2026 Distinguished Alumni honorees announced

The 2026 awardees of the North Hills High School Distinguished Alumni Award are Courtney Brennan and Matt Dieterich. Courtney is a member of the Class of 2001 and Matt graduated in 2009.

The North Hills School District Distinguished Alumni program began in 2011 as a way to honor graduates of North Hills High School and the former West View High School. The pair will be inducted on May 18 and serve as keynote speakers at the high school's annual Senior Awards Night the same evening.

Courtney Brennan, Class of 2001

Courtney Brennan is a creator economy leader with more than eight years of experience building and scaling high-impact influencer and affiliate marketing programs. 

She currently leads full-funnel creator and affiliate strategy for Aerie, the lifestyle brand of American Eagle Outfitters, where she focuses on developing first-party creator programs and optimizing third-party partnerships to drive both brand awareness and revenue growth.

Before joining Aerie, Courtney worked at Acceleration Partners, where she helped build and grow creator programs for major national retailers including Target and The Home Depot. During that time, her team managed thousands of influencer partnerships and executed large-scale campaigns that generated significant revenue impact, including programs producing millions in monthly sales. She is known for combining performance marketing, strategic partnerships, and team leadership to deliver measurable business results. 

Earlier in her career, Courtney spent a decade in television as a four-time Emmy Award–winning anchor and reporter at WPXI, WLOS, WQAD, and WKTV, sharpening the storytelling skills that now power her strategic approach to modern media.

In addition to her corporate leadership, Courtney is also a content creator behind @itscourtneybrennan, where she shares home renovation projects, approachable style, and family life with more than 85,000 followers. This hands-on experience as a creator gives her a unique perspective on how brands and influencers can work together authentically and effectively.

Courtney attended Syracuse University, where she studied Broadcast Journalism and Policy Studies.

Matt Dieterich, Class of 2009

Matt Dieterich is a scientist, entrepreneur, and internationally recognized astrophotographer whose career blends astronomy, geology, engineering, and public outreach.

He currently serves as CEO of First Light Astronomy, where he leads the design and construction of custom observatories and advanced telescope systems for clients around the world. He has also held leadership roles in the observatory and electro-optical manufacturing industries, helping scale global installation programs and build strategic industry partnerships.

Matt is the owner of Matt Dieterich Photography, a company he founded in 2007. His nightscape and astrophotography work has been featured by major national organizations, and he has served as a National Park Service Artist-in-Residence. Through workshops, presentations, and online content, he shares his passion for the night sky with audiences of all ages.

Earlier in his career, Matt worked as a research geologist with the U.S. Department of Energy, publishing peer-reviewed research in geology and energy sciences. He holds a Master of Science in Geology and Planetary Science and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science.

Throughout his career, Matt has combined technical expertise with creativity and communication, advancing scientific discovery while inspiring others to look up and explore.

Matt holds a Master of Science in Geology and Planetary Science from the University of Pittsburgh and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, graduating cum laude, from Robert Morris University.