Five GPS Alumnae Set for Women's History Month Panel

On March 2, Girls Preparatory School will welcome five distinguished alumnae back to campus for our annual Women’s History Month panel, a schoolwide event that brings together students, faculty, and staff for conversation, reflection, and inspiration. Now in its third year, the panel has become a meaningful tradition at GPS, highlighting the diverse paths our graduates pursue and the lasting impact of their school experience.

The discussion will be moderated by Lauren Lawrence Swanson ’09, Director of Student Life, and will feature alumnae spanning multiple decades and professions. Panelists will reflect on their time at GPS, share lessons learned since graduation, and discuss how their careers and callings continue to evolve. In addition to the panel, these alumnae will also visit classes and dine with upper schoolers so that they can go more in depth with those who are particularly interested.

This year’s panelists include:

Anne Campeau Burley ’05
Director of Polypropylene Technical Strategy at INVISTA, Burley is a senior technical and business leader with more than 15 years of experience driving innovation in polymer science, product development, and global strategy. Her career spans research and development, manufacturing, product management, sales, and general management. She holds five patents and earned degrees from Georgia Institute of Technology, Purdue University, and Thunderbird School of Global Management. A passionate advocate for mentorship and STEM education, she is committed to advancing opportunities for women in technical and leadership careers.

Alexis Crutchfield ’13
A Chattanooga-based attorney, Crutchfield earned her undergraduate degree from Samford University and her law degree from Howard University School of Law. She serves as a Staff Attorney with Legal Aid of East Tennessee, advocating for vulnerable individuals, including survivors of domestic violence and tenants facing eviction. Her work has been recognized by the Chattanooga Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, which named her Volunteer of the Year.

Norinne Millner ’84
A Senior Vice President and Private Wealth Advisor with Merrill Private Wealth Management, Millner brings nearly 30 years of experience serving individuals and families with significant wealth. She works closely with founders, executives, entertainers, and other wealth creators—often women in leadership—to help navigate complex financial, estate, philanthropic, and legacy goals. She also gives back through leadership roles with CHRIS 180 and the Georgia Council on Economic Education.

Dori Thornton Waller ’99
A native Chattanoogan, Waller began her career after graduating from the University of Tennessee. She later joined the White House, becoming the youngest Deputy Social Secretary in recent history. In 2009, she founded The Social Office, producing high-end social and corporate events throughout the Southeast. She now lives in Chattanooga with her family while continuing to work with clients across the region.

Talene Yacoubian ’89
Yacoubian is a Professor of Neurology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Assistant Dean of UAB's Medical Scientist Training Program, where she also holds an endowed professorship in neurology. She earned her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and completed her M.D./Ph.D. at Duke University School of Medicine. Her training includes residency at Massachusetts General Hospital/Brigham and Women's Hospital and fellowship work with Harvard Medical School. Her research on Parkinson’s disease has been funded by the National Institutes of Health and leading Parkinson’s foundations.

Together, these alumnae represent a wide range of industries—from science and medicine to law, finance, and the arts—offering students a powerful reminder of the many ways GPS graduates lead, serve, and shape the world.