Outstanding Young Alumna – Two Years On – Let’s Transform Tomorrow

As we gear up for the Gold & White Honors Gala in 2024, it reminds me of my own preparations leading up to my first gala in 2022. On October 25, 2021, I received the news that I had been named The Georgia Tech Alumni Association’s Gold & White Honors Gala Outstanding Young Alumna (OYA). President ángel Cabrera had called later that day, congratulatory emails started rolling in, the day was surreal.

“The Outstanding Young Alumni recognition is for alumni under 40 who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and service to Georgia Tech, the Alumni Association, the general welfare of their communities, and their professions.” The first Outstanding Young Alumni honoree was named in 1988 and 33 years later, I was the 40th OYA honoree.

The Gold & White Honors Gala preparations are year round. It is a magnificent evening celebrating the best of the best of Georgia Tech. For me, honoring the community and magnitude of the evening was of critical importance while drafting my remarks. By December 2021, I had a strong draft that focused on unity, generosity, and the power we all have to make a difference in the world.

My deepest gratitude goes to my husband, Benjamin McMillan , and family for their unwavering support. Thank you again to Dan Gordon for nominating me, Jabian Consulting for their sponsorship at the event, and Usman Jamal as my then student host and President Emeritus for the Student Alumni Association. My appreciation goes to the Gold & White Honors Gala Host Committee members that I have had the honor of working alongside for the the last three years. And immense thankfulness to Jacky Cheng (OYA 23) and Chad Sims (OYA 24), I could not be prouder for your legacies and what you will set out to do in this world.

Two years on, the message from this speech still inspires me. May it continue to be of benefit and Go Jackets! ??

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Gold & White Honors Gala Outstanding Young Alumna 2022?Remarks

Thank you, Usman! I would like to share my immense gratitude to be surrounded with my family, Jabian Consulting family, and our Georgia Tech family here tonight.

One of the many things I learned during this time has been the importance of community and the feeling of togetherness even when virtual.

Something brought each of us here tonight. You might contemplate the meaning and significance for yourself. Your own personal journey with the Georgia Tech community over the years, and the future we are building together today. ?

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When preparing these remarks, I thought about what the Gold & White Honors Gala means to me.

Gold. A symbol of prosperity and with the color white representing new beginnings.

The Honors Gala is a celebration to commemorate our contributions to date and ignite the legacy that lies ahead.

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It is an honor to be among such a special audience tonight with such drive to make a difference.

Therefore, in your life, I implore you to inspire someone else to enact their own legacy so the cycle of generosity continues to flourish in our community.?

We have a responsibility to include others and be known for what we do for others.

Please do not underestimate the power already in you to drive the lasting change you wish to see in this world.

There is great reward in the calling for us to forge ahead, and drive impacts for humanity and the greater good.

This is a time for us to continue harnessing our empathy and boldly strive for something far greater than ourselves.

We are the people to do. just. that.

Thank you for this honor and I look forward to Creating the Next with each of you.

Author’s Notes: These are my speaker notes with punctuation used for emphasis on the big day. The breakout quote is for style and legibility on LinkedIn. Transforming Tomorrow: The Campaign for Georgia Tech was still in the silent phase. Thoughts are my own.