Theme: re:INVENT

“re:INVENT” symbolizes a new start and the unlimited possibilities laying ahead. “re:INVENT” defines the zeitgeist of the 21st century, yet also holds importance in all stages of life because change is life’s only constant. As learners and adventurers, we perpetually “re:INVENT” our views, our careers, and ourselves. The student planning committee invited six alumni speakers to share lessons, experiences, and ideas about "re:INVENT" with 100 members of the Choate community. In addition to the talks, the event provides sustenance, merchandise, and student music performances.

Ann & George Colony Hall
101 Rosemary Ln
Wallingford, Connecticut, 06492
United States

Chris Chambers

Go-To-Market Manager

Chris Chambers is an accomplished Go-To-Market professional. He graduated from D'Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University in 2017 and has since made a career in solving complex problems for people and businesses globally. Hailing from a Jamaican household in Newark, New Jersey, he attributes much of his success to his family who taught him the art of storytelling at a young age — a skill that helped him reach new heights in his education including acceptance into New Jersey Seeds, The Rectory School, and Choate Rosemary Hall. At Choate, he realized this talent and began to push its limits beyond education. He landed his first sales job cold-calling prospects for home renovations, which taught him that the few people who care about what you have to say will only stay for a captivating, motivating story. This lesson followed him for years to come as he continues to motivate teammates, managers, and customers to take actions that will shape a better future.

Craig Kramer

Mental Health Professional

Craig Kramer is Mental Health Ambassador and Chair, Global Campaign for Mental Health, in Neuroscience External Affairs at Janssen R&D, a Johnson & Johnson company. Craig leads a Johnson & Johnson team that seeks to transform mental health care globally by raising awareness, reducing stigma, promoting research, improving access, and ensuring better patient outcomes. Craig is a graduate of Princeton University's School of Public & International Affairs, the University of Michigan School of Law, and Harvard Business School’s General Management Program. He serves the American Brain Coalition, citiesRISE, DMAX Foundation, International Alliance of Mental Health Research Funders, International Schools Services, Mental Health Center of Denver, National (US) Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, One Mind at Work, Project HEAL, Trinity Counseling Services, United Nations Health Innovation Exchange Investor Coalition, United for Global Mental Health, and US National Response to COVID-19.

Katherine B. Forrest

Lawyer, Former Federal Judge

Katherine B. Forrest is a partner in Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP’s Litigation Department. She most recently served as a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York and was the former Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. Over the course of her career, Ms. Forrest has been regarded as a leader in legal issues relating to technology, including artificial intelligence, the digital environment and big data. Ms. Forrest is a frequent lecturer and published author in the areas of antitrust, intellectual property and investigations, and regularly speaks on topics concerning the use of artificial intelligence in the practice of law and algorithmic bias. Ms. Forrest received a B.A. with honors from Wesleyan University and a J.D. from NYU School of Law, where she is an Adjunct Professor of Law. Ms. Forrest joined Cravath in 1990 and was elected a partner in 1997. She rejoined Cravath in 2018.

Larry Thomsen

Research Materials Engineer

Dr. D. Laurence Thomsen (Larry) joined the Advanced Materials and Processing Branch at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) in 2000 as a Research Materials Engineer, after a National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Naval Research Laboratory from 1999-2000. He received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Connecticut in 1999. Larry has been awarded 9 patents, 3 licenses, NASA Government Invention of the Year Honorable Mention “Methods of Making Z-Shielding” and authored/co-authored multiple papers and presentations. Larry is a Colonel in the Army Reserves with over 30 years of commissioned service in the Army Reserves and Army National Guard. Currently, he is serving in the 75th Innovation Command Army Reserves as a space portfolio officer. He is a U.S. Army War College graduate and has deployed on two contingency operations: Noble Eagle (2003-4) and Enduring Freedom (2011-12).

Leeland Cole-Chu

Former Judge

Leeland Cole-Chu lives in Salem, Connecticut. He is a graduate of The Choate School, Harvard College, and the University of San Francisco School of Law. He practiced law in San Francisco from 1979 to 1983 and in Connecticut from 1983 to 2012, when he became a Judge of the Connecticut Superior Court. He is semi-retired, with the office of Judge Trial Referee. He writes occasionally on matters of personal and civic responsibility, and spirituality, in a blog entitled “A Friend’s Thoughts," and on Twitter, @afriendsthought.

Mary Branch

Cardiologist

Mary Branch is a cardiologist from Youngstown, Ohio. In her career, she strives to improve heart disease prevention in cancer patients and improve healthcare equity for Black Americans, motivated by her legacy of being a fourth-generation African American physician. Her enriched education has helped contribute to her professional achievements and her background, family, and passion for her field have inspired her future goals. Dr. Branch received her B.A. from Smith College and M.D from Case Western University, School of Medicine. She has also conducted research at Massachusetts General Hospital, part of the Harvard system, completed her residency training at the University of North Carolina, and is on track to receive a Masters of Science at Wake Forest College in June 2022. In the future, Dr. Branch will complete additional training in cardio-oncology at the University of Pennsylvania and become the Director of Cardio-Oncology at Cone Health in North Carolina.