1996

The year 2008 was an incredibly historic year—the Olympics, the economy, the elections (Dartmouth alumni and presidential)—and by the time you receive this magazine, the year will be nearly over. Where did it go? It probably went somewhere with my Facebook account...and a number of financial institutions.

Following graduation from Dartmouth Keshav M. Puttaswamy joined Microsoft in Seattle, Washington, where he has made his home since with his wife, Ritu, and wonderful family. He tells me that he travels a lot but enjoys Seattle immensely.

Jesse R. Russell is an assistant professor at Seton Hall University in the Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations. In addition to his research he teaches graduate courses in international political economy and methodology. He spent the summer on a road trip to Nevada to spend time with family.

Though swamped with post wedding chores Anh Thu Cunnion managed to confirm that she did indeed get married to Jeff Siegel on June 21 in Silver Spring, Maryland. The couple lives in Baltimore and this year Anh Thu is teaching sixth-grade math and science at a public elementary school. This represents her sixth career change since graduation but who's counting?

In February Jacob Burns McKinney, or "J. 8.," was born to R. Burns McKinney and his wife, Barb. He joins big sister Maggie, a 2-year-old angel and a real daddy's girl. After 10 years of living in New York, Philadelphia and Boston, Burns now works as a portfolio manager at NFJ Investment Group in Dallas, Texas. If anyone is passing through the Dallas area feel free to give Burns a shout.

Brendan J. Doherty and wife Robyn Altman were thrilled to welcome Eva Jules Doherty into the world last December 14. Evas got a beautiful smile, which Brendan asserts makes the lack of sleep worth it. (Wear your bloodshot eyes as a badge of honor!) He finished graduate school in 2006 and spent a year as a postdoctoral fellow in the U.S. Senate. In 2007 he started as an assistant professor of political science at the U.S. Naval Academy and has never felt so respected.

Saw Mark B. Cicirelli and his friend Lisa walking down Columbus Avenue coming back from a brief visit to Bed Bath & Beyond by way of the Central Park Sheep Meadow. (Mark and Lisa, not me.) Lisa adorned a summery sea-foam dress with a woven handbag that held their beach towels from the days outing. (We discussed the Biden announcement and the upcoming announcement of McCains running mate. Thankfully this will be resolved by the time of this publication.) Following graduation from HBS in 2002 Mark has been working for a hedge fund in Manhattan and Lisa works with the marketing team at Avon. All enjoy Pinkberry, so we are destined to see each other again soon.

Finally, to close out 2008, discover the formula used by 21 of the worlds most extraordinary leaders to make consistent and smart decisions. How the wise decide and lead businesses and organizations to great success is the question Aaron M. Sandoski and co-author Bryn Zeckhauser asked themselves after landing their first jobs as managers. Despite the best training, they felt unprepared when faced with the pressure to make critical decisions. So they set out on a three-year quest to discover how people with remarkable success and experience in both corporate and public life—"the wise"—went about making crucial, often make-or-break decisions. Check out their book, How the WiseDecide: The Lessons of 21 Extraordinary Leaders. Published by Crown Business, it was released August 26. Wife Maribel Bastien Sandoski is thrilled and proud!

Happy and safe holidays to all—and keep on keeping on. See you in 2009!

175 W. 72nd St., Apt. 6E1,New York, NY 10023; (914) 316-6882; l.alan. keli'i.opulauoho.96@alum.dartmouth.org