Homecoming Alumni Awards

Dr. Robert Ring (’90) is the Chief Executive Officer of London-based Kaerus Bioscience, a biotech company focused on developing medicines for individuals with rare genetic syndromes of neurodevelopment that cause intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and epilepsy.

A neuroscientist by training, Ring is a globally recognized expert in neurodevelopmental disorders with over 30 years of experience in psychiatric and neurological medicines research and executive leadership roles in the pharmaceutical industry, governmental agencies, and non-profit research foundations.

At Westmont, Rob double-majored in biology and fine art. He also ran track and played soccer. His freshman year, he was the NAIA district III Decathlon champion, and played four years of soccer, earning All-American honors, and a captain of the program’s final-four appearance in the 1989 national championship. On campus, he served as student co-director of world ministries and participated in student-led missions to South Africa in 1988 and 1989. He earned his doctorate in molecular neurobiology from the City of Hope National Medical Center.

Prior to his current role at Kaerus, he distinguished himself across numerous roles, including Chief Scientific Officer of Autism Speaks, a global science and advocacy foundation. At Pfizer, he led the pharma industry’s first dedicated research unit focused on the development drugs for ASD, and at Wyeth he served as Director of Depression and Anxiety Disorders research.

​Dr. Ring holds adjunct faculty appointments in the Departments of Psychiatry at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and in Pharmacology and Physiology at Drexel University College of Medicine. Ring has served on the scientific advisory board of numerous rare disease non-profits, including the Pitt Hopkins Research Foundation, the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Research Foundation, RADical Hope and Global Genes.

Rob lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Julie, have two children, Jasper and Ella. Jasper is in his first year at Westmont.

Alexis Bennett, MSW, LICSW is a compassionate Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years of experience in the mental health field. She holds a Master’s in Social Work from St. Catherine University (2012) and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Westmont College (2005).

Alexis provides a warm, nonjudgmental therapeutic environment for teens, young adults, parents and families. She excels at supporting individuals facing relationship challenges, anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief, trauma, job stress and life transitions. Her therapeutic approach is grounded in insight, connection and compassion—and she tailors each session to meet clients’ unique needs. Known for her collaborative style, Alexis integrates humor and empathy, making therapy feel like a "soft spot to land" each week.
With a heartfelt belief that healing isn't just about coping with pain, it’s also about welcoming joy back into life, Alexis helps clients rediscover their inner strength and resilience.

When she's not in session with a client, you can find Alexis with her husband, Rob, their three children, Ford, Mya and Winnie, and their golden retriever, Luna, spending time together as a family. Her interests include enjoying a cup of coffee while spending time with Jesus in the morning, going out to dinner with friends, Pilates, cheering her kids on in a hockey rink, or curling up with a good book.

Leah Pillsbury, MSW, LICSW, is a compassionate therapist with over 22 years of experience. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California (2003) and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Westmont College (2005).

She specializes in helping clients navigate life transitions, cancer, grief, chronic illness and caregiving. Pillbury’s goal for her clients is to help them live their best lives. Leah has a unique ability to relate to her clients on a personal level. Her style incorporates authenticity, humor and warmth, providing a safe space for clients to feel welcomed, heard and validated.

Outside of her work, Pillsbury enjoys spending time with her husband, Ross, and their two children, Hunter and Reese.  When not seeing clients and managing the practice behind the scenes, you can find her on an adventure with her kids, cheering them on at a baseball field or hockey rink, exercising, spending time with family and focusing on her relationship with God. 

Alumnae of the Year

Alexis Bennett (Otterlei) '05 and Leah Pillsbury (Otterlei) '00

Leah and Alexis had long dreamt of working together. They turned their dream into reality by founding Orka Health and Wellness, providing compassionate, client-centered care through teletherapy and support services through a team of licensed therapists, registered dietitian, clinical nutrition coach, psychologist, parent coach and spiritual coach. Rooted in professional dedication and personal values, Orka reflects their commitment to balance, connection and meaningful support for the clients they serve, while creating space for them to be present with their families.  Orka is Swedish for “to be bothered enough to do something about it,” it also means to have the physical or mental energy to do something which captures their shared passion and vision.

Since graduating Westmont in 2008 Lindsey has been pursuing endeavors both abroad and close to home in Santa Barbara. She co-founded the non-profit Destined for Grac – Children’s Relief. At Destined For Grace their mission is to raise children in Haiti above the pain and suffering their country endures and provide for them a future filled with faith, hope and love. Over the past thirteen years Destined For Grace has done that through a Pre-K - 6th grade elementary school, Ecole Destined For Grace. Their 250 students receive a quality education, hot meal and snack every school day and the supplies needed for their studies. They fund the school primarily from two thrift stores they operate in Santa Barbara County. Connolly also coaches cross country and track at Westmont College. She served previously as the Associate Head Coach for the women’s cross country team. This semester she is stepping into the role of interim head coach for track and field while head coach Russell Smelley is on sabbatical.

At 16, Spencer co-founded Hands4Others (H4O), turning a back-of-the-napkin idea into a movement that brought clean water to more than 250,000 people in 17 countries. That experience sparked a lifelong passion for using technology to solve big, meaningful problems.

Since then, he’s built and advised a number of SaaS companies spanning business intelligence, automation, and machine learning, serving as CEO and CPO at ventures like Aidium, SparkTalk and Lendware.

Outside of work, Spencer is a proud Westmont College grad, husband and dad to two energetic little ones (ages 3 and 1). He and his family live just outside Boulder, Colorado, where they also look after a small crew of farm animals.