STAR Program Recipients Spring 2025
The STAR Program offers Columbia Law School administrative staff a way to acknowledge and express appreciation for co-workers who make a difference in their everyday work life.
Pictured above: STAR Award recipients with Dean Daniel Abebe (Left to Right) Caitlin Lewis, Dean Daniel Abebe, and Marta Torelli. Not pictured above: Diana Pedi.
Spring 2025
These are the recipients of the Staff Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) Program for the Spring 2025. Winners receive a $2,000 award and a standing crystal STAR as a signal of the school’s appreciation.
Diana Pedi
Assistant Director, Communications
Office of Registration Services
Since joining registration services in 2021, Diana has worked behind the scenes to transform communication processes and messaging. She improved communication with students by implementing structured, empathetic messaging and enhancing response processes to make the office more supportive, altering the perception of Registration Services as a transactional department to a student-centered office. Her innovative leadership is evident in her ongoing work to revamp the academic calendar through cross-departmental collaboration, ensuring it better serves the entire law school community. Amid unpredictable circumstances, Diana consistently leads with thoughtfulness and adaptability, embodying the quiet yet powerful leadership that sustains meaningful change.
Marta Torelli
Faculty Coordinator
Faculty Support Services
Marta consistently demonstrates dedication, professionalism, and a deep sense of responsibility in everything she takes on. As a faculty coordinator, she consistently goes above and beyond to support both faculty and students, ensuring that daily operations run smoothly and efficiently. Over the past year, Marta played an essential role in several major events at the Millstein Center, generously volunteering her time and energy, even on weekends, to ensure their success. Her hard work, positive attitude, and relentless commitment to excellence makes her an invaluable team member. Everyone around her deeply feels Marta’s contributions, and this STAR Award is a well-deserved recognition of her outstanding service. She is a true team player and an exceptional colleague whose presence strengthens our community.
Caitlin Lewis
Assistant Director
Faculty Support Services
Caitlin has excelled in her role as the Assistant Director of Faculty Support Services.During an extreme transition period in Faculty Support Services, Caitlin was tasked with conducting a search for multiple faculty coordinators within weeks of the semester beginning. Throughout the process, Caitlin's judgment was impeccable, and she was thoughtful and professional in her interactions with candidates and faculty alike. She approaches each day with a calm, productive and positive attitude, going above and beyond her regular responsibilities. Her continued assistance with the Mindfulness Program every week has really helped smooth out a very demanding event. She has become an integral part of the team and her kindness with the students has elevated the program. Her collaborative approach is solutions oriented which brings a vibrancy to her department and the CLS community. She perseveres in the face of adversity and is a reliable and contributing member of the Law School.