2023 Alumni Awards

Kristin Glass-Berry '07

The College of Arts and Sciences honors Kristin Glass-Berry, class of 2007 with a bachelors degree in Public Relations and Marketing Communications. Kristin notes that St. Ambrose provided her with the tools to enhance her internal drive, allowing her to go further and faster in her career. With the help of the Career Center, she enhanced her skills, gained experience and landed her dream internship as an Events Intern at the Quad Cities Chamber. That internship was the first step in an impressive career with the Chamber that included six different roles including Interim CEO and Chief Strategy Officer as well as playing an integral role in merging the three local chambers into one regional organization.

Today, Kristin uses her talents in a new way that still allows her to help small businesses succeed as President of Total Solutions. She continues to serve the community as a volunteer leader for EveryChild, Renew Moline, and others.

Link to Alumni Award Video 

Catherine Dittmer '18

The College of Business honors Catherine Dittmer, class of 2018 with a bachelor's degree in Finance. With the help and support of SAU faculty, Catherine received an offer at Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. She remarks, "I thought I would never get a job there because I was not smart enough, old enough and did not come from a wealthy background." Five years later, Catherine has her dream job as a Wealth Management Advisor at Merill Lynch; a job that may not have been if it wasn't for the encouragement from her professors to recognize her skills and take a leap of faith.

Catherine uses those skills to provide pro bono financial education activities for people across many demographics and serve in a number of volunteer capacities. In particular, she shares her recent battle with an aggressive form of blood cancer to inspire others to be determined, resilient and intentional during difficult times.

Link to Alumni Award Video

Molly Gabaldo '14

The College of Health and Human Services honors Molly Gabaldo, class of 2014 with a degree in Nursing. St. Ambrose's focus on social justice was a pillar of Molly's collegiate education. Her experiences with non-profits, student abroad, service trips, and faith communities instilled in her a strong belief that "healthcare is a basic right centered in justice." That theme has remained center stage as her career in nursing has evolved. The COVID-19 pandemic provided Molly with a unique opportunity that resulted in her current position as a project manager for the Chicago Department of Public Health after receiving her Doctorate of Nursing Practice in Public Health from Rush College of Nursing. She explains that emergency preparedness is now where she envisioned her future, but she recognizes that a focus on health equity and justice for communities is just as pertinent in preparing for and responding to emergencies as anywhere else in public health.

Link to Alumni Award Video

Rob Philibert '83

The College of Arts and Sciences honors Rob Philibert, class of 1983 with a bachelor's degree in Biology. Rob went on to receive his MD and PhD from the University of Iowa where he is a Professor of Psychiatry with joint appointments in Neuroscience, Molecular Medicine, and Biomedical Engineering. Rob has founded two biotech companies. The first company, Cardio Diagnostics Inc, is listed on NASDAQ and that has introduced the world's first Artificial Intelligence guided genetic-epigenetic test for any disorder. He is also the founder and CEO of Behavioral Diagnostics and is credited with the development of cancer screenings and discovering the epigenetic signatures for cigarette and alcohol consumption.

Rob cites the mentorship provided by Dr. Art Serianz of the Chemistry department as being pivotal to his achievements. He describes his work as "discovering the greatest inner joy in understanding the wonders of God's creation and the need to use that knowledge to bring more people into a fuller human existence.

Link to Alumni Award Video

Mara Downing '88

The College of Business honors Mara Downing, class of 1998 with a bachelors degree in Accounting. Mara's journey to her current position as Vice President, Global Brand and Communications for John Deere has roots on the SAU campus. Her time under the oaks helped Mara clarify what was important personally and professionally and reaffirmed the importance of values. Mara embodies the Ambrosian value of lifelong learning and continuous curiosity. It's that approach that has allowed her to build an impressive resume at John Deere including experience in finance, public affairs and communications. She has spearheaded strategic initiatives focused on improving operations, enriching the company culture, and promoting the brand in order to drive higher levels of business success. Her influence can also be seen locally through her involvement with the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, the John Deere Classic, United Way of the Quad Cities and many other organizations.

Link to Alumni Award Video

Katie Powers '07, '08

The College of Health and Human Services honors Katie Powers, class of 2007 and 2008 with degrees in Behavioral Neuroscience and a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Her career includes 15 years of pediatric clinical experience and 13 years of classroom experience at St. Ambrose, starting as a guest lecturer to becoming a core faculty member in 2021. Katie helped develop the Pediatric Therapeutics class and the Residency Program in Pediatric Physical Therapy at SAU.

Katie notes that she began her career with a strong foundation and support system from the St. Ambrose community and it is an honor for her now to be a part of that community as a faculty member. Her impact is not only felt in the classroom, but in the broader community as well as a founding member of Mississippi Bend Trykes, which provides adapted tricycles to children with special healthcare needs in the Quad Cities region.

Link to Alumni Award Video