Russell Sage Alumnae/i Awards
There are three main awards presented annually by the RSC Alumnae/i Association:
Unless otherwise specified, all alumnae/i from Russell Sage College are eligible for consideration in each of the three award categories regardless of gender identification, while either attending as a student or as an alumnae/i. We are proud of all of our alumnae/i award recipients. To view past recipients, learn more about these awards, or to nominate someone, click here.
Outstanding Young Alumnae/i Award
Recognizes an alumnae/i within 15 years of graduation. Honorees are considered based upon accomplishments in career, professional organizations, artistic or literary achievement in the creative or performing arts, and/or recognition for community service.
Izabella “Bella” Martin, ’21
Izabella Martin is a distinguished Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) consultant and higher education professional committed to advancing equity and access within educational and organizational settings. She is the founder of Intentional Inclusion LLC, through which she provides strategic guidance to organizations seeking to identify, understand, and address bias and to dismantle systemic barriers that perpetuate inequity. Ms. Martin currently serves as Assistant Director of Admissions at Albany Law School, where she plays a key role in shaping recruitment strategies and fostering an inclusive and dynamic academic community. Her professional experience also includes supporting admissions and recruitment initiatives at Russell Sage College and Emma Willard School.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts in History from Russell Sage College and has pursued a Graduate Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Harvard University. Her work is informed by a comprehensive understanding of how socio-economic and racial identities influence educational opportunity and outcomes. In addition to her professional endeavors, Ms. Martin is actively engaged in community leadership.
Since graduating from Russell Sage in 2022, she has served as a Board of Trustees member for Green Tech High School and on the Advisory Board of the Charlton School. She is a member of the Black Chamber of Commerce. Through both her professional achievements and service, Ms. Martin exemplifies the ideals of leadership, scholarship, and civic engagement.
Mayleen Rivera-Burrell ’14
Mayleen Rivera-Burrell is an equity-driven government professional with more than a decade of experience in public policy, legislative affairs, and community development. Appointed as Deputy Secretary of Intergovernmental & External Affairs for New York State Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie in 2021, she leads major crisis initiatives, including the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the asylum seeker crisis.
A graduate of Russell Sage College, Mayleen earned a Bachelor of Science in Law & Society with a minor in Business Administration. She began her public service career as an intern with the New York State Assembly and was later selected as an Excelsior Service Fellow to serve in the Department of Health’s Perinatal Quality Collaborative and the 2014 Governor’s anti-poverty Community Reinvestment Initiative.
Through her role as an Excelsior Service Fellow, she assisted in the launch of a weekend Backpack Program for students in the Newburgh School District, where more than 75% of students lived below the poverty line. Mrs. Burrell also contributed to the statewide rollout of the ABCs of Safe Sleep across all New York State hospitals.
Beyond government service, Mayleen remains deeply committed to mentorship and leadership development. Her 2026 Adult Achiever capstone focused on building a civic engagement pipeline for youth participating in the Capital District YMCA’s Black & Latino Achievers program. Recognized for her unwavering integrity and purposeful investment in youth, Mayleen has been awarded Adult Achiever of the Year.
Mrs. Burrell also serves as an at-large member on the Board of Directors for the Russell Sage College Alumni Association.
Tanesha Beebe-Peat ’16
Tanesha Beebe-Peat (Beebe) graduated from Russell Sage College in 2016. While attending RSC, she was involved in student government as treasurer and then president in her senior year as well as supporting others as a student mentor. After leaving RSC, she went on to medical school at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, she graduated in 2020. After medical school, she completed an Internal Medicine residency at the University of Vermont Medical Center. Following residency, she completed an additional year, known as chief resident year, where she was chosen out of 9 candidates to work as a hospitalist and part of the leadership team for the residency.
She is currently a second year cardiology fellow and will be pursuing a career in general cardiology once fellowship is completed in 2027. While in training, she has worked with the cardiovascular research institute (CVRI) by being part of the early career advisory committee where she helps create events to increase research interest and activities in medical students, graduate students, and other trainees. She has also spent time volunteering for a local non-profit organization affiliated withthe medical school to providefree blood pressure screenings and glucose checks. She currently lives outside of Burlington, Vermont with her wife, Katelyn, also aRSC graduate, and their rescue dog Stellaluna.
Alumnae/i of Influence Award
Honors Russell Sage College graduates who have achieved a high level of success in living out the ideals expressed in the College’s motto: To Be. To Know. To Do.
Ruth Lyons Hansen, ’83
Ruth Lyons Hansen, PT, MS, DPT, PhD, is Program Director and Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Mercy University in Dobbs Ferry, NY. A faculty member since 1996, she served for many years as Director of Clinical Education, coordinating clinical placements and mentoring both students and clinical instructors. She has also been active in faculty governance serving in leadership roles on several
university committees, including the Faculty Senate.
Dr. Hansen earned a BS in Physical Therapy from Russell Sage College, an MS in Exercise Physiology from Long Island University, a transitional-DPT from the MGH Institute of Health Professions, and a PhD in Health Sciences from Seton Hall University. She is board certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties as a Cardiopulmonary Clinical Specialist and is a certified trainer for the APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor Program.
Ruth has more than four decades of clinical experience, primarily in neurologic, cardiovascular, and pulmonary rehabilitation. Her scholarship centers on clinical education, cardiopulmonary health and experiences of physical therapists and students during the Covid-19 Pandemic. She has presented at regional, state, and national conferences and has published her research in peer-reviewed professional journals. Her research on clinical instructors’ perceptions and practices when supervising underperforming students has received national honors.
Joan Martin ’98
Joan Martin is currently Vice President, System Payer Strategy for Albany Med Health System, the only nonprofit academic health system serving the vast region from the mid-Hudson Valley to the Canadian border. Over her almost 23 years of tenure, Joan’s leadership and advocacy have contributed to the success of key strategic and operational initiatives promoting improved access to health care in communities throughout this area.
Her commitment to health services began as an officer in the Army Medical Services Corps, Seventh Medical Command, 7th Infantry Division, and later as aide-de-camp at the Letterman Army Medical Center. She has been a guest lecturer for medical students on various health care delivery system topics, including challenges, and opportunities for change.
As a Sage College of Albany graduate Joan has remained committed to Russell Sage College post graduation. From 2019 – 2022 she served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Sage College of Albany Alumni Association. She played a significant leadership role in its merger with the combined Russell Sage College Alumnae/i Association. She then transitioned to the Board of Directors for the Association , where she served as Vice President from 2022 to 2024. Joan was next appointed Alumna Trustee to the RSC Board of Trustees in 2024.
Joan received her Master of Science in Health Services Administration from Sage Graduate School in 1998 and her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Siena College. Joan is also involved in community fundraisers supporting regional food banks, as well as ongoing provision of health care, and research.
Donna Rose Hall French ’71, ’75
Donna Rose Hall French ’71, SGS ’75 is the embodiment of what it means to live Sage’s motto, To Be. To Know. To Do. A lifelong educator and dedicated alumna, Donna has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Russell Sage College through decades of meaningful service, leadership, and engagement.
A member of the Alumnae/i Association’s Nominating and Awards Committee for five years, Donna is known for her thoughtful contributions and attention to detail. She has also served as a Class Agent for the Class of 1971 for more than two decades, helping to grow participation within her class while maintaining deep, personal connections with her classmates through handwritten notes, emails, and outreach. Her efforts reflect her belief that strong relationships are at the heart of a vibrant alumni community.
Donna’s volunteerism extends across nearly every facet of campus life. She is a familiar and welcoming presence at Reunion, Move-In Day, Fall Celebration, and the Class Ring Ceremony, often working behind the scenes to ensure each event is successful. She also regularly supports Admissions by writing to newly accepted students, offering encouragement at the very start of their Sage journey.
Throughout her 33-year career as an elementary educator, Donna carried forward the values instilled during her time at Sage, while remaining actively engaged in alumni programs, events, and lifelong learning opportunities. A generous team player and treasured source of institutional knowledge, Donna consistently uplifts others, always sharing credit and celebrating the collective spirit of Sage.
As a Sage College of Albany graduate Joan has remained committed to Russell Sage College post graduation. From 2019 – 2022 she served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Sage College of Albany Alumni Association. She played a significant leadership role in its merger with the combined Russell Sage College Alumnae/i Association. She then transitioned to the Board of Directors for the Association , where she served as Vice President from 2022 to 2024. Joan was next appointed Alumna Trustee to the RSC Board of Trustees in 2024.
Joan received her Master of Science in Health Services Administration from Sage Graduate School in 1998 and her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Siena College. Joan is also involved in community fundraisers supporting regional food banks, as well as ongoing provision of health care, and research.
Friend of the Association Award
The Friend of the Association Award is a special award, given out from time to time to individuals to recognize their dedication and service to the Alumnae/i Association.
Ann Duffield
Ann Duffield worked for 26 years in public relations, communications, and strategic planning at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA. She directed Penn’s publications office and became chief communications officer for the University and Penn Medical Center. There she spearheaded programs related to admissions, the University’s 250th Anniversary, and its $1B fundraising campaign. She served as associate director for communications for Penn’s Institute for Research on Higher Education and the Pew Higher Education Roundtable.
After Penn, Ann joined Marts & Lundy, a national fundraising consulting firm, as senior consultant. In 2008 she founded Ann Duffield & Colleagues, a strategic-planning firm for college and university leaders. She has served on numerous national boards for higher education and public media. Ann retired in 2018 and is an emerita trustee and advisory board member for the Women’s Institute here at Russell Sage College.
Ann holds a BA from Chatham University in Pittsburgh and attended graduate school at the University of Nebraska where she “fittingly,” according to her mother, met her husband, Timothy Duffield—a sculptor, printmaker, and landscape architect—who was a Fulbright Visiting Faculty Member from England in the Art Department.
Ann began working as a consultant for Sage in about 2007 and joined the Board of Trustees after she completed her consultancy. She considers Sage to be her “second home” and adopted alma mater.
A widow now with three grown sons, a granddaughter, and two grandsons, Ann lives in West Chester, PA. She currently is an elected supervisor for the five-member Board for her township of East Goshen.
Doris L. Crockett Medal
The Doris Crockett Medal is the highest honor the Alumnae Association bestows upon a Russell Sage graduate. This award recognizes an alum’s lifetime of commitment to Russell Sage, her/his achievements in career, community, family and her/his personal qualities of integrity and loyalty: all virtues embodied by Dean Doris Crockett Davie.
Mary Altpeter ’71
Mary Altpeter has served as an Alumna Trustee, where she chaired the Marketing, Enrollment, and Management Committee and contributed to the Executive, Facilities, Investment, Trusteeship, and Academic Affairs Committees. She also served on the Alumnae Board’s Executive and Finance Committees. She currently chairs the Advisory Board of the Denise Taber Finard Women’s Institute and has contributed to both Presidential Search and Strategic Planning Committees. In addition, she is a designee of the Sage Circle and Founders Society.
Mary holds two master’s degrees and a PhD, with training in social work, gerontology, and public administration. She has collaborated with national, state, and community partners to design, implement, and evaluate health promotion programs for middle-aged and older adults. She has co-written more than $4.5 million in federal, state, and foundation grants supporting this work. She has authored or co-authored more than 70 research and training publications and has received multiple journal awards. Locally, she served on county and regional aging services advisory boards.
Internationally, Mary has consulted with the European Union, the Pan American Health Organization, USAID, and the Soros Foundation. A Fulbright Faculty Exchange Scholar in Slovenia and the Netherlands, she delivered 150 presentations at national and international conferences. She is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America and a recipient of the Southern Gerontological Society’s Gordon Streib Academic Gerontologist Award and the North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services Dr. Ewald W. Busse Award for her leadership in improving the quality of health care for older North Carolinians.
Past Award Recipients
Nominating and Awards Committee
