10:00 am Speakers
Katie Hall (Kish)
ABOUT: My family consists of me and my husband as of a month & a half ago! We just moved into a cute little blue house near Hayden Park in Hillsdale and are loving it! I am in my second year on staff with Athletes InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Hillsdale College where we desire to see that every athlete knows, loves and follows Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Hobbies: I love worshipping God, spending time with friends and family, running, and more recently cooking!
Proudest Accomplishment: Taking a selfie with Dr. Arnn
Favorite Bucket List Item: Go sky diving!
Favorite College Memory: Winning back to back Softball Conference Championships
Jess Malcheff
ABOUT: My husband and I have been married for 16 years and live in Hillsdale with our two little boys, Alexander and Graeme. Alex is a very sweet 4th grader and Graeme is a very precocious 1st grader. My husband, Adam, is in sales and I work in philanthropy raising funds for Spring Arbor University. As a family, we love to play sports together (mom tries), play board games, and watch throwback movies for family movie night every Friday night. In our spare time, the boys enjoy outdoor activities and mom enjoys relaxing baths and reading a good book!
Hobbies: Reading, Singing, Gardening, Decorating, and Naps :)
Favorite Bucket List Item: Learn how or attempt to surf--preferably in Hawaii but anywhere will do!
Favorite College Memory: My favorite memories from Hillsdale are friends gathered in the basement of Whitley (then a girls dorm) just hanging out and working out to Tae-Bo workout videos with Billy Blanks!
Proudest Accomplishment: Balancing a demanding career and family can be daunting at times, and I am proud of the way I have handled the demands of both throughout my time as a working mom.
Leah Nalepa
ABOUT: I’m originally from Metro-Detroit, Michigan but currently live with my husband in Washington DC. I’ve been in DC for almost 5 years and recently transitioned to working at the Kirby Center with Hillsdale where I focus on connecting alumni and graduate students to professional opportunities in DC including programs, potential employers, and alumni networks. Outside my “day job,” I operate District Style, where I elevate women’s style with wardrobe consultations and personal shopping. I also work part-time with a young professional program called DC Accelerator.
Hobbies: I love to public speak, workout, travel, and sip coffee early in the morning with an audio book or good podcast.
Favorite Bucket List Item: My goal is to travel to all 50 states before I turn 30. I’m currently at 43. I traveled to 5 more in 2020 and am going to Hawaii in 3 weeks. I hope to celebrate my 30th birthday in Alaska as my final state.
Favorite College Memory: So many good ones! Probably one of my favorite memories was sorority bid night every January – the energy was unstoppable. I also enjoyed finals weeks, they were always so mentally brutal but I had the best of times studying with my friends and classmates. My entire WHIP semester was incredible too.
Proudest Accomplishment: One of my proudest achievements was getting completely outside my comfort zone and moving to a new state, with a new job, and meeting a new set of friends.
Lindsay Peirce
ABOUT: I am the oldest of two, my brother is 25 and lives and works in NYC. My mother, father, and dog, Ace, live in St. Joseph, MI where I was born and raised. Both of my parents also grew up in St. Joseph and graduated from the same high school I graduated from. My job at Hillsdale College is the first job I accepted after graduating from graduate school in Chicago. I’ve been working at the college for a year and a half now. I live downtown Hillsdale in an old apartment that has become my favorite apartment since being an adult.
Hobbies: Reading! Playing tennis for fun now since I am a “retired college-athlete”, making essential oil rollers and learning more about essential oils and clean products, cooking, spending quality time with family and friends.
Favorite Bucket List Item: I'm excited to say one day that I have visited all 50 states.
Favorite College Memory: Gosh, there really are so many, but I would have to say the very first one that comes to mind is playing my last tennis match and standing on the court with the other senior teammate, taking in the moment.
Proudest Accomplishment: I truly felt the most proud of myself walking across the stage at my graduate school graduation receiving my masters in counseling psychology. While I had so much support and guidance in the process of deciding on, applying for, and completing my masters program, it felt like something I accomplished for myself and by myself. I was also surprised by my professors at graduation with receiving a distinguished graduate award for my program.
Kathryn Wales
ABOUT: My husband is Dr. Jordan Wales, a theology professor here at Hillsdale (who is STILL on sabbatical), and we have three sons (11, 8, & 4). We live right behind Hillsdale Academy where the older two boys attend school and I teach drama and direct Shakespeare plays.
Hobbies: I enjoy movies, shows, music, deep friendships, endless conversations, and serving as a mentor for young women.
Favorite College Memory: Either visiting Rome or taking my last final with my favorite teacher in my favorite classroom writing about Dante’s Paradiso.
Favorite Bucket List Item: A double date with Joanna Newsom and Andy Samberg.
Proudest Accomplisment: Running a huge conference at Notre Dame all about the virtues of childlikeness.