SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
( INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS HIGHLIGHT DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI) OF
Since graduating from their respective schools, these eight accomplished alumni have pursued various career paths, from professional acting to teaching and public service. Despite their different professions, they all share a commitment to excellence and maintain close ties with their alma maters and their missions.
Alicia( Evans) Wetmore, 2014
LA SALLE ACADEMY Alicia( Evans) Wetmore’ 14 is a trailblazer who embodies intelligence, strength, compassion, and kindness. A lieutenant in the U. S. Coast Guard, she grew up in Johnston, attended La Salle Academy, and earned an appointment to the U. S. Coast Guard Academy, graduating as a commissioned officer in 2018. After serving as Executive Officer aboard the USCGC Robert Goldman and traveling the world, she earned a master’ s degree in Instructional Systems and Learning Technology. Today, she trains enlisted sailors in specialized programs. Alicia lives in Petaluma, CA, with her husband, Coles, son Bruce, and dog Franny, and enjoys coaching a recreational cheer team.
John Mullen, 2002
PROVIDENCE COUNTRY DAY John Mullen ' 02, managing director, president and CEO of Parsons Capital Management— recently ranked # 1 on CNBC ' s 2025 list of the Top 100 Financial Advisors in the U. S.— has remained deeply connected to Providence Country Day, where he was an active student leader, including on the football and baseball fields. He has served on the board of trustees for more than a decade, including several years as board president. He earned bachelor ' s degrees in economics and psychology from Fairfield University while competing as a varsity rower, followed by an MBA from Providence College. John ' s continued generosity and leadership reflect the values PCD instilled in him as a student.
Alejandro Quintero Cashore, 2022
GORDON SCHOOL Deeply impacted by Gordon’ s eighth grade Civil Rights trip, Alejandro led a similar trip to Georgia and Alabama in February 2026 while a senior at Bishop Hendricken. Afterward, he helped organize a symposium where Gordon community members and Hendricken students who attended the trip reflected on their experiences alongside Rhode Island district judges who’ d recently made a similar journey to the South. A passionate cellist, Alejandro played in the RI Philharmonic Youth Symphony Orchestra for six years and has performed at Carnegie Hall with the United States National Youth Orchestra. He also competed on Hendricken’ s 2024 Division I State Championship soccer team, and has volunteered hundreds of hours at Community Music Works after completing his eighth grade service learning there. He will attend Yale in the fall.
Governor Dan McKee, 1965
MERCYMOUNT COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Dan McKee, the state’ s seventy-sixth governor and a lifelong Rhode Islander, is a proud alumnus of Mercymount Country Day School, graduating in 1965. He credits the lessons, and the demand for excellence, he learned at Mercymount with guiding his educational and political career. There, he interacted with students from neighboring Massachusetts, Cumberland, Pawtucket, Central Falls and other communities, learning from their diverse backgrounds and cultures. McKee and his friends played football and basketball during recess. He pursued that passion through high school, eventually becoming a star basketball player for Cumberland High School and later a coach, guiding and mentoring youths just like himself.
Sara Barone, 2013
THE WHEELER SCHOOL Composer and Wheeler alumna Sara Barone was nominated for her second Emmy Award this year, for her work on“ The Beast in Me,” following her first Emmy nod in 2024 for“ Planet Earth III.” Whether she’ s composing for fiction or documentary, Sara always wants to deepen the audience’ s connection to the story. She credits her time at Wheeler with providing“ an enriching foundation,” from exploring global musical traditions, studying composition and performing with the 18 Wheelers, an a cappella group. As she looked ahead to the Emmy Awards ceremony, Sara says she was excited to celebrate with friends and colleagues— and to enjoy“ the rare chance for composers to emerge from our studios and socialize in formalwear.”
Dan Wood, 1985
THE WHEELER SCHOOL Architect Dan Wood is co-founder, with his spouse Amale Andraos, of WORKac, an awardwinning architecture and urban design firm renowned for innovative responses to environmental and social challenges. They’ ve designed projects ranging from sustainable community centers in Mexico City to the RISD Student Success Center here in Providence. Dan has also taught extensively, including at Yale and Columbia, and published several architecture books, including WORKac’ s most recent,“ Buildings for People and Plants.” He credits Wheeler with fostering the curiosity that continues to shape his work.“ You get to explore a lot of different worlds,” Dan says.“ Being open to new experiences— and not pigeonholing yourself into just one path— really matters.”
116 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY I OCTOBER 2026