The Alumni Council was formed in 2015 with the goal to connect and empower Destination Imagination alumni. The 13 Council members are from many different locations across the globe and demonstrate a passion for DI and a desire to enhance the overall experience for their peers.
The Alumni Council had three vacant seats to fill for the 2019-20 term. Through Alumni Ambassador voting and appointment by the Council, these vacancies have been filled. In addition—and for the first time—an international member was appointed to a special 13th seat.
Please join us in congratulating Manuel Escamilla, Jamie Kubiak, Michael Russell and Erika Solis on their appointment to the 2019-20 Alumni Council.
Manuel Escamilla is an alumnus from the Mexico Affiliate and has been an active participant for the past 10 years. During his time as a participant, Manuel competed at Global Finals twice. He currently serves as the Improvisational Challenge Master for Mexico and as an Alumni Relations Coordinators.
Jamie Kubiak is an alumnus from the New York Affiliate. Jamie attributes much of his personal growth to his time as a DI participant, which helped him to break free of his “shy, introverted shell.” He now works as a teacher and uses his DI skills to collaborate with colleagues toward creative solutions for problems facing their students. Jamie is looking forward to working with the Alumni Council to help continually create a positive experience for alumni.
Michael Russell is an alumnus from the Georgia Affiliate but is originally from the New Hampshire Affiliate. He’s been involved with DI for mover than 23 years, beginning as a participant for 10 years. His involvement continued with New Hampshire as he became an Appraiser, Regional Challenge Master, photographer, Board Member, and Committee Chair. Meanwhile, he began volunteering at Global Finals, producing videos for Facebook and YouTube, as well as taking photos for social media channels as part of the Web Team. Now, as a resident of Georgia, he gives back locally to both the Georgia and Florida Affiliates as an Appraiser and photographer. He’s looking forward to being part of the Alumni Council to help alumni that have location barriers reconnect with their Affiliates.
Erika Solis is an alumna from the New Jersey Affiliate. Though Erika did not start DI until her junior year of high school, the program made such an impact on her that she began volunteering as an Appraiser and will serve as a Challenge Master this year. Erika is an advertising major at Rowan University, where she currently runs her student-run advertising agency.
Are you a DI alum looking to give back? Learn more about how to get involved!
