Dean's Alumni Advisors

Alumni and Career Success

Established in 2019, the Meadows 2050 Council was created to engage alumni leaders in shaping a long-term vision for the school. The Dean’s Alumni Advisors represent the next chapter of this work. Advisors serve as ambassadors within their academic divisions, strengthening alumni engagement, advancing career connectivity, and offering strategic perspective informed by their industries.

Requirements of Membership

To be eligible for service, candidates must be degreed graduate or undergraduate alumni of SMU who graduated within the prior three decades. Members serve a three-year term. Advisors will be identified and invited to serve by the dean on a rolling basis. Membership appointments reflect a commitment to principled leadership, professional achievement, and engagement with the school community.

Expectations

Advisors can expect to commit approximately 1–2 hours per month on activities.

Participation includes the following:

Annual Meeting with the Dean (required): Conducted virtually or in-person to share insights and strategic feedback.
Semesterly Meeting with Faculty Liaison (required): To strengthen relationships and support student and classroom career connectivity.
Leadership Opportunities (optional): Serve as a Meadows Mentor, attend the August Dean’s Executive Council retreat, participate in the SMU Alumni Leadership Summit during SMU Homecoming week, and support school initiatives in ways aligned with interests and availability.

2026 – 27 Dean's Alumni Advisors

Saniha Aziz Chakravarthy ’19, ’22

President
B.A., Journalism, B.B.A., Finance, &
M.S., Applied Economics & Predictive Analytics
Lead Communications Director, USAA
Dallas, Texas

Palmer E. Beldy ’22

Faculty Connections Chair
B.A., Advertising and B.A., Public Relations and Strategic Communication
Creative Content Specialist, National Geographic
Washington, D.C.

Samantha M. Klaassen ’18

Communication and Networking Chair
B.A., Fashion Media and Journalism with a minor in Graphic Design
Senior Assistant Buyer, Women's Designer Ready to Wear, Bloomingdale's
Dallas, Texas

Willow Blythe-Carroll ’13

B.A., Journalism
Founder and CEO, Weaving Wisdom
Rockwall, Texas

Dan Carrillo Levy ’09

B.A., Cinema-Television
Writer, Director, and Producer
West Hollywood, California

Lee Duveneck ’10

B.F.A., Dance Performance
Dancer, Paul Taylor Dance Company
Brooklyn, New York

Derek W. Hawkes ’14

B.M., Trombone Performance and B.A., Interdisciplinary Studies in the Arts (Orchestra Management)
Senior Consultant, World Wide Technology
St. Louis, Missouri

Lee A. Helms ’08

B.F.A., Theatre
Vice President for Production, New York Philharmonic
New York, New York

Ariel Martin ’19

M.A., Design and Innovation
Director, Digital Product Design, Ford Motor Company
Dallas, Texas

Sana Merchant Rupani ’11

B.A., Corporate Communication and Public Affairs with minors in Sport Management and Sociology
Senior Director, Global Social and Club Strategy, National Football League (NFL)
Dallas, Texas

Gregory M. Oertel ’15

M.A./MBA
Director of Philanthropic Services, Communities Foundation of Texas
Dallas, Texas

Chloe Young ’25

B.F.A., Dance Performance
B.A., Public Relations and Strategic Communication
PR Account Coordinator, NivenBreen
New York, New York

Hear More About Chloe

M.M., Music Theory and M.M., Piano Performance and Pedagogy
Dallas ISD, Head of Piano Studies
Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts
Desoto, Texas

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