Meet Denison’s distinguished 2026 Alumni Citation recipients

Ard has been deeply committed to reproductive health and maternal support for nearly two decades. As executive director of Motherhood Beyond Bars (MBB), she is a nationally recognized voice speaking up for incarcerated mothers and their families. Through advocacy and resources, the organization works to break cycles of incarceration for pregnant and parenting individuals in the criminal legal system. Prior to MBB, Ard was a longtime childbirth educator and co-founder of DC Birth Doulas. Across her career, Ard’s work has connected public health and community advocacy to advance policy and societal change. Among her many achievements, she received the NFL’s Inspire Change Changemaker Award, and MBB has been recognized as a Center for Civic Innovation Good Trouble Honoree. Ard continues to be a movement builder and unwavering advocate for families.

Carr is a Tony Award-winning theater producer of celebrated productions such as Bullets Over Broadway, Stick Fly, and The Scottsboro Boys. Her 2013 production of Pippin received the Tony for best revival of a musical, and, in 2018, she produced The Band’s Visit, which took home 10 Tony Awards, including the award for best musical. Carr is currently on London’s West End producing Little Dancer, a musical inspired by Edgar Degas’ iconic sculpture; a screening will be shown at Reunion. In addition to working as a producer since 2006, Carr is the director and co-founder of AmericanConcierge.com, a travel company that helps Americans immerse themselves in authentic Parisian experiences focused on food, culture, art, and history through custom travel itineraries. She was inspired to start the company at age 60 after living in and exploring Paris for two months, during an intentional reset and reflective pause from her life in New York.

A few years after graduating from Denison — where she met her husband, Paul Clark ʼ75 — Clark joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland as an intern. By 1996, she was the bank’s senior vice president and general counsel. After she retired, Clark dedicated herself to the issues and communities she is passionate about — children’s healthcare, the arts, and education — as an advocate and volunteer. She has served as a board member, trustee, or leader for many organizations including University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center (UHCMC), Cleveland International Piano Competition, Ursuline College, and UHCMC Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, where she is current chair. Clark continues to make a significant impact in her Denison community, as a former Denison Trustee, past member of the alumni council, and career advocate for current students.

French was a lifelong philanthropist, dedicated volunteer, and passionate Denisonian who supported the university generously, proudly sharing her experience as an alum with her son, Taylor French ʼ11. She began her early career in banking, but turned her attention and energy to her family and volunteerism. In addition to her philanthropic impact on Denison and many organizations in the Chicago area, she spent 23 years working with the Junior League of Chicago, ultimately serving as the league’s executive vice president. She was honored with the league’s lifetime achievement award in 1998. French also volunteered at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital in Wheaton, Ill., for 35 years and served as board president there eight times. She and her husband, Bon, made a huge impact on their communities in Chicago and beyond, which will live on for generations to come.

*French’s alumni citation is given posthumously, as she passed away in July 2023.

In a 2021 article, the Dayton Daily News called Ireland a “community gem.” Now retired after extensive professional and community achievements, Ireland was one of the leading trial lawyers in the U.S. with more than 40 years of litigation experience, a successful law firm, and a roster of cases that made national news and often decided the outcomes of household-name companies. He was consistently named as one of America’s best lawyers and served for a decade as mayor of his hometown of Oakwood, Ohio. He was elected when he was only 29, making him the youngest mayor to serve in Ohio at that time. Through his leadership on community boards such as The Salvation Army, Planned Parenthood, and the Dayton Opera; his work with legal aid organizations; and his giving and support toward Denison, Ireland’s impact continues to multiply.

Jenkins is an author, CEO, and digital marketing innovator. He is the founder of BrightWave, an email marketing agency that made the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies for five consecutive years. Jenkins also created EiQ, a well-known email marketing conference, as well as the B2B video tool Composium, investment and advisory platform Three Groves, and easythanks, an AI company aimed at simplifying the college application process. He has written for Forbes and is the author of two books, The New Inbox and The Truth About Email Marketing. Among his many industry accolades, he has received the lifetime achievement award from the Atlanta Interactive Marketing Association and was named American Marketing Association’s Marketer of the Year. As parents to rising Denison senior Sam Jenkins ʼ27, Simms Jenkins and his wife, Kelly Jenkins, serve on Denison’s Family Leadership Council.

Jones is a two-time Emmy Award-nominated producer and the head of Austin Studios, a production facility operated by the Austin Film Society, one of the nation’s leading media nonprofits. A creative innovator and founder of Day for Night Entertainment, Jones has produced numerous feature films, music videos, and national commercials for global brands. Before relocating to Texas, Jones was the CEO of MetroEast Community Media, a nonprofit aimed at providing multimedia training, studio time, and equipment access to underserved communities. He has worked in media production, studio management, and film since 1994. Jones generously gives his time to outreach within the film community and beyond as a trustee, juror, and board member, working to reshape storytelling through vision, strategy, and inclusion. He supports Denison as the vice president of the Black Alumni Association and served as chair of Denison’s Annual Fund for several years, encouraging thousands of Denisonians to give back to the university.

As Citi’s country officer and head of banking for its operations in Greece, Cyprus, and Malta, Kyriacou manages the banking giant’s portfolio of corporate and financial institution clients and the public sector for those regions across all industries. His work helps connect those important areas to Citi’s unparalleled global network. Kyriacou began his career with Citi more than 35 years ago and has previously held roles with the company in corporate finance and relationship management, among other areas of focus. He is active in his community, serving as president of the Board of Directors of Junior Achievement Greece and as a member of the board of directors of the Hellenic Banking Association. Kyriacou is an engaged Denison supporter, serving as a frequent mentor for Denison students seeking career insight and representing Denison as an admissions advocate in Greece.

From political consultation to fine jewelry and international nonprofits, Malloch-Brown’s life and work have spanned continents and industries. She began her career at a political consulting firm and later worked as a program officer for Eastern Europe at The Open Society Foundation. Currently, Malloch-Brown is a London-based consultant focusing on environmental, humanitarian, and design issues. She serves her community as chair of Bioversity International U.K./U.S.A. and in past and present board and advisory roles for many organizations. She cofounded the Washington Circle, an outreach group of Refugees International. Over the years, Malloch-Brown served as a member of the alumni council and board of advisors and was a Denison Trustee. She remains a dedicated Denison advocate, encouraging connections among Denison alums living abroad.

As a scientist and now director of small molecule analytical chemistry at Genentech biotechnology company, Pellett pursues groundbreaking science to develop medicines for life-threatening diseases. Among Genentech’s transformational discoveries are the first targeted antibody cancer treatment and the first medication for primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Prior to his work at Genentech, Pellett was an analytical research and development scientist for Pfizer. He is a published researcher and recognized expert in pharmaceutical stability modeling, known for his commitment to technical excellence. Pellett also serves on the board of the Burlingame Youth Baseball Association, which provides community-based baseball experiences for kids, and was a founding member of Denison’s board of advisors.