Alumni Gather in Washington D.C. for Networking Breakfast
Dublin City University alumni from across the Washington, D.C. area came together for a vibrant and engaging Alumni Breakfast at Founding Farmers on Pennsylvania Avenue. The event, hosted by DCU President Prof Dáire Keogh and DCU Alumni Council member Lauren Pompey, offered graduates the opportunity to reconnect, expand their professional networks and strengthen ties with the university community abroad.
The breakfast welcomed alumni from a wide range of industries and career stages. DCU staff members Charlotte Holland, DCU Dean for Global Relations; Brenda Meira, Regional Advisor for North, Latin America & Study Abroad; Valeriana Daily, Senior International Officer for North America and Katie Keogh DCU Women Impact Network Co-Leader and DCU Alumni Emerging Leader Programme Leader were also in attendance to share updates on DCU’s global initiatives and alumni engagement.
The morning opened with early introductions, followed by a welcome message from University President Prof Dáire Keogh who connected with graduates and shared updates on developments at DCU. Over breakfast, attendees exchanged stories, built new connections and reflected on the growing presence of DCU graduates across the United States.
The event also highlighted the ongoing contributions of DCU alumni in Washington D.C., particularly in the areas of student mentorship and career development. With several alumni in attendance currently mentoring a second‑year student through the DCU Career Mentoring Programme, while others recently participated in the 2024 DCU Alumni Washington Career Panel, offering valuable insights and guidance to students and fellow graduates.
Together, these efforts demonstrate the strong culture of community that continues to strengthen the global DCU alumni network.
Spotlight on Alumni Council Host: Lauren Pompey
The breakfast was led by DCU Alumni Council member Lauren Pompey, a dedicated alumna whose career reflects a deep commitment to public service, international engagement, and mentorship.
Lauren earned her Master’s in International Relations from DCU in 2018, where she collaborated with the University of Sanctuary to support asylum seekers and refugees from Albania, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Iran through educational initiatives. She later served as a mentor in DCU’s Career Mentoring Programme.
Her professional experience includes serving as General Officer Coordinator with the 11th Wing Command in Washington D.C., supporting senior officers in the United States military. In 2020, she became an active member of the New York Chapter of the Organization for Women in International Trade (OWIT), where she led PR special projects and developed mentorship opportunities for young women entering the field.
In 2021, Lauren was appointed Co‑chair of the Redefining National Security Working Group by Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins, founder of Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security and Conflict Transformation. She now works as a Senior Consultant for the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and has served on the DCU Alumni Council since January 2023. Lauren also holds a BA in Fine Arts from Rutgers University New Brunswick.
Strengthening DCU’s Global Alumni Community
As DCU’s international alumni community continues to grow, events like the Washington D.C. Alumni Breakfast play an important role in fostering connection and collaboration. We invite you to update your contact details via dcu.ie/keepintouch or connect by email alumni@dcu.ie for event notifications on our upcoming global alumni chapters.