The Sunnyvale Alumni Association has announced Hannah Joseph, Class of 2011, as the 2025 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year.
Joseph, a member of Sunnyvale High School’s first graduating class, was selected for her ongoing contributions to her community, dedication to public service, and her lasting legacy.
Joseph remembers her experience as being part of the first graduating class, which included 72 students, as a unique one.
“Many of us had been together since elementary school, so we really got to journey with each other through some formative years,” she said. “We were setting the tone and culture for what Sunnyvale High School would become.”
Among her fond memories, Joseph highlights painting her senior parking spot purple and traveling to Madrid, Spain with Mr. Fennig’s Spanish 4 class, as well as forming lifelong friendships.
“Additionally, forming a best friend group that’s still active to this day is something I deeply cherish,” she said. “That kind of continuity and connection is rare and special, and I have Sunnyvale to thank for that.”
Elected as Sunnyvale High School’s first Homecoming Queen, Joseph says the honor was about more than just a title.
“It reflected openness of heart, inclusive friendships, and the value of showing up for others,” Joseph said. “As a South Asian student, holding space in a role where representation had been rare carried personal importance.”
Joseph was also a member of the yearbook staff, where she learned the importance of capturing and sharing stories: “There’s something about the ritual of remembering – of pausing to reflect and record – that makes life feel fuller.”
”Besides being an incredibly kind and intelligent person, she has proven herself to be a selfless human by advocating for human rights and helping to mentor others,” SHS yearbook teacher Becky Fisher said. Fisher added that Joseph “was extremely well loved and respected by her classmates and teachers.”
Joseph currently works for the City of Seattle as a People & Culture Business Partner. Her role is focused on developing employees, fostering inclusion, and strengthening workplace culture.
Her commitment to service extends far beyond her workplace. Joseph has supported anti-trafficking efforts in India with International Justice Mission and worked with Bonton Farms in Dallas to help formerly incarcerated individuals rebuild their lives.
“It’s important to me to center the margins – to intentionally make room for people whose voices and needs are too often overlooked,” Joseph said. “Both India and Dallas are “home” to me in different ways, and I felt a responsibility to show up where I could. I’m drawn to work that affirms dignity and helps build the conditions where people can thrive.”
She credits her drive to help others to her parents’ example of “quiet, consistent, and intentional giving,” and to her faith, which teaches care for others in practical, everyday ways.
To current Sunnyvale students, Joseph offers this advice:
You’re allowed to change your mind. Who you are today doesn’t have to define who you’ll be forever – give yourself permission to evolve.
Seek discomfort. Growth happens outside your comfort zone, and those challenging moments often lead to the biggest transformations.
Life is meant to be felt. Embrace the full range of experiences – the highs and the lows — they’re all part of your story.
Looking ahead, Joseph hopes to keep making a difference “by leading with curiosity, showing up with authenticity, and staying open. When that’s the posture, impact tends to follow – not always loudly, but in ways that last.”