Alvin and German conduct a great conversation with licensed landscape architect and Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner®, Anita Bueno ’90. A lifelong learner with a passion for connecting mind, body, and environment, Anita has dedicated her career to exploring the relationship between thought, movement, and our inner and outer worlds. Through the Feldenkrais Method®, Anita uses movement to help people activate and reorganize their nervous systems—empowering them to think clearer, feel better, and show up as their most creative, fully embodied selves. She integrates this work with her practice as a landscape architect, designing spaces that foster connection to nature and sustainable living. For ten years, Anita designed recreation areas for the US Forest Service, and for another decade she founded and directed BuenoLuna Landscape Design (now Cummings Landscape Architecture), a residential design/build firm focused on mitigating climate change through ecologically responsible landscapes. Beyond her professional work, she has lived in India studying yoga and Carnatic dance and music, traveled her ancestral lands of Hispaniola and Central America, and taken on countless creative pursuits—from watercolor painting and playing guitar to sewing her own clothes, figure skating professionally, commercial fishing in the Bering Sea, and bike touring in Mexico and New Zealand. At Colgate, Anita was a proud member of the Women’s Rugby team, setting the stage for a life defined by curiosity, resilience, and a fearless spirit of exploration. She holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from UC Berkeley and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religion from Colgate University.

Alvin and German conduct a great conversation with actor, educator, and creative visionary Aaron Morton ’03. A dynamic presence in both performance and pedagogy, Aaron’s career bridges the worlds of television, film, theater, and education—always with a commitment to uplifting voices that are too often left out of the frame. As an actor, Aaron has worked with groundbreaking creators including Ava DuVernay and Lena Waithe, and gravitates toward bold, character-driven narratives. His work spans a wide range of mediums, from commercials and video games to stage and screen, grounded in a deep foundation of classical technique and contemporary realism. Off the stage, Aaron brings the same passion to the classroom as an Acting Professor at BMCC and Marymount Manhattan College, where he is dedicated to training the next generation of performers with a focus on authenticity, personal storytelling, and craft. His commitment to representation in the arts also led him to found Bridge To Reality, a nonprofit that mentors high school students of color and aims to expand their access to careers in the arts. After Colgate, he continued to hone his craft, earning an MFA in Acting from Columbia University. At Colgate, Arron earned a B.S. in Computer Science, was a four-year student-athlete on the football team during a historic era, and a proud member of The Commission.

Alvin and German conduct a great conversation with Director of Curriculum & Instruction at Asbury Park School District, Edwin Ruiz ’93. A passionate and experienced educational leader, Edwin has built a strong career dedicated to improving educational outcomes and inspiring student learning and development. In his current role, Edwin oversees curriculum design, instructional practices, assessment strategies, and professional development initiatives for teachers, all with a focus on elevating student achievement. His work is rooted in a belief that education must continually evolve to meet the needs of students and communities. Before stepping into district leadership, Edwin gained a wealth of experience as both a Principal and Teacher, shaping classrooms and school communities with his visionary approach to education. After graduating from Colgate, he earned a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and Administration from Teachers College, Columbia University. A lifelong learner in every sense, Edwin is currently studying to become a pilot while continuing to mentor emerging educators and leaders. An accomplished speaker and leadership coach, he is deeply committed to pouring his knowledge and experience back into the next generation. At Colgate, Edwin earned his Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies, laying the foundation for his thoughtful, reflective leadership style that continues to impact education today.

Alvin and German conduct a powerful conversation with public health leader and community advocate Dr. Paula Madison Ryner ’92. With over 30 years of experience in the public health sector, Paula has devoted her career to advancing health equity, empowering communities, and championing the well-being of underserved populations. She holds a Doctorate in Health Leadership from Seton Hall University and a dual Master’s in Public Health from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. A highly decorated leader, Paula was recognized as one of the Most Powerful Women in New Jersey for four consecutive years (2018–2021) by NJ Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg. In 2024, she was honored with the United States President's Leadership Award from the UNESCO Center for Peace for her transformative contributions to development, peace, and leadership in communities of African descent. Since graduating from Colgate, Paula has been a dynamic force for change, service, and leadership. She is the Immediate Past President of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. (Bergen/Passaic chapter), where she led the chapter to be named a national model for four consecutive years. Her community involvement continues through leadership roles including Vice President of the Board of Bergen Volunteers, Vice President and Programs Chair of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Bergen County Chapter), and appointed positions on several local government advisory boards. In addition to her nonprofit leadership, Dr. Madison Ryner is the co-founder of Ryner and Associates, an organizational consulting firm, and is preparing to launch P.Mad Consulting Group, along with a new podcast supporting African American caregivers of loved ones with dementia. At Colgate, Paula was a Night Flight radio host on WRCU, a member of the Sojourners, and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Anthropology/African American Studies.

Alvin and German conduct a great conversation with Fintech Investor at Pivot Investment Partners, Atit Amin, ’08. Atit works at the cutting edge of finance and tech, backing transformative companies that are changing the game at the intersection of wholesale finance and enterprise software. At Pivot, he helps founders scale businesses that have already proven product-market fit and are ready to grow with the right strategic partner. Before his current role, Atit gained a wealth of experience in the finance world—serving as a Senior Research Analyst at CEB, an Accounting Analyst at Chartis, and a Summer Analyst at NDC Capital Partners. He even got his start with an early internship at Lloyds TSB. He’s also an active member of the CFA Society New York, demonstrating his continued commitment to the financial industry. At Colgate, Atit was an editor for The Colgate Maroon-News and earned his Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Affairs.

Alvin and German conduct a great conversation with Retired Vice Chairman of ShoreBank Corporation, Todd Brown, ’71.  Todd brings a remarkable track record of success across senior leadership roles in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. At Kraft Foods, he led three major business divisions, including the company’s e-commerce, foodservice, and desserts units. He has also served on the corporate boards of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Diversey, Inc., and ADVO, Inc., as well as on the board of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. A proud trustee emeritus of Colgate University, Todd began his journey in higher education as the second Director of Colgate’s Cultural Center. He later earned an M.B.A. from the Wharton School and a master’s degree in college administration from Columbia University. Todd holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Colgate.

Alvin and German conduct a great conversation with Professional Development Quality Assurance Manager at New York Works for Children, Tinnycua Williams, ’94. A passionate advocate for strength-based programming, Tinnycua is dedicated to empowering children, families, and the professionals who serve them. In her role, she collaborates with city and state licensing agencies, professional organizations, and training providers to elevate high-quality professional development across the early childhood field. She is also an active leader within the National Workforce Registry Alliance (NWRA), where she co-chairs the Professional Development Committee. With more than 20 years of experience, she has provided direct support to children and families while holding leadership roles at organizations such as Homes for the Homeless, Samuel Field YM & YWHA, and Harlem Children’s Zone. At Colgate, she was President of the African American Student Alliance, Resident Advisor of the Harlem Renaissance Center (HRC), campus tour guide, and a member of Konosioni, Colgate’s senior honor society. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education (0–8) at City College of the City University of New York and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Colgate University.

Alvin and German conduct a great conversation with Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Salinas Valley Health Medical Center, Dr. Kenneth A. Jones, '82. He is dedicated to helping women understand their best options and make informed decisions. Throughout all stages of life, from birth onwards, he provides prevention education, diagnosis, and treatment to improve and sustain women's quality of life. Upon graduation, he earned his medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in 1989 and completed his residency at the University of Rochester Medical Center. He is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. In addition to his medical expertise, Dr. Jones is a wine connoisseur who enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with friends. He is also known for his great sense of humor and love for a good joke. HE graduated from Colgate with a Bachelor's degree in Biology,

Alvin and German conduct a great conversation with Principal at Roberts Internet, Tal-ee Roberts, ’01.  As the co-founder and Executive Editor of GearInstitute.com and MilesJunkie.com, he seamlessly combines his love for travel and the outdoors with content creation and digital media. Leading teams to deliver expert advice on gear, destinations, and travel rewards, Tal-ee’s work reaches millions through a vast network of websites and partnerships. With over 20 years of experience as a technology consultant, Tal-ee has helped clients across industries implement innovative internet-based solutions. After Colgate, his passion for business was further fueled by attending the University of Virginia’s LEAD Summer Business Institute. While at Colgate, he honed his writing skills as a columnist for the Colgate Maroon News and earned a B.A. in English & Creative Writing.

Alvin and German conduct a compelling conversation with retired U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission Chief Administrative Law Judge, Covette Rooney ’74. A member of Colgate’s first coed first-year class, Judge Rooney joined the Review Commission as a Federal Administrative Law Judge in 1996 and, in 2011, became its first African American and first woman to be named Chief Administrative Law Judge.   As Chief Judge, she presided over complex and significant disputes related to Occupational Safety and Health Administration citations. She was also responsible for case management and oversight, as well as hiring and training staff, including legal assistants, law clerks, and judges, across the Denver, Atlanta, and National offices.   Earlier in her career, Judge Rooney served as a U.S. Administrative Law Judge at the Social Security Administration in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where she received the Hattiesburg School District Outstanding African American Award. Before taking the bench, she had a distinguished 14-year tenure with the Philadelphia Regional Office of the Solicitor, U.S. Department of Labor. There, she served as Regional Counsel for the Mine Safety and Health Administration Black Lung Program and as a Senior Trial Attorney.   After graduating from Colgate University with a BA in Political Science, she earned her Juris Doctorate degree from Temple University School of Law. During her time at Colgate, she was a drum major for the football team, a dancer, and an theater enthusiast.