GPS Announces 2025 Notable Alumnae

Bonnie Kingston Spangler Strauss began her 24-year teaching career as the education director  at the Michelson Museum of Art in Marshall, Texas, extending its partnerships to six surrounding school districts. Throughout her life, she continued to make her mark on her community, becoming the founding member of the Marshall Symphony League and Director of Training for the Symphony Ball. She and her family were one of four founding families of the Believer’s Bible Fellowship and a founding family at Saint Timothy's Anglican Church in Marshall. Bonnie was recognized at the 50-year groundbreaking celebration of The Marshall Public Library, having recently been elected as a trustee, and received the Judge Sam B. Hall Civic Service Award. She was even recognized as Citizen of the Year (Marshall, Texas), by the Chamber of Commerce in 2018. Bonnie serves as the director of Martha's Kitchen, an organization that has fed the hungry every Thursday for 15 years, bringing together a community of volunteer cooks from homes, churches, and schools. It’s no surprise that she received the Good Samaritan award for servant leadership in 2022 from East Texas Baptist University.

Maria Kain Matthews has an impressive and dedicated history of service to our community. She notably worked at GPS from 1989 to 2018, where she not only raised money for the annual fund as well as endowed, capital, and planned gifts, but also connected countless individuals to the school’s mission. Maria was an integral part of campaigns for The Ben Harnsberger Student Center and dining hall, in addition to the continued fruition of many relationships. She now serves as the Director of Generosity and Donor Relations for The Generosity Trust, a local donor-directed foundation that empowers Christian generosity. Her community involvement ranges from board chair to steering committee member at organizations such as The Bright School, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Estate Planning Council, Nonprofit Resource Center, and many more. She is a member of City Church of Chattanooga and has a remarkable talent for oil and acrylic painting.

Mary Anne Kaiser Williams grew up in a family known for community service. She discovered her passion for philanthropy in 1987 as Southeast Director of the American Lung Association of Tennessee. Her career took her to meaningful organizations including The Hunter Museum of American Art, NPR affiliate WUTC 88.1, and WGOW Talk Radio 102.3; she served years in public safety communications for the Town of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. She currently serves as the Development Manager for the Tennessee Aquarium. Mary Anne was inducted into the Chattanooga Women of Distinction Class of 2022 for her work in our community. She reflects on her time as GPS and says, “I wasn’t a star athlete, didn’t make straight A’s, just a generally happy girl who made lifelong friends and wanted to help people as much as others helped me.” She is married to Rick Williams, bass musician and lead singer for Overland Express, a regional band familiar to many GPS alumnae.

After earning her BS in industrial management from Clemson University, Marian Hoffman spent her early career in corporate human resources and training. A fun pivot took her to Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago, where she was a full-time student for two years, earning an Associate’s Degree in culinary arts—a creative detour that reflected her love of learning and great food, but ultimately not a new career. When her family relocated to New York City, Marian shifted her focus entirely to nurturing her three sons—including one with complex special needs. This became her full-time job, where she developed her talents for advocacy, listening, and community leadership. Those same skills now shape her work as an ICF certified professional life coach. Service has always been Marian’s quiet through-line—from chairing galas that raise critical funds for organizations like WestHab, to mentoring young women through the University of Notre Dame’s Cavanaugh Council program. Her role on Notre Dame’s Library Council reflects her enduring belief in the power of education—a value deeply rooted in her own experience as a GPS student. Whether supporting a corporate team, a struggling school, a coaching client, or her own children, Marian’s work has always been about helping others grow into who they’re meant to be.

Nedra Campbell is an experienced civil rights attorney who has handled all aspects of civil litigation, from investigating civil rights complaints in their infancy, to trying civil rights cases in federal district court. Currently, she is an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) for the Department of Justice in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan. As an AUSA, she handles cases arising under various federal civil rights statutes, including statutes prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, disability, religion, and national origin. Prior to joining the US Attorney’s office, she worked for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), where she litigated employment discrimination cases. At the EEOC, she handled employment discrimination investigations and cases arising under several federal civil rights statutes, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA). Ms. Campbell was recently appointed to serve on the Michigan Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. She is a proud graduate of GPS, Duke University, and Georgetown University Law Center. 

With over 25 years of experience in acquisition strategy and program execution, Kristina Iskander has spent her career at the intersection of national security and cutting-edge aerospace technology, supporting both the Defense and Intelligence Communities. A former active-duty officer in the United States Air Force, she is also the founder of a specialized consulting firm dedicated to advancing aerospace systems that serve and strengthen national security. Known for her ability to navigate complex challenges and strong network of professional allies, Kristina is a problem solver who drives results and breaks through bureaucratic barriers. She is passionate about mentoring, particularly in guiding young military officers and helping others grow in their careers. Kristina resides in Los Angeles, California, and is the proud mother of three wonderful children. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, relaxing by the ocean, and catching up on much-needed rest.

Neha Gandhi Vijay is a seasoned business leader at the forefront of emerging technologies and innovation. Her expertise spans the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, cloud, and edge computing, where she drives cross-industry growth through scalable tech-enabled solutions. Neha currently serves as a senior advisor and AI principal at JLA Advisors, guiding startups, venture capital firms, and Fortune 500 companies through the evolving landscape of emerging technologies. Previously, Neha held senior leadership roles at AT&T, including area vice president of business development and head of strategy & operations for IoT. Her performance earned her two of the company’s most prestigious honors from the CEO: the Summit Award and AT&T Diamond Club, recognizing the top 0.5% of leaders. Prior to AT&T, Neha worked in consulting, strategic planning, and operational excellence roles at various companies. She holds a degree in systems engineering from Washington University in St. Louis; a master’s degree in industrial engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology; and an MBA from Emory University. Neha currently lives in Atlanta with her husband and son. Outside of work, Neha enjoys cheering from the sidelines as a dedicated soccer mom, exploring nature trails, and planning travel adventures with friends and family.

Meredith Sellers Pelster received her undergraduate and medical degrees from Vanderbilt University, where she was the Founder’s Medalist for the College of Arts and Sciences and a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. She completed her internal medicine residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, where she served as a chief medical resident and earned her Master of Science in clinical investigation. Her oncology fellowship training was completed at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where she also served as a Chief Fellow. She joined Sarah Cannon Research Institute in 2021 as an investigator in GI malignancies and subsequently assumed the role of associate director of the GI Cancer Research Program in 2022. Clinically, she is a medical oncologist and founding partner at SCRI Oncology Partners. In her research role, Dr. Pelster leads the SCRI GI cancer executive committee in developing the clinical trial menu for the SCRI network and supporting trial enrollment. Dr. Pelster is married to Michael, a dermatologist and Mohs surgeon. Their daughter, Millie Grace, is a spunky little girl who loves princesses and dancing. As a family, they love cooking, reading, and outdoor activities. 

Payton Leech Thode graduated Suma Cum Laude with a degree in biology from Wake Forest University. She studied abroad in both Austria and Turks and Caicos, where she completed marine biology research. Payton attended Wake Forest School of Medicine and completed her residency in emergency medicine at the University of Cincinnati. She also worked as a helicopter flight physician in their Air Care division and is now a board-certified emergency medicine physician, practicing at Sturdy Hospital in Attleboro, Massachusetts. She lives in Barrington, Rhode Island with her husband, Dr. Jeffrey Thode, an OBGYN at Brown University. They are busy parents to two young boys, Oliver and Emmet, and one lovable labrador retriever named Finn. Dr. Thode enjoys spending time with her loved ones, gardening, and exploring the restaurants and beaches of New England. 

Anjali Chandra graduated from Harvard College in 2018, where she studied cognitive neuroscience and evolutionary psychology. She completed medical school at Emory University and was part of the curriculum committee. Anjali is now a third-year psychiatry resident at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, specializing in research. She serves as a wellness and mental health tutor at Harvard College and sits on the equity and inclusion and senior thesis teams. Her professional interests include global health and care for refugees/asylum seekers. Outside of work, she enjoys running, exploring bookstores and coffee shops, baking, and dancing. 

Lindsey Campbell graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in finance and a collateral in accounting from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Throughout college, Lindsey developed a passion for student success. She was elected as Student Body Vice President and was a proud member of the Honors Finance program. She went on to become the founding president of the Excel Modeling Club, the assistant director of the Masters Investment Learning Center, and a teaching assistant of the Torch Fund Program and finance classes. Lindsey was recognized for her leadership and dedication to the university with the Bank of America Leadership Award, awarded to a graduate of the Haslam College of Business for academic excellence and leadership. She was also awarded the Chancellors Extraordinary Leadership & Service Award. After graduating, Lindsey moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, to join Lazard Frères & Co. as an investment banking analyst in the firm's technology group. In her free time, Lindsey enjoys relaxing with friends, golfing, and traveling home to Chattanooga to visit her family.