Alumni Mentorship Workshops Kick Off

Falcon alumni are inspiring the next generation! On September 30, FWCD Upper School students connected with Falcon alums Rush Olson ’86, James Stein ’98, Molly Van Amburgh ’07, and Dr. Geof LeBus ’02 during the first Alumni Mentoring Workshops of the 2026-27 year. What started last year as an idea from former Alumni Council President Katy Rhodes Magruder ’98 has already grown. These quarterly workshops are a collaboration between Upper School, the Advancement Office and the Alumni Council. This year, the workshops will continue to cover a wide range of topics to help students imagine where they can soar beyond our campus and give them the chance to make valuable connections with alumni in their fields of interest. In the first sessions of the year, students selected sessions from a variety of professional industries, including sports media, commercial real estate, interior design, and medicine, based on their interests. 

Rush Olson ’86, Principal, Rush Olson Creative and Sports, shared his experience in content marketing and advertising. Before starting his own company, Olson spent his career creating inventive content and marketing/PR strategies, with an emphasis on sports-focused projects. He worked for local TV stations, as well as the Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars, creating memorable ad campaigns and multi-platform content, along with the strategies behind them. Now, his company works with notable sports brands and organizations, from sports Hall of Famers and NFL and NHL organizations to tennis tournaments and golf events. Olson reflected on how his career aspirations began during a Career Day at Country Day and emphasized the impact of exploring your career early.

James Stein ’98 is a Senior Vice President with CBRE’s Leasing Services. He encouraged students to pursue their passions in college and choose majors that genuinely interest them. Specializing in tenant and occupier representation, Stein’s work in commercial real estate includes office leasing, relocations, acquisitions, dispositions, portfolio management and consulting. He also discussed how AI has become a valuable tool for data analysis in commercial real estate. A key takeaway he wanted students to know is that building and maintaining relationships is at the heart of his work.

Molly Van Amburgh ’07, Designer and Owner of Molly Van Amburgh Interior Design, shared her professional journey designing in New York City to here locally in Fort Worth. With over 12 years of experience, her projects range from historic home renovations to new construction. Van Amburgh explained that one of her favorite aspects of interior design is bringing her clients’ personalities, tastes and visions to life throughout their homes. She encouraged students to pursue their passions, gain hands-on experience, and take advantage of opportunities to explore the industry. She also offered to serve as a resource for students interested in interior design.

Dr. Geof LeBus ’02, an orthopedic surgeon, discussed how his experience as a college football player helped shape his professional success. While playing at Harvard, he learned the value of discipline and structure that he had as a student at FWCD transferred directly to college. He told the students how important it is to maintain a life balance in a demanding career. Dr. LeBus encouraged students to view time as a “precious commodity,” make the most of their opportunities and remain passionate about lifelong learning. 

Throughout the event, students could ask questions, seek career advice, and learn from alumni across various fields. The workshops helped Upper School students build connections with Falcon alumni and gain valuable perspectives as they plan for their futures.