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Blake Laytham, Alum 2017

Meet Blake Laytham, 2017 Alum

Mar 15, 2023

Blake Laytham attended the University of Kentucky for his undergraduate studies and then went on to graduate from the Patterson School in 2017. During his time at Patterson, Blake majored in diplomacy and minored in international security. He started his current role at Walmart Headquarters as a Senior Manager on the Risk Intelligence team in April 2024.

Catherine Putz

Meet Catherine Putz, 2011 Alum

Mar 15, 2023

In the decade since I graduated, I moved to DC and worked at a think tank, an international financial institution, and finally landed at The Diplomat, where I am now managing editor. My time at the Patterson School played a crucial role in refining and ultimately achieving this dream position.

Cassidy Pearson

Meet Cassidy Pearson, 2015 Alum

Mar 15, 2023

Patterson gave me a lot of opportunities from close friendships to a NSEP Boren Fellowship in the Russian Far East, that have helped me advance my career. After graduating, I joined Customs and Border Protection in their Office of Accountability. I inspect CBP facilities and see if they are complaint with internal policy. My Patterson experience in creating executive summaries and practicing briefing, helped prepare me being a new employee informing the top management that their employees weren’t fully compliant.

Sarah Graves

Meet Sarah Graves, 2013 Alum

Mar 15, 2023

Sarah Trainor Graves ‘13, is currently the Chief Development Officer at the Louisville Urban League (LUL), where she is the youngest member of the organization’s leadership team. The mission of LUL is to assist African Americans and other marginalized populations in attaining social and economic equality through direct services and advocacy by focusing on jobs, justice, education, health, and housing.

William Frost

Meet William Frost, 2009 Alum

Mar 15, 2023

David Frost (2009) has been in the Foreign Service since 2011 and is on his 5th tour.  A native of Louisville, KY. David is the Deputy Political Counselor in Abuja, Nigeria, and previously served in Eritrea, China, Togo, and in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor in Washington, D.C.

Dumay, Kevely Headshot

Meet Kevely Dumay, 2020 Alum

Mar 15, 2023

Kevely Dumay graduated from the Patterson School in 2020 with a major in diplomacy and a minor in commerce. After graduation he thought he would start his career in in the field of international development until an unexpected opportunity crossed his path. Kevely ended up accepting a position at Business Roundtable, an association of chief executive officers that work to create opportunities for Americans by advocating for beneficial economic policies.

Dana Lea Headshot

Meet Dana Lea, 2016 Alum

Mar 15, 2023

Dana Lea is the Senior Manager of Civil Society Engagement at Endeavors, a Texas-based nonprofit. Dana manages engagement for the Endeavors’ Migrant Services team providing sheltering of migrant families and children at the Southwest border. 

Matthew Ryan, Alum 2019

Meet Matthew Ryan, 2019 Alum

Mar 15, 2023

Matthew Ryan graduated with Patterson’s 60th cohort in 2019. A former Army officer, he attended the University of Oklahoma for his undergraduate degree and worked as a healthcare administrator at the Johns Hopkins Hospital before joining Patterson. Currently, Ryan is a Sudan Desk Officer at the State Department.

Larissa Caton

Meet Larissa Caton, 2016 Alum

Mar 15, 2023

Larissa Caton currently works in Frankfurt, Germany for the Department of State as a Diplomatic Courier in the Diplomatic Security Service. In this role, Ms. Caton is responsible for safely and securely transporting critical diplomatic material across international borders between USG installations.

Andrew Betson

Meet Andrew Betson, 2012 Alum

Mar 15, 2023

LTC Drew Betson received his commission as an Armor Officer after graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2004. After attending Armor Basic Officers’ Leader Course in Ft. Knox, LTC Betson reported to the 3rd Infantry Division in Ft. Stewart, GA for his first assignment.  There he served as Platoon Leader in the 1st Battalion, 76th Field Artillery Regiment and deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in January 2005.

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Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce

120 Patterson Drive, 455 Patterson Office Tower    

Lexington, KY 40506-0027

PattersonAdmissions@uky.edu   |   859-257-4666

 

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