RHS Alumni Career Speaker Series
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, NJ — What does it take to go from the halls of Ridgewood High School (RHS) to the sidelines of the Super Bowl, the kitchens of elite restaurants, or the front office of the Harlem Globetrotters?
Today marks the official launch of the RHS Alumni Career Speaker Series, a groundbreaking partnership between RHS Guidance and the RHS Alumni Association. This monthly initiative brings successful graduates back to campus to provide students with “real-world” career insights and mentorship.
Real Advice. Real Success. Real Ridgewood.
Designed to bridge the gap between the classroom and the professional world, the series features industry leaders across finance, fashion, culinary arts, sports, and media. Over the next five months, students will engage in candid conversations with alumni who once walked the same halls at Somerville, Orchard, Willard, Ridge, BF, and GW.
The 2026 Speaker Lineup
February 10: The Art of the Hustle (Culinary Arts)
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Speaker: Conor Browne ’04, Owner & Executive Chef of Lula in Ridgewood.
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The Story: Browne has sharpened his knives at acclaimed spots like Turtle + the Wolf and Felina.
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The Insight: Beyond cooking, Browne will discuss purpose-driven entrepreneurship; he notably donates 10% of Lula’s profits to the Spina Bifida Foundation.
March 26: Demystifying Wall Street (Investment Banking)
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Speaker: Ed McCabe ’88, Managing Director at Oberon Securities.
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The Story: A Wall Street veteran with experience in hedge funds and advisory work.
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The Insight: McCabe will go beyond the numbers to show students what a “deal” actually looks like and the skills needed to succeed in high-stakes finance.
April 9: High Fashion & Global Business
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Speaker: Jonathan Lefkowitz ’93, Leadership at Maggy London.
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The Story: Lefkowitz successfully transitioned from a career in software to the international fashion world.
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The Insight: A behind-the-scenes look at how fashion moves from concept to consumer, highlighting careers in merchandising, data, and operations.
May 18: Living the Dream in Sports & Events
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Speaker: Katie Conklin ’14, Director of Events at the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
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The Story: With a resume including the NFL (Super Bowl and Draft) and Red Bull, Conklin is a powerhouse in live events.
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The Insight: How to navigate the intersection of sports, entertainment, and business.
June (Date TBC): Building Global Brands
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Speaker: Keith Dawkins ’88, President of the Harlem Globetrotters.
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The Story: The first-ever President of the RHS Alumni Association with a massive career in film and television.
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The Insight: A deep dive into creative vision and business strategy in the entertainment industry.
Empowering the Next Generation
Organizers hope this series will strengthen the bond between current students and the global RHS alumni network. By showcasing diverse paths—from software to fashion or police work to firefighting—RHS is ensuring its students graduate with more than just a diploma; they graduate with a vision.
“The series reinforces the value of mentorship, curiosity, and real-world learning.” — RHS Guidance & Alumni Association.
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Tags: #RidgewoodNJ #RHSAlumni #CareerAdvice #Education #Mentorship #LulaRidgewood #HarlemGlobetrotters #NWSL #FutureLeaders
very nice for each speaker to give back
be great to add Guy Benson