ALUMNAE PANEL
Defining Legacy We can all remember being asked as a child, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” But few of us are asked to consider the legacy we would like to create. During this year’s Reunion, Zoya Chughtai ’22 posed that question to four alumnae: Jeanne Fisichella Hahne ’71, Donielle Wallace Prince ’91, Victoria (Tory) Wobbers ’01, and Griselda Carlos Arzate ’11. Unsurprisingly, their answers were grounded in similar values. Legacy is not based on whether they’re successful, in traditional terms, but whether they set out to meet the needs of their community. Despite working in distinct fields, all four alumnae are united in a desire to be of service to others and to grow along the way. Perhaps setting a goal that is much larger than oneself leads to acts of bravery. Jeanne and Tory courageously shifted gears when they left established careers to pursue alternate forms of making an impact. After over 40 years as a registered nurse, Jeanne is now the founder and CEO of FaceView Mask LLC; her company creates clear surgical face masks that enable lip reading, thereby improving the patient-provider relationship. Following her PhD, Tory worked in high tech before becoming a career coach. Now, she draws upon her own experience transitioning careers to help people determine what fulfillment means to them. Donielle and Griselda are both passionate about advocating for and lifting up marginalized communities. In Griselda’s field of financial services, this means actively building products to be more inclusive so that people who typically may not meet certain criteria can still access and benefit from these services. Donielle earned her PhD in education reform and went on to become a therapist for many years. Her primary focus is reforming mental health services and facilitating community healing. Currently, Donielle is building a network of traumainformed organizations and policies throughout the Bay Area. Listening to Jeanne, Donielle, Tory, and Griselda reflect on their legacies, it is clear that they are confident in themselves and in their capacity to leave the world in a better place.
This poem was selected by the Class of ’91 to be recited at their graduation. Donielle has kept this quote where she could see it every day.
34 | Castilleja Full Circle
Jeanne Fisichella Hahne ’71 “Don’t listen to the people who say it can’t be done. Keep going.”
Donielle Wallace Prince ’91 “I no longer evaluate myself on traditional accomplishments. I feel successful if I’ve helped, participated, and civically engaged.”
Victoria (Tory) Wobber ’01 “Courage is showing up when you’re not sure of the outcome. Lead through example, regardless of the situation.”
Griselda Carlos Arzate ’11 “How do we expand participation all across the board? People’s stories can be unclear and hard to tell just by looking at a resume.”
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of the intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the beauty in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that one life has breathed easier because you lived here. This is to have succeeded.” — RALPH WALDO EMERSON