2025 WOMAN OF THE YEAR RECIPIENT

TERESA (TERRY) JOHNSON ’85

One of Terry Johnson ’85’s nominators wrote that she “embodies the spirit of Marlborough.” Through her distinguished legal career, unwavering commitment to corporate diversity, environmental sustainability, and reproductive rights; and sincere affinity for giving back to and staying connected with her alma mater, it is easy to see why. After graduating from Marlborough, Terry earned her B.A. cum laude from Harvard University, followed by a J.D. from Stanford Law, where she served on the Stanford Law Review. She later obtained a Certificate in Sustainable Capitalism and ESG from UC Berkeley School of Law.

As a partner at Arnold & Porter in San Francisco, CA, Terry has established her practice around focusing on closely-held, family-run enterprises, including wineries and professional sports teams. As a co-founder of her firm’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practice and co-head of the Capital Markets practice, Terry has become a noted thought leader in stakeholder capitalism and corporate board diversity. She has authored op-eds and articles for the Financial Times, Bloomberg, and other publications, and has been a featured guest on numerous podcasts. Her expertise has been recognized through numerous accolades, including being consistently listed as one of Northern California Super Lawyers for two decades and being named one of the “Top 100 Women Lawyers” by the Daily Journal.

Terry’s commitment to social justice extends beyond her corporate law practice. She served as the 2024 President of the Bar Association of San Francisco and Justice and Diversity Center, the Bar’s legal services organization, supporting the homeless, immigrants, and victims of domestic violence, among others. Terry is one of the founders of the Legal Alliance for Reproductive Rights, a coalition that provides pro bono legal assistance to providers, patients and allies following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Her dedication to advancing women’s equality and reproductive rights exemplifies Marlborough’s vision and mission as the School seeks to continuously empower girls and young women to be the changemakers of the future. 

Throughout her career, Terry has remained deeply connected to the Marlborough community. She has participated as a speaker in the virtual Aiming High alumnae speaker series, sharing her insights on reproductive rights and legal advocacy with fellow alumnae. She regularly attends alumnae events and consistently supports the School philanthropically. Terry credits Marlborough with her deeply ingrained confidence that there are no limits to what women can achieve, a belief that has guided her remarkable career in service to creating more opportunities for women in leadership and protecting women’s rights. 

We are thrilled to honor Teresa (Terry) Johnson ’85 as Marlborough’s 2025 Woman of the Year.

2025 20Y AWARD RECIPIENT

LAUREN CHOI ’16

Lauren Choi ’16 embodies the innovative spirit and entrepreneurial drive that defines Marlborough alumnae. As the Founder and CEO of The New Norm, Lauren has pioneered groundbreaking technology that transforms hard-to-recycle plastics into high-quality yarns, fabrics, and 3D knitted apparel—a revolutionary process she developed while studying materials engineering at Johns Hopkins University.

During her time as a Marlborough student, Lauren discovered her passion for sustainability through her AP Environmental Science course, which would later influence her decision to pursue engineering in college. Her creative foundation was equally shaped by her arts education, particularly through architecture, painting, and drawing classes in the Visual Arts Department. Beyond academics, Lauren was an active member of Exploring Asian Societies Together—the affinity group for Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students— and played Varsity soccer for four years. 

Lauren’s journey from Marlborough student to entrepreneur and mentor exemplifies the School’s mission of empowering young women. After graduating, she maintained strong ties to her alma mater, first volunteering with the entrepreneurship program in its early days before becoming the Entrepreneur-in-Residence in the 2023-2024 academic year. Today, she serves as a leader of Marlborough’s Frank & Eileen Accelerator Program for the Leaders of Tomorrow where she helps cultivate the next generation of young innovators.

As funding and support continue to pour in for Lauren’s sustainable fashion venture The New Norm, her innovative approach to environmental challenges is validated. Her company's commitment to sustainability extends beyond materials to encompass inclusive marketing and ethical manufacturing processes. This holistic approach to business reflects Lauren’s belief that kindness and humility are essential leadership qualities, particularly in the traditionally male-dominated fields of entrepreneurship and engineering.

Reflecting on her Marlborough experience, Lauren credits the school with instilling in her the values of strong female communities and the importance of giving back. These principles continue to guide her work, whether she’s mentoring young entrepreneurs at Marlborough or advancing sustainable solutions in the fashion industry. Her success demonstrates how innovation and compassion can work hand in hand.

For Lauren, the path from student to founder to educator has been anything but linear—a lesson she hopes she is able to impart on current Marlborough students. Through her work founding The New Norm and her dedication to nurturing future female leaders, Lauren exemplifies how Marlborough alumnae can leverage their education and experience to create meaningful change in this world we all share.