Sung is a member of Webb class of 1986. After graduating from Webb, Chan attended UC Irvine and graduated with a B.A. in political science in 1990. Chan then attended New York Law School, where he was a member of the Law Review. After graduating NYLS in 1993, he worked as a maritime lawyer for 10 years at a law firm where the mother of former Webb Head of Schools Susan Nelson worked for many years (although Chan never had the pleasure of working with her). Chan returned to Korea with his family in 2003 where he continued his legal career. He has worked for one of Korea’s leading law firms, an electronics company, a tobacco company and a large retailer. Chan is legal director of a total beverage alcohol company and hopes to add weapons and casino companies to round out his resume as the consigliere for all of the sin industries. Chan is married to Beatrice, has an older daughter, Sabrina, soon to graduate from Brandeis University, and a younger son, Curtis.

Contact Alumni Office

The Webb Schools Alumni Office
(909) 445-8253
alumni@webb.org