Clarkson University Presents Woodstock Award to Five Alumni
Renata Fast ‘16, Chris Fohlin ’06, Kaitlin Fohlin ’06, Ryan Niles ’06, MBA ’16, and Christopher Rocheleau ’06 have each received the Woodstock Award from their alma mater, Clarkson University.
Presented each year during Clarkson’s Alumni Reunion, the Woodstock Award honors young alumni who have demonstrated outstanding loyalty and service to Clarkson and the Alumni Association, and who have used their Clarkson experience to make a notable contribution to their careers.
Renata Fast ‘16
Fast earned a Bachelor of Science in Financial Information and Analysis from Clarkson University and has gone on to become a professional hockey player for the Toronto Sceptres of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) and a member of Team Canada’s national women’s hockey team.
Following graduation, she began her professional career with the Toronto Furies of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League before helping found the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association (PWHPA), a player-led movement that advocated for a sustainable future for women’s professional hockey. Her efforts, alongside fellow players, helped pave the way for the creation of the PWHL in 2023.
A three-time Olympic medalist with Team Canada, Fast captured gold in 2022 and silver in 2018 and 2026. She was also named PWHL Defender of the Year and a Billie Jean King MVP finalist in 2024–25.
At Clarkson, Fast was a standout defender for the Golden Knights women’s hockey team and helped lead the program to its first NCAA Women’s Ice Hockey Championship in 2014.
She remains committed to growing the game through youth camps, school visits and community programs.
Fast and her husband, Paul Geiger ’16, live in Burlington, Ontario, and are both proud alumni of Clarkson’s hockey programs and are Loyal members of Clarkson’s Good Knights Guild.
Chris Fohlin ’06
Fohlin earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication and Media Studies from Clarkson University and is founder and principal of Fohlin & Company, a digital strategy consultancy that helps organizations improve how they are discovered and understood online.
After beginning his career in New York City, he built a firm that today serves clients ranging from local businesses to global brands across a variety of industries.
An active member of the global creative community, Fohlin mentors freelancers and project leaders while helping creative professionals build sustainable independent careers.
A dedicated Clarkson alumnus, Fohlin served for eight years on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the School of Arts and Sciences and previously served as president of the New York City Alumni Chapter.
He lives outside Richmond, Va., with his wife, Kaitlin (Monte) Fohlin (TCS ’06), and their four children.
Kaitlin Fohlin, The Clarkson School ’06
A graduate of The Clarkson School, Fohlin completed her freshman year at Clarkson University before transferring to the University of Tampa, where she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Performance Art and Public Relations. She is a principal at Fohlin & Company, a digital strategy consultancy where she helps organizations navigate the evolving landscape of online visibility and reputation.
Prior to joining the firm, Fohlin spent nearly a decade in broadcast journalism in New York City and Houston, serving as a primetime television news anchor. She later led national communications and thought leadership initiatives at Wounded Warrior Project, helping elevate awareness of veteran mental health and suicide prevention efforts.
A passionate advocate for service and leadership, she was named the Anti-Defamation League’s National Difference Maker of the Year during her year as Miss New York 2011 and went on to place second runner-up at the Miss America Competition while championing initiatives focused on youth digital safety and mental health.
She also served as founding executive director of Project Empower, a nonprofit focused on career exploration and leadership development for students.
Fohlin has maintained a strong connection to Clarkson through both professional and volunteer service, including serving as a university trustee and working in Clarkson’s Marketing and External Relations office. She lives outside Richmond, Va., with her husband and business partner, Chris Fohlin ’06, and their four children.
Ryan Niles ’06, MBA ’16
Niles earned both a Bachelor of Science in Financial Information and Analysis and a Master of Business Administration from Clarkson University before completing a Doctor of Philosophy in Management from Sullivan University.
He is chief executive officer of Niles Asset Management and co-owner of Niles Financial Group, a family of businesses that includes investment management, insurance, real estate and hospitality enterprises.
A dedicated community leader, Niles has been an active member of the Rotary Club of Canton for nearly 20 years, including two terms as president, and currently serves on the foundation board of St. Lawrence Health System. His leadership and service have been recognized through the North Country 20 Under 40 Emerging Leaders Award and the Paul Harris Fellow Award.
Niles has maintained a strong connection to Clarkson throughout his career, serving for six years as an adjunct professor in the David D. Reh School of Business and teaching finance at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
A dedicated supporter of Clarkson and Golden Knights athletics, he and his family have long championed the university through philanthropy, volunteerism and community engagement.
Niles lives in Potsdam, N.Y., with his wife, Lara, and their two sons, Ryan and Mason.
Christopher Rocheleau ’06
Rocheleau earned a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Engineering and Management, with a concentration in Electrical Engineering, from Clarkson University. He joined Husky Technologies in 2007 and has built a nearly two-decade career spanning engineering, customer service and program leadership. He currently serves as Key Account Program Manager/Project Manager, leading complex projects and supporting key customer programs within Husky’s Hot Runner and Controller division.
An active community leader, Rocheleau completed the Champlain Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Champlain program in 2021 and has since served as board president and board treasurer of the Milton Family Community Center. He is also a longtime volunteer with the Fairfax-Fletcher Soccer Club, where he coaches youth soccer.
Rocheleau has remained a dedicated Clarkson ambassador since graduation, serving in numerous roles on the Clarkson Alumni Leadership Board, including Admissions Liaison, Member-at-Large, Strategic Planning Committee member and Burlington Chapter President.
As a student, he was a member of Army ROTC, competed on the varsity swim team and supported student recruitment through the undergraduate admissions office.
He lives in Fairfax, Vt., with his wife, Kate, and their two sons.
