Throughout March and April, Chapin welcomed three alumnae working in a variety of fields, including medicine, costume design and math, to speak with Middle and Upper School students.
In early March, alumna Hilary Bogert ’85 returned to Chapin to talk with our Upper School Medicine Club about her time at 100 East End Avenue, her career path and to share words of encouragement with each of the assembled students. Hilary works as a Speech Pathologist in New York City where she has helped countless patients throughout her more than thirty-year career.
The seeds of Hilary’s profession were sown at Chapin where her aptitude for languages and helping others was encouraged and nurtured. She spoke with the students about her journey from Chapin language classes to Speech Pathologist. For her, it wasn’t a direct path or one she knew she would take, but one she discovered through introspection and academic curiosity.
Hilary discovered and developed many interests and talents while a student at Hamilton College. During her four years she enjoyed and excelled in linguistics courses, photography, running a radio station, teaching children how to read and continuing her studies of Spanish. It wasn’t until she reached her senior year that she discovered a way to blend all of her skills and interests — Speech Pathology. Despite not having the typical college background for a masters program in this field, Hilary worked hard her senior year to show that she was qualified, passionate and determined to join one of these programs, taking on additional science courses to demonstrate this. Her hard work paid off. Of the nine programs she applied to, she was accepted to eight and the next year she returned to New York City to pursue her Speech Pathology degree at Columbia University.
Since then Hilary has worked in hospitals, pioneered school programs for multilingual students, served on the NYC Board of Education, taught as a professor at Columbia and started her own private practice — often balancing more than one of these professional pursuits at the same time. For Hilary, her work is more than a job. “My work feeds my soul,” she shared with the students, saying that she finds it both personally fulfilling and a way to give back to her community.
The students asked Hilary a variety of questions, including about her patient experiences in hospitals; advice for working so closely with patients but remaining professional; how to separate patients from their illnesses; how to help patients with hearing loss; how she collaborates with other departments in hospitals; and about the process of acquiring her translator’s certification.
When their meeting came to an end, the students gave Hilary an enthusiastic round of applause and thanked her for taking the time to share her story and advice with them. Hilary enjoyed her time with the students just as much, sharing with them another of her guiding beliefs about which she has felt passionately since entering her program at Columbia, “I believe in paying forward and paying back.” She embodies this idea as a way to thank everyone who has helped her throughout her life, and to share the joy she finds in her work with others.
In the same month, the Middle School community was excited to welcome back Isabelle Simone ’08, an Emmy-nominated costume designer based in Brooklyn, New York. With over a decade of experience in theater, film and television, Isabelle has contributed to such acclaimed productions as Fosse/Verdon, Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story and The Gilded Age.
Isabelle’s passion for design began in Upper School at Chapin. Each year she performed in the plays and worked on the costume design team for the musicals, where her creativity and independence began to flourish. By her senior year, her interest had grown so strong that she made costume design the focus of her Individual Study project.
After sharing the journey that brought her to where she is today, Isabelle took students through each step of her design process in detail. In her work on productions spanning several different time periods, she begins with research to understand the time period, investigating and learning in order to enrich her designs and bring the stories to life. Isabelle next described the importance of collaboration, followed by sketching, mock-ups, fittings and final creations. Students were eager to learn as Isabelle walked them through the process from start to finish, demonstrating how she transforms characters from script to stage or screen by blending storytelling with technical skill.
An accompanying slideshow, featuring photographs and examples from a wide range of projects, gave Isabelle the opportunity to offer engaging behind-the-scenes insights about fittings, stories about particularly challenging designs and even photographs from her early days creating costumes at Chapin. She emphasized the importance of finding humanity in each character, using costumes to express who they are and to deepen the audience’s understanding of the story.
The Middle School students responded with enthusiastic applause and thoughtful questions. Many were curious about the creative aspects of her work, asking questions such as, “What is your favorite fabric to work with?” and “What’s the most extravagant dress you’ve ever made?”
Isabelle also emphasized the collaborative nature of her work and the importance of working closely with directors, actors and her design team to bring productions to life. She said, “It’s about working together as a team to tell a story.”
Isabelle’s visit inspired students and offered a meaningful glimpse into the world of costume design, showing how creativity, dedication and storytelling can come together in a powerful way.
In early April, the Upper School STEM Reps organized a visit for Claire Saint-Donat, Class of 2009, to speak with students during Break and Community Time (BCT).
Addressing a packed group in the Reception Room, Claire discussed her journey from Chapin student to data science professional. While always an avid STEM student, Claire was also a passionate fencer and wanted to pursue the sport in college. After an injury sidelined her, her focus turned to statistics.
Claire went on to earn her B.A. in Mathematics and Applied Physics from Columbia University and her M.S. in Data Science from New York University. After a notable career working for companies like Blackstone, Spotify and Bain Capital, Claire now serves as an AI Operating Partner across several funds and portfolio companies. She discussed her current work in generative AI and large language models, along with key projects, skills and lessons she has learned along the way.
Claire left ample time for students to ask questions. Hands were quickly raised and US students asked about the implications of AI, the pivotal moments that shaped who she is today, and what advice she had for those wishing to pursue mathematics.
Claire underscored that students should always follow their interests, “things that light you up and reward deep exploration,” no matter where the journey takes them. She emphasized that they are receiving an incredible foundation at Chapin.
As BCT neared its end, several students (and former teachers) stayed behind to talk further with their guest.
We are so grateful for our Chapin alums and the wonderful insights they provide our students and the broader community.
