Notes from the Class of 2003

Paul Gesterling (Econ, PolSci) has joined the Steier Group, a national capital campaign fundraising firm, as a campaign manager. He previously served as development director for the Catholic Alliance in Denver. Paul is currently conducting a campaign planning study in Reno, Nev. He and wife Lisa have three children.

Former CU Buffs women’s soccer player Ashley Grosh (BusAd, Econ) was named to the Denver Business Journal’s 2017 40 under 40 list of influential young people working in business. Ashley is vice president of environmental affairs for Wells Fargo and has partnered with Buffalo Sports Properties to help conserve water throughout the west. She and husband Michael live in Denver with their two children

In June, Olivia Koski (EngrPhys, Ger) published Vacation Guide to the Solar System. The book is part of her work with the Intergalactic Travel Bureau, a public outreach STEM program about humans in space. Olivia works as head of operations at Guerilla Science, an organization that creates and plans installations for festivals, museums and galleries. She lives in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Scott Fields (EnvSt) was recently appointed head coach of the men’s lacrosse team at NCAADivision III Westminster College in Fulton, Mo.

The New Jersey Law Journal selected Nicholas Kant (Jour; Law’06) as one of the state’s New Leaders of the Bar. Nick works as a deputy attorney general for the state.

Kathleen Ratteree (Engl), who works with the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, a federally recognized tribe of Oneida people, published a book titled The Great Vanishing Act: Blood Quantum and the Future of Native Nations. Kathleen and husband Paul Wochinske (Acct, MS’03) live in Wisconsin with their daughter.

After working with film studios in Los Angeles after graduation, Mike Callahan (Film) transitioned to the wine industry. He joined Chamisal Vineyards in California as a winemaker in 2014 and has helped start a sustainability project there. Mike writes that he stays busy with various winemaking projects, one of which involved partnering with OneHope wines to produce wines for charity.

James Robertson (Mktg), an attorney at California-based law firm Downey Brand, was named a 2017 Top Lawyer by Sacramento Magazine.

Kate Fagan (Comm’03) announced in November that she would leave ESPN by the end of 2018. “[T]o continue at ESPN I would have to be immersed in the day-today in sports,” Kate told the Washington Post. “And I found myself more and more interested in other aspects of sports — like how it connects to our culture.” Before joining ESPN, Kate worked for the Philadelphia Inquirer, focusing primarily on the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers.

James Robertson (Mktg’03) was recognized by Sacramento Magazine as one of its Top Lawyers of 2019.

The American Institute of Architects’ Chicago Chapter named Matthew McGrane (Arch) its Young Architect of the Year for his work as the associate principal and studio director at Farr Associates.

Jessica Sawyer (ArtHist) is a fifth-generation candymaker. Along with her two cousins, Jessica runs Ce De Candy, based out of Union, New Jersey. They’re most known for their No. 1 product, Smarties, of which they produce more than 2 billion rolls a year.

This April, Gunnar Hand (EnvDes) started as urban planning director for the unified government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. Gunnar was born in Kansas City, Kansas, and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, and writes “This new position is not just a great honor, but a homecoming of sorts.” He previously worked as project manager for the new single terminal at the Kansas City Airport.

The past year brought a major move, new job and new marriage for Maureen (Johnson) Rikhof (PolSci; MPubAd’05). She was named the director of international relations at Otero Junior College in La Junta, Colorado, and was married in November. Maureen is the proud mom to CU student Henry Ediger (Econ, PolSci’22).

The past year brought a major move, new job and new marriage for Maureen (Johnson) Rikhof (PolSci; MPubAd’05). She was named the director of international relations at Otero Junior College in La Junta, Colorado, and was married in November. Maureen is the proud mom to CU student Henry Ediger (Econ, PolSci’22).

Payal Salsburg (MCompSci) was named among the Top Women of Law in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly last November. This recognition celebrates the achievements of “exceptional women lawyers as pioneers, educators, trailblazers and role models.” 

Gretchen Snyder Chizmadia (Engl) and Jeff Chizmadia (Comm) were married in June. The couple lives in Edwards, Colorado. 

​​Life coach, meditation teacher and founder of She Glows Retreats Brie Doyle (Edu) released her first book, You Should Leave Now, in July. Offering alternative solutions to finding true well-being, Brie’s book shared research, anecdotes and advice that discuss the benefits of taking an annual personal retreat.