The Alumni Council supports the Flinn Scholars Program by providing feedback and advice to Flinn Foundation staff, undertaking initiatives to enhance the experience of current Flinn Scholars, and cultivating a meaningful network of Flinn Scholar alumni.
Meet the Alumni Council:
Gayatri Sadachar (Chair)
Flinn Scholar Class of 2015
University of Arizona
Gayatri Sadachar earned her honors degree from the University of Arizona in neuroscience and cognitive science with a minor in women’s studies. Her lasting interest in healthy aging and rural health care was first sparked by a study abroad trip to Greece, a dream made possible by the Flinn Foundation. As a College of Science ambassador, she led STEM outreach initiatives for youth at Diamond Children’s Medical Center and Tucson Science City. In 2019, she was named Outstanding Senior. During the pandemic, Gayatri began working as a health educator for the Phoenix Mobile Health Unit, where she and her colleagues provided over 10,000 COVID-19 vaccines and preventative health screenings for underserved communities across Arizona. The Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health recognized their efforts with a Staff Team Award for Excellence in 2021. To continue improving the health of Arizonans, she will pursue an advanced degree. Gayatri is deeply grateful for the chance to give back to the Foundation that has given life-changing opportunities to both her and her brother, Shivam, a 2017 Flinn Scholar.
Stanley Wong (Incoming Chair)
Energy Engineer, Schneider Electric
Flinn Scholar Class of 2017
University of Arizona
LinkedIn
Stanley Wong is an energy engineer at Schneider Electric, where he works to improve building efficiency for school districts, universities, and cities in the West region. In this role, he has also obtained his Professional Engineering license (PE) and is a Certified Energy Manager (CEM). He looks forward to contributing to innovation in the energy sector and helping organizations meet their sustainability goals.
Before working, Stanley’s passion for energy efficiency grew at the University of Arizona. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering and later earned a Master of Science in environmental engineering, where he deepened his expertise in clean energy systems and environmental processes. These foundations continue to guide his work at the intersection of social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
Stanley is honored to be a part of the Alumni Council and give back to the community that has supported him so deeply in his academic and professional career.
Lindsey Chew (Past Chair)
MD/PhD Candidate
Duke University School of Medicine
Flinn Scholar Class of 2014
University of Arizona
LinkedIn
Lindsey A. Chew graduated summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Arizona Honors College in 2018, with a degree in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science (Neurobiology emphasis) alongside minors in Spanish and Business Economics. She is currently completing her MD/PhD at Duke University School of Medicine through the Medical Scientist Training Program, and she is a Ph.D. candidate in Catherine Bowes Rickman’s lab in the Department of Ophthalmology. Her project focuses on validating gene therapy targets for age-related macular degeneration, as well as understanding the role of specific fat and cholesterol components in the development of this visually-impairing disease. Lindsey aspires to see patients as an ophthalmologist and conduct research to find cures for blindness. She was inspired by her time as a puppy raiser with Guide Dogs for the Blind during her college years in Tucson. After graduating from the University of Arizona, Lindsey spent several months traveling to guide dog training schools around the world (Czechia, Ireland, Hungary, New Zealand, Canada), meeting with mobility and orientation training experts as well as innumerable guide dog handlers. The Flinn Foundation played a key role in enabling her exploration, and Lindsey looks forward to continuing the adventure on the Flinn Alumni Council.
Leslie Harris
Risk Transformation Director,
Early Warning Services/Zelle/Paze
Flinn Scholar Class of 2001
University of Arizona
LinkedIn
Arizona born and raised, Leslie Harris attended Sunnyslope High School in Phoenix before attending the University of Arizona, where she triple-majored in psychology, political science and Spanish and studied abroad in Costa Rica and Spain.
Leslie travelled solo across South America for seven months following graduation, and subsequently moved to London for a graduate program at the London School of Economics. She remained in London for 15 years, originally working in small, private sector consultancies undertaking international development work, and ultimately ending up at Citibank. She worked for Citi for 12 years in various roles, including serving as chief of staff for Citi’s Anti-Money Laundering Program in Europe, Middle East and Africa, and as transformation director for Citi’s Global Compliance function.
She recently returned to Phoenix with her family and has accepted a risk transformation director role with Scottsdale-based Early Warning Services/Zelle/Paze.
Sara Zervos Knutson
COO/CFO, Pao App Inc
Flinn Scholar Class of 1987
Arizona State University
LinkedIn
Sara Zervos Knutson is a veteran global fixed income investor and financial economist. She currently consults for the International Monetary Fund and serves as COO / CFO of Pao App Inc (a digital media company she co-founded with her daughter). Prior to these endeavors and her move to Colorado, she served as an Institutional Investor for nearly 15 years, specializing in emerging market debt. As Head of Global Debt at Oppenheimer Funds she was entrusted with over $20 billion in investor assets. Sara worked as a Senior Financial Economist at the World Bank, portfolio manager at three hedge funds, an emerging market analyst in two global investment banks, and taught finance at the university level. She has published in several academic journals. Since her move from NYC, she has launched several companies in real estate, financial literacy, and travel.
Sara holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Economics from the University of Rochester, and a B.A. in Economics from Arizona State University. She has held seats on the Federal Reserve’s sub-committee on Foreign Exchange, the UBS Research Advisory Board, and the Emerging Market Trading Association Board. She is currently a board member for the Gardener Cheese Company.
Sara’s main loves are her partner, her two children, and their five dogs and cats.
Aidan McGirr
Freshfields US, LLP
Flinn Scholar Class of 2016
Arizona State University
LinkedIn
Aidan McGirr currently works at Freshfields US, LLP, in New York City, focusing predominantly on country advising, sanctions, investigations and compliance, and human rights.
Before Freshfields, Aidan served as a legal advisor to the Permanent Mission of the Federated States of Micronesia at the United Nations. Aidan also has significant experience working beyond the United States, particularly in EU jurisdictions.
Aidan received his J.D. from New York University School of Law where he graduated as an Institute for International Law and Policy named scholar. He holds his master’s degree in ethnic and migration studies from Linkoping University in Sweden, his bachelor’s degree in astrophysics from Arizona State University, and a minor in global health and pre-medicine.
Aidan graduated as a Class of 2016 Flinn Scholar. He is thrilled to serve on the Flinn Alumni Council and to support the Flinn and Arizona community albeit from afar. Aidan’s focus on the Flinn Alumni Council is to bolster the alumni network, facilitating alumni meetings across the United States and further supporting the already-extensive Flinn alumni network.
Erik Stout
Managing Partner, SMJ Partners
Flinn Scholar Class of 2008
Arizona State University
LinkedIn
Erik Stout is an entrepreneur with a passion for connecting people to opportunity. He currently is cofounder and managing partner at SMJ Partners, focused on acquiring and operating small businesses in the education, technology, and health care domains.
Prior to this, Erik spent eight years at Indeed, Inc. in a variety of product, strategy, and general management roles, and three years as a consultant at McKinsey and Company. Erik earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Arizona State University as a National Science Foundation Fellow, where he also earned bachelor’s degrees in math and economics as a Goldwater Scholar.
The Flinn Scholarship was formative to Erik’s college and post-college experience, and he stays connected with a number of Flinn alums to this day. Erik is excited to support creating and enabling similar experiences for fellow alumni and Scholars via the Alumni Council.
Past Alumni Council Members
Ruth Allard – Past Chair
Flinn Scholar Class of 1990
Ruben Alonzo
Flinn Scholar Class of 2001
Shantanu Bala
Flinn Scholar Class of 2011
Jennifer Banks – Past Chair
Flinn Scholar Class of 1991
Timothy Ellsworth Bowers
Flinn Scholar Class of 1997
Breanne Bushu – Past Chair
Flinn Scholar Class of 2002
Aaron Cain
Flinn Scholar Class of 1997
Michael Chu – Past Chair
Flinn Scholar Class of 1992
Nikhil Dave
Flinn Scholar Class of 2018
Darryl Davis-Rosas
Flinn Scholar Class of 2006
Heidi Ernst
Flinn Scholar Class of 1998
Nathan Johnson
Flinn Scholar Class of 1986
Ajay Karpur
Flinn Scholar Class of 2012
Renata Keller
Flinn Scholar Class of 2000
Arielle King
Flinn Scholar Class of 2007
Tina Kwasnica
Flinn Scholar Class of 1987
Mark Larsen
Flinn Scholar Class of 1987
Susan Luu (Lai) – Past Chair
Flinn Scholar Class of 1987
Samantha Winter McAlpin – Past Chair
Flinn Scholar Class of 2004
Michael Mitchell
Flinn Scholar Class of 1986
Margaret Neff
Flinn Scholar Class of 2003
Jennifer (Manuszak) Nelson
Flinn Scholar Class of 1989
Am Norgren
Flinn Scholar Class of 2006
Matt Rolland
Flinn Scholar Class of 2005
Benjamin Sanchez
Flinn Scholar Class of 2009
Amy Shahar (Stabler) – Past Chair
Flinn Scholar Class of 2007
