University of San Diego Magazine 75th Anniversary 2024

Scott Marcus (BBA) retired after 23 years as an active-duty U.S. Navy SEAL. Shortly thereafter, he was hired as a program manager at JHU-APL, working in San Diego. Taylor Hamer (BA), ‘22 (JD) writes, “After graduating from USD in 2019, I decided to stick around USD a little longer for law school. I received my JD in May of 2022, and moved to [New York City] in September of 2022 to work as an assistant counsel at a startup company here in the city.” Evan Youngstrom (JD) was promoted to counsel at Latham & Watkins LLP in San Diego, effective Jan. 1, 2024. A member of the Emerging Companies & Growth Practice and Corporate Department, he advises founders, private and public companies, and venture capital and private equity firms in technology, life sciences and other growth industries. Margaret Avila (PhD) is semi-retired, maintaining a practice as a nurse practitioner among Latinos with Medi-Medi health coverage in the LA area. She continues to mentor nursing colleagues completing higher education goals, and providing consultation to nursing programs to assure adequate passing BRN licensing rates or national certification rates for APRN graduates. All this in addition to watching her grandchildren after school. Bonnie Smith (LLM) received the Pro Bono of the Year award from the State Bar of Nevada. Noel Meza (JD) was just elected to serve as secretary of the San Diego La Raza Lawyers Association. 2020s Eric Flynn (MSEL) writes, “This past year I’ve accelerated my coaching education and grown my leadership coaching practice through obtaining ICF and board-certified coach certifications. My company, Beacon

engineering program management at Google. Go Toreros!”

Leadership, is now training and coaching people to become better leaders and high performing teams.” Alan Pleat (MBA) works for Protiviti doing marketing consulting as part of the digital practice. Nathan Hoong (BS/BA) is working as an engineer at Illumina and also pursuing an MS in systems engineering degree at UCLA. John Rodriguez (MS) writes, “After earning my MS in law enforcement and public safety leadership from USD, I am pleased to report that I have been appointed chief of police for a tribal community. This role is incredibly fulfilling, and I am committed to ensuring safety and fostering a strong sense of unity within this unique community. It is an excellent opportunity for me theoretical knowledge that I garnered during my time at USD. I am excited to see where this journey leads.” Daria Lantz (BA) uses her degree to assist her clients with their nutrition and help them cleanse their bodies naturally with water. “I love what I do, and I am a local in Escondido at Restoration Alternative Health Care,” she writes. Grace Recka (BBA) lives in Mission Valley and works as a realtor for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties and is actively involved in her community. Rosalinda Puentes (BA) is a family law legal assistant and currently attending the USD Paralegal Program to become certified. “I am loving the transition to law and feel that this is what I am meant to do.” Delaney Tax (BA) received a master’s in city planning from San Diego State University in 2023. Currently, she is an environmental analyst for T&B Planning, providing environmental compliance to put into practice the leadership skills and

consulting for private developers and municipalities on a variety of projects and area plans in Southern California. She also ran her first half-marathon! Ciana Torres (BA) was elected National Board president of Alpha Pi Sigma sorority in 2023, overseeing all chapters of Alpha Pi Sigma across the United States. “I am honored to have learned how to make sustainable equitable change during my time at USD and am committed to the Changemaker Twila Albrecht (MS) graduated from the Kroc School with a masters in conflict management and resolution. She has gone on to work with the organizational culture team at the Fetzer Institute. Darlene Niyonzima (MA) is interested in bringing her skills and experience to serving immigrant populations. She is also focused on being present and enjoying day-to-day life with her new family. Submit a Class Note University of San Diego Magazine keeps you connected to the Torero alumni community. Please submit all class notes for consideration to classnotes@sandiego.edu. All submissions must include first and last name, name of USD school(s), USD degree(s) obtained, graduation year(s) and a valid email address. Toreros Making Waves may be edited for length and clarity. Photos must be high resolution, so adjust camera settings accordingly. Engagements, pregnancies, personal email addresses and telephone numbers cannot be published. ideology to help uplift our communities,” she writes.

Sara Forrest (BA) is so thankful and thrilled to have baby daughter Eloise Maisie O’Mara Forrest home, where she joins older brother Oliver Quinn Duke Forrest. 2010s Ryland Gill (BS/BA) has been busy on the USD Engineering Alumni Council trying to foster a strong sense of community and support for students and other alumni. Kate (Karnas) Johnston (BA) returned to San Diego and is now living in Del Mar with her husband and their son. She is a senior vice president and portfolio leader in Porter Novelli’s Food and Agriculture practice, providing public relations counsel to food and beverage companies. Jennifer (Ngyuen) Laeng (BA) writes, “I got married in December 2021. My husband is in the Navy and recently got stationed in Key West, so we left San Diego and moved across the country!” Michael Renna (BBA) has taken the entrepreneurial leap alongside his family by co-founding Triple Temp Cold Storage. This venture has allowed him to carry forward the family tradition of entrepreneurship into the next generation. Life beyond work is a beautiful journey shared with his wonderful wife, Valentina Renna. Together, they’re navigating the joys of parenting with their two lively young kids, ages 5 and 3. Kristin (Murphy) O’Day (BA) and husband, Connor, moved to Darien, Connecticut, where they welcomed their first child in May 2023. Phi Phan-Armaneous (BA) graduated with her PhD in Industrial- Organizational Psychology from Seattle Pacific University and is launching her consulting practice.

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