Wizards and CEOs

Recent alumni find authentic ways to engage with their communities

While Gordon's leadership has been profiled in the local press this summer, recent alumni have also been making news.

Two recent examples highlighted two Gordon graduates who, true to their Gordon roots, are drawing on their own experiences to find ways to be positive forces in their communities.

 

After several years working in Governor Raimondo's administration, Tavie Abell '06 co-founded Govern for America, which has a mission of drawing young talent into state government. The Washington Post covered Govern for America's launch in July.

Tavie is now Govern for America's CEO, and she would love to see some fellow Gordonians apply for the inaugural Govern for America fellowship. She writes, "My time at Gordon was what activated my desire to work in public service and showed me the potential of diverse networks of people to transform complex systems. A Gordon education prepares leaders with the skills and mindset to drive that change. As Govern for America works to create a world where our most dynamic young leaders see government as an avenue for meaningful change and our state governments reflect the values and diversity of our nation, I can think of no better stewards of this vision than Gordon grads." Details are online at www.govern4america.org/contact-us

 

Meanwhile, Graham Watkins '08 got some coverage for the ways he's been engaging with young people at Block Island's Free Library every summer since 2011. Graham hosts an open-ended chess club at the library every August; when the Block Island Times caught up with him last week, he was playing two children simultaneously while chatting with visitors.

While at Gordon, Graham was a charter member of teacher Blinn Dorsey's Chess Club. Now Graham works in Gordon's after school programs, and he and fifth grade parent Lisa Foster will be rebooting Gordon's Chess Club as part of this fall's after school enrichment programs. More on Gordon's enrichments at www.gordonschool.org/enrichments.

Have news about Gordon alumni? Drop Gordon a line at the link www.gordonschool.org/dropaline or alumni@gordonschool.org.