Alumni Profiles

Spotlight stories on alumni who are leading, innovating, and making a difference.

Catherine Zipf smiling, wearing striped shirt and dark sweater outdoors.

Preserving the History of Jim Crow Era Safe Havens

Architectural historian Catherine Zipf is building a database of Green Book sites.  

by Lydialyle Gibson

For David Moolten, medicine and poetry have formed a symbiotic bond.

Profile of physician and poet David Moolten

Experiences as patient and doctor have shaped David Moolten’s commitment to writing.

by Spencer Lee Lenfield

Kristin Kimball has chosen to learn about farming from the ground up.

Profile of organic farmer and writer Kristin Kimball

How Manhattan journalist Kristin Kimball found the best job in the world.

by Christine S. An

Michael Fertik has suggestions for a safer relationship with the Web.

Profile of ReputationDefender founder and author Michael Fertik

Entrepreneur and author Michael Fertik aims to help folks keep their reputations safe online.

by Seamus Flory

Joanne Ricca at her lakeside home in rural Maine with husband Martin Bartlett.

Harvard dropouts from the class of 1969

Forty-some years ago, three Sixties types dropped out. We drop in on them.

by Craig Lambert

Nick Gates ’91, who founded Coaches Across Continents, works with coaches (above) and youths (at right) in Tanzania in 2009.

Soccer program Coaches Across Continents promotes education in Africa

Nick Gates ’91 has founded Coaches Across Continents to use soccer as an educational technique in Africa.

by John Daley

From an office “down under” in Brooklyn, Sara Horowitz helps freelancers cope.

Profile of Sara Horowitz, founder of Freelancers Union

A Kennedy School graduate organizes the "free-agent economy."

by Nell Porter-Brown

Mystery writer Alfred Alcorn at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, where he’s never had to solve a homicide.

Alfred Alcorn's museum mystery books

Alfred Alcorn ’64 sets his Harvard-flavored murder mysteries in one of his favorite places: a museum. With audio from an interview with Alcorn.

by Craig Lambert

Kitchens in older homes—unlit, utilitarian, and at the rear of the house—reflect a role for women that we no longer tolerate, says remodeler Charlie Allen. This restoration aimed to connect the kitchen to the outdoors and the rest of the house.

Charlie Allen's art of home restoration

Charlie Allen makes period homes work for their owners. View images of his work.

by Jonathan Shaw

Andrew Wylie

Profile of literary agent Andrew Wylie

Andrew Wylie '70 runs a powerful literary agency that mixes hardball business and highbrow tastes. With audio from an interview with Wylie.

by Craig Lambert

Laura Mehlinger with a Colorfield romper, in silk with mesh streamers (left), and a silk-and-mesh veil chemise

Highbrow Lingerie

Fashion designer Laura Mehlinger draws on inspirations ranging from Vladimer Nabokow to Prince.