Class Notes

Ethan Bell, BSBA ’13, JD ’16, was promoted to partner at Faegre Drinker. Bell focuses on intellectual property in the Denver office. His technical knowledge spans several industries, including computer software, telecommunications, computer networking, content distribution, cloud computing, electronic circuits and mechanical inventions.

Monica Smith, AB ’11, joined the firm Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP as counsel in the antitrust practice group in the Washington, D.C., office. Smith guides U.S. and foreign companies in gaining clearances for complex multibillion-dollar deals, often involving international investigations and second requests by the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice.

David Schwartz, AB ’08, MA ’09, co-chaired the 2025 Jewish Educators Assembly conference in March in Chicago.

Aryeh Kaplan, JD ’08, was named partner at Sidley Austin in the Miami office. Kaplan has extensive trial experience, having led over 30 trials across various sectors, including consumer class actions and complex international disputes. He was previously at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.

Steve Degnan, MBA ’08, was elected board vice president at Joybound People & Pets, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the human-animal bond through rescue, adoption, service animal training, vocational programs and community outreach. Degnan is a human resources executive, having served as chief human resources officer North America for Nestlé Purina PetCare (2004 to 2023). A U.S. Army veteran, Degnan played a pivotal role in developing Joybound’s Shelter to Service program, which trains shelter dogs as psychiatric service animals for veterans, first responders and others in need of support.

Mike Bezemek, MFAW ’08, wrote Mysteries of the National Parks: 35 Stories of Baffling Disappearances, Unexplained Phenomena, and More (Sourcebooks, May 2025). The book takes readers to every corner of America’s national parks that are best known for stunning beauty and outstanding adventure — and these natural wonders also hold some of the world’s greatest mysteries. (See June 2025 digital magazine for more: source.washu.edu/2025/06/of-mystery-and-wonder/.)

Joy Lin, BSBA ’06, wrote and illustrated Big Enough (Little, Brown and Company, April 2025) under the pen name Regina Linke. Blending traditional Chinese art with digital illustration, the picture book tells the story of a little boy who learns he is big enough to do big things. Lin also wrote and illustrated The Oxherd Boy: Parables of Love, Compassion, and Community.

Sara Reardon, AB ’04, DPT ’07, a board-certified pelvic floor physical therapist who has been helping women with pelvic floor dysfunction, released her first book, FLOORED: A Woman’s Guide to Pelvic Floor Health at Every Age and Stage (Harper Collins Publishing, June 2025). FLOORED is a rallying cry for women’s health and a guide for the pelvic floor. Whether navigating postpartum recovery, seeking relief from pelvic pain or navigating menopause, the book provides insights and strategies for every woman.

Tatum Getty, BSBA ’04, is a founding general partner of THENA Capital, a specialist venture capital firm backing early-stage UK-based medical technology startups. In March, the firm announced the first close of its inaugural UK medtech fund backed by the British Business Bank. As well as providing capital, THENA works closely with startups to bring pivotal medtech innovations to market and support the companies to scale successfully from the UK into other key markets, including the United States.

Melinda Kramer, AB ’03, is co-director of Women’s Earth Alliance (WEA) and was the recipient of the Heinz Award in the Environment category. WEA works to protect the environment, end the climate crisis and ensure a just, thriving world by empowering women-led climate initiatives and eco-enterprises. WEA provides women leaders — who are often most affected by environmental issues but underrepresented in decision-making processes — with mentorship, skills, business training, funding and a global network of support.