Indian Creek School Hosts 2025 Alumni Career Panel, Showcasing Breadth of Creek Success

Wednesday’s Upper School meeting was abuzz with excitement, as the community welcomed eight distinguished graduates for the 2025 Alumni Career Panel. Spanning the Evergreen Class of 2003 through the graduating Class of 2020, these accomplished professionals shared insights into their varied career paths and life experiences. They shared inspiring stories of the paths they took from sitting in the seats of the Jack and Nancy Becker Center for the Performing Arts as ICS students to finding success in their dream jobs.

The panelists represented a broad spectrum of industries, from government communications and law to emergency medicine, entertainment, military service, and engineering. Each speaker reflected on their time at Indian Creek and shared ways that their experiences helped shape their professional journeys.

The panel was moderated by incoming Director of Alumni (and current Middle School Principal) Matt McCormick. One of the most engaging moments came when he asked the alumni if they felt they had "arrived" at their top career goals. Most panelists responded affirmatively, including Sarah Jewell ’09, who enthusiastically celebrated that she is working her dream job at her dream organization and making a real impact on the world. Hannah Kleiman ‘10 shared a different perspective, stating, "When you reach your goals, you tend to find yourself making new goals."

Another key theme of the discussion was the importance of workplace culture. When asked about the best and worst aspects of their jobs, the panelists agreed that the people you work with can make or break the experience. Many also highlighted that feeling like they were making an actual difference in the world was one of the most rewarding aspects of their careers.

Michael Mercer ’20 shared his experience as a recent college graduate searching for a "real job." He noted, "My ICS network was really helpful – maybe even more so than my college career office. I encourage you all to use your networks. Creek has a huge array of parents and faculty and alumni in different fields. Don't be afraid to reach out and talk to people." The entire group emphasized the importance of proper email etiquette in making connections and finding success in the “real world.”

 

Throughout the panel, alumni emphasized how ICS provided them with a strong foundation for success, both academically and personally. The alumni highlighted several former and current faculty members and courses that helped guide them towards their career path or or prepared them to succeed in college and beyond.  Whether in law, medicine, engineering, or the arts, these graduates showcased the diverse possibilities that stem from an ICS education.

 

The event concluded with a Q&A session, allowing students to ask candid questions about career paths, academic decisions, and personal growth. As the panelists left the stage, many students lingered to speak with them individually and exchange contact information, eager to gain further insight into the professional world beyond Indian Creek.

 

The 2025 Alumni Career Panel served as a testament to the lasting impact of an ICS education, proving that the bonds and lessons forged at Indian Creek continue to shape futures long after graduation.

  

 

Currently a Strategic Planner for the City of Alexandria Communications Department, Nick’s journey began with a Political Science and Communications degree from Rollins College, followed by a master’s in Journalism from Northwestern University. He transitioned from journalism and marketing into strategic communications. Outside of work, he stays busy as a father of twins, two cats, and two dogs. Nick fondly recalled the unique support system at ICS, where faculty and peers genuinely cared for one another’s success.

 

A history enthusiast from her ICS days, Sarah credited beloved former teacher Mr. Chip Voros with inspiring her academic pursuits. She earned a BA in History with a minor in Environmental Studies before obtaining her JD from the University of North Dakota School of Law. Her career path has taken her from lobbying and community organizing to her current role at the American Forest Foundation. She remains a passionate advocate for environmental policy—and an unapologetic cat lover.

 

Hannah’s passion for science in high school led her to the University of Maryland for a biology degree before she pursued emergency medicine at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Now working in Annapolis as an emergency medicine physician, she emphasized how ICS’s rigorous humanities courses and close-knit friendships enriched her college experience. She also noted the significance of her ICS connections, as she is now married to fellow Class of 2010 alum and current Trustee Alex Almy.

 

A storyteller at heart, Paige leveraged her communication skills to carve out a dynamic career as an independent casting director and producer in television and film. Her work includes projects such as Snapped, Black Adam, Jack Ryan, American Horror Story, and Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Paige shared how her ICS report card comments—always noting that she talked too much—proved to be a career asset in an industry where connections and communication are key.

 

A University of Maryland graduate and ROTC scholar, Sean commissioned into the U.S. Army in 2016 and has since served in various critical roles across Europe and the U.S. As a Signal Corps Officer and later a Psychological Operations specialist, he has contributed to major operations, including support missions for Ukraine. Currently, he commands a strategic defense satellite communications unit at Fort Belvoir. He credited ICS’s international trip to the United Kingdom with sparking his love for travel, which his military career has since reinforced.

 

A multifaceted theater professional, Ellie attended NYU for a BFA in Drama and now balances multiple roles as an audition coach, stage manager, director, and adjunct professor. With this extensive portfolio, she continues to make waves in the theater world, recently earning a nomination for Best Director at the NY Theater Festival. Ellie warmly recalled the breadth of opportunities ICS provided her, from music and theater to AP Literature, all of which helped shape her creative vision.

 

Johnathan’s passion for business and innovation led him to Bowie State University, where he earned a degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Now working in defense at Northrop Grumman as an International Capture Management Associate, he continues to engage in entrepreneurial and creative ventures. His fondest ICS memories include late-night study sessions in the Loft and coding projects that fueled his love for technology and business strategy.

 

A recent Washington and Lee University graduate with a degree in Engineering and a minor in Classics, Michael now works as a Cyber Engineer at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. His leadership in rocketry and engineering clubs, along with his internships at APL, paved the way for his career in autonomous systems. He credited ICS teachers Mr. McNally, Mr. Klakring, and Mr. Connolly for challenging and inspiring him academically.