Class Note 2004

Hi, ’04s! It is hard to believe we are already at the end of 2022. Just yesterday I was wishing you all a very happy new year and now here we are gearing up for 2023. I guess time flies when you are no longer in isolation due to a global pandemic! I hope this holiday season brings you lots of rest as well as quality time with family and friends. And to help provide some entertainment given the shorter days and longer nights, I offer some exciting updates below from our ’04 classmates.

First, I am pleased to share that Chris Goodmacher and the company he cofounded with Dartmouth alum Jessica Chen Riolfi ’07—Uprise—were recently featured in TechCrunch. Uprise helps members of Gen Z build wealth sustainably instead of investing in crypto and stocks suggested on Reddit. The company is backed by founders and executives at Robinhood, Cash App, SoFi, Stripe, and others. And because of Chris and Jessica’s efforts, Uprise has seen a surge of interest (waitlist up to 8,000) as Gen Z encounters its first bear market. Well done, Chris and Jessica, and keep up the great work!

I am also happy to report that Julia Richman was recently named to the list of 2022 Outstanding Women in Business by the Denver Business Journal. Congratulations, Julia!

Julia and David Seidman shared that during the summer their family went on a backpacking trip with Rachel Bender Ignacio and her husband, Dave. This is now becoming an annual event, as this is the second year of the joint family backpacking trip. And because there is no rest for the weary, David also ran the Pine to Palm 100-mile race in September in southern Oregon, while Julia bravely coached under-5 boys soccer. Very impressive effort all the way around!

I am also excited to say that David Shamszad and his wife, Leanne, had a baby boy, Reza James Shamszad, in July. I have been told that Reza has already been named cutest baby in the world by both of his parents! Congratulations, David, and here’s hoping you and Leanne are getting some sleep these days.

Additionally, Lauren (Talbot) Sertich wrote to say that this summer she spent two weeks in Nottingham, England, playing for the USA over-35 field hockey team in the Masters World Cup. She got to put on a No. 5 jersey again, although this time with “USA” on the front instead of “Dartmouth.” The team finished fifth out of 12, losing only one game, against Ireland. Lauren was lucky enough to have her husband and two kids at the tournament. And she noted how it is a little different playing the game now compared to college, especially when walking off the turf at the end of the game and hearing, “Mommy! Mommy!”

Finally, a big congratulations to the ’04 class for collectively raising $156,547 this year for financial aid through the Dartmouth College Fund. This gift is the equivalent of three full-tuition scholarships. Bravo team, and a big thank you to our class head agents Gino Beniamino, Jaclyn Harper, and Abiel Acosta!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a festive December. And please continue to stay in touch as it is always good to hear from you. Talk in 2023, ’04s!

—Johanna Thomas, 14 Logan Circle, NW, Washington, DC 20005; johannarthomas@gmail.com