USD-Magazine-Spring-2025

TOREROS MAKING WAVES

1990s

and dedication to the field have earned her well-deserved recognition among her peers.

bullying, harassment and assault. Her dedication to this cause has earned her

recognition as a Time magazine Silence Breaker and a feature on the cover of its People of the Year edition.

Steven Patton ’93 (BA) and his wife, Neda, have established the Steven and Neda Patton Endowed Scholarship at USD to provide financial assistance to students in need. Drawing from his own experiences with financial difficulties during his time at USD, Steven is committed to supporting future generations of students who face similar challenges. “The team at USD provided me a number of loans and grants to make attending college possible,” Patton said. “Now that we find ourselves in a solid financial position, we wanted to help future generations of students who are experiencing similar financial challenges.” 2000s

1980s

Chanelle Hawken ’05 (JD) has been appointed as Cox Communications’ new market vice president for San Diego. With a strong background in both public and private sectors, she brings decades of experience and a commitment to building strong ties within the community. In her new role, Chanelle will serve as the company’s representative, spokesperson and leader for San Diego County employees, guiding Cox’s strategies and providing leadership on local, state and federal government affairs.

Kristine Amodeo Lanchantin ’85 (JD) and her husband, John, are thrilled to announce their new roles as first-time grandparents! Their joy knows no bounds as they celebrate the arrival of Lucas John, born on April 30, 2024, to their son, Danny, and his wife, Sara. Congratulations to the proud parents and the delighted grandparents on this wonderful addition to their family. Anne Grey ’87 (MNA) was announced as president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire. With an impressive career spanning more than 25 years in nonprofit leadership and fundraising, Anne’s expertise is set to make a significant impact on the organization and the families they serve. Erin Reagan ’88 (BA) is a licensed clinical social worker who is taking a year off from her role as a school social worker to provide care for her granddaughter and aging father. Additionally, Erin is devoting countless hours to volunteering with the orphan hosting organization Project 143. After experiencing an empty nest with three grown sons, Erin and her family decided to adopt a teenage girl, whom they had hosted the year prior. “Life is good and we are blessed,” she said.

Laura Sheppard ’09 (JD) recently tied the knot with her French beau, Stephane Giraud, on Aug. 4, 2024, at a unique and memorable ceremony held right at home plate of the Sunshine Little League baseball field in San Diego. The couple’s shared passion for umpiring brought them together when they met at a European Little League tournament. The event was attended by at least 15 fellow umpires, who came to celebrate the love story that blossomed on the diamond. Laura’s journey into umpiring began when a fellow USD School of Law student encouraged her to volunteer with Little League, and the rest, as they say, is history! 2010s Anne Thompson ’15 (BA) earned her bachelor’s degree in Spanish language and literature from USD’s College of Arts and Sciences and went on to obtain her master’s degree in public health. She recently relocated from Boston to Barcelona,

Ashley H. Ray ’03 (JD) has been recognized by her peers for her outstanding work in real estate law, as evidenced by her inclusion in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers in America . As a partner at Raleigh-based law firm Ragsdale Liggett, Ashley has built an impressive career spanning more than two decades in the Triangle area, covering general brokerage sales, on-site sales, property development and management, transactional law and real estate education. Her expertise

Adama Iwu ’05 (BA) recently joined Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck as a policy director in its State Government Relations Group. Based in Washington, D.C., Adama brings extensive experience in political strategy, government engagement and legislative affairs, having previously held roles at Visa Inc., Farmers Insurance, Advance America and the State of California. Additionally, Adama cofounded the We Said Enough Foundation, which works to eliminate workplace

46 | University of San Diego Magazine