Vivian Webb School 2012 alumna Abigail Johnson Hess will address the graduating class of 2024 at the 41st VWS commencement ceremony, while Jason Brooks, a 1999 Webb School of California alumnus, will speak at the 102nd WSC commencement ceremony. Vivian Webb School’s graduation will take place Saturday, June 1, on Faculty Field, followed by the Webb School of California’s commencement on Alamo Lawn.

Abigail Johnson “AJ” Hess
Hess is an editor at Fast Company, a monthly business magazine with a focus on the future of work, innovation in technology, and design. Prior to that she was the head of multimedia for Robinhood and a multimedia reporter for CNBC. Hess attended Wellesley College where she played soccer and graduated with a dual bachelor’s degree in media arts and sciences and political science.

Hess was a multi-sport athlete at Webb and held leadership positions as a day student prefect on the dorm council, a senior ambassador, and a girl’s camp leader. She was also recognized as a Rogers Peccary Scholar, participated in the Hefner Initiative, and contributed to academic research.

“Graduating from Webb had a profound impact on my life, and it is a privilege to play a small part in the graduation of the Class of 2024,” Hess wrote in a statement.

Jason Brooks
Entrepreneur and educator Brooks co-founded Relativ.ai, a venture focused on leveraging cutting edge technology to enhance educational preparation, in 2023. He served as a Spanish and Chinese language instructor at McCallie School in Tennessee, world languages department chair at the Brooklyn Prospect Charter School, and head of upper school at The Episcopal School of Los Angeles.

At Webb, Brooks was a Rogers Scholar, a multi-sport athlete, recipient of the Hempel Cup for Sportsmanship, served as an Alamo prefect, and was student body vice president. He graduated in 1999.

“It means the world to be invited back as the WSC speaker, not only in terms of timing, but also because of the profound impact WSC has had on my life,” Brooks wrote in a statement. “At a time when leadership is more critical than ever, the foundation that Webb laid has been invaluable. I’m excited to celebrate with the Class of 2024 and it’s heartening to see that the Webb tradition holds strong.”

More information is at webb.org/news.