Alumni are an integral part of the Robertson Scholars community, offering valuable contributions that strengthen the program and create meaningful experiences for scholars. Alumni continue to embody the program’s values of purposeful leadership, intellectual curiosity, strength of character, and a collaborative spirit through their work in the world and are encouraged to share their accomplishments, experiences and resources with the broader community as they grow and develop professionally and personally.
Get Involved
Leadership Development
NOLS
RSLP has extended it's partnership with NOLS to offer an alumni-only expedition to gain new wilderness and leadership skills. This year, alumni took part in an alumni-only sea-kayaking excursion in Alaska. The is geared up to become an annual event offered to Robertson Alumni!
The curriculum focuses on the exploration and practice of a sea kayaking skills progression and the NOLS leadership model, time to appreciate the extremes of the local natural environment, and the practice of minimum impact camping and outdoor living skills & camp craft; everyone was encouraged to be their authentic selves as they experienced the grandeur and challenges of living and traveling in the Alaska wilderness.
VIRTUAL HANGOUTS
In order to further facilitate organic relationships between Robertson Scholars and Alumni, the Alumni Council Robertson Hangouts, a series of informal virtual meet-ups centered around specific topics and moderated by notable Alumni. The Scholars and Alumni who participate are able to share ideas and hear new perspectives on topics of shared interest such as professional challenges and political/social issues.
Previous hangout have included the following topics: Bridging political gaps. Being a civil servant during uncertain times. What it's like to work in the Foreign Service for the US Government. Artists as social changemakers. Making space for impact in the workplace. And even an event with our benefactor, Mr. Julian Robertson!
Alumni Council
The Robertson Alumni Council exists to build an even stronger, more connected alumni community. Beyond organizing traditional alumni programming, the Council works alongside RSLP staff to support lifelong learning and a sustained vibrant community of transformational leaders. The Council expands opportunities for alumni to continue developing as leaders and to connect with each other, and all corners of the program. If you have questions related to the Council or have ideas for alumni programming or connection, please e-mail alumni@robertsonscholars.org.
2024-2025 Council
Alumni Council Co-Chairs: Chris Edelman, Niharika Vattikonda
Alumni Council Members: Eliza Harrison, Georgia Lala, Scott Spillman
Christopher Edelman ('11) is a Trial Attorney at the Department of Justice in the Civil Division, Federal Programs Branch in Washington, D.C. where he represents U.S. government agencies in civil litigation in district courts throughout the United States. He focuses on matters involving constitutional law and national security. Prior to his work at the DOJ, Chris worked for multiple Big Law firms and also clerked on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. He also worked for the Arias Foundation--an NGO in Costa Rica focused on developing peace and security. Chris received a masters degree in international relations at the University of Cambridge and a JD at Stanford Law School. At Duke, Chris majored in Decision Science and received a certificate in Latin American Studies. He spent his Robertson summers in New Orleans at New Orleans Legal Assistance Corporation and pursuing a combination of research, NGO work, language learning, and tango practice across Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. You are likely to find Chris playing with his infant son, traveling, running, cooking, or cheering on his Chicago Cubs!
Niharika Vattikonda ('22) is a technology policy researcher and has worked at the Future of Privacy Forum and the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society. Niharika’s research and advocacy focuses on data privacy rights, and much of her current work focuses on health data privacy and generative AI. As a Robertson Scholar, Niharika double-majored in Business Administration and Economics and was the first student to graduate from Duke’s Digital Intelligence Certificate. Niharika spent her Community Summer volunteering with Dress for Success in New Orleans, Exploration and Launch Summers working in investment banking and private equity, and Transition Summer studying technology policymaking in Tel Aviv. Niharika is currently based in Washington, D.C. and will be attending Harvard Law School through the Junior Deferral Program.
Eliza Harrison ('19) is pursuing an MBA at the Duke Fuqua School of Business (class of ’26). Prior to Fuqua, she served as the Director of California Operations for Ocean Rainforest: among the largest offshore seaweed producers in the Western Hemisphere. In collaboration with the organization’s C-suite, she co-led the implementation of a five-year, multi-million-dollar research program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy to assess the feasibility of offshore seaweed cultivation in southern California. Eliza holds a B.S. in Environmental Health Science from the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC – Chapel Hill and studied extensively at the Duke University Marine Lab during her time as a Robertson Scholar (class of ’19). Professional interests aside, Eliza is an enthusiastic skier, climber, backpacker, hiker, whitewater kayaker and swing dancer.
Georgia Lala ('20) specializes in defense policy for the New Zealand Government. Outside of work, Georgia is Deputy Chair for the Board of Directors of UN Youth New Zealand, a youth-for-youth non-profit organization that delivers civics education outside the traditional classroom context. At Duke, Georgia studied Political Science with a major in Security Peace and Conflict, and was Duke Student Government’s Chief Justice and Co-chair of the Undergraduate Board of Conduct. Georgia spent her Exploration Summer travelling across Europe conducting research on the European Refugee Crisis, and her Launch Summer in New Zealand working for the Helen Clark Foundation on drug policy reform.
Scott Spillman ('08) is an American historian. His first book, Making Sense of Slavery: America’s Long Reckoning, from the Founding Era to Today, is forthcoming from Basic Books in March 2025. Scott received his PhD in history from Stanford University. At UNC, he studied history, English, and political philosophy. He spent his Robertson summers in Whitesburg at the Letcher County Government, in Vietnam at the Institute of International Education, and in Florence learning Italian and visiting museums. Originally from Atlanta, he now lives in Denver with his partner, their twin daughters, and an old Italian greyhound named Devo. He also spends part of his time in Leadville, where he serves as chair of the city’s historic preservation commission. When he is not reading and writing, he enjoys running in the mountains and playing with his daughters.