Young Alum Award

The Young Alum Award is an honor the college bestows on its alumni who have achieved a high level of success within 15 years of graduating from Coe.

2026 recipient | Angelea Presti Yoder ’12

Angelea has built a career at the intersection of photography, storytelling and advocacy, using her camera and her voice to expand representation, shift the perspective that disability doesn't define a person and provide community and connection.

A triple major in public relations, writing and Spanish at Coe, she served as editor-in-chief of the Cosmos, was a Diversity Leadership Scholar and performed as assistant principal violist in Coe’s symphony and chamber orchestras. She also volunteered at St. Luke’s hospital and worked part-time at the Wendy’s on First Avenue. During her junior year, Angelea discovered film photography through an elective for her public relations major, a class that would ultimately change the direction of her life.

After graduating from Coe, she worked as a marketing coordinator for a country radio station in Janesville, Wisconsin, before making a bold move in August 2014: She packed up and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, alone, without a job and without knowing anyone in the city. That leap launched a photography career that has taken her from local brand campaigns and publications to international fashion editorials and key art for some of the most reputable artists in music and entertainment. Her work has included photography for Reese Witherspoon, Kane Brown, Red Bull, Gretchen Wilson, Trace Adkins and NASCAR, and has appeared in Billboard, People, Variety and Times Square. She has also photographed the Runway of Dreams at New York Fashion Week and served as a keynote speaker for national conferences including National AMBUCS and the Pull-thru Network. Her work has earned national attention, including a feature on Good Morning America.

But for Angelea, photography is about far more than creating beautiful images. As a disability and VACTERL advocate, she founded LET THEM STARE, a photography and storytelling project created to celebrate both visible and invisible differences, challenge perceptions of disability and confront ableism. Through her work, she highlights the strength, individuality and resilience of those often overlooked.

She is also the self-published author of “Look at Me, Look What I Can Do!,” a children’s book inspired by her commitment to helping young people see disability through a different lens. Her advocacy has led to opportunities to share her message with audiences across the country, and even to a special Make-A-Wish experience: Granting the wish of a child whose dream was to become a photographer.

Her commitment to giving back extends beyond her professional work. Every year, Angelea collects more than 100 teddy bears and stuffed animals to donate to a local organization, hospital or senior living community, a tradition inspired by the late Coe vocal professor Mark Elliott, whom she remembers as one of her favorite professors even though she never took a class with him.

From discovering photography in a Coe classroom to building a career that uses photography to help others be seen, Angelea has turned her creativity, courage and compassion into a powerful force for representation and connection. Her work embodies the curiosity, purpose and impact that make the Young Alum Award so fitting.

Please note: While nominations are accepted year-round, only those submitted by March 1 will be considered for awarding at that year's Homecoming celebration.

Past recipients

Award eligibility

Professional achievement exemplifies the superior educational quality and ideals of Coe College. Nominees also illustrate their dedication to Coe and their community through their continued engagement and service.
Nominees must have graduated from Coe College within the past 15 years.
Award may be presented posthumously but living award recipients or a designee must be present to accept the award.
Current members of Coe's Board of Trustees, Board of Visitors/President's Advisory Council, or Alumni Council cannot receive this award while serving their term.

Judging criteria

The Coe Alumni Council evaluates nominees based on the following weighted criteria:

60%–Distinction in their professional field
Recognition including, but not limited to, scholarship, awards, and leadership recognition by one's peers in, trade associations, business, education, sports, and medicine.

20%–Loyalty to Coe
Dedication to the college measured in volunteer service including, but not limited to, admission assistance, student engagement, alumni events, Board of Trustees, Board of Visitors/President's Advisory Council, Alumni Council or Coe Fund.

20%–Community Engagement
Service to the nominee’s community, including, but not limited to, board, committee, task force, and volunteer service.