August 19, 2025
As the new school year approaches, the Alumni Association welcomes its new Alumni Board members. Please join us in thanking them for their service to the community!
Phillipe Thao ’14
Phillipe joined the MPA community in eighth grade and graduated in 2014. He currently lives in Los Angeles, where he works as a digital publicist at Lionsgate, developing campaigns for major film franchises like John Wick and The Hunger Games. Prior to that, he was part of Netflix’s editorial team, helping launch its official fansite, Tudum, and creating content around hit series such as Squid Game and The Crown. Phillipe is also a published freelance writer, with work appearing in the LA Times, Teen Vogue, The Washington Post, and InStyle Magazine.
A passionate supporter of MPA’s mission, he brings a creative lens and deep appreciation for storytelling to the Alumni Association Board. He looks forward to helping expand alumni engagement and fostering a strong, connected community.
Kate Van Hecke ’18
Kate graduated from MPA in 2018 after attending from grades 5 through 12. She went on to study Political Science and Latin American Studies at Wellesley College, later working in Panama and Ecuador before pursuing a master’s degree in Global Policy Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Currently, she interns with a consulting firm focused on international labor affairs, contributing to projects addressing forced labor, child labor, and human trafficking. In August 2025, Kate will begin a full-time role as a Regulatory Affairs Specialist at Medtronic.
She credits MPA with inspiring her commitment to global citizenship and is excited to serve on the Alumni Association Board to help expand connections, especially with alumni living abroad. In her free time, Kate enjoys traveling, growing tomatoes, and spending time with animals of all kinds.
Ryan Ghose ’21
Ryan is a proud MPA lifer and member of the Class of 2021. He recently graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Marketing and a minor in Theatre. While at Penn, he was deeply involved in The Mask and Wig Club, where he performed, wrote, and produced musical comedy—a passion he continues as an alumni member. Now based in New York City, Ryan works as a management consultant. He joined the Alumni Association Board to stay connected to MPA and help ensure it remains a place that nurtures exceptional thinkers and leaders.
In his free time, Ryan enjoys reading thought-provoking books, analyzing reality TV, exploring eclectic restaurants, and learning to play the violin.
Gavin Thorson ’22
Gavin graduated from MPA in 2022 after attending for grades 11 and 12. He is currently completing a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at Montana State University, with minors in Economics and Global Studies, and will begin a PhD in organic chemistry in 2026. Gavin’s research focuses on sustainable applications of chemical synthesis, though his intellectual curiosity spans far beyond the lab. At MSU, he served as director of the Honors College lecture series, bringing leading voices in science and the arts to campus.
Gavin credits MPA with igniting his passion for learning and inspiring a boundless approach to education. Now based in Bozeman, MT, he serves on the Alumni Association Board to stay connected and help foster community across generations of MPA alumni. In his spare time, he enjoys writing, language study (including Icelandic), and sharing his love for MPA wherever he goes.
Check out all the alumni board members by clicking here.
