Congratulations to 2026 AADC Society of Excellence honorees Susan Lester ’70, Lauren Nathan-LaRusso ’03 and Mary Papamarkou ‘90

Susan Lester ‘70 is recognized as an executive producer, documentary filmmaker, and media consultant, and for creating innovative, entertaining, and inspiring nonfiction programming.  Her experience spans broadcast and cable networks, digital platforms and print. Susan has held senior positions at ABC NEWS, CNN, CBS NEWS, and TIME Inc. Her work, also seen on A&E, HBO, PBS, and NBC, has received three Emmy Awards, prizes from two international film festivals, and honors from the American Bar Association, American Heart Association, National Press Club, and the California Committee on Disability and Media.

A hallmark of Susan’s career is her capacity to envision and develop original formats and storytelling techniques. At ABC NEWS, she created the series, Personal Touch, for which she used well-known personalities who had overcome personal challenges as “guest correspondents,” telling both their own stories and interacting with others similarly challenged:  e.g., Itzhak Perlman on Disability; Jason Robards on Alcoholism; James Brady on Head Trauma; Stevie Wonder on Blindness; Patricia Neal on Strokes; and Teddy Kennedy, Jr. on Childhood Cancer. Another proud achievement is the innovative film, Walden Pond, which she created, wrote, produced, and directed.  For this historical drama, she brought Henry David Thoreau to life, played by Sam Waterston, and interwove his story with those of modern Americans who, like Thoreau, sought personal freedom and practiced civil disobedience during the civil rights and Vietnam eras.

 

Other notable projects include an HBO documentary, Too Hot Not to Handle, about global warming; for NBC, Profiles in Courage: A Kennedy Legacy, a collaboration with the John F. Kennedy Library and Caroline Kennedy; and, for A&E, a critically acclaimed original arts series, A&E Revue.

 

As an integral and long-time member of the AADC Communications Committee, Susan has contributed her expertise to various projects supporting the mission of the AADC, including the 2026 AADC Here for You and the AADC 95th Anniversary Proud History: Bright Future Gala videos. She was selected as the speaker for the AADC 2013 Zagoren Lecture hosted on campus. She also has the unique honor of having served as the first student commencement speaker at her graduation—a tradition that endures today.

 

Today, Susan is a media consultant, bringing her storytelling savvy to cultural institutions, private corporations, and individual clients. Most recently, she helped create a video strategy for a tech start-up. Susan also serves as a guest lecturer, media mentor, and panelist at NYU, Hofstra University, The School of Visual Arts, and Rutgers. Finally, Susan’s great love is her life-long avocation as a professional jazz pianist with a particular emphasis on the Great American Songbook.  

 

Lauren M. Nathan-LaRusso ’03 is recognized for her career as an attorney. She is Vice President of Operations at World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), part of TKO, where she supports operational planning, cross-functional alignment, and execution across key strategic initiatives. Prior to joining WWE, Lauren served as Co-Host City Manager and General Counsel of the New York New Jersey Host Committee for the FIFA World Cup 2026, helping lead the region’s planning and delivery of the world’s largest sporting event. In that role, she worked across government, sports, business, and community partners on the complex legal and operational efforts required to host the tournament in New York and New Jersey, including the FIFA World Cup Final.

 

Lauren’s professional experience spans the public and private sectors, with a focus on delivering complex, high-profile initiatives involving numerous stakeholders. Before joining the Host Committee, she served as Senior Counsel to the Governor of New Jersey, where she oversaw matters involving state and bi-state authorities and worked across areas including transportation, security, community development, and economic growth.

 

Lauren is an active member of the Associate Alumnae and has served on the Board of Directors. She received the Mabel Smith Douglass Young Alumnae Award in 2013 and the Alumnae Recognition Award in 2018. Most recently, she contributed her voice to the 2026 Here for You video supporting the mission of the AADC.

 

Mary A. Papamarkou ’90 is recognized for more than 25 years’ experience in the Financial Services Industry. She currently serves as Managing Director and heads Investor Relations which includes Public Relations, Media, Marketing, Business Development and Relationship Management for a Global Investment Management Boutique. Prior to joining her current firm, she served in management roles in both privately and publicly held companies working with C-Suite Executives, Investment Research, and Boards. She began her career at Merrill Lynch.

 

She holds a degree in Economics from Douglass College, and an MPA from the Brooks School of Public Policy, Cornell University. In addition, she is Series 7 and 63 Registered with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). She is a member of the Investment Company Institute, the global trade association representing regulated funds as a member of their Sales and Marketing, Diversity and Inclusion and Small Funds Committees. She has been a passionate supporter of expanding opportunities and mentoring women throughout the Financial Services industry.

 

Mary has been volunteering in various capacities since her graduation, and has been a member of the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College Investment Committee for some 13 years. She is currently serving her 11th year as a member of the Rutgers University Board of Trustees, and her third year as Vice Chair. In 2023, she was inducted as a Loyal Daughter of Rutgers for her long-term volunteer passion and support.