The Alumnae/Alumni Speaker Series offers an opportunity for alumnae of The Andrews School for Girls and alumni of Andrews Osborne Academy to share their stories with current students.
These brief talks, designed as TED talks, will be topical in nature and be contextualized within the framework of the school and campus. Participating alums may also have the opportunity, when appropriate, to connect further with students in the classroom.
If you are interested in being a speaker in a future series, please contact Maureen Ischay, Chief Development Officer, at mischay@andrewsosborne.org.
The prevalence of social media in today's society and how, by being mindful of three key words - Pride, Determination, and Resilience - we can still create connection and engagement with each other through personal interactions. February 6, 2023
Pamela Bryant graduated from Andrews School class of 1990. After attending Stephens College and traveling abroad Pamela began a career in Corporate Management. Pamela Bryant joined The General in 2015 as an Ohio Sales Supervisors and has received numerous awards related to her work and contributions to the team. When not at The General, Pamela is the Sergeant at Arms and Director of the Social Experience Committee for a Women's Empowerment Organization, “Stiletto Boss Women's Group". From her involvement in this group, she recently co-authored a book with 6 additional ladies, “From Survivor To Stilettos". She serves on the board of the community outreach team at Southeast SDA Church. While on the Outreach board she became involved in N.A.P.S (National Association for the Prevention of Starvation) a nonprofit volunteer organization comprised of SDA college students and graduates.
As an alumnus, Pamela, is interested in connecting with the youth of the school and becoming involved in any way to assist with growth and development while at AOA and moving forward!
How Andrews School Gave Me All I Needed for Success In Life and In My Career. October 3rd, 2022
Diane Ryder graduated from the Andrews School for Girls in 1967 with a major in art and received the school's first photography scholarship. She used the photography skills she learned at Andrews to help finance her college education at Cleveland State University, where she graduated with a degree in Elementary Education in 1970. Diane is a former elementary school teacher, photographer, driving instructor, award-winning journalist, and author of five published books.
Asha Gowda is an Assistant General Auditor at KeyBank with more than 20 years of experience in audit, risk management, finance, and modeling. She earned her B.A. in Accounting from Ohio Wesleyan University and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University. Ms. Gowda currently serves as the fourth Chair of the Board of Andrews Osborne Academy and the first woman to serve in this capacity since its formation in 2007.
Kate attended Baldwin-Wallace University as a voice major in the Music Conservatory, where she was involved in numerous ensembles and musical/operatic productions. While studying at the Community Music Center in Boston at the time (Piano and Opera studies), she applied for an internship with the Music Therapy department. At this time, the AIDS epidemic was in full, devastating force. After providing an evening of healing for the caregivers of people with AIDS - typically family members who cared for their loved ones until the end - her view of music changed entirely. She abandoned my dream of being a performer and continued her studies in Social Work. She now works for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a Clinical Coordinator for the Department of Developmental Services while continuing to teach, perform and direct in music at True Music Studios in Rhode Island and Derby Academy in Massachusetts.
Ann Lorenz Garton, DNP, RN, FPCC, CNE is a 1988 graduate of The Andrews School. She also walked the halls of Andrews as a faculty member of the Biology department, Interim Athletic Director, and Director of the Equestrian Center. Ann has loved the challenge of becoming a lifelong learner. She has earned degrees in Biology, Health Sciences and Nursing. Garton achieved a Masters in Nursing Administration from St. Ambrose University, and a Doctorate in Nursing Practice with a focus in global population health from Indiana Wesleyan University. Ann is certified in nursing education by the National League for Nursing, and a Planetree Fellow in Person-Centered Care.
Kelsey Tarase is a member of the 2008, AOA graduating class. She is a legacy of the school, with her three older sisters, mother, and grandmother having all attended The Andrews School. With a passion for equitable access to education for all, she began working as a member of the education staff of The Children's Museum of Cleveland in 2011. Upon graduation she continued her work with the museum and in 2016 joined the development team helping to design exhibits and raise $11 million dollars for the opening of a brand new museum space. In 2017, The Children's Museum of Cleveland reopened and Kelsey was named as Director of Education, leading the museum into a new child-centered programming model. Kelsey earned a B.A. in Integrated Middle Childhood Education from Hiram College in 2012. She sits on the board for the Western Reserve Chorale and is a part of Cleveland Bridge Builders class of 2022.
Yiannoula is a licensed professional clinical mental health counselor with supervision endorsement and a board-certified telehealth provider. Yiannoula has worked in private practice specializing in counseling for Depression and Anxiety for four years. She served as President of the Ohio Association for Specialists in Group Work chapter of the Ohio Counseling Association twice, presented at the All Ohio Counseling Association Conference (AOCC) three times, and served on the proposal committee for the AOCC for several years.
Yiannoula founded her own private practice, Resilient Wellness, in 2021 after working with a high-risk population for 4 years. She leads speaking engagements in different communities throughout Ohio advocating for mental health and mentoring counselors-in-training through her supervision license.
Located In Willoughby, OH, Andrews Osborne Academy is a Private Co-ed Day & Boarding College Preparatory School For Grades PK - 12, PG. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.