Alumni Stories

At ILR we are proud of all that our alumni accomplish. They represent diverse fields, including human resources, business, finance, law, labor, nonprofits, and entrepreneurship. They are leaders and innovators in their communities, nationally and globally.

Friends and Family Establish Steven Spencer Memorial Award

Funds will provide an annual award of $1,000 to a rising or current senior in the ILR School.
Steven Spencer ’75
Friends and Family Establish Steven Spencer Memorial Award

Unwavering Commitment

A champion for the unemployed, Harold Oaklander ’52 has introduced students to the struggles of the jobless through classroom learning and opportunities to help people who are rebuilding their work identities.
Harold Oaklander
Unwavering Commitment

HR Executive Master’s Program Builds Lifetime of Support

Students who can learn from one another and who have similar levels of experience and expertise in HR, but who come from diverse industries and geographies, form each year's cohort.
EMHRM Summer Cohort 2021
HR Executive Master’s Program Builds Lifetime of Support

Making Incremental Change

ILRie Jim Miller supports students through internships, scholarships and career opportunities.
James E Miller ’88 Cornell Graduation 1988
Making Incremental Change

Pandemic Reaffirmed Power of Education

Dustin Liu earned a Harvard degree in isolation, but it didn’t slow him down.
Dustin Liu ’19
Pandemic Reaffirmed Power of Education

Katie Falb DeNitto ’15

Katie Falb DeNitto ’15 took the lessons she learned at ILR and used them to help the Big Red men’s lightweight rowing varsity eight win consecutive IRA National Championships.
Katie Falb DeNitto '15 holding the Platt Cup
Katie Falb DeNitto ’15

John Frinzi, MPS ’21

MPS student John Frinzi used the skills he learned at the ILR School to help his company adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic.
John Frinzi, MPS ’21
John Frinzi, MPS ’21

Barbara Loreto Peltz ’55

A graduate shares the experiences of the mid-1950s ILR, including the bus rides, Quonset hut classes and May Day singing.
Barbara Loreto Peltz photo
Barbara Loreto Peltz ’55

Nickle LaMoreaux ’01

From crisis to recovery and reimagination, IBM’s chief human resources officer has helped lead the company through the pandemic.
Nickle LaMoreaux ’01
Nickle LaMoreaux ’01

MILR “Just Clicked”

Liz Heitner, MILR ’06, has been tapped by Penn Mutual to lead its human resources division through the post-pandemic world.
Liz Heitner, MILR ’06
MILR “Just Clicked”

Full Speed Ahead

Jordan Berman ’95 leads fellow alumni beyond COVID-19
Jordan Berman ’95 selfie at Schoelkopf Field
Full Speed Ahead

Andres Alvarado ’21

ILR senior shares his experiences as an ILRie in Ithaca and in New York City, where he worked with artists and advocates motivated by community building, gun violence prevention and disability rights.”
in the Coler Hospital Library teaching Peter Yearwood about using the Microsoft Office Suite.
Andres Alvarado ’21

Jeannette Boot, MPS ’21

Lawyer Jeannette Boot, MPS '21, enrolled in the graduate program to help her manage the most meaningful project of her career.

Jeannette Boot MPS class of '21
Jeannette Boot, MPS ’21

Dr. Jonas Chartock

Through Chartock’s career in education and current work overseeing the professional learning of tens of thousands of teachers at both a policy and a district level, he continues to apply the skills he learned at ILR.
Jonas Chartock
Dr. Jonas Chartock

Laura Bach ’16

Laura Bach credits her degree emphasis on politics, economics, business and history as giving her a framework of understanding for her development work.
Missing alt
Laura Bach ’16

Randall Brown ’09

From an early age, Randall Brown `09, has been intellectually curious, eager to learn new concepts and ready to take on new projects.
Randall Brown
Randall Brown ’09

Laurie Ann Atienza ’11

Laurie Ann Atienza ’11 has been able to live her values, thanks to a career that allows her to fight for working people.
Laurie Ann Atienza ’11
Laurie Ann Atienza ’11

Angelica Allen-McMillan ’91

Learn about one ILRie’s path to public education leadership.
Angelica Allen-McMillan ’91
Angelica Allen-McMillan ’91

Bob Hoyt ’96

Alex Colvin spoke with Bob Hoyt about the effects of the pandemic on financial services and banking firms.
Portrait of Bob Hoyt
Bob Hoyt ’96

Interview: Diane Burton speaks with Leigh Amaro about the impact of the Pandemic

ILR's Diane Burton spoke with Leigh Amaro about the impact the pandemic has had on the payment industry.
Portrait of Leigh Amaro
Interview: Diane Burton speaks with Leigh Amaro about the impact of the Pandemic

Colin Benedict '21

Coming from the Akwesasne Mohawk territory, Colin Benedict ’21 has mentored fellow Indigenous students and advocates for Indigenous rights on campus, work he hopes to continue after graduating.
Colin Benedict ‘21
Colin Benedict '21

Interview: Harry Katz speaks with Carolyn Richmond on the impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry

ILR's Professor Harry Katz spoke with Carolyn Richmond about how the pandemic has impacted both her law practice and employers and employees in the hospitality industry.
Screenshot of Carolyn Richmond from zoom
Interview: Harry Katz speaks with Carolyn Richmond on the impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry

Interview: Ariel Avgar speaks with Tonya Hallett about General Motors' HR strategy

Tonya Hallett, as an HR leader at General Motors, speaks with ILR's Ariel Avgar about how GM has changed its strategies to deal with the pandemic.
screenshot of Tonya Hallett from a video interview
Interview: Ariel Avgar speaks with Tonya Hallett about General Motors' HR strategy

Louis Montgomery, Jr. '81

For Louis Montgomery, an ILR degree was the beginning of a successful and robust human resources career.
Louis Montgomery, Jr. `81: Inspirational Leadership
Louis Montgomery, Jr. '81

Lauren Myers '97

Follow the dream that’s in your heart. That’s what guides Lauren Myers ’97.
Lauren Myers
Lauren Myers '97

Dick Fincher '73

Fincher was the first in his family to go to college. He credits his ILR degree with giving him confidence and critical thinking skills. Since graduation, he has had four distinct careers, all related to ILR.
Photo: Dick Fincher
Dick Fincher '73

Kelly Race, MILR '95

Alumna uses expertise to better her community
Photo: Kelly Race at Rosie's Place
Kelly Race, MILR '95

Saba Vahdat '13: ILR Training Put to Test

In real estate firm, Vahdat works from ground up
Missing alt
Saba Vahdat '13: ILR Training Put to Test

Leigh Amaro ‘00

Having Benn born in New Zealand, Leigh Amaro was looking for an undergraduate program that would exposed to diverse cultures and give her the opportunity to learn about international companies. She chose ILR.
Photo: Leigh Amaro
Leigh Amaro ‘00

Jonathan DeGraff ’12: Helping People

Alum who chose management over medicine sees positive outcomes
Missing alt
Jonathan DeGraff ’12: Helping People