The Vanderbilt University Alumni Association Board of Directors has elected seven new members from across the nation with strong ties to their alma mater.
Samar Ali, of Waverly, Tenn., is an adviser on international relations to Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner William Hagerty. She was a White House Fellow for 2011-2012. Ali majored in political science, earning a bachelor’s degree from the College of Arts and Science in 2003 and a J.D. from Vanderbilt Law School in 2006. On campus, she was active in the Student Government Association, VUcept, Muslim Student Association and Alternative Spring Break. She continues to be engaged as an interviewer in the Commodore Recruitment Programs.
Brandon Berger, who lives in New Orleans, is vice president of The Berger Company, a real estate development and investment firm. He has been actively involved with building the New Orleans endowed scholarship for Vanderbilt students. Berger and his family sponsor the annual summer send-off parties for incoming students from the New Orleans area. Berger majored in history, earning a bachelor’s degree from the College of Arts and Science in 2003. He has participated in the Commodore Recruitment Programs.
Perry Brandt, of Kansas City, Mo., is a partner with Bryan Cave LLP. He serves as president of the Kansas City alumni chapter, hosts chapter events and participates in the CoRPs program. Brandt majored in political science, earning a bachelor’s degree from the College of Arts and Science in 1974 as well as a J.D. from Vanderbilt Law School in 1977. He is also a Vanderbilt parent.
Aliya Coher, of Pasadena, Calif., is associate vice president at UGL Services, a property services firm encompassing advisory, brokerage and management solutions to occupiers and investors worldwide. She is president of the Los Angeles alumni chapter and has been active as an interviewer in the Commodore Recruitment Programs and summer send-off parties for incoming students. Coher pursued an interdisciplinary studies major in communication and minor in Spanish, earning a bachelor’s degree from the College of Arts and Science in 1999.
Thomas Conner, of Nashville, Tenn., is president of Sitemason Inc., a web technology company. He is a past president of the Nashville alumni chapter. Conner serves on the alumni association’s awards committee and has volunteered with the Commodore Recruitment Programs and Vanderbilt Reunion. He graduated from the College of Arts and Science with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1988.
Kasey Folk, who lives in Chicago, is an attorney with Ulmer & Berne LLP. She is president of the Chicago alumni chapter and serves as vice president of personnel for the Junior League of Chicago. As a student, she was president of the Undergraduate Political Science Association. Folk is a 2002 summa cum laude graduate of the College of Arts and Science with majors in political science and Spanish.
Justin Giboney, who lives in Atlanta, works for Mayor Kasim Reed in the Atlanta Law Department. Giboney is the co-founder of Atlanta Politico and active in Atlanta politics. He was a member of the Georgia Bar Association’s Leadership Academy Class of 2008. A former Vanderbilt football player, Giboney was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 2003. Giboney majored in Human and Organizational Development, earning a bachelor’s degree from Peabody College in 2003. He also earned a J.D. from Vanderbilt Law School in 2006.
All seven new members were elected to three-year terms.
The Vanderbilt Alumni Association works to engage alumni in the life of Vanderbilt University and its students, and to encourage lifelong connections among alumni and support of the university’s goals.