Class Notes

Franci Fealk, LA02, and her husband, Michael Skolnick, welcomed a daughter, Molly Samantha, on Dec. 21, 2020. The family resides in Indianapolis. Fealk’s grandmother, Louise Fealk, LA70, and her aunts, Michelle Fealk, LA06, and Susan Skolnick, LA88, are also Washington University alumnae.

Brent Douglas, LA02, joined Hahn Loeser’s San Diego office as a partner. His practice focuses on employment compliance and litigation support to businesses.

Andrew (“Drew”) Hinkes, LA00, co-authored the textbook Digital Assets and Blockchain Technology: US Law and Regulation (Edward Elgar Pub, 2020). The book examines the key legal and regulatory issues associated with the transformative field of digital assets and blockchain technology. Hinkes is an attorney with Carlton Fields in Miami.

Michelle Hirschman, SW99, owner and operator of Hirschman Clinical Services, moved from Los Angeles to Kansas City, Mo., where she expanded her services. She writes that she is pleased to be closer to WashU and looks forward to doing collaborative work and creating internship and job opportunities for students.

Karen Anne (Soberg) Wallach, BU98, completed her PhD in marketing at Emory University Goizueta Business School in spring 2021. Her research focused on the intersection of branding and corporate social responsibility/sustainability. Prior to joining the doctoral program, Wallach worked in brand management, product development, advertising and market research.

David Sacks, LA98, recently launched Chicago-based Architectural Consulting & Forensics, PLL. The firm consults on enclosures for buildings as well as forensic investigation and repair design for existing buildings.

Ivan Lujan, LA98, reached a major milestone in his career on July 1, 2020, when he was admitted to the PwC LLP partnership. An assurance partner based in the firm’s Raleigh, N.C., office, Lujan lives in the  capital city with his wife, Melissa, and their daughters, Ema and Elyse.

Jennifer Keefe, LA98, is executive director of Sheldrake Environmental Center, Larchmont, N.Y. Keefe writes that she is privileged to be a steward of a small piece of the natural resources that have provided much-needed solace and stimulation during the pandemic and increased our connectedness to the planet and each other.

Dianne Chong, SI98, was named to the inaugural class of the Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame by the Women in Manufacturing Association. The inductees were chosen for their significant contributions to the advancement of women in manufacturing. Chong, who is retired from Boeing, is vice president of the board of directors of SME (formerly the Society of Manufacturing Engineers). [See pg. 46 for a profile on Chong.]

Deborah Patterson, HA97, was elected to the Oregon State Senate (District 10) in 2020 and named chair of the Senate Health Committee. Patterson writes that she is grateful to WashU for the opportunities she has had in health care over the years and is looking forward to this new challenge.