Introducing Our New Alumni Board President
We’re thrilled to welcome Michael Wimberley ’16 (JD ’20) as the new President of the Chapman University Alumni Board. Michael brings a lifelong connection to Chapman to this new role, having earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from the university.
For Michael, stepping into this role comes at a meaningful moment for the university. “It means so much to be part of this important time in Chapman’s history,” he shared. “Concluding the first year of President Parlow’s presidency, we’ve seen such tremendous growth on all fronts. We’ve increased the events for alumni and have seen more and more alumni giving back. This is the kind of momentum that excites me so much as I take the helm.”
Among his priorities as president, Michael is particularly focused on strengthening the student-to-alumni transition. “I remember that daunting feeling of suddenly not being a student anymore, so I love supporting so many of the initiatives to help current students make that seamless transition to alumni!”
As someone who has stayed closely connected to Chapman since graduation, Michael has a clear message for current students and recent grads: staying involved looks different for everyone, and that’s exactly the point. “Staying involved with Chapman doesn’t have to look the same for each member of the alumni community. There are so many opportunities that there is something for everybody whether you have a lot of free time, virtually no free time, or anything in between. With the Panther Network, social media, nation-wide Panther Meet-Ups, and so much more, staying involved as alumni has never been easier!”
Welcome to Our New Board Members
Jessica Kalawi ’14 is a first-generation college graduate and Chapman Presidential Scholar who went on to earn a master’s degree in education from Stanford. Her career has spanned informal education spaces, from the Discovery Cube to Stanford’s admissions office, and she now runs her own consultancy helping families navigate highly selective college admissions. At Chapman, she was active in Phi Sigma Sigma, the Ambassador program, and studied abroad in London. She lives in Anaheim with her Chapman sweetheart, Adam ’14, and their family.
Ginger Silverman ’77 is the fifth member of her family to call Chapman her alma mater. A recipient of the Cheverton Award, she previously served two terms on the Alumni Board, including one as president, and has stayed connected as a Wilkinson College advisory council member. Professionally, Ginger is a nationally recognized marketing and corporate communications expert with 30+ years at Fortune 1000 companies, and she’s taught marketing, business, and organizational leadership at the University of Massachusetts Global for 18 years. Her Chapman ties recently grew even stronger when she married a fellow Chapman alum.
Hilary Steinman ’13 is a Senior Category Manager for the University of California’s Office of the President. She previously led procurement for the International Rescue Committee and The Estée Lauder Companies. She currently serves on the board of the National Association of Educational Procurement and co-chairs its Sustainable Procurement Working Group. A proud Dodge College alumna, Hilary is passionate about film and media, and spends her free time watching classic films, practicing yoga, and enjoying time with family in the Bay Area.
Honoring Connie Benson ‘93
As we welcome new members, we’re also celebrating Connie Benson ’93, who has transitioned to Emeritus status after years of dedicated service. One of the longest-serving members of the Alumni Board and a former board president, Connie studied legal studies and dance at Chapman, performing in campus productions like American Celebration. Today, she’s a Senior Attorney at Williamson Law Group, Executive Director of the Miss Orange Scholarship Pageant, Chair of the City of Orange’s Community Development Block Grant Commission, and a board member of the Orange Chamber of Commerce and its Foundation. Thank you, Connie, for your years of leadership and service to the Chapman alumni community!
View the full list of board members.
