Alumnae Connections: Building Futures Through Shared Experience

A powerful aspect of the Chatham Hall experience is that graduation is not the end of the journey; it is the beginning of lifelong connections. 

Earlier this year, Ms. Tiffany Gray-Williams, Director of College Counseling, and Imani Brooks ’16 facilitated a conversation between current students and several alumnae. The Q&A over Zoom opened the door for our students to learn more about what alumnae were doing in the world. The response was immediate. Students left inspired, energized, and eager to learn more. Soon, questions began pouring in: Were there alumnae working in medicine? Business? Politics? The arts? Could they connect with someone who had followed a path they were considering? 

What followed was a reminder of the strength of the Chatham Hall network and the transformative power of one conversation. For Addy A. ’27, that conversation began with a simple email. 

A passionate performer with dreams of pursuing musical theater in college, Addy had been feeling anxious about the audition and application process. Looking for guidance from someone who understood both theater and Chatham Hall, she asked Ms. Gray-Williams to connect her with an alumna in the field. Within days, she was introduced to Sabrina Yvellez ’18. 

Today, Sabrina works in New York City as the Development Associate at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, where she focuses on fundraising, sponsorships, and membership engagement. A graduate of Hamilton College with a major in Theater and minors in Education Studies and Creative Writing, Sabrina has also worked and interned with organizations including Waterwell, Rattlestick Theater, and 7 Stages. 

Yet when Sabrina introduced herself to Addy, she started somewhere else. She shared memories of being a Chatham Hall student: serving as Sherwood president, participating in Sextet, serving on the Honor Council and Iris Board, completing an iQuest project on the future of American musical theater, and spending countless hours in the Black Box Theater. 

The two ended up connecting on a Sunday afternoon over the phone, bridging nearly a decade of Chatham Hall history through a shared love of theater. For Addy, the impact was immeasurable. 

“Talking with Sabrina was very helpful in easing my nerves when thinking about the future and college auditions. It was also good to connect with someone who also participated in Chatham Hall theater.” 

What might seem like a simple conversation was, in reality, something much deeper: access to an industry professional who once sat in the same classrooms, rehearsed on the same stage, and navigated the same questions about the future. For Sabrina, the experience was equally meaningful. 

“I felt so energized after my conversation with Addy. It was such a joy to learn about her interests, strengths, life ambitions, and her desire to utilize theater as a community-building tool.” 

As the conversation unfolded, the two exchanged stories about their experiences at Chatham Hall, their love of theater, and the opportunities that had shaped them.

This story reflects more than an individual journey. It illustrates the enduring bond that connects Chatham Hall alumnae across generations. It is a powerful reminder that the Chatham Hall network is small but mighty, built on a shared commitment to supporting one another and lifting up the next generation of young women. Across generations, Chatham Hall women remain deeply invested in one another’s success and in the success of the students who follow in their footsteps. It is a community defined by generosity, mentorship, and a willingness to open doors for others. Though our community may be small in number, its impact is immeasurable. Sabrina credits her advisor, Dr. Mary Edmonds, and drama instructor, Gwen Couch, as mentors who supported and inspired her during her time at the School. Now, as a young professional, she sees opportunities like this as a way to continue that tradition of mentorship and care. 

That idea, generational community care, is at the heart of what makes these alumnae connections so transformative. Students gain access to accomplished women working in industries they hope to enter. They receive practical advice, encouragement, and perspective from people who understand both their ambitions and their origins. Alumnae, in turn, have the opportunity to invest in the next generation of Chatham Hall girls, sharing their experiences and helping students see new possibilities for themselves. 

For Addy, one conversation provided reassurance and confidence in her current pursuits about the future. For Sabrina, it offered an opportunity to give back to a community that helped shape her own journey. For Chatham Hall, it serves as a powerful reminder that transformation does not happen in isolation. It happens through relationships. Through mentorship. Through women opening doors for one another. 

And sometimes, it begins with a simple question and an alumna who says, “I’m excited to chat.” 

A special thanks to all our alumnae who say “Yes!” to such invitations - from Project Purple and Gold, which helps bring beautification to our campus in the summer, to collaborative presence in our JanTerm courses; we are immensely grateful.