Michael Coleman ’97

 

Schools Since WES

Episcopal High School, Bethesda Chevy-Chase High School, New York University, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law

Current Occupation

Partner at Gavrilov & Brooks, a full service California law firm. Michael’s practice is focused on corporate litigation, corporate governance, contract disputes, employment law, real estate related matters, and trade secret misappropriation. Michael has prevailed in numerous trials, arbitrations, and appeals. In addition to his extensive trial and appellate experience, Michael has successfully guided clients through mediation and other methods of alternative dispute resolution.

Michael represents a broad range of clients, including institutional banks, governmental entities, private equity lenders, trucking companies, construction companies, real estate developers, Hollywood producers, and legal professionals. Michael takes a hands-on approach to assist his clients in minimizing risk and legal exposure. When legal action is unavoidable, he aggressively litigates cases to protect his clients’ interests. Michael places a premium on client communication and implementing cost-effective litigation strategies.

Future Career Goals

To continue to grow our law firm in California and throughout the United States

Favorite WES Activity

I loved being a part of creating the Middle School mural. As the first Middle School class, each one of us played a part in leaving our mark. Over the years, it has been fun coming back to campus, looking at the wall, and reliving the memories of my time at WES.

Favorite WES Memory

The 7th grade class trip to Italy. The entire class went together, and though I had been friends with my classmates for many years prior to the trip, I think that experience created a bond that lasts to this day.

How did WES prepare you for your future?

WES taught me how to learn and how to prepare my projects with care and precision. Literally every one of my teachers at WES played an important role in helping me to become a critical thinker. The skills I learned at WES provided me with a solid foundation as I entered high school, and I have been able to build on those skills ever since.

Alya K. Ahmed ’13

 

Schools Since WES

Sidwell Friends School, Yale University

Current Occupation

Senior analyst in the Technology Investment Banking Group at Citi Bank

Future Career Goals

Start my own investment fund that invests in emerging markets, mentor and support many, many women in finance

Favorite WES Activity

Frankly, the education I got at WES was very strong, and I have very fond memories of all my classes. Mrs. O’Sullivan’s and Mrs. Wright’s problem-solving based math classes taught me how to think critically, which ultimately allowed me to skip ahead in high school math. The language fluency Madame Jacqueline and Madame Braun fostered in their classes still comes in handy to this day whenever I work cross border transactions. I discovered a curiosity about how things work and a methodological organization from Mr. Elkassem’s and Ms. Earles’ science classes. This fantastic educational foundation, in a community that wholeheartedly emphasizes kindness, is something that I’ll always be grateful for.

Favorite WES Memory

My favorite memory was every Monday listening to Father Kim’s homily at Chapel. Even though I’m Muslim, I always loved the lessons that she would give us to reflect on each week.

How did WES prepare you for your future?

It taught me that kindness and effort were the only two tools really needed to allow you to do anything in life.

Chloe Lansdale ’06

 

Schools Since WES

Sidwell Friends, Northwestern University, and Wharton Business School

Current Occupation

I work in investment banking at Goldman Sachs covering the consumer and retail sectors.

Future Career Goals

I hope to run a strategic finance/corporate development team at a sustainable food company.

Favorite WES Activity

I loved playing on the soccer and lacrosse teams. I have the best memories from the Italy and France trips in middle school that inspired my love of international travel.

Favorite WES Memory

Class trip to Utah in the 6th grade with my favorite teacher, Mehdi Elkassem. I loved the class bonding, visiting Bryce Canyon and other beautiful national parks, and being able to experience our geology unit from science class in real life.

How did WES prepare you for your future?

I had the best teachers during my time at WES. They struck the perfect balance of challenging me and supporting me, which set me up for success in high school, college, and the professional world. WES teachers taught me what a trusted mentor looks like, and that has been immeasurably helpful in my life.

Andreas Gizaw ’10

 

Schools Since WES

Sandford International School (Addis Ababa), International Community School (Addis Ababa), University of California Davis, University of Maryland College Park

Current Occupation

I’m currently a medical student at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. I am currently interested in specializing in either emergency medicine or an internal medicine subspecialty.

Future Career Goals

While practicing medicine as a physician, I also currently see myself getting involved in medical education, whether that’s helping to teach residents or curriculum building for a medical school. I also hope to engage in capacity-building efforts for healthcare workers in Ethiopia if possible.

Favorite WES Activity

I sincerely enjoyed being part of the 6th grade musical. I appreciate how it gave me opportunity to experience something I normally wouldn’t have pushed myself to do.

Favorite WES Memory

One of my fondest memories was breaking the school record for the mile, which I heard I went on to hold for a very long time! I still talk about it as if it happened yesterday.

How did WES prepare you for your future?

Being a student at WES helped me to develop a sense of what it means to work hard. I certainly believe my work ethic has helped me accomplish what I have been able to until now and will certainly help me to accomplish what I hope to do in the future.

Sofia Selowsky ’04

 

Schools Since WES

Maret School, Harvard University, and University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music

Current Occupation

I’m an operatic mezzo-soprano as well as an artistic administrator at the Juilliard School, where I produce recitals, masterclasses, and operas.

Future Career Goals

I would love to run a Conservatory, an Operatic Young Artist Program, or an Opera company

Favorite WES Activity

The 7th grade trip to Italy was one of my favorite memories!

Favorite WES Memory

Performing in the 6th grade musical, Fiddler on the Roof

How did WES prepare you for your future?

WES was the first place I learned to think critically about literature and history.