The D-E Development and Alumni Relations Team recently hosted an Alumni Networking Panel and Senior Lunch, featuring professionals in various fields who shared their career journeys and imparted advice on college life and beyond. Alumni panelists included Mark Stetson ’02, Mashable Executive Producer; Emilio Mena, Jr. ’93, Managing Director, Legal, at MGX; Laura Zaks ’95, an environmental lobbyist; Alison Berman ’98 Managing Partner, President & Chief Executive Officer at Palisade Capital Management; and Mytia Story ’04, Vice President & Senior Chemist at Li Pigments. Mark described the many pivots he made in his career as the entertainment industry has evolved and spoke fondly about his time at D-E and the friends he made then who he still works with to this day. Emilio, whose company invests in AI technology, impressed upon the Class of 2026 the value of “meaningful human relationships.” Laura, too, advised students to “hold your professional network tight.” Both Alison and Mytia described their unexpected but ultimately fulfilling paths to their respective family businesses, with Alison sharing that “not all advice is good advice” if you’re asked to become someone you’re not, and Mytia urging the soon-to-be graduates to “try different things.” Special thanks to our returning alumni for their time and invaluable insights!