Alumni
Leading by Looking Forward
2024 Honored Alum – Sarah Caravalho Khan
2024 Honored Alum – Sarah Caravalho Khan
Sarah Caravalho Khan and her father, Shafiq A. Khan
Sarah Caravalho Khan (English, ’98) is the vice president of People Operations and Talent Management at Codexis, a San Francisco-based enzyme engineering company focused on improving pharmaceutical manufacturing. She has brought her expertise in leadership to the CLA Dean’s Advisory Council since 2016, where she helped reimagine the board’s mission, in addition to extensive volunteer work in her community.
Khan has built a career by aligning work with her personal values. She began her journey of self-discovery as a Cal Poly transfer student, where she forged connections during Week of Welcome. “The community saved me, in a way, because there was a lot of positive peer pressure,” Khan said. “I met people who encouraged me to form deep relationships, and that changed everything for me.”
With good friend, Jacob Waddles,~1996
These friendships helped her find her place on campus as one of Cal Poly’s few students of color in the 1990s. “I didn’t see a lot of people who looked like me, but it was a bigger challenge for my dad when he came here in the 1960s,” she said of her father, Shafiq A. Khan (Electrical Engineering ’71), who encouraged her to attend. “Cal Poly was a solid bedrock. It opened doors I would not have expected,” she said.
Khan went on to earn a master’s in organization and leadership from the University of San Francisco, blending a humanities foundation with strategic leadership training. “Right out of grad school, I realized the importance of values driving my decisions,” said Khan. “I chose the biotech field because the work aligns with my values, helping people and the planet,” she said. “I stay in this industry as a conscious choice.”
With husband, Peter Caravalho, and President Armstrong at the 2024 Honored Alumni awards.
After a brief stint as a consultant, Khan took a sabbatical in Europe, studying French and reassessing her goals. When she joined Codexis as a senior director in 2024, she was quickly promoted to vice president. Now, she builds systems to support employee development, equity and wellness. “I’m creating processes to track high-potential employees and help them grow,” she said.
“Over the years, I’ve learned how to use my voice,” Khan said. “I’m not afraid to speak up, and I think more people need to know they have that right. Everyone has a voice and should use it.”
Share your recent news for the next Impact Magazine's Class Notes.
Class Notes
1970s
Walter Harris (Sociology, ’73) was honored with the Cal Poly Office of University Diversity and Inclusion’s 2025 MLK Legacy Award for his work advancing equality, opportunity and justice in the campus community. Harris retired in 2012 as Cal Poly’s associate director of admissions and recruitment, capping a 39-year career.
Sherry Shahan (Social Sciences, ’78) was nominated for the Pushcart Prize in Poetry and the Pushcart Prize in Short Fiction, Best American Short Stories and Best of the Net. Her art has appeared in 134 national and international literary journals since 2021.
1980s
Leslie Baker (Child Development, ’83) is the CEO and president of Therapy2Thrive, a marriage and family counseling center in Pleasanton, California. In 2024, Baker co-edited the 2024 book “Assessing and Treating Suicidal Thinking and Behaviors in Children and Adolescents.”
MaryAnne Talbott (Journalism, ’89) and her husband, Chris Lopez, established the Alamosa Citizen, an online news outlet serving Colorado’s rural San Luis Valley with digital news, podcasts and video content. In recognition of their work, Alamosa Citizen received a two-year, $100,000 grant from Press Forward, administered by the Miami Foundation, to support the organization’s growth and development.
1990s
Lisa Travis (Political Science, ’92) is a career public servant and attorney who has returned to campus as part of the Political Science Alumni Advisory Board.
Greg Manifold (Journalism, ’99) was promoted to head of visuals for The Washington Post. In this role, Manifold coordinates visual production across all aspects of The Post and leads the design, photo and graphics departments.
2000s
Emily Bernard (Sorensen-Lindsey) (Psychology, '05) completed her doctorate in clinical psychology with honors in July 2024. She then went on to publish her doctoral project and is now a registered psychology associate.
2010s
Nestor Veloz-Passalacqua (Ethic Studies, ’11, Master of Public Policy ’16) joined the City of Raleigh, North Carolina, as the director of equity and inclusion in December 2024, bringing more than a decade of experience.
Froggy Phevoli (Journalism, ’15) published their first novel, “Side Effect,” a science fiction young adult novel in October 2024.
Carol Wang (Psychology, ’15) currently serves as a research advisor for We Are Here, a startup transforming the landscape of cancer navigation for patients and their support team. She was also selected as the new director of education and research at Central Health in Austin, Texas, which serves over 150,000 patients a year.
Mitchell Judson (Political Science, ’17) returned to Cal Poly as the alumni outreach programs specialist for Alumni Engagement. Prior to this role, Judson was a social studies teacher and later worked for San Luis Obispo County.
Allison Newlee (Psychology, ’17) is the assistant coordinator of the San Diego State University Pride Center.
Jeremiah Hernandez (Comparative Ethnic Studies, ’18) is coordinator of the Cal Poly Latine/x Center for Academic Success and Achievement (La CASA). Hernandez’s goal as coordinator is to provide the same care and support for Cal Poly students that he received from his mentors, advisors, counselors and professors.
Leah Castillo (Journalism, ’19) is the lead customer service success manager at Gong, which uses proprietary artificial intelligence technology to enhance customer interactions. Castillo was recognized as the Commercial CSM of the Year at Gong in early 2025.
Oscar Velasco (History, ‘19) has been recognized as one of Santa Barbara County’s 2025 Distinguished New Educator Award recipients. A dedicated teacher at Santa Maria High School, Velasco was nominated by his peers and selected by a countywide panel of educators, administrators, business and community partners.
2020s
Taryn McLaughlin (English, ’20) started a new position as a law clerk for the U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, supporting a federal judge through legal research, opinion drafting and administrative tasks.
Campbell Warren (Communication Studies, ’20) returned to Cal Poly this spring as a personnel analyst for University Development and Alumni Engagement, assisting with recruitments, compliance and trainings and division recognition programs.
Kylie Clark (Communication Studies, ’20) was named policy and advocacy manager for the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits in January 2025.
Izzy Pascua (Graphic Communication, ’23) was promoted to product designer at CNN. As a junior product designer in 2024, Pascua helped create interactive maps for CNN during the 2024 presidential election.
Adam Kemp (Communication Studies, ’23) is co-owner of Thrifty Beaches, a sustainability-focused vintage clothing and furniture store with locations in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara.
Catherine Allen (Journalism, ’24) joined POLITICO in January as a data and graphics reporter covering energy and environment.
Amy Contreras (Comparative Ethnic Studies, ’24) was one of five spring interns for the Los Angeles Times. Contreras worked on De Los, the Los Angeles Times vertical that explores Latine culture and identity.
Cristian Ulisses Reyes (Child Development, ’24) was selected as the 2025 Dallas Martin Endowment Policy Intern for the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.