As part of their ongoing commitment to fostering connections between current students and alumni, the Alumni Council and Young Alumni Council hosted Senior Sessions, a speaker series designed to prepare the Class of 2025 for life beyond Darlington. Held from January through February, these sessions featured six alumni volunteers who provided seniors with experiences and advice based on their own journeys post-Darlington.
Featured Speakers:
Blake Cescutti ('00, LD '19) – A commercial property and casualty broker and risk advisor at Brown & Brown Insurance, Blake shared his college experience of changing schools and majors but ultimately finding a career that provides him with work-life balance. He talked about how his phycology degree unexpectedly became an asset in sales within the insurance industry.
Hanna Jon Lewis ('16, LD '20) – A marketing brand assistant supporting the Minute Maid Team at The Coca-Cola Company, Hannah Jon discussed how connections played a crucial role in her career. The pandemic changed her original career plans, leading her to her masters degree program and a connection to Coca-Cola. A connection within Coca-Cola opened the door to new opportunities. She encouraged the seniors to use their connections, including their Darlington Connections, in the future. Click here to watch Hanna Jon’s Senior Session (passcode: T8DA%R.P).
Olivia (Drake) McFall ('17) – Now a marketing specialist at Atrium Health, Olivia shared her college experience with roommates and how she navigated a tricky living situation. She also talked about her career and how a connection helped her secure an internship that led to a full-time position. She discussed the benefits of remote work and the career growth opportunities she has experienced while at Atrium Health.
Scott Poley ('03) – An experienced leader in cybersecurity, Scott shared how his career path evolved from college to military service and back to college, ultimately leading him into cybersecurity. Now a senior threat hunt analyst at Intel 471, Scott emphasized the value of adaptability and how his military experience shaped his career. Click here to watch Scott’s Senior Session (passcode: 6iZZL^EK).
Patrick Wilson ('08, LD '20) – A financial advisor, Patrick recounted how his career initially began in banking. Though he had never envisioned working for his family’s company, an unexpected opportunity led him to join the business - where he now thrives. He encouraged students to be open to new possibilities.
Harley Yancey ('07, LD '16) – Currently the president of State Mutual Insurance Company, Harley spoke about his experiences in law school and his career shift from practicing law to the insurance industry. Harley shared with students how his Darlington connections made an impact on his career, his first job out of law school was secured through Darlington connections. He advised students to not be afraid to ask for help and use your connections.
A huge thank you to our alumni who took the time to share their experiences and advice with the Class of 2025. Their stories are a great reminder of the strength of the Darlington community. We can’t wait to see how these conversations help shape the Class of 2025!
Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from our Darlington Connects series, where we celebrate those who embody Darlington’s mission of "Service Beyond Self."
