Shirley V. Hoogstra ’86 was the commencement speaker at Mid-Atlantic Christian University’s graduation ceremony on Saturday. Hoogstra has been the president of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities since 2014, where she has overseen the introduction of various initiatives. 

Elaine Philis ’90 has joined PEF Advisors as senior vice president of investor relations. Philis has more than 20 years of experience in this field.

Goldberg Segalla has announced the addition of Jonathan Beatty ’99 to the firm as a member of its Civil Litigation and Trial group in Hartford. Beatty has more than 20 years of experience as a trial attorney and a background in general tort litigation, insurance defense, personal injury, construction, and product liability matters.

Ashley Brown ’09 has been promoted to Director at Goulston & Storrs. She is a real estate attorney in Boston, where she focuses her practice on commercial real estate transactions. She is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts. 

The Aurora Women and Girls Foundation has announced the appointment of Stephani Roman ’19 to its Board of Directors. Roman is an associate at Robinson & Cole LLP in Hartford, where she specializes in the firm’s Insurance + Reinsurance Practice Group.

Burns & Levinson has announced the appointment of Brooke Penrose ’10 as a partner at the firm. Penrose is a member of the Intellectual Property & IP Litigation Group, and is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts. 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Jason Weida ’05 secretary of the state’s Agency for Health Care Administration. The agency manages the state’s $37 billion Medicaid program, licenses more than 50,000 health care facilities and regulates 47 health plans. Weida lives in Tallahassee, Florida, with his wife, Kyley, and their four children.