AYA Class Leader Memos

As some of you know, Jenny Chavira is expecting her first child in early September. Jenny plans to be on maternity leave from late August (approximately August 26th) through January 9, 2004. She expects to return to the office part-time from January 12 through March 26, and resume a fulltime schedule after that.

During Jenny’s absence, I have asked Debby Van Lenten to serve as acting director of the group. Debby has done terrific work for the AYA since her arrival in December 1999, and will be an able interim director for class and reunion activities as well as continuing her liaison work with the Classes of 1969-1988.

In addition, to further improve services to class officers, I am promoting Janet Cappiello to the position of Assistant Director in the class area. Many of you know Janet in her capacity as the financial coordinator for all Yale College Classes, and her excellent work in this area as well as long service in other positions at the AYA will be a strong basis for her new responsibilities. In addition to class treasury financial accounting, Janet will also take on direct responsibility for the Classes of 1929-1948 and the 60th and 65th Reunions, both during Jenny’s maternity leave and afterwards.

Janet’s new role is made possible partly by the addition of a new support position. Antoinette McMiller joined the class area team in January 2003 as a financial assistant to Janet and customer service support for Yale College Reunions. Toni came to us with more than 10 years of customer service experience at the Yale Press. She joins the group’s administrative assistant, Denise Daley, and the reunion directory team of Anne Marie Pollak, Karoline Pollak and Linda Memmott, in making our work on your behalf possible.

In addition to these changes, in planning for Jenny’s leave, I am comforted by the strength of the class area team as a whole. As many of you know first-hand, the work of the other two professional staff – Jennifer Julier and Karen Jahn – is truly outstanding as well. Debby, Janet, Jennifer & Karen will all be asked to take on additional responsibilities while Jenny is out, and I am confident in their abilities to advance the mission of the AYA and Yale College Class organizations during this time.

The entire class area team is listed below for your convenience. Please feel free to contact Jeff Brenzel or any of the staff with questions.