Alumna Spotlight: Danielle Thomas Kimmel ‘04

For Kimmel, solving tough problems and taking on hard challenges have been a theme in her career. After earning a degree in engineering from the University of Virginia, she worked with Accenture, a technology consulting firm, for 12 years. When she decided it was time to leave consulting, she moved to Cox Communications where she is now responsible for designing the strategy, implementing, and supporting their entire Salesforce platform.

 

While at the School, Kimmel was influenced greatly by Chaplain David Smith and chemistry teacher Maureen Miller. In the chemistry lab Kimmel was mentored through two Discovery Challenges and her love of science and technology were set. With Smith, she learned how to rationalize science and religion which deepened her faith and are lessons to which she returns to even more than those learned in the classroom.

 

Yet for Kimmel, thinking back on her days at Chatham Hall often calls to mind the smaller moments she experienced.

 

“There are plenty of ‘big’ moments that I cherish, but my favorites are all the small ones,” she explains. “The nights and weekends on dorm when we had to create our own fun, the long rides in the minibus on the way to games, walking with friends to the barn, sitting at breakfast with La until they put out lunch. Those moments are the special sauce of Chatham Hall.”  

 

In fact, her advice to today’s Turtles echoes these sentiments.

“Take the time to enjoy your time at Chatham. Don't focus so much on the next big event, that you miss the small moments in between them. The days where you ‘didn't do anything’ will be the ones you treasure the most!"