Creativity and entrepreneurship have been Jane Pope Cooper’s ’96 calling cards since her days on the Hill; today, she’s redefining the jewelry world with her signature designs and commitment to women-led, sustainable craftsmanship.
Citizens of an Increasingly Connected World
From a rural school to a Manhattan law practice, from fire fighting to investment banking—EHS graduates make their mark and make a difference in their communities and in the world at large. They are the living embodiment of the School's mission. They are the proof that the "Portrait of a Graduate" values and qualities we aim to teach and encourage
are alive and well in our alumni.
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Fri, 30 May 2025Dr. Ravenel Richardson '99
Dr. Ravenel Richardson ’99 has built a powerful career uncovering overlooked wartime narratives, using her foundation at Episcopal to fuel a lifelong commitment to amplifying women’s voices in Holocaust and genocide studies.
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Fri, 30 May 2025Courtney Lewis '10
Courtney Lewis ’10 is transforming the way communities connect through food, using her nonprofit Err’body Eats to fight food insecurity, empower youth, and nourish change from the ground up.
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Tue, 11 Jun 2024Lucy Whittle Goldstein ’97 and Kiamani Wilson ’14
From student to mentor and back again, Lucy Whittle Goldstein ’97 and Kiamani Wilson ’14 are proof that the Episcopal experience can come full circle — connecting generations of teachers and learners on the Hill.
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Tue, 11 Jun 2024Chris Hutchins ’03
From pizza slices after study hall to 7 million podcast downloads, Chris Hutchins ’03 has turned his lifelong obsession with life hacks into a career helping others optimize their lives.
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Tue, 11 Jun 2024Charles “Chuck” Baldecchi ’89
Chuck Baldecchi ’89 didn’t set out to become a teacher, but he now leads one of the top independent schools in North Carolina, fueled by the mentorship he found on the Hill.
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Mon, 06 Nov 2023Aldabert August "Adie" von Gontard IV '07
Adie von Gontard ’07 has made a name for himself in the sports agent industry with an unlikely business partner — music mogul Dwayne “Lil Wayne” Carter.
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Mon, 01 May 2023Dr. Edward Darrell Jervey ’54
Dr. Edward Darrell Jervey ’54, initially reluctant to follow his family’s ophthalmology legacy, became a dedicated eye surgeon and lifelong volunteer, inspired by his Episcopal education and committed to serving underserved communities through free clinics and teaching.
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Mon, 01 May 2023Kenneth Avery Ringle ’57
Ken Ringle ’57 transformed his inherited bamboo grove on Avery Island into a globally celebrated conservation project, fostering community and awareness around the rare Moso bamboo through annual volunteer cleanups.
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Mon, 01 May 2023Luiji Vilain '17
Canadian-born Luiji Vilain ’17 followed friends to Episcopal to pursue his NFL dream, excelled as a top-ranked high school player, starred at Michigan and Wake Forest, then signed with the Minnesota Vikings, attributing his discipline and routine to his time at EHS.
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Sat, 17 Dec 2022Josh Szymczak ’16
Josh Szymczak ’16 serves as a U.S. Forest Service hotshot firefighter, battling the most dangerous parts of wildfires across the West with intensity, teamwork, and pride.
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Sat, 17 Dec 2022Philip ’04 and David ’07 Glaize
Fourth-generation apple farmers, Philip ’04 and David ’07 Glaize are putting a fresh twist on the family orchard with Old Town Cidery, crafting hard cider from their own Shenandoah-grown apples.
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Sat, 17 Dec 2022The Honorable Bill Lewis ’69
Presiding judge for Virginia’s 15th judicial district, Bill Lewis ’69 handles 30–40 cases a day with the goal of guiding families through difficult times with empathy and fairness.
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Fri, 01 Jul 2022Alfred Berkeley ’62
A former NASDAQ president and cybersecurity advisor to two U.S. presidents, Alfred Berkeley ’62 continues his legacy of service through Triaj, a life-saving medical app used in global conflict zones.
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Fri, 01 Jul 2022Harvey Moseley '69
Dr. Harvey Moseley ’69, now a retired NASA Senior Astrophysicist, helped develop the COBE satellite and key James Webb Space Telescope technology—work that earned Nobel recognition and the James Craig Watson Medal—and credits EHS for preparing him to reach for the stars.
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Fri, 01 Jul 2022Nettie Webb '18
Nettie Webb ’18, a UVA senior, created the HEAAL Tour to educate first-year students on the University’s history of enslaved laborers and was awarded UVA’s first Undergraduate Excellence in DEI Award.
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Fri, 01 Jul 2022Sundi Lofty '94
Sundi Lofty ’94 is a writer, producer, and creative director whose impactful work at Black Robin Media and MTV Entertainment blends education and entertainment across major platforms like PBS, OWN, and the History Channel.
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Fri, 01 Jul 2022John Churchman '75
John Churchman ’75 found his creative spark in the EHS arts department and has built a vibrant career around storytelling and visual expression. Now a New York Times bestselling author, Churchman lives on Moonrise Farm in Vermont, where he and his wife create children’s books inspired by their animals. Their debut, The SheepOver, launched a beloved series, Sweet Pea & Friends, celebrated for its warmth, photo-illustration, and heart.
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Wed, 11 May 2022
Whitt Clement ’66
Whitt Clement ’66 was named rector of the University of Virginia Board of Visitors in June, bringing decades of leadership experience including roles as Virginia Secretary of Transportation and president of the Virginia Bar Association. He has also been deeply involved with Episcopal High School, serving as Class Chair for over 50 years and on its Board of Trustees.
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Wed, 11 May 2022Danielle O’Banion ’97
Danielle O’Banion ’97 was named head women’s basketball coach at Loyola University Maryland in 2021, bringing 20 years of Division I coaching experience to the Greyhounds. A former co-captain at Boston College, O’Banion is known for her player-centered approach and passion for mentoring student-athletes. Coaching close to home, she’s proud to lead in a community that reminds her of EHS.
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Wed, 11 May 2022Howard Smith ’76 and LaMarr Datcher ’98
Datcher says, “To me, who you work with and who you partner with in business is more important than what you will actually be doing. Once you are aligned with good people, you can figure out the project, the goal, and what it takes to be successful. It all starts at the top with Howard and trickles down to everyone else. The culture here is unparalleled from anything I have ever seen.”Howard Smith ’76, president of Walker & Dunlop, has built a four-decade career in commercial real estate while mentoring many, including fellow EHS grads. In May, he brought LaMarr Datcher ’98 onto the team as director of real estate finance, helping launch the firm’s new small balance lending platform. Both credit Episcopal with shaping the values—integrity, trust, and collaboration—that continue to drive their success.
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Wed, 11 May 2022Larry Owens ’08
Since starring in the Off-Broadway hit A Strange Loop, Larry Owens ’08 has emerged as a rising force in theater and television, earning top awards and acclaim. During the pandemic, he turned inward, developing new projects as a writer and director — including Sondheimia, his solo Carnegie Hall debut. Now, Owens is writing for Netflix and FX, continuing to expand his creative footprint across screens and stages.
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Wed, 11 May 2022Rob Banner ’75
After more than a decade leading Virginia’s Great Meadow Foundation, Rob Banner ’75 discovered a new passion for conservation that led him to ACRE Investment Management. Now, he helps grow millions of trees and leads one of the world’s largest reforestation efforts through carbon credit innovation.
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Wed, 11 May 2022Suzelle Thomas ’14
LTJG Suzelle Thomas ’14, a former head monitor at EHS, recently became the first female naval aviator selected to fly the F-35C Lightning II directly from flight school. A standout throughout her training, Thomas earned top honors and now prepares for deployment following advanced training with the Fleet Replacement Squadron.
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Tue, 27 Apr 2021After the Storm
Laura Bratton ’15 uses nonprofit journalism to spotlight her hurricane-hit hometown in rural North Carolina. As co-director of Shoresides, she tells local stories through podcasts and trains young reporters. She’s chosen to stay in Wilmington, finding meaningful stories close to home.
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Mon, 26 Apr 2021Coming Out Ahead
Brian Mascatello ’12, a former varsity athlete and Cornell graduate, became a passionate advocate for LGBTQ inclusion in both sports and corporate finance. After coming out post-college, he worked with The You Can Play Project and led diversity initiatives at Bank of America, aiming to create safer, more inclusive environments. Now at J.P. Morgan, Mascatello continues to champion visibility and support for LGBTQ professionals in traditionally unwelcoming industries.
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Mon, 26 Apr 2021
Four Alumni Publish Books
David Opie ’86 released All the Fish in the World, a colorful follow-up to his acclaimed bird book. Ty Seidule wrote Robert E. Lee and Me, exploring his break with Confederate myths. Historian William Thomas ’82 published A Question of Freedom, detailing enslaved families’ legal battles for freedom, while Blake Miller ’95 debuted his YA fantasy Delos: The White Tree.
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Mon, 26 Apr 2021From Stewart Gym Rocker to Classical Composer
Nathan Michel ’93 began making music in Episcopal’s Stewart Gym and went on to study composition at Bowdoin, Yale, and Princeton. He co-founded the indie band Hospitality, praised by Rolling Stone, and composes music for major TV ads, including Nike’s Kobe Bryant tribute and a Super Bowl Bud Light campaign. Now based in Charleston, he teaches music while continuing his work in film and commercial scoring.
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Mon, 26 Apr 2021Home-Buying Made Simple, Inc.
Ruffin Mitchener ’11 launched Balsa, a home-buying blog and consulting service designed to demystify real estate for first-time buyers. Drawing on her experience in the real estate tech industry and business school at UCLA, Mitchener aims to boost financial literacy among young adults through blog posts, webinars, and personalized consultations.
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Mon, 26 Apr 2021James Blue ’87 Takes the Helm of Smithsonian Channel
Emmy Award-winning journalist James Blue ’87 was named head of the Smithsonian Channel, where he will lead the expansion and diversification of its content as part of his new role as senior vice president at MTV Entertainment.
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Tue, 15 Dec 2020Cadet Alexander Block ’17 Delivers Game Ball at Historic Army-Navy Faceoff
Cadet Alexander Block ’17, the fastest male on West Point’s marathon team, was selected to help deliver the game ball for the historic Army-Navy game at West Point — a 24-hour relay run spanning over 170 miles.
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Thu, 10 Dec 2020Touching Base With the Home Team
Dominique Badji ’11, now a Major League Soccer veteran, joined the EHS boys’ soccer team for a virtual Q&A, reflecting on his professional journey, giving advice on team culture, and emphasizing the value of brotherhood forged at EHS.
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Mon, 07 Dec 2020A Buddy Film Inspired by an EHS Friendship
Marc Carlini ’97 wrote and directed the indie film She’s in Portland, inspired in part by his lifelong friendship with fellow EHS alum and executive producer James Rizzo ’96 — a road trip story that explores personal growth, reconnection, and the bonds that endure.
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Wed, 02 Dec 2020Emerging Star
Catherine Coley ’07, CEO of Binance.US and the only woman leading a major U.S. crypto exchange, was named to Fortune’s 40 Under 40 and continues to support EHS students through mentorship and career opportunities.
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Wed, 02 Dec 2020Lacrosse Pioneer
Harleigh Bean ’14 joined a CityLax summer forum with other former college players to discuss the experiences of women of color in lacrosse and the challenges of navigating a predominantly white sport.
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Tue, 02 Jun 2020Inside a Covid-19 Ward With Critical-Care Specialist Dr. Franz Yanagawa '00
Dr. Franz Yanagawa ’00, a critical care surgeon at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, has spent countless hours on the frontlines of the Covid-19 pandemic—facing uncertainty, collaborating across institutions, and leaning into his calling to help others through medicine.
