51�Թ���

Walking into a new workplace can be daunting, but for Alex Napolitan (’14), his first day at Ochsner in New Orleans came with an unexpected connection. As he introduced himself to Jamie Lovitt (’00), one of the clinic’s Family Medicine physicians, she paused and asked him a surprising question: “Did you go to 51�Թ���? And were you in PLC?” Alex was surprised—he hadn’t met another PLC alum in years, let alone expected to find one nearly 1,300 miles from 51�Թ���. It turns out Jamie had done a quick search when she heard a new PA would be joining the clinic, and upon seeing a familiar PLC photo, she couldn’t believe the coincidence. “I thought maybe Google was just profiling me,” she joked. But when Alex confirmed his PLC background, she knew it was real—a “Mardi Gras Miracle,” as she called it.

Though they had never crossed paths in 51�Թ��� and somehow knew none of the same PLC people, their shared experiences in the program immediately created a sense of familiarity. For Alex, having Jamie as a colleague in a new city has been a source of support. “She understands where I’m coming from,” he says. “I view her almost as a natural mentor and friend.” Jamie feels similarly, noting that having a fellow PLC alum in her clinic makes her feel more whole, even amid the daily challenges of balancing work and life. “They call it work for a reason,” she says, “but I love having a new coworker with whom I share this history, even if we were separated by time.”

Their paths to medicine were different but equally shaped by PLC. Jamie originally came to New Orleans with Teach for America, teaching science in public schools before Hurricane Katrina forced all teachers out of their positions. She continued teaching in nearby LaPlace before returning to the city and eventually pursuing medical school.

Alex, meanwhile, started in research at 51�Թ���, initially planning to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology. Realizing that path wasn’t the right fit, he pivoted to medicine and attended Duke University’s Physician Assistant program. His journey took him to Milwaukee, Durham, and finally New Orleans.

For both Jamie and Alex, finding each other in an unexpected place reaffirmed the strength of the PLC community. “PLC alums go to all corners of the world and accomplish incredible things,” Alex says, “but it’s a heartwarming experience to come across each other the way we did.”

Dr. Cassandra Roeca exemplifies the power of passion and perseverance. Double board-certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (REI), she works at Shady Grove Fertility, helping individuals and couples build families. As an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine, she also leads groundbreaking epidemiologic and translational research.

Dr. Roeca’s journey into medicine was fueled by her lifelong love of science. During her time in PLC, she was inspired by many from her cohort with their involvement in research and decided to join an Integrated Physiology of Aging lab. Reflecting on her time at CU, she fondly recalls her favorite college class, Developmental Biology, where she modified embryos—a skill she now applies daily in her work. Though she initially gravitated toward more of the research she did in her lab, her internship with 51�Թ��� Neurosurgical Associates ultimately solidified her desire to practice medicine. Before attending medical school, she took a short gap period to work in the biotech industry, a transition that reinforced her commitment to applying scientific knowledge in direct and impactful ways.

Surrounded by high-achieving peers in PLC, Dr. Roeca developed an insatiable drive for growth. She credits the program with pushing her to seek out new opportunities and continuously evolve. Today, she embodies transformational leadership, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and collective success. “I can only be successful if someone answers the phone; draws blood; cultures embryos. I know that their role is just as important as mine,” she explains, underscoring her deep appreciation for collaboration at every level.

Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Roeca is a dedicated athlete. In college, she was a two-time national triathlon champion. She and her husband recently competed in the Jungfrau Marathon, one of the most grueling races in the world. Her ability to balance the demands of a rigorous medical career with competitive athletics while being a mother of three speaks to her discipline and determination.

Over the years, Cassandra has learned the importance of prioritization. Each week, she assesses which aspects of her life require the most attention, ensuring she stays focused on what truly matters. Her passion for medicine and helping families has made her career deeply fulfilling.

Cassandra likens her career progression to climbing a ladder—steep and relentless at first but gradually leveling out with perseverance and time. Looking back, she finds it both humbling and awe-inspiring to see how far she has come. Her advice to young alumni? Savor the moment. With proper time management, anything is achievable. She also wants to remind them that attitude is contagious—positivity and enthusiasm spread just as easily as negativity and doubt.

Cassandra describes herself as an intensely determined and passionate woman who seeks humor in life, embraces the positive, and balances countless responsibilities. Through it all, she continues to inspire those around her with her relentless drive and unwavering optimism.

Forrest Hobbs’ career has been anything but linear. His journey is one of adventure, self-discovery, and an unrelenting drive to connect with people on a deeper level. From working on crab boats in Alaska to a Hollywood talent agency, from leading high-growth startups to stepping back and re-evaluating his purpose, Forrest’s path is defined by curiosity, courage, and an appreciation for the people who have joined him along the way.

Today, Forrest is an Operating Partner at both Kayne Anderson Capital and Composition Capital, where he helps early-stage tech startups scale and thrive. He is also the Principal Partner and Operator of SaaSEnable LLC, a consulting firm that guides startups through their go-to-market strategies. His work is rooted in the belief that success comes not just from strategy but from truly understanding the people who make up a company. “Transparency, honesty, and directness—even when the news is difficult—are key to strong leadership. The more you read people in, the stronger your team becomes.”

This belief was shaped by his time in PLC, which he describes as “the most influential, memorable, and lasting experience” of his college years. The high caliber members of his cohort challenge he encountered in PLC provided a more real-world education than anything else in his curriculum, and to this day, some of his dearest friends are fellow PLC alumni.

Forrest’s professional rise was marked by both ambition and self-awareness. As a Senior VP at Telesign, he played a key role in the company’s growth, even turning down a major investment offer from Kayne Anderson Capital. That decision, however, wasn’t the end of his relationship with the firm. Kayne Anderson kept tabs on him, and later invited Forrest to take on an advisory role. This opportunity coincided with a major shift in Forrest’s career: he began "sunsetting" the operational side of his work and instead focused on advising startups.

But stepping back from operations wasn’t the same as stepping away from purpose. Over time, Forrest realized that his true leadership style stemmed from enthusiasm, finding what excites him and sharing it with the people around him. He also discovered the importance of recognizing talent and being transparent about the realities of a job. “When recruiting, you’re responsible for whether someone is making a good career decision, not just for your company, but for them. You must be honest about what they’re getting themselves into and clear why you’re there and really sell the job for what it actually is, good, bad, otherwise.”

Despite his success, Forrest credits much of his journey to being in the right place at the right time, but he also acknowledges the moments when he had to make difficult choices—like stepping away from his career to reassess what truly made him happy. “There’s a difference between taking a break and burning out. When you’re on a break, you want to fill your time with what fulfills you. When you’re burnt out, you don’t have the energy or passion to do anything.”

As he returns to the operational side of startups, Forrest brings with him a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of what makes a great leader. He likens leadership to his passion for bonsai trees—carefully shaping growth, creating deep resilience through challenge and struggle, and embracing the slow but powerful process of strengthening one’s roots to survive tough times and thrive where others shrink away from the challenge.

“Maybe the courage to pull the ripcord on my career three years ago and focus on the next chapter of my life through the lens of what truly makes me happy… Don’t ask me what that is, though. I’m still figuring it out.”

This year’s STEM Industry Night was our largest ever, and it wouldn’t have been possible without our incredible alumni! Special thanks to the following alumni for sharing their experiences, offering career advice, and inspiring the next generation of PLC STEM leaders!

-��������Dr. Cassandra Roeca ‘03
-��������Dr. Elliot Hedman ‘04
-��������Sarah Shortall ‘16
-��������Nikhil Dandavati ‘06
-��������Susan Morrell ‘14
-��������Alden Soto ‘19

Your support, mentorship, and generosity continue to shape the future of STEM. Thank you for giving back and showing what PLCers can achieve!
Here’s to innovation, collaboration, and a stronger CU community.
��

A huge thank you to the following alumni for generously sharing their time, knowledge, and expertise at our Business Industry Night:

- ��Mike Kercheval
- ��Kristen Gamache
- ��Chris Kline
- ��David Ettenger
- ��Christie Rogers
- ��Cliff Dinwiddie
- ��Grayson Lombardo

Your insights were invaluable, and we’re grateful for your continued support. Your contributions helped make this Business Industry Night an intimate event filled with laughs and incredible insight. Thank you for your leadership in the business world and for giving back to our PLC community!

PLC is committed to being an inclusive, supportive, diverse, and welcoming leadership program that is accessible to all communities. We seek to create sustainable positive change and challenge the status quo. We embrace constructive debate of difference and perspective to develop extraordinary leaders capable of tackling complex issues.��