Harry Nam ’84 has built a global career spanning investment banking, international trade, private equity, and fintech. A graduate of Yale and Harvard Business School, he has held leadership roles at firms including Activision, Hyosung Corporation, and The Yucaipa Companies. While charting an ambitious professional path, Harry continues to give back to LJCDS through mentorship and alumni leadership.

 

At LJCDS, Harry was student body vice president, varsity football and baseball player, and new student orientation leader. He earned a sociology degree from Yale University, where he played JV football and baseball, and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. Harry built a global career spanning investment banking in L.A., international trading in Tokyo, and leadership roles in tech and private equity. Harry is the founder and managing partner of HTx Holdings, with prior leadership at Activision, Hyosung Corporation, and The Yucaipa Companies.

 

At LJCDS, Harry has served on the LJCDS Campaign and Centennial Campaign Task Forces, has spoken at Career Day, and hosts regional alumni gatherings in New York City.

Rick Galinson ’85 is a groundbreaking special effects designer who has worked on numerous films and television shows.

 

With a career shaped by imagination and innovation, Rick has helped bring cinema’s most iconic characters to life—from Jurassic Park’s dinosaurs to Grogu in The Mandalorian. A trailblazer in practical effects, Rick blends art and engineering to create wonder—and now gives back by mentoring and inspiring future creators through behind-the-scenes experiences.

 

At LJCDS, Rick played football and basketball before earning a Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering from USC in 1990. After graduating, his career began at the legendary Stan Winston Studio, where he contributed to iconic films such as Batman Returns, Jurassic Park (Dilophosaurus puppeteer/designer), and A.I. Artificial Intelligence (Mecha ‘Nanny’). He has worked across top effects studios—including Cinovation Studios (Men in Black I & II) and Amalgamated Dynamics (Hollow Man, The Santa Clause 2, Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem), and has contributed to high-profile projects through Legacy Effects, including The Mandalorian (puppeteer for Grogu), ALIEN: ROMULUS (2024), Superman (2025 – lead animatronics designer and puppeteer for Gary/#4 robot), and many more.

 

Rick mentors through the Stan Winston School, led the first robotics team at Campbell Hall, and has inspired LJCDS students through tours of his studio.

Joshua Church ’13 embodies bold innovation, leadership, and service. As co-founder of Edge Theory Labs, he earned a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and recognition as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year finalist for his wellness technology. Now host of The Way You Lead podcast, he helps founders and leaders scale without burning out. Joshua continues to give back to LJCDS through mentorship, philanthropy, and his passion for creative impact.

He was a varsity football and basketball player and team captain at LJCDS, served as student body president senior year, and earned a degree in business and entrepreneurship from Miami University of Ohio.

Joshua went on to launch the world’s first portable, iceless cold tub with built-in filtration and temperature control through his company, Edge Theory Labs, and donated an Edge Tub Elite XL to LJCDS Athletics, directly benefiting the next generation of Torrey athletes.

He is an active member of the alumni community, serving on the LJCDS Alumni Council and the Centennial Campaign Committee, and joining the board in 2026.

Lucy Smith Conroy ’90 was honored for the myriad ways she has given back to LJCDS through volunteerism and philanthropy. Over the decades, Lucy has worn many hats, including alumna, lifer, parent to three current students (Ben ’24, Keira ’25, and Sara ’35), and generous benefactor.

She has served the LJCDS community in numerous volunteer roles, including room parent, Country Day Fund ambassador, Parents Association member, booster club and arts alliance volunteer, president of the Alumni Leadership Council, board of trustees committee member, and board of trustees vice president. In 2019, Lucy became the first member of the alumni to be board president. 

 

One way Lucy champions alumni philanthropy is by creating the current version of the Senior Class Gift tradition, in which seniors make their first monetary gifts to the school upon graduation. As part of this initiative, Lucy and her husband, Ambrose, matched the first six years of giving for the Class of 2016—inspiring these students and the Torreys who follow in their footsteps to give back in gratitude.

Lifer Jared Polis ’93 was recognized for his tireless work advocating for education, health, the economy and the environment. While at LJCDS, he founded the school’s Young Democrats Club, participated in Model UN, played baseball, and was inducted into the Cum Laude Society. Jared earned his bachelor’s degree from Princeton, and by the time he was 30, had launched three successful companies, including ProFlowers, one of the world’s leading online flower retailers. 

 

As an entrepreneur, Jared found ways to help others realize their potential. He co-founded Techstars, a startup accelerator that mentors entrepreneurs, and Patriot Boot Camp, which helps veterans start their own small businesses.

 

Politics was Jared’s next step in making a difference for future generations. He has spent his career fighting for higher-quality schools with equal access to all. From 2001 to 2007, Jared served on the Colorado State Board of Education, where he worked to raise teachers’ pay, reduce class sizes, and open schools to support at-risk students. He represented Colorado’s Second Congressional District for five terms from 2009 to 2019. 

 

When Jared was elected as the 43rd Governor of Colorado, he became the state’s first Jewish governor and the first openly gay man elected to lead any U.S. state. Since taking office in 2019, Jared has instituted universal, free, full-day kindergarten for all Colorado students, lowered health care costs, harnessed the economic and societal benefits of clean energy, cut taxes for small businesses, and invested in affordable housing and transportation.

 

Jared attributes LJCDS for helping him prepare for success and, in turn, has given back by generously sharing his time and speaking candidly with students over the years.

John Hansbrough ’08 received this new award for engaging alumni through volunteerism and philanthropy. John started at LJCDS in seventh grade as a scholar-athlete passionate about football and baseball. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in economics with a minor in math from Occidental College. There, John excelled on the football team and received the 2011 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Honorable Mention.

Currently, John serves as a benefits advisor for LBL Group and volunteers for several impactful organizations, including Create Now (board member), the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (president of the Los Angeles chapter), and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (treasurer of the Greater Los Angeles chapter).

 

For the last 15 years, John has been an active member of the alumni community, encouraging and promoting meaningful alumni engagement through volunteerism and philanthropy. He served on the LJCDS Alumni Council from 2020 to 2022 and has spearheaded the annual alumni flag football game—creating a long-standing tradition that has inspired additional alumni games.

Longtime former faculty and staff member Susie Nordenger was chosen as the inaugural recipient of this award for her dedication to generations of Torrey students, alumni, and colleagues. After 36 years of service, Susie’s impact on the LJCDS culture and community is immeasurable.

 

Known initially as Miss Olson, Susie joined the LJCDS community in 1987 and taught sixth grade, seventh-grade English, and Upper School public speaking. In 1997, she began building the robust pre-K–Grade 12 community service program that LJCDS enjoys today. For nearly 20 years as the community service director, Susie created and led a student-centric program that fostered student leadership and instilled the importance of giving back. Locally, she forged decades-long partnerships with San Diego nonprofit organizations. Globally, she established a robust service program, traveling with students to India, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Thailand, Nicaragua, Ghana, Tanzania and Kenya. 

 

In 2002, Susie was named Educator of the Year by the La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club for her exemplary contribution to education, and in 2015, she was honored by Project Concern International with the Heroes Award in recognition of her role in fostering global citizenship among students. 

 

Before retiring in 2023, Susie served in the philanthropy office as the assistant head of school for community engagement, deepening the impact of current and former students and families on the school. She is known for her stunning memory and ability to build relationships and a sense of community. Her legacy will endure as the school continues to embody the spirit and values that she instilled.