Anuradha Thakrar ’01 is currently working on publishing a cookbook and also opening an alternative healing center/after school kids yoga and music center with a partner with Puttaparthi, South India.  Congratulations, Anuradha!

IWU alum and Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies member Matt Glavin ’01 worked with Partner and Chair of Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP’s Entertainment and Media Law Practice Group Jeffrey Becker ’01 in guiding an important bill through the Illinois House and Senate: the AI Digital Replica Protections Law: HB4875. The bill, which is essential to protecting artists and individuals from unauthorized use of their images, was signed into law late this summer by Illinois Governor Pritzker and will be effective in January 2025.

A little history: Matt and Jeff, floormates freshmen year in the dorms at IWU, were elected as the two representatives for Dolan to the University’s student government and graduated together in 2001. Jeff, an entertainment lawyer and member of the Board of Governors of The Recording Academy (best known for hosting the Grammy Awards), reached out to Illinois Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz with an idea on how to better protect artists against the misuse of artificial intelligence to misappropriate their voice and likeness through an amendment to Illinois’ Right of Publicity Act.

As this bill started to take shape, Jeff recalled that his old dormmate had made significant strides in developing a career in government affairs and public policy, and he reached out to Matt, now an attorney specializing in government affairs, to represent The Recording Academy in helping to push this important bill through the Illinois General Assembly. 

The bill specifically addresses the challenges artists face from AI-generated creations and digital replicas of their voice and likeness. The Recording Academy has been an advocate for the bill and how it establishes key safeguards and enforcement mechanisms to ensure an individual’s identity is not misappropriated by generative AI. You can read more press on this bill here.

Congratulations Matt and Jeff!

Erik Hjerpe ’01 recently joined the Board of Directors of WISE (Women Impacting Storebrand Excellence), which is a non-profit professional development organization, founded by women, to champion the power of inclusive excellence which drives profitable growth within the store brands industry. Read more about this organization here. Congratulations Erik!

Sarah Glavin ’01, Community Engagement Lead for Amazon in Illinois, recently spoke about career paths and education support offered through Amazon on WGNTV. You can watch this segment to learn more here. Congratulations Sarah!

Liz (Dierbeck) Shickles ’01, joined the Collegium Ladyes singing ensemble, and was delighted to find two other Titans are also members of the group: Suzanne (Higgins) Graber, class of 1978, and Emily Benson, class of 1997. The Ladyes perform sacred and secular choral music throughout the Milwaukee area.

Pictured from left to right: Emily, Liz, Suzanne

Starting in June 2023, Stephanie Montgomery ’01 was named as the Chief Executive Officer of the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation! You can read more here.

Congrats Stephanie!

Erik Hjerpe ’01 was elected to the Wheaton Warrenville CUSD 200 Board of Education in April! Congratulations Erik!

Gregory Bereiter ’01 was recently appointed to Historian of the United States Department of Justice. Congratulations Gregory!

Matt Glavin ’01 has been honored by Loyola University Chicago School of Law with its 2023 St. Robert Bellarmine Award. The award recognizes alumni who distinguish themselves in their legal practices and in supporting the school. Since joining Cozen O’ Connor Public Strategies in 2018, he has been integral to the expansion of its Chicago-based government relations/public affairs practice, helping clients navigate the complex legislative and regulatory landscape in Illinois and across the nation. You can read more about this honor here. Congratulations Matt!