Allen Chan | Interim Executive Director
chan@robertsonscholars.org
Now serving as interim Executive Director, Allen Chan first joined the Robertson Scholars Program in January 2010, where he worked in a consulting capacity to spearhead the 2010-2011 selection season. He brings with him over 20 years of leadership experience in entrepreneurial, educational, corporate, and consulting organizations, including Booz, Allen & Hamilton, where he led selection processes for top business schools; Resource Mosaic, an Atlanta-based consulting firm that he co-founded in 2006; and the Notre Dame-based Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Program, where he most recently served as Executive Director.
Allen's community involvement, particularly in the Atlanta area, is far reaching. He currently serves on the National Advisory Board of the Salvation Army, and he has also served on the boards of several other Atlanta-based organizations, including the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation, Families First, and the Imagine It! Children's Museum of Atlanta. Having received a MBA from Stanford University and a Bachelors of Science in Engineering from Texas A&M, Allen currently lives in Chapel Hill with his wife, Kathryn, and their three children.
Beth Owen | Associate Director for Finance and Administration
owen@robertsonscholars.org
Beth Owen joined the program in October 2012 after working in the Executive MBA Program Office at Duke's Fuqua School of Business for over three years. She brings with her knowledge of and experience with Duke's financial systems combined with an interest in working with undergraduate students. Beth received a B.A. in Economics from Wellesley College, an M.S. in Natural Resource Policy and Administration from the University of Michigan, and an M.B.A. from the Anderson School at the University of California - Los Angeles. Her professional experience includes work with independent research organizations (Employee Benefit Research Institute, Project HOPE), the federal government (Advisory Council on Social Security), electric utilities (Kansas City Power and Light), and for-profit casinos (Harrah's Entertainment). While staying home with her two sets of twins, Beth focused her skills on Triangle-area volunteer opportunities (Animal Protection Society of Durham, Duke School, The Junior League, The Women's Center, Jewish Family Services). Beth lives in Durham with her four children, two dogs, and two cats.
Vicki Stocking | Assistant Director for Summer Enrichment and Research
stocking@robertsonscholars.org
Vicki Stocking attended Duke University as an undergraduate and received her Ph.D. at Stanford University. She returned to Duke in 1990 to join the research division of the Talent Identification Program (TIP). After leading TIP Research for several years, Vicki has pursued her interest in supporting undergraduates, faculty, and community organizations through the Program in Education, the Kenan Institute for Ethics, and the Office of Service-Learning. Vicki also enjoys teaching and currently teaches "Adolescence" in the psychology department. Vicki joined the Robertson Scholars Program staff in September 2008 and currently serves as the Assistant Director for Summer Enrichment and Research.
Jay Green | Assistant Director for Academic Year Programs
green@robertsonscholars.org
Jay Green comes to the program with experience in academic and career advising, community-based youth development programming, diversity initiatives and multicultural education, and research on school-community partnerships. Before joining the Robertson program in July 2009, he attended Harvard University and received an Ed.M. in Human Development and Psychology. While at Harvard, he worked as an intern in the Career Services Office and as a Teaching Fellow for a course focusing on the effectiveness of teacher professional development opportunities attempting to counteract inequality in K-12 schools. Jay received an A.B. in Sociology and English from Dartmouth College and has also worked as a research interviewer for the Duke University Therapeutic Foster Care Study.
Mark Laabs | Special Advisor
laabs@robertsonscholars.org
Mark Laabs serves as Special Advisor to the Robertson Scholars Program. He particularly focuses on the Program's alumni community but also advises on selection, programming, and overall strategy. Mark is also currently an equity partner in Climate Bridge Ltd, a leader in the global clean energy market with offices in Asia, Europe, and Australia, and he serves or has served on the board of directors of a number of non-profit organizations including Nourish International and SEEDS (Social Entrepreneur and Enterprise Development for Students). Previously, Mark worked as a consultant in McKinsey & Company's Atlanta, San Francisco, and London offices, where he spent his later time focused on the private sector implications of climate change. Mark graduated as a Robertson Scholar from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a double major in International Studies and the Dynamics of Social Change. He is an outspoken advocate of social enterprise and speaks regularly on the topic at institutions including Oxford, London Business School, Tufts University, CEIBS, and elsewhere.
Nandini Kumar | Program Manager for Recruiting and Selection
kumar@robertsonscholars.org
Nandini returned to the Robertson Scholars Program in October 2012 as Program Manager for Recruiting and Selection. An alumnus of Duke University and the Robertson Scholars Program, Nandini received her A.B. in Public Policy Studies with minors in Biology and Chemistry. After graduating, she served one year as a Robertson Fellow and is excited to continue recruiting young leaders to Duke and UNC Chapel Hill. Nandini is also passionate about social justice, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare, and immigration. In addition to her work at the Robertson Scholars Program, Nandini has worked for the Duke Center for Health Policy and Inequalities Research, Student Action with Farmworkers, the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, and RTI International. She currently lives in Durham, NC.
Elaine Penrose | Program Coordinator
penrose@robertsonscholars.org
Elaine joined the Robertson Scholars Program in November of 2012 as a Program Coordinator. She graduated from Stanford University in 2011 with a B.A. in Classics and a minor in Art History. While at Stanford, Elaine was a member and captain of the varsity swim team. She qualified for the 2008 US Olympic team in both the 100 and 200 meter butterfly, and went on to win a silver medal in Beijing. After spending a couple of years traveling the world as a professional swimmer, Elaine retired from the sport and moved to North Carolina where her husband, Colin, is in medical school at Duke. She enjoys traveling, history, cooking, learning new sports, and spending time with her family.
