Class News: December 2025
In this monthly roundup, find out what's new and noteworthy in the lives of your fellow Tars.
By Lina Giles
December 12, 2025
Welcome to the December 2025 edition of Class News, our snapshot of personal achievements and professional journeys in your alumni community.
Each month we’ll share a collection of the most recent submissions, so don’t forget to keep us up to date on your latest news.
Gatherings & Milestones
Two landmark events brought alumni and supporters to campus this season: the opening of the new Tennis & Golf Center and the groundbreaking of the Rollins Museum of Art and the Institute for Management & Executive Leadership as part of The Innovation Triangle. Together, donors, alumni, and campus partners celebrated the leadership and generosity advancing excellence in athletics and student learning.
Making Moves
Ann Marie Varga ’82 ’12MHR received PRSA Orlando’s Geri Evans Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing her four decades of professional service and mentorship across the industry.
Jennie McDonald-Brown ’04 has been appointed vice president of advancement at Urban College of Boston, where she will lead strategic initiatives, strengthen alumni engagement, and guide the college’s newly launched Foundation initiative.
Francisco Lutz ’08 has advanced from vice president of sales to chief operating officer at Truly Nolen International, overseeing executive leadership and a workforce of more than 6,000 employees.
Jen Atwell ’11 ’20MBA was honored with PRSA Orlando’s PR/Communications Advocate Award for her 20 years of creative and strategic impact on communications at Rollins.
Candy Cole ’13MBA has been named Central Florida hub director for FloridaMakes and executive director of the Manufacturers Association of Central Florida.
Naomie Droll ’16 is serving as interim executive director of the Scholars Equity Network, helping advance professional development and civic engagement opportunities for Gates Millenium Scholars alumni. She also launched Capitol Nations Law & Policy, her Washington, D.C.-based firm providing legal and government relations services to Tribal nations.
Doragnes Bradshaw ’18 ’20MBA ’24DBA received PRSA Orlando’s President’s Award for Distinguished Service, recognizing her leadership in organizational strategy and communication as well as her commitment to service and integrity.
Claudia DeFabio ’19 has been named the U.K.’s Young Business Person of the Year by the SME National Business Awards. Her company, Meeko Teams, supports businesses by recruiting and managing talent through its Kyiv-based operations.
Across the Arts
Sandra Jordan ’68 wrote and published Loving Alpaca, a memoir traceing her early experiences in Peru and the global journey that shaped her work in Peruvian craftsmanship and textiles.
Kellee Johnson ’90’s first book, Seek Your Unique: Ten Secrets for Corporate Intrapraneurs, Budding Entrepreneurs, and Leaders to Differentiate, has been purchased on four continents and reached Amazon bestseller status in outsourcing. It was also a No. 1 new release in categories such as startups and self-employment.
At the 2025 Aesthetica Short Film Festival, Camilo Garzón ’15 premiered his original audio drama To SETL, a story that follows the relationship between two scientists amid an unexplained cosmic phenomenon.
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