Her path led to humanitarian and social responsibility work, landing her in DC for nearly six years. But, something was missing.

Fitzalan had been involved in athletics at Chatham Hall, and she flourished in her writing classes. So, in 2007, she decided to take the leap into public relations work in international sports. “I’d grown up around bike racing, I played sports at Chatham, but I never dreamed I could work in men’s international sports, let alone as both an American and a female.”

 

She worked her way up to becoming the Senior Director of Public Relations of Team Novo Nordisk, the first all-diabetes professional cycling team. She’s based in Belgium as one of only a handful of women in the world in her line of work. Her advice for current students: “Trust your intuition. Worry less and have more confidence. Say yes to opportunities no matter the pay or the travel requirement. Take risks and heed the lessons they teach.”

 

Fitzalan is incredibly proud of Chatham Hall. “Chatham is building even stronger female leaders than ever before. I love how the school prioritizes positive female role models through the Leader and Writer in Residence programs.” She attends events (including her upcoming 20th reunion) and makes an annual gift. And in 2016, Fitzalan decided to include Chatham Hall as a beneficiary of her assets, joining the Esto Perpetua Society. 

“I got to attend through financial aid, and would not be where I am without Chatham Hall. It’s my duty and my honor to pay it back and pay it forward to create the global leaders of the future. Of all the places I can give, I believe my gifts make the most impact at Chatham Hall.”


Originally published in the Fall 2018 edition of the School magazine, The Chat.