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  • The Stephen M. Foster ES'65 Exemplary Service Award
Margaret Conklin FR'74

The 2022 recipient of the service award is Margaret Conklin FR’74. From her earliest days as a student in Rennes to her many years as a leadership volunteer, Margaret has generously shared her time, treasure and enthusiasm for the betterment of the SYA experience. Nominated by several classmates in recognition of Margaret's efforts on behalf of SYA, the Awards Committee unanimously supported the nomination. The Awards Committee noted that Margaret has been a tireless supporter of SYA through fundraising, hosting events, co-chairing committees of milestone celebrations including SYA’s and SYA France’s 50th celebrations, and being on the committee of The Campaign for SYA, our first-ever comprehensive capital campaign.

Upon learning the news, Margaret said, “Following Tolstoy, it could be said that, as with happy families, extraordinary organizations are all alike — in their case, they all have exceptional leaders and an abiding commitment to their own distinctive culture.  This is emphatically true of SYA.”

Margaret grew up in Europe and the U.S. and attended SYA France along with her twin sister Alice, both were juniors from co-founding school St. Paul’s School. An honors graduate of Wellesley College, where she majored in French and history, she also attended Columbia College’s Global Center at Reid Hall in Paris and earned her law degree cum laude from Harvard Law School.

Recently retired, Margaret spent 22 years with J.P. Morgan in both the legal department and investments business, experience that benefited SYA for decades. Margaret spent many of those years abroad, and she was instrumental in establishing an SYA presence in London hosting events at her home. When she is not volunteering on behalf of SYA, Conklin holds leadership positions with several organizations including both in the U.S. and abroad.

Former Trustee Stephen Foster ES’65, namesake and recipient of the first award, said, “I don’t know how long it has been since I first met Margaret in her office at JP Morgan London to talk about SYA. Fifteen, twenty years? However long it has been, since then I’ve known Margaret as an indefatigable promoter of SYA and an infectious and effective fundraiser, leading by example and always spreading the good word. A natural connector with her grace, charm, and candor, she is always on the lookout to bring others into the fold — and then, lo and behold, she actually does it! On top of it all for me, we have become fast friends over the years. Congratulations, Margaret. Well deserved.”

Board Chair Holland Goss Lynch FR’86 said, “While part of many notable moments in SYA’s history, Margaret was appointed as the first alumna to the Board of Trustees in 2007, adding a new voice to the conversations guiding the school we love. On behalf of past and future students of SYA, we offer our sincere appreciation for her support and for her loyalty to SYA.”