At Reunion Weekend 2022 in June, Perry Yeatman ’82 was awarded with this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award. Established by the Class of 1959 at its 50th Reunion in 2009, this annual award celebrates the alumna or alumnus who has distinguished themselves professionally, personally, and in service to the community and country with strength, commitment, and perseverance. 
 
“Over the past three decades, Perry has built a track record as a seasoned global business leader, successfully working at the intersection of business and society, leveraging her breadth of experience across sectors, industries and markets to help clients capitalize on opportunities and solve problems in ways that simultaneously deliver economic, social and environmental benefits,” Head of School Joy McGrath ’92 said during the award presentation. “In addition, Perry has leveraged her experience to become a recognized expert on women’s career development and advancement. By combining award-winning books, blogs for leading publications, a popular podcast, and a successful consulting and coaching practice, Perry has helped thousands of women not only survive but thrive in their careers. Currently head of corporate partnerships at Save the Children, Perry combines focus, determination, hard work and personal sacrifice with appreciation for the generous support of others in her life’s work to deliver economic, social and environmental benefits.”

Yeatman spoke to the school community at the school’s annual Founders Day Chapel, which celebrates the founding of St. Andrew’s, on November 30. On that day in 1929, the cornerstone —which contains an SAS time capsule—was laid under the head of school’s office. November 30 is also, not coincidentally, the feast day of the apostle Andrew, for whom the school is named. Yeatman spoke to students about embracing and valuing their unique personal strengths; you can listen to her talk in full here:

The following day, Director of Dance Avi Gold was inspired by Yeatman’s talk to set up a large dance mirror outside the entrance to the O’Brien Arts Center, in which students, faculty, and staff could see themselves as they entered the building for School Meeting. “In light of Mrs. Yeatman’s talk last night,” Gold said, “I wanted to highlight her first practical point of seeing YOUR unique and wonderful strengths and value. As you walk across the strand to School Meeting, I encourage you to internally reflect on what insecurities you may hold on the inside and then leave them there on the strand. When you get to Arts Center you will see the “Mirror of Strengths” that will only reflect all of the wonderful things that the rest of us see in YOU. You can take your strengths with you for the rest of your day… and of your life!”