Wellesley College to Host 'Wellesley Stretch' Alumnae Panel

WELLESLEY, Mass. —  On Saturday, February 14th, Wellesley College will host the Wellesley Stretch Alumnae Panel. The event will provide an opportunity for students to network with local alumnae. Specifically, panelists will focus on how the lessons and habits gained from health, fitness and athletics at Wellesley helped each of them "stretch" to reach their career and personal goals after graduation. Panelists will also provide personal anecdotes on including health, fitness, and athletics into life and work after Wellesley.  The panel will be held in the Alumnae Ballroom on Saturday, February 13th at 11AM. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided.

Moderating the event will be Erin Harvey (Johnson) ’05, the Leasing and Market Manager for NB Development Group in Boston, MA. A four-year member of the Wellesley Varsity Basketball team, she continues to be involved in college athletics, previously serving as a board member on the National Committee for Friends of Athletics at Wellesley College for six years. Erin is also a member of the Urban Land Institute, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties and the Real Estate Finance Association.

Wellesley Stretch will also include appearances from the following panelists:

Jennifer Downing ’01
Assistant Director of Athletics, Alumni Relations and Stewardship – Harvard University

Downing has worked at Harvard since 2001 including stops with the University Development Office’s International Initiative Team, Faculty of Arts & Sciences’ Capital Giving Department, the International Initiative Team and the Alumni Association’s Global Series events. Downing earned her bachelor’s degree in East Asian Studies before earning a master’s degree from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education in education policy and management. At Wellesley, Downing was a four-year Academic All-America swimmer and senior captain. She served two years as a member of the school’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Ariel Nathanson ’10
Project Manager, Annkissam

Nathanson first experienced the tradition of cheering on runners in the Boston Marathon during her time at Wellesley. Since graduation, Ariel transitioned from spectator to participant and ran the Boston Marathon in 2013 and 2014. She currently works at Annkissam, a mission-driven software company located in Boston. There she serves on the Health and Wellness Committee where she coordinates and leads company-wide events designed to promote a healthy workplace and lifestyle.

Julia Parzych ’07
Resident, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Julia Parzych graduated from Wellesley in 2007 with a degree in Biological Chemistry.  She played field hockey for four seasons, where the highlight was playing in the NCAA National Field Hockey Tournament in her final year.  Following Wellesley, she conducted medical research at Children’s Hospital Boston before beginning medical school at the University of Massachusetts.  She is currently training in Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine as a resident at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.  She hopes to one day work with her twin sister, who is currently training in Orthopedic Surgery.  Their residency Match Day story was featured in the Boston Globe.

Lydia Parzych ’07
Resident, University of Massachusetts Medical Center

Lydia Parzych graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Wellesley College in 2007 with a degree in biological chemistry.  During her time at Wellesley she was also a field hockey player.  During her senior year she was named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-America Team and played in the NCAA Tournament.  After Wellesley she attended the University of Massachusetts Medical School, graduating in 2013.  She is currently in her second year of residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Massachusetts.  

Kate Spelman ’10
AP Art History & Psychology Teacher, Assistant Director of Student Activities and Head Rowing Coach, Newton Country Day School

Kate Spelman graduated from Wellesley in 2010 with a BA in Art History. A four-year student-athlete on the varsity crew team, she served as team captain and stroke seat of the varsity eight her senior year.  Her collegiate athletic honors included selections to the NEWMAC All-Conference and All-Academic teams, Seven Sisters All-Tournament team, ECAC All-Conference team, and CRCA National Scholar-Athlete team. In 2010, she became the first Wellesley rower to earn first-team All-American honors from the Collegiate Rowing Coaches' Association (CRCA). She was also an active member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, serving as the committee's co-president in 2009-2010.