Brown School honors changemakers at annual Awards of Distinction

The Brown School marked its 100th anniversary with a special celebration during the annual Brown School Awards of Distinction & Centennial Gala, held on April 24. The event honored seven individuals for their outstanding contributions to social work, public health, and social policy.

“I am awestruck by the positive impact you have all had,” said Dorian Traube, Neidorff Family and Centene Corporation Dean of the Brown School. “Every day through your work and connections with others you are embodying the Brown School values and we are so proud of all of you.”

In her remarks, Traube acknowledged the many challenges facing society — from global health crises to systemic injustices — and emphasized the school’s role in creating solutions.

“With these challenges come opportunities – opportunities for innovation, for meaningful intervention, and for sustainable change,” she said. “The Brown School is uniquely positioned to lead the way in transforming these challenges into opportunities. Our interdisciplinary approach allows us to address problems from multiple angles and develop holistic solutions. Our commitment to rigorous scholarship ensures that our work is grounded in evidence and best practices.”

Looking ahead, Traube reaffirmed the school’s vision for the future: “In our next hundred years, we remain committed to fostering a learning environment that imparts knowledge, inspires critical thinking and creativity, and a deep sense of social responsibility.”

In additional remarks, Traube also reflected on the school’s enduring legacy.

• Founded in 1925, the Brown School was intended to “give the University an opportunity to perform for the city a social service of the very highest utility and of most practical nature.”

• Over the past century, the Brown School has continued to be a beacon of excellence in social work, public health, and social policy education and research, making a profound impact on communities around the world.

• We remember and honor the contributions of our founders and pioneers, whose vision and dedication laid the strong foundation upon which the Brown School continues to thrive – and that which we’re also here to celebrate tonight.

Hear From the 2025 Awardees

Emerging Leader Award: Shaina Goodman, AB ’08, JD/MSW ’12

Shaina Goodman is the vice president of policy and advocacy at Morgan Health. In that role, she works to advance Morgan Health’s policy priorities on key health equity and women’s health issues and to enhance the company’s capacity as a thought leader among policy voices.

Emerging Leader Award: Robert Sagastume, MSW/MSP ’19

Robert Sagastume is an impact officer – college access and completion for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, where he manages a diverse grant portfolio that has a shared goal of fostering financial stability, upward mobility, and economic prosperity for under-resourced communities in the Kansas City region.

Distinguished Alumni Award: Shantha Ready Alonso, MSW/MAPS ’09

Shantha Ready Alonso is a faith-rooted leader for public policy change. Most recently, she was appointed by President Biden to work under U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland as director of intergovernmental and external affairs. While at the Department of the Interior, Shantha helped implement President Biden’s America the Beautiful Initiative to conserve 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. She was also a lead staffer advancing the Biden administration’s environmental justice work, including the Justice 40 Initiative to promote government transparency and accountability to direct at least 40% of eligible government funds to disadvantaged communities.

Distinguished Alumni Award: Shawntelle L. Fisher, MSW/MDiv ’18

Shawntelle L. Fisher is an influential leader, speaker, teacher, and dancer who serves with excellence and integrity. Shawntelle became a mother at age 15 and a convicted felon at age 17. After going to prison seven times, she decided to allow God to transform her into the person He had created her to be. This transformation led her back to college and to start The SoulFisher Ministries, a nonprofit she now leads under the direction of her board.

Distinguished Alumni Award: Emily McDonald, MSW ’08

Emily McDonald serves as the vice president of business integration at the AARP Foundation, where she applies her extensive background in strategic planning, project management, and organizational development to advance the foundation’s mission to create and advance effective solutions to reduce poverty for and with older adults. In this role, she oversees the coordination of various strategic initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals while fostering collaboration across departments to enhance the foundation’s overall impact.

Dean’s Medal Award: Tom Hillman, AB ’78 and Jennifer Hillman, BFA ’79

Jennifer and Tom Hillman started their St. Louis journey as students at Washington University, Jennifer moving from Dallas, Texas and Tom from New York, where they respectively grew up.

In 2015, Jennifer established the Hillman Scholars program for their family, which provides gap funding to first generation college students coming out of College Bound St. Louis college prep program. The program has supported 100 students across the St. Louis region through financial assistance, mentorship and opening career opportunities. Jennifer actively mentors and nurtures dozens of Hillman Scholars, and maintains close personal relationships with program alums.

At WashU, Tom is a member of the Board of Trustees, is outgoing Chair of the Brown School National Council, and is a member of both the Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship National Council and Medical Affairs Committee. Jennifer also remains a passionate supporter of WashU, currently serving as a member of both the Brown School and Student Affairs National Councils. Together, they have made tremendous philanthropic gifts to the Brown School in support of scholarships and for Thomas and Jennifer Hillman Hall, which tripled the footprint of the Brown School and expanded opportunities for collaborative education, research and community impact.

Learn more about the Awards of Distinction and past recipients.