Nancy Gast Riss was the first woman to be honored for distinction in economics at Carleton College , where she received her BA (magna cum laude) in 1977. She earned her MBA from New York University and specialized in financial management and strategic planning at General Electric and General Foods. Nancy retired in 1995 after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, but remained active in community organizations until her death in 2002. She is survived by Paul, her husband of 25 years, and her children Jacob and Rececca.