Zoya Afridi (MC) got engaged to Lukmaan Sattar on November 30th at the Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas, Zoya’s hometown. They met at a wedding where the groom was Zoya’s childhood friend and the bride was Lukmaan’s childhood friend, and they are incredibly excited for their future together.
Christina Chi Zhang (SY): I have recently completed an exhibition about structural violence and storytelling at Syracuse, NY. The exhibition is a live-size, walk-in storybook that tells three stories about resistance and kinship in post-traumatic American cities. I’d like to invite everyone to check it out, or reach out to more for similar collaborations! I’m also now a tenure-track professor at Lehigh University teaching architecture and social justice. Happy to work together on projects you may have!
Russell Cohen (JE) married Rachel Berwald in November, whom he met at synagogue in Los Angeles three years prior. Their wedding at St. Louis' Union Station featured a wonderful crew of Yalies including classmates Hayley Kolding (SY), Genny Silva (GH), Doron Rose (SM), Fish Stark (JE), and Hannah Krystal (ES).
Danielle Derlein (TD): Residing in Denver, CO alongside my partner, Mitchell Weldon (SY ‘17) - we have recently celebrated our eight-year anniversary. Recently, I spend my time trying to not kill a sourdough starter (courtesy of Daniel Raynor (BK ‘17)), reading murder mystery novels (I highly recommend Tana French), and snowshoeing over old mountain passes with our dog. I’ve spent the last six years in research at the University of Colorado in physical medicine and rehabilitation science to improve health outcomes for medically complex older adults. I have recently shifted my work to neurology, working with patients, identifying biomarkers, and testing new therapeutics for Parkinson’s Disease. So far it has been inspiring work with enthusiastic patients and dedicated providers, and I am excited to be in this environment where I can continue to learn.
Leo Espinoza (SY): In August of 2024, Leo concluded a five-year tenure at a nonprofit consulting firm in Washington, DC, to join the Harris Campaign based in Philadelphia. After the election, during a break from work, Leo rediscovered his passion for origami and was able to share it with his mom over the holiday season. Knowing her love for flowers, Leo taught her how to craft origami flowers. Together, they made origami bouquets which now adorn the house.
Adriana Embus (TD): Based in Los Angeles, CA, Adriana is working in venture capital within the early-stage startup tech ecosystem, specifically focusing on investing in underrepresented founders and fund managers. She and her partner, Eric, enjoy spending time with their schnauzer, Kofi, and traveling domestically and abroad. Most recently, the two went to Mexico City and are planning to go skiing in Mammoth, California next. Adri loves connecting with other Yalies - if you’re ever in the area, please reach out!
Maliq Hill (BK) was married in Texas.
Steven Rofrano MC '19 (originally MC '17): Started Ancient Crunch, a healthy snack manufacturing company, in 2022. Married Mia Rofrano (née Clarke) in July 2023. Their first child was born in April 2024.
Connor Szostak (MC) and his cat, Remy, recently beat the upset tummy allegations and are both feeling much better!
Dustin Vesey (JE) After graduating from law school (and grad school) and passing the DC bar exam, Dustin took a much-needed vacation from books and screens. He drove around Iceland with his mom, went to 9 national parks out west on a road trip with his partner, and hiked 271 miles by himself in the High Sierras of California on the John Muir Trail. Finally finished with school, Dustin is now cutting his teeth as a national security attorney in DC. If anyone has DMV-area hiking recommendations, wants to know more about the John Muir Trail, or is otherwise just in DC and wants to meet up, he’d love to hear from you!
Mac Sutphin (PC) has spent the last couple of years traveling and creating music throughout the U.S., Nigeria, Jamaica, Brazil, Canada, and the U.K working with artists such as Swae Lee, Rema, Omah Lay, Asake, Victony, Dave, Popcaan, and Kranium to name a few. He is currently living in northeast Los Angeles where he is building a studio, though he spends much of the year fulfilling his love for travel and experiencing the world through musical connection.
Téa Chai Beer (PC) recently received her MFA in Painting at Boston University and is now settled back in Queens, NY with her partner, Stephen, and two cats, Enoki and MooMoo. She is currently balancing her studio art practice and love of traveling the world with being an art teacher in Queens.
Joana Andoh (SM, YSM ’22) is over halfway through her ophthalmology residency at Johns Hopkins. She looks forward to completing her fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery and being a public health researcher (she’s taking recs for which city she should head next for training!). In her free time she enjoys taking care of her 20+ plants, going to yoga and ballet classes. A recent adventure was a Euro trip with her college roommate, Jamie Ko (SM’17, MPH’18). She is forever grateful to Dean Flick for bringing them together >10 years ago!
Shiyuan Mao (ES): After working a year as a pediatric dentist in Westerly, RI, she passed her boards in September 2024 and became board certified. In February, she will be moving to Washington, DC to live with her partner and is excited to live a life free of textbooks for the next 10 years.
Becca Dendy (TD): In December, Becca graduated from medical school at the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. Now, she moved back to Phoenix to spend more time with the family while doing interviews for family medicine residency, which will start in June. She’s also gotten into watercolors lately and loves having something that can be beautiful but not perfect.
**Chris Paolini (**TD) currently lives in New York City, leading the creative team at brand design studio Hoffman Creative, as their Senior Art Director. The studio is holistic in their approach, offering a full suite of identity, digital and print design, strategy work and photographic art direction. Having worked at the studio since graduation, his clients include AD100 interior designers and architects, publishers and design industry publications, as well as artists and artisans. In his personal time, he is an avid rock climber and sourdough baker. And, of course, he enjoys exploring New York’s food scene.
Lindsay Clemenson, neé Efflandt (SY) received both her Master’s in Business Administration and Chartered Property & Casualty Underwriting insurance designation in 2021. She works as an Assistant Vice President for an excess and surplus lines insurance managing general underwriter. In her free time, she writes and most importantly, spends time with her husband and their two beautiful children at home in Iowa.