Following her studies in Physics at the King’s College London, Casey Thomas-Boyles (Br’10) knew that she wanted to continue her education. She was torn between continuing her studies at King’s for a Ph.D. in Physics and exploring a completely different scientific field — enter the Thouron Award and Nanotechnology.
“The opportunity to study in the U.S., in an emerging and exciting discipline, at one of the best labs in the world was simply too incredible to pass up,” Casey recalls. Without the Award, she would not have been able to afford the experience and pursue her MS in Nanotechnology.
“Beyond financial support, it provided me with a lifelong community of Scholars who have been dear friends. The Thouron Award also gave me the freedom to travel across the U.S., creating unforgettable memories and expanding my perspective,” Casey shares.
The doors that opened for her while studying at Penn were plentiful. From the connections made during her studies in the U.S., Casey was able to shape her career in ways she’d never imagined possible. “I can confidently say that without the Thouron experience, I wouldn’t be living in the Bay Area today,” she admits.
Cultures Unlocked
After completing her MS in Nanotechnology at Penn, Casey went on to pursue her Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering in Singapore. However, life had a different plan for her and while the programme was not the fit she needed, a pivot was on the horizon. Moving to the Bay Area to work at a small startup, Casey embarked on a new journey.
“Over the years, I built teams across sales, marketing, operations, customer success, and customer support at various early stage startups. By 2016, I was craving work with a deeper impact, so I transitioned into EdTech consulting,” Casey shares.
The move would bring her to be a part of an acquisition by Guild Education, where more growth awaited Casey. At present, she is the Chief of Staff and Culture to the Guild’s Chief Operations Officer and Chief Product Officer, supporting 500 people. “My roles blend culture-building, leading strategic initiatives, and ensuring the business runs smoothly…that’s the kind of work I find most rewarding,” she explains.
And one that is certainly paying off, as she received an honour as one of Culture Amp’s Top 25 Emerging Culture Creators for 2025. This wonderful recognition is deeply meaningful to Casey because of the work she does. The years spent helping teams create spaces where they are valued, seen, and readily contributing matters deeply to her and continues to be a welcomed challenge of making workplaces more human.
“The award is a reminder that culture work matters, and it’s incredibly motivating to know that the work I love is making an impact,” Casey shares.
For the Culture
Life after Thouron continues to be an amazing journey for Casey. She is a mum of two, Thaddeaus and Atlas, and she and her husband, Seth, have made a home with their family in Oakland, California. When not creating space for culture to grow, Casey loves baking and even took a sabbatical at a pastry school in Paris. Travelling is equally something loved by her family as well. They have trips planned for Spain, South Korea, and Brazil this year and next.
As one of the unique few Alumni to be selected for the Thouron Award during our 50th Anniversary celebration, Casey was able to embark upon her studies and move to the U.S. in a beautiful way with other Scholars in 2010.
“The Thouron community has gifted me with incredible friendships — Jess Peake, a scholar from the year above me at Penn, has been with me through some of the best and most challenging moments of my life. I am so grateful for the friendships I’ve made through this network,” she shares.
As we approach our 65th Anniversary, Casey hopes that the Thouron Award continues to grow and evolve in the future. “I’d love to see more opportunities for scholars to connect, particularly those of us on the West Coast,” Casey expresses.
As luck would have it, our inaugural Thouron Symposium held in January 2025 was the first step in that direction!
Reconnecting Cultures
Casey definitely did not shy away from being a part of this momentous occasion and event. “As soon as Bea [Brown] shared the theme, I knew I wanted to contribute something a little unconventional — something that would push people slightly outside of their comfort zones. I do this type of work with teams all the time, and even the biggest skeptics end up having great moments of connection,” she excitedly details.
One of many Alumni who craved connection with others from the community, Casey admits a little bias about how lovely a time she had. From watching people connect and share small and meaningful moments of joy during her Art Workshop, to the fantastic formal dinner where countless conversations were had amongst fellow Scholars.
“Learning about their journeys, the unexpected twists in their careers, and the shared experiences that tie us all together. It was a reminder of how special this community is, spanning generations but always rooted in curiosity, ambition, and connection,” Casey proudly shares.
Regardless of which generation (or field) of Scholar, the Thouron Symposium brought our community together and they naturally connected again, through relevant and relatable discussions. Casey does have one hope for future Symposiums to come: family-friendly engagement.
Will we have Thouron Tots in the future? It is never too early to begin cultural exchanges!
What Could Your Future Look Like as a Thouron Scholar?
Learn more about the Thouron Award — one of the most prestigious and generous academic scholarships in the world, offering funding and cultural exchange between the University of Pennsylvania and U.K. institutions.