Alumni Receive Alumni Honoree Awards
History Alumni, Charlene Binder ‘82 and Emily Sutton ‘14, have received Liberal Arts Alumni Honoree Awards from the Department of History, presented at the 2026 Alumni Awards Ceremony.
Charlene Binder, recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award, is a global human resources executive and leadership advisor with four decades of experience helping organizations grow their people, culture, and purpose. She holds degrees in history and labor studies from Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts, a foundation that defines how she leads and advises.
Binder currently serves as director of executive experience at Zalando SE in Berlin, partnering with senior leaders to strengthen executive talent, leadership effectiveness, and organizational alignment. Earlier in her career, she held senior leadership roles at Hershey, Cox Enterprises, Unilever, and Dannon, leading talent and culture initiatives across global organizations. Beyond her corporate work, she is committed to mentorship and expanding opportunity, serving Penn State’s School of Labor and Employment Relations, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and The Open Mindset Project.
Binder views her career as a testament to the enduring relevance of liberal arts in developing thoughtful, courageous, and people-centered leaders.
Emily Sutton, recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award, earned a master’s degree in law and homeland security in 2016 before beginning a career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation later that year. Emily started her career working as a threats intake examiner in Clarksburg, West Virginia. In 2019, Emily attended the intelligence analyst program at the FBI Academy and went on to serve in both Charlotte, North Carolina, and Washington, DC. In 2024, Emily was honored with the FBI Medal of Excellence in recognition of outstanding service and dedication. Emily grew up in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and has been a lifelong Penn Stater. Emily currently resides in Alexandria, Virginia, with her West Highland White Terrier, Fiona.
