From the Pentagon Press Desk to Glass Blowing, ICS Alumni Highlight Career Paths After Creek
Wednesday’s Upper School Meeting was full of excitement as students and faculty welcomed eight graduates for the 2026 Alumni Career Panel. Representing the Classes of 2008 to 2019, they shared their experiences in diverse fields including health policy, public affairs, arts administration, social work, finance, media production, structural engineering, and sports event executive, offering insights into their career paths and life after Indian Creek.
This year’s panel featured eight graduates representing a wide range of careers, including:
- Alex Almy ’10: Director of FP&A (Finance) at Antelope
- Devin Arneson ’08: Public Affairs Officer for the US Navy
- Sara Brannan ’14: Children’s Social Worker at Children’s National Hospital
- James Corckran ’19: Structural Engineer
- Christina Helowicz ’15: Arts Administrator at Maryland Hall
- Robbie Isacson ’18: Producer, Founder of Isacson Creative Works
- Amanda Grimm Wiegrefe ’00: Health Policy Strategist
- Colby Williams ’19: Group Events Account Executive for the Philadelphia 76ers
The conversation opened with Director of Alumni Engagement Matt McCormick asking the alumni whether they had ended up in the careers they expected to have when they were in high school. Most agreed their paths had changed, with Alex ’10 stating he entered college intending to pursue engineering but shifted to finance after experiencing an engineering internship, deciding to pursue new academic interests. Similarly, Colby ’19 began on a pharmacy track before making connections in the sports world led him to his current role as Events Account Executive with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Panelists also discussed misconceptions about their work. Robbie ’18 explained that his role in media production involves far more scheduling, coordination, and problem-solving than people assume, especially as the founder of his business Isacson Creative Works. Arts administrator Christina ’15 noted that her role requires extensive planning, organization, and behind-the-scenes effort, discussing how rewarding it feels to use every part of her brain.
During the student Q&A, question topics included work-life balance, job expectations, and how to make the most of your time in college to secure internships and careers. Alumni encouraged students to balance their time consciously, take initiative, and explore a wide variety of opportunities.
A key theme throughout the panel was the lasting academic and personal impact of their Indian Creek experiences. Alumni emphasized the importance of mentorship, encouraging students to build relationships with teachers who can offer guidance and future connections. Christina ’15 shared, “The thing I took from the Creek that really lives and breathes in my day to day life is the community aspect”, highlighting that showing up, giving your energy, and staying engaged, even when busy, is essential to keeping a strong community around you: “If you want to live in a village, you need to be a villager.”
James ’19 pointed to the school’s strong writing skills implemented into his curriculum, noting that the communication skills he developed at Creek continue to set him apart in his professional life.
James ’19 pointed to the school’s strong writing skills implemented into his curriculum, noting that the communication skills he developed at Creek continue to set him apart in his professional life.
The panel concluded with advice for the high school students to pursue their passions, embrace challenges, and create good connections. Students and teachers stayed afterwards continuing conversations with the speakers and reconnecting with alumni. The 2026 Alumni Panel continues to showcase how an Indian Creek education not only prepares students academically but also fosters the skills, relationships, and mindset for success.
Read more about our 2026 Alumni Panelists:
Alex Almy ’10: Director of FP&A (Finance) at Antelope
An Indian Creek lifer, Alex attended ICS from Pre-K through Grade 12 and was part of the first class to complete 9–12 in the current building. He earned a B.S. in Mathematics and Economics from St. Lawrence University in 2014 and an M.B.A. in Finance from Johns Hopkins University in 2017. He began his finance career at Legg Mason in Baltimore and Vanguard in Philadelphia before returning home to Annapolis and transitioning into the consumer industry. He is now Director of FP&A at Antelope, a family of pet wellness companies including Bocce’s Bakery and Ark Naturals. He currently lives in Annapolis with his wife, fellow Class of 2010 alum Dr. Hannah Kleiman. Giving back to the community that shaped him, he serves on the Indian Creek Board of Trustees as well as the Finance and Investment Committees.
Devin Arneson ’08: Public Affairs Officer for the US Navy
With a background in Advertising from the University of Idaho and Mass Communication and Media Studies from San Diego State University, Devin now serves as a spokesperson on the Pentagon Press Desk. Her U.S. Navy career includes serving aboard more than five ships and managing public affairs for both the Navy and the Department of Defense. She has experience in carrier strike group and amphibious operations, humanitarian aid missions, space and cyber operations, and two Indo-Pacific deployments, including RIMPAC 2024. She also holds an Accreditation in Public Relations with a focus in military communication and has completed Joint Professional Military Education I and II.
Sara Brannan ’14: Children’s Social Worker at Children’s National Hospital
With a love of learning sparked at Indian Creek, Sara is now a clinical social worker in the Cardiac ICU at Children’s National Hospital and also works weekends with the Mobile Crisis Team for Anne Arundel Crisis Response. She earned a BSW and a BA in Journalism from James Madison University and an MSW from the University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2021. Her experience includes crisis hotline work, supporting unhoused adults, and serving in the ICU at GW Hospital, where she joined the ethics committee and discovered a passion for healthcare ethics. Outside of work, she prioritizes travel, aiming to visit a new country each year.
James Corckran ’19: Structural Engineer
A graduate of Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Civil Engineering, James now works as a structural engineer. During college, he completed several internships that helped him discover the type of work and company that fit him best. At Indian Creek, he was active in the sailing team and the STEM program, and he now shares an apartment with a fellow Creek alum.
Christina Helowicz ’15: Arts Administrator at Maryland Hall
Driven by a love of art, Christina studied Glass Blowing and Sculpture at Salisbury University and has built a dynamic career in the visual arts. She serves as Studio Manager at the Washington Glass School, teaching classes, overseeing large-scale public projects, and managing daily operations. She began at Maryland Hall as a Visual Arts Studio Tech, providing hands-on support for glass, jewelry, pottery, and wood-turning studios, and was later promoted to Visual Arts Division Coordinator, managing roughly 20 teaching artists across all media. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Annapolis Arts Alliance and works as a private art teacher.
Robbie Isacson ’18: Producer, Founder of Isacson Creative Works
A 2022 graduate of Susquehanna University with a BA in Communication (Advertising), Robbie founded Issacson Creative Works, a media production business helping brands tell their stories through video and multimedia. His interest in production began with interviewing and capturing soundbites, continuing through college editing and creating content for social media. At Indian Creek, he fondly remembers lunch with friends, time in the Loft, and teachers Mattie Greenwell-Dungian, Tonya Montgomery, and Jason Werner.
Amanda Grimm Wiegrefe ’00: Health Policy Strategist
Currently serving as Associate Director of Government Relations for the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Amanda earned a B.A. in Political Science and Public Policy and an M.S. in Health Sciences (Regulatory Affairs) from The George Washington University. She has worked with five medical specialty societies, including the American Academy of Dermatology, the American College of Rheumatology, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Amanda credits Indian Creek with teaching her to love learning and supporting her academic and personal growth. She is also a proud parent of two Creek students, Cooper (Class of 2036) and Mason (Class of 2038).
Colby Williams ’19: Group Events Account Executive for the Philadelphia 76ers
A graduate of High Point University, Colby earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a minor in Economics in 2023 and completed his MBA in 2024. He began his career in Group Inside Sales for NASCAR, coordinating national anthems, flag unfurls, and group outings across 12 tracks, then worked for Aramark Refreshments in Utah before joining the Philadelphia 76ers as a Group Events Account Executive. He credits Indian Creek’s hands-on learning and supportive environment for his success, especially after struggling in public school. Alumni Career Day was his favorite as a student, inspiring him to imagine his future, and he is proud to return to share his journey.
Indian Creek School
Indian Creek school is a co-educational, college preparatory independent school, located in Crownsville, Maryland. Students in Pre-K3 through grade 12 receive a vibrant educational experience based on excellent academics steeped in strong student-teacher connections.
