IAS names 2020 Hall of Alumni Excellence inductees

Each year IAS honors the extraordinary achievements and contributions of its alumni through the Hall of Alumni Excellence, and we are excited to announce our 2020 inductees: Jacob Allen, Ray Corona, EJ Juarez, Courtney Normand, and Kat Sweet.

The IAS Hall of Alumni Excellence recognizes alumni at varying stages of career who are established or emerging leaders in their fields, policy changing public servants, and devoted and inspiring mentors. They are remarkable individuals who embody IAS’s Mission, Values, and Goals and demonstrate equity and inclusion in their work and lives.

The 2020 inductees will join the IAS Circle of Recognition, a collective of alumni, students, faculty, and partners who have notable impact on our campus, region, and world. You can read more about them in the upcoming spring edition of IAS Intersections, but here’s a sneak peek!

Jacob Allen (Society, Ethics & Human Behavior ‘12), is the co-founder and CEO of pilotED Schools, an emerging social identity-centered charter school network building exceptional elementary schools while seeking to change state and federal level education systems for students living in poverty.

Ray Corona (Society, Ethics & Human Behavior ’13), is the community relations manager for UnitedHealth Group, the executive director and founder of Somos Seattle, a nonprofit that advocates for the Latinx LGBTQ community, and founder of the Washington Dream Coalition.

EJ Juarez (M.A. in Cultural Studies ’13), is responsible for advancing the Group Health Foundation’s public policy agenda to improve health equity in Washington. Juarez has spent the past decade as an electoral organizer and strategist, trainer, and policy analyst with deep roots across the Northwest.

Courtney Normand (M.A. in Policy Studies ’08), serves as the Washington State Director for Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii where she directs field, communications, policy, and electoral efforts to promote, protect, and advance access to sexual health, education, and reproductive rights.

Kat Sweet (Society, Ethics & Human Behavior ’11), is the founder, coach, and CEO of the mountain bike program, Sweetlines, whose mission is to build confidence, create an inclusive community, and promote stewardship through educational mountain biking programs that empower people of all genders.

Congratulations to these outstanding alumni!