Alumni Stories

After spending several years working for companies such as American Express, McKinsey & Company and Dropbox, Jennifer Choi '08 has found her "dream job" with the NBA's Atlanta Hawks.

Alumna Tricia Turley Brandenburg ’99 created her own learning and career opportunities through sports and now advocates for college student-athletes.

Linda Gadsby ’88 takes on new professional responsibilities with the same vigor she brings to helping young people explore career paths that align with their values.

A series of experiences during his ILR years helped Groat Award recipient Scott Buchheit build a deeper appreciation for different perspectives.

After three decades as a human resources professional, Angela Cheng-Cimini ‘92 has decided to “rewire,” stepping away from her latest role as the senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Harvard Business Publishing.

When Christopher Fateh ’13 first entered ILR, he didn’t want to limit his future by choosing a career path. The school gave him a well-rounded education and an appealing philosophy—that he could make a difference in the lives of regular people.

Scott Buchheit, M.S. ’77, will receive the ILR School’s 2025 Groat Award and Linda Gadsby ’88 will receive the 2025 Alpern Award on April 24 at The Pierre Hotel in New York City.

Edwin “Ed” Baum ’81 and his wife, Holly Wallace, are supporting the New York City High Road initiative by funding stipends, subsidizing housing and providing robust program support.

Nia Evans ’00 says, “ILR has shown up in everything” she has done as the executive director of the Boston Ujima Project, a democratically governed investment fund.

In Ives, students are taught to approach compensation from the human side, as well as the quantitative side, which spurs a national firm to recruit at ILR.

Students Today Alumni Tomorrow (STAT) is a new initiative from the ILR Alumni Affairs and Development Office that aims to engage current students in learning about the important role philanthropy plays at the school.

As the 2024 Alice B. Grant Labor Leader in Residence, ILRie Randi Weingarten spent time at ILR teaching, speaking and meeting with students, professors and university staff.

The 2024 Alpern Award recipient says ILR’s interdisciplinary nature taught her to “approach problem-solving with creativity.”

Mark Eskenazi’s road to the White House began at ILR.

Ken Sunshine ’70 has “offered the world to me” as a mentor and advisor, says entrepreneur Drew Speckman ’20.

The 2024 Groat awardee helps bring opera to the people, and internship, scholarship and professional opportunities to ILRies.

JC Tretter ’13 talks in an interview about broken bones, ruffling feathers, a bum knee, almost quitting football, constant eating, the fun of pro football, what’s next (not lawyering, fyi) and Cornell places he loves.

An ILR student helped establish the United Auto Workers Local 2300, which now represents Cornell building maintenance and service workers.

ILR School alumna Ellen Stutzman ’04 served as chief negotiator for the Writers Guild of America West as it won a new contract that provides pay increases, television series staffing protections, protections against Artificial Intelligence and other improvements for more than 11,000 workers.

AI can help solve workplace challenges, but people remain the decision makers on big issues, Nickle LaMoreaux ‘01 told ILR Dean Alex Colvin, Ph.D. ’99, in their Sept. 7 webinar.

“This is my time to give back with everything I have to offer,” says a Class of 1980 alumna who has supported ILR in many capacities.

His ILR education has helped novelist Scott Smith weave historical facts into his books.

The Allan H. Weitzman Professor of Labor and Employment Law is dedicated to Professors Milton Konvitz and Kurt Hanslowe.

A funding campaign that will enable more students to participate in tournaments is being led by the ILR School, where the Cornell Speech and Debate Program is based.

Christy Pambianchi ’90 and Ed Baum ’81 shared personal stories about their families and Cornell experiences at the school’s annual alumni awards event.

ILR helped guide 2002 graduate toward a career in social entrepreneurship.

A senior manager and human resources business partner for CVS Health, Ardrell Mannings '91 serves as a mentor and sponsor for LINK Unlimited Scholars, the same organization that once helped him find his way to the ILR School.

Eliot Schuman ’75 has coached Cornell’s Mock Trial Association for nine years.