Eight alumni were named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for 2022.
The list is an annual collection recognizing 600 professionals, all under 30 years of age, split evenly across 20 fields of work. The alumni included in the 2022 class were recognized for their work in consumer technology, entertainment, finance, marketing, media and sports.
Alexa Dectis
Dectis graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication and media studies in 2015. After spending her childhood acting on Sesame Street, Dectis developed an interest in providing legal protection for child actors working in Hollywood. She now works with Skydance Media, a production company, managing legal issues with minors.
Dectis said growing up with spinal muscular atrophy, a rare neuromuscular disease that weakens her muscles over time, has translated to a dedication and work ethic that helped her earn a spot on the 30 Under 30 list, an honor she considers “meaningful in so many ways.” Dectis said students should pursue internship opportunities during their time at GW, citing her time as an intern at SiriusXM during her junior year.
“Take advantage of the vast internship opportunities that GW is connected with and work incredibly hard in those internships.” Dectis said in an email. “Developing a strong work ethic is one of the most valuable ways to help your team.”
Jeremy Diamond
Diamond graduated with a bachelor’s degree in international affairs in 2015. A Hatchet alumnus, Diamond received national recognition in 2013 for his article on GW’s misrepresentation of its admissions process. Diamond joined CNN in 2014, becoming a White House correspondent in 2019, where he has covered President Joe Biden’s and former President Donald Trump’s COVID-19 pandemic response.
Jonquel Jones
Jones graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and law enforcement administration in 2019. She played on the women’s basketball team at GW for three years beginning in 2013 before she was drafted by the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun in 2016. Since then, Jones has played as the Sun’s power forward and won the league’s MVP award in 2021 after leading the team to a league best 26-6 record. She also won Most Improved Player in 2017 and Sixth Player of the Year in 2018.
Ro Kalonaros
Kalonaros graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature in 2014. She currently serves as the global director for content and culture at Omnicom, a marketing and communications holding company, where she works to improve the business’ culture. At Omnicom, Kalonaros helps lead OMC Hive, a knowledge-sharing platform which connects over 70,000 employees within the company.
Brooke Nakatsukasa
Nakatsukasa graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance in 2014. Formerly an investment banking analyst at Deutsche Bank, she now works as the vice president at Vista Equity Partners, an investment firm that focuses on the “enterprise software market.” At Vista Equity, she helps lead the firm’s largest fund, which focuses on investments in technology and software companies. Nakatsukasa also sits on the board of other technology and software companies Integral Ad Science and iCIMS.
Jillian Tessler
Tessler graduated with a bachelor’s of business administration degree in marketing in 2014. Tessler is the director of portfolio strategy and operations at NewCo, a startup incubator backed by media holding company IAC. At NewCo, Tessler works with founders on their startups, providing teams, tools and capital to assist with their ventures. Tessler has also opened a startup of her own, Jillies Dress Weights, a fashion accessory website selling small weights for dresses.
Alayna Treene
Treene graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication in 2016. Treene went on to become one of the founding members of the political news publication Axios, now serving as one of the site’s most read reporters. Currently, Treene works as a congressional and White House reporter, gaining recognition for her social media coverage during President Trump’s first impeachment inquiry in September 2019. Treene has also been featured on several other major news outlets, like MSNBC and Fox News.
Remi Yamamoto
Yamamoto graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science and government in 2014. She joined Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign in early 2019, becoming traveling national press secretary. Yamamoto was the first to inform Biden of then-Senator Kamala Harris’ campaign suspension in December 2019. Since Biden took office in 2021, Yamamoto has worked as a special assistant to the president and senior communications adviser for Chief of Staff Ron Klain.
