Class Notes

Catie Gainor, AB ’12, opened a culinary bookstore, Binding Agents, in Philadelphia’s historic Italian Market. The shop combines her lifelong passion for food with her love of the written word, cultivated in the English department at WashU.

Hwan Yi, MSW ’11, was named executive director of Goodwin House Bailey’s Crossroads, a senior living community located in the metropolitan area surrounding Washington, D.C. He most recently served as the health-care center administrator for The Fairfax at Belvoir Woods, a senior continuing-care retirement community located in Virginia.

Karan Johar, Res/Fel ’11, specializes in pain management and minimally invasive spine care. He draws on experiences from his grandmother’s surgery that shape his patient-centric approach as a physician, on his tenure as assistant professor at NYU Langone, and on his roles across prestigious hospitals and dual board certifications. His pain medicine and surgery practice has earned accolades and trust from diverse and high-profile patients worldwide, and he has received recognitions including Castle Connolly Top Doctor.

Daniel R. Fishman, AB ’11, was named to “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” by The Best Lawyers in America 2025 in the litigation and labor law areas. Fishman is an attorney with Morgan, Brown & Joy.

Mark I. Haynes Jr., MBA ’10, was engaged to Paige Lundy in November 2024. Haynes is a senior assistant vice president at Wells Fargo.

Katherine Rainbolt Woller, AB ’09, wrote Calling It Off, Memoir of an Almost Bride (Landon Hail Press, January 2025). An “almost bride” herself, Woller, uses her hard-fought growth, honest reflection and ultimately flawed human experience to highlight the realities of what it’s like to not just call off a wedding, but to choose yourself when you’ve reached a daunting crossroads. Woller is a marketing consultant who specializes in helping mission-driven businesses and nonprofits enhance success and expand community impact.

Thom Wall, AB ’09, received the American Youth Circus Organization’s Innovation in Education Award in October 2024. The award is for his contribution to publishing, documentation and critique within the circus community through his company Modern Vaudeville Press (MVP) and its publications. The small company adheres to academic standards, and MVP’s titles are being used as course materials at professional circus schools internationally. When not performing his show on cruise ships, Wall gives lectures on circus history, consults for nonprofits and writes books on juggling.

Cole Randle, AB ’09, joined Heart Aerospace, the Swedish electric commercial aircraft startup, as head of strategic engagement. A corporate affairs professional and lawyer, Randle previously served on President Joe Biden’s advance team, traveling globally to execute the president’s official external affairs. Randle will be based between Heart’s U.S. headquarters in Los Angeles and corporate offices in Stockholm and New York. The company’s first prototype, the HX-1, debuted in September 2024 and is scheduled to fly in the second quarter of this year.

AJ Ford, BS ’09, was appointed chief executive officer at Engineered Tissue Solutions, a medical device company dedicated to advancing wound healing with its innovative bioactive glass technology. Ford previously held senior leadership roles in sales management and product management at Medline Industries in advanced wound care and tissue regeneration.

Greg Knott, PhD ’07, was named associate vice president for development and alumni affairs at Quinnipiac University. Knott previously served as associate vice president of advancement at the University of Connecticut Foundation, where he led significant fundraising efforts and managed major gift activities. He also has worked in advancement at Bradley University and Saint Louis University.