This school year, Stevenson proudly welcomed alumna Nicole Alibrandi back to campus – this time as the school’s new Director of Human Resources. A member of the Class of 1999, Nicole’s return marks a meaningful full-circle moment, blending her deep personal connection to Stevenson with more than two decades of professional experience in human resources and organizational leadership.

“It is such a privilege to be back at Stevenson, the place that was foundational to my career and college successes,” Nicole shared. Her return began not with a job search, but as a parent. While exploring high school options for her Grade 8 son, Nicole and her husband prioritized schools that foster community, support the whole student and inspire excellence. “Not surprisingly, Stevenson landed at the top of our short list,” she says. Touring campus rekindled her love for the school and inspired her to look for ways to give back. “I went to Stevenson’s website and came across the job posting for a Human Resources Director…stumbling across it when I did was a serendipitous experience that felt very much meant-to-be.”

Returning to campus after more than two decades has been both familiar and awe-inspiring. “Being back on campus after 26 years is surreal,” Nicole says. While spaces like the dining hall, Keck Auditorium and longtime dorms remain recognizable, she’s equally impressed by newer additions such as the Student Life Center, Wandke Amphitheatre and the math, engineering, and science center set to open next fall. “I am in constant awe of the beauty of the school and impressed by the respect and consideration I’ve witnessed so many students display toward each other and to faculty and staff.”

After graduating from Stevenson, Nicole went on to Boston University, where she studied sociology and political science. She then returned to California and launched a 21-year career in Silicon Valley’s technology sector. Eighteen of those years were spent at Google, where she held a range of roles in people operations, from analytics and organizational design to executive coaching. Along the way, she also earned her MBA through Santa Clara University’s evening program, where she met her future husband. Today, Nicole and her husband live in Soquel with their three children: Landon (13), Ainsley (11) and Savannah (7).

When reflecting on her time as a student, Nicole credits Stevenson faculty who left a lasting impact. “Two who stand out are Mr. David Miller, my English teacher and college advisor, and Mr. Peter Fayroian, the assistant dean of students and my tennis coach,” she recalls. “They held a high bar for excellence and genuinely cared about knowing and understanding me.” Their influence shapes her philosophy to this day. “My interactions with them were meaningful and I remember how they made me feel. That is what I ultimately carry with me – people often remember how you make them feel,” she says – a lesson she strives to pass on to her own children.

Certain places on campus still carry special meaning. Wilson and Douglas Halls bring back memories of her years as a boarder, while the gym instantly transports her back to the 1990s. Yet it’s the quiet moments that resonate most. “Being at school early in the mornings and seeing the boarders sleepily walk from the dorms to the dining hall for breakfast reminds me of my boarding days and how much I loved living at school,” she says. “It was such a unique privilege and opportunity that I do not take for granted.”

For current students and young alumni, Nicole offers simple but powerful advice: “Be intentional with your time. It is a finite resource.” She also emphasizes the importance of relationships. “Build connections and nurture those relationships…they will fulfill you in ways unmatched by anything else.”

Nicole’s return to Stevenson reflects the enduring strength of the school’s community and the powerful bonds that continue to bring alumni back to the forest.