Brown alumni are changing lives through philanthropy and service

Greetings, Graduating Class of 2025!

Congratulations and welcome to the Brown School alumni community! My name is Meghan Baer and I am the school’s Alumni Board President. Your connection to the Brown School does not end when you graduate. Our alumni are committed to not only staying in touch–but finding new and deeper ways to connect with each other and the school. We attend Brown School events together (across the country). We break bread together. We engage in book conversations together. And, importantly, we talk about issues that matter together.

I attended the Brown School from 2008 to 2010, and I absolutely loved it. I engaged with the best faculty, discovered my passions, found effective ways to advocate for others (and myself), strengthened my skills, and made life-long friendships. I sincerely hope your time at the Brown School was just as powerful and valuable.

I now live in Chicago–with many other Brown School alumni–and l can’t wait to meet you! Please join us at an upcoming event, webinar, or social outing. Here are some important ways to stay connected:

1. Update your contact information to stay informed of events in your area

2. Connect with the Alumni Board and more Brown School Alumni on WashU CNX

3. Stay tuned for virtual and in-person alumni events throughout the 2025-26 school year!

The alumni community is so excited to see where your Brown School degree takes you, and support your endeavors as you make your way. On behalf of the Alumni Board, we are incredibly glad to have you join us and once again: Congratulations!!

Meghan Baer, MSW ’10
Alumni Board President

Make a Gift: Your philanthropy provides our students with critical scholarship and research support so they can continue on to create a more equitable society without the burden of debt. Read these stories and learn how you can help Make Way for our community.

Global Alumni Events: The Brown School community is a part of the Washington University Alumni Association with access to a wide range of service and social events throughout the year. Click here to learn more about regional, shared interest and cultural, and professional networks!

Awards of Distinction: Each spring, the Brown School recognizes and celebrates the outstanding achievements of Brown School distinguished alumni and emerging leaders who are creating a difference in their field, community, and world. To nominate a deserving alum for next year’s awards, please click here.

Brown School Alumni Board: The mission of the Brown School Alumni Board is:

Engage all alumni to support and strengthen the Brown School Community and its Mission by:

Serving as an ambassador for the Brown School through philanthropy, service, and representation
Facilitating mutually engaging and inclusive interactions among alumni, faculty, students, and staff
Offering professional resources and opportunities for the Brown School Community

All in an effort to realize the Brown School’s vision – To create positive social change through our path-breaking research and educational excellence. Nominate yourself or a fellow alumni to join the Brown School Alumni Board!

Brown School Reunion | April 2026: Brown School alumni from classes ending in 1 and 6 are invited back to the Danforth Campus to celebrate their 5th through 50th reunions. Join for a weekend of catching up with old friends, looking back on your Brown School days, and creating new memories together. To share your interest in attending or volunteer to reach out to your classmates as a Reunion Ambassador, contact brown.alumni@wustl.edu. Registration will open in early 2026.

Our alumni are executives, leaders, teachers, and provide care to countless people around the world.

Make Way: Our Student Initiative

Portia Nartey, MSW ’22, MSP ’22, works toward improving lives on a global scale. In 2019, Portia secured additional scholarships that brought her to the Brown School and helped finance her education.

Give Now

Highlights: 2025 Distinguished Alumni

Shantha Ready Alonso, MSW/MAPS ’09, is the executive director of the America the Beautiful for All Coalition. She was previously appointed 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 the America the Beautiful Initiative to conserve 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. Watch Video

Shawntelle L. Fisher, MSW/MDiv ’18, is the founder and CEO of The SoulFisher Ministries, a nonprofit organization committed to helping women, youth and families impacted by the criminal justice system remain positive, productive, and socially responsible members of the St. Louis community. Through her own struggles and pitfalls in life she was guided by caring members in the community to a path of restoration and possibilities. Watch Video

Emily McDonald, MSW ’08, is 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. Watch Video