Meet the members of
the Global Alum Alliance
International lives, international voices, a commitment to building an international community
Dr. Ann Blake '85
Based in the USA
Born and raised in a multinational environment, Ann enjoyed an itinerant childhood in Asia as a Third Culture kid. Following her graduation from the College with a major in biology and graduate studies in molecular genetics, she has been working as an independent consultant and a thought leader with governments, companies, occupational health, public health, and environmental advocates to find viable alternatives to toxic chemicals in manufacturing and consumer products. Ann is passionate about jazz, handcrafts and growing her own vegetables. She served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the College, and she cherishes multiculturalism and the values of our worldwide alum network.
Eleanor Chang '78
Based in the USA
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Eleanor attended Mount Holyoke as an international student, graduating with a major in Economics. Passionate about education, following her retirement from a long and successful banking career, she devoted herself to supporting several international educational projects. She is a co-Founder of UP Education Services, an educational summer academy for high school students from Asia. An avid international traveler, Eleanor loves to meet MHC alums around the world. She also frequently hosts members of the Mount Holyoke community at her home, delighting them with her superior baking skills. Eleanor served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the College and as a Board member of the Alum Association. She is an active member of the Alum Club of Northern California.
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Kim Hunter '75
Based in the USA
Active as an international development professional specializing in post-conflict countries and countries in transition, Kim has worked most of her professional life in Asia. Following her graduation from Mount Holyoke with a degree in history and graduate studies in international relations, she served as director of nonprofit country offices throughout Asia, managing programs and operations and cooperating with national and local governments and nongovernmental organizations to advance the rule of law, accountability, and broader citizen participation. A stalwart supporter and promoter of women’s empowerment, participation and leadership, Kim has served on the Board of the Alum Association, representing the global community. In her travels, a special highlight is meeting MHC alums around the world, wherever they are.
Catherine Jourdan '95
Based in Germany
A global citizen at heart, Catherine embraces France, Germany and Portugal as her homes in Europe. After graduating from the College with a double-major in International Relations and German Studies, she worked in New York for a few years and earned an MBA from McGill University. She has been active in risk management and compliance space for over 25 years. Catherine holds a special place in her heart for all actively engaged alums around the globe, viewing them as the ambassadors of the College to whom she owes her decision to attend MHC. She is the Chair of the Mount Holyoke European Alum Council and Head of the Mount Holyoke Alum Community of Germany. She chaired the 2024 Mount Holyoke European Alum Symposium in Munich.
Silvia Maulini '80
Based in the Netherlands
A convinced world citizen with a passion for traveling, languages and food, Silvia graduated from the College with a major in American Studies. Following graduation, she enjoyed a long and rewarding international career in public relations and communications. Since her retirement she has shifted her focus to non-profit activities. As a native Italian, she now shares her culinary traditions and passion by teaching cooking workshops at several local non-profit evening schools in the Netherlands. Silvia served as Chair of the Mount Holyoke European Alum Council for eight years, and she is the Council delegate for the Netherlands. She also was one of the driving forces behind the publication of the Uncommon Kitchens cookbooks and the Uncommon Cameras photography project.
Vijaya Pastala '89
Based in India
Vijaya has championed women in leadership throughout her life. After earning a degree in International Relations at MHC and a master’s at MIT, she focused on women’s empowerment and rural livelihoods, later founding Under The Mango Tree, a social enterprise helping smallholder farmers increase incomes through beekeeping.
Based in Mumbai, she is committed to strengthening MHC’s international alumnae community. As India’s Admissions and Lead Alum Representative, she mentors students and led initiatives such as MHC Shakti and the Asia Alumnae Symposium in Jaipur. At MHC Vijaya co-taught the Social Entrepreneurship Capstone course, bringing real-life impact to the classroom. Her sister is also an alum, and her closest friends remain alums, a lifelong source of support and friendship.
Cynthia Reed '80
Based in the USA
An inveterate student and traveler, Cynthia has always been interested in learning and understanding different cultural traditions and paces of life. Since graduating from the College with a major in Anthropology, she has been active in the Healthcare sector. While traveling she relishes finding MHC alums in any pocket of the world, and while at home she is happy to cook a meal and share it with MHC visitors and friends. Cynthia served as President and Board Member of the Alum Association, as well as a member of the Board of Trustees of Mount Holyoke College. In all her functions she worked to support and strengthen the MHC international alum network.
Elizabeth Ta'eed '09
Based in Portugal
Originally from Vermont, Elizabeth was a Junior Year Abroad student in London and never looked back. Since graduating with a major in Geology, she lived in the UK where she worked in river restoration eco-engineering, Spain where she and her husband started an English school, and India where they started an online tea shop, before finally putting down roots in Portugal. Elizabeth now works renovating and restoring abandoned homes, and helping people relocate to Portugal. She has been closely involved with the Mount Holyoke European Alum Council for over a decade, representing alums from across the Iberian Peninsula, and managing the IT and website for MHEAC and the GAA. Her sister, niece, cousin, grandmother and several other family members are proud alums of Mount Holyoke as well.