Faculty & Staff
Deb Abrahams-Dematte she|her|hers
Director of Development
deb@tremontschool.org
Audrey Almeida she|her|hers
Mathematics (High School)
Math Curriculum Coordinator
audreya@tremontschool.org
Christi Andersen she|her|hers
Data/Systems Coordinator
Floating/Substitute Teacher
christi@tremontschool.org
Jason Bandzul he|him|his
Science (Middle & High School)
jason@tremontschool.org
Kathy Buchanan she|her|hers
Out of District Placement Consultant
kathyb@tremontschool.org
Tori Campbell she|her|hers
Health & Wellness Comparative Linguistics
tori@tremontschool.org
Victor Catano he|him|his
Director of Finance
victor@tremontschool.org
Sue Cogswell she|her|hers
Learning Support Coordinator
sue@tremontschool.org
Chuck Chaney he|him|his
Director of Enrollment & Operations
chuck@tremontschool.org
Kate Charles she|her|hers
Science & Mathematics (High School)
katharine@tremontschool.org
Krista Demas she|her|hers
Head of School
krista@tremontschool.org
Karen Harvey she|her|hers
Math Faculty
karen@tremontschool.org
Tore Kapstad he|him|his
Humanities (High School)
tore@tremontschool.org
Colleen Meaney she|her|hers
Director of Teaching and Learning
colleen@tremontschool.org
Dr. Leesa Mercedes she|her|hers
Director of Well-Being & Student Support
leesa@tremontschool.org
Chris Nifong he|him|his
Music Specialist
chris@tremontschool.org
Ed Lee Rocha he|him|his
Director of Student Life
World Languages Coordinator edward@tremontschool.org
Heather Scott she|her|hers
Middle School Humanities Teacher
heather@tremontschool.org
Eric Sutter he/him/his
Art and Makerspace Teacher
eric@tremontschool.org
Amanda Zimmerman she/her/hers
School Counselor
amanda@tremontschool.org
Hope Borsic she/her/hers
Rocha-Holliday Fellow
hope@tremontschool.org
Beau he/him/his
Head of Welcome
Pickles he/him/his
Pattern Consultant
Board of Trustees
2026-27 Board of Trustees
Back row (l to r): Darren Herman, Slater Campbell, Jeff Poggi, Mary Weitzel, Jason Bandzul, Michelle Cannon, Julie Purrington, Laniesha Gray, Jennifer Little, Dinah Borden, Dane Callow, Will Barker
Front row (l to r): Audrey Almeida, Pamela Adams, Krista Demas, Patty James, Robyn Dollar, Lauren LaGrega, Jill Beguhn
Not pictured: Sherri Herman
Board Officers
Jeff Poggi
Chair
Michelle Cannon
Vice Chair
Dane Callow
Treasurer
Robyn Dollar
Clerk
Sherri Herman
Recording Secretary
Board Trustees (3 Year Term)
Jill Beguhn
Will Barker
Slater Campbell
Dr. Laniesha Gray
Darren Herman
Patty James, M.B.A. (Founding Trustee)
Lauren LaGrega, M.D.
Julie Purrington, J.D.
Jennifer Richards Little
Mary Weitzel, J.D., M.P.H.
Board Emeritus Trustees
Linda Echt, Ed.M.
Timothy B. Lee, Ed.M.
David H. Vaughn, B.A. (Founding Trustee)
Ex-Officio Trustees
Dinah Borden
TPAC Trustee - 2 year term
Pamela Adams
TPAC Trustee - 1 year term
Audrey Almeida
Faculty and Staff Trustee
Jason Bandzul
Faculty and Staff Trustee
Krista Demas
Head of School, Tremont School/Collaborative Learning Project, Inc.
Collaborative Learning Project, Inc.
d/b/a Tremont School
Tremont School is the business name for the Collaborative Learning Project, Inc. (CLP). CLP/Tremont School is governed by a board of dedicated volunteers who believe passionately about Tremont School’s mission and helping all students thrive!
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Staff Bios
BIO: Audrey Almeida
A passionate and purpose-driven Mathematics educator, Audrey brings over a decade of diverse teaching experience shaped by a belief in the transformative power of education. She holds a Master of Science in Mathematics and a Master of Arts in Education, where she was recognized on the university merit list for academic excellence. Audrey combines strong academic grounding with a reflective, research-informed teaching practice. She has taught Key Stage 3, IGCSE, and International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) Mathematics for five years at the Deutsche International Schule Bombay, while also serving as a child protection officer, and has over nine years of tutoring experience across Indian, Australian, and UK curricula. At the heart of her practice is a growth mindset philosophy; she views education as a dynamic, lifelong journey and champions value-based pedagogy that nurtures critical thinkers and globally conscious citizens. Her classroom is a space where Mathematics becomes not only accessible but empowering—rooted in creativity, real-world application, and ethical awareness. Beyond academics, she is a vibrant creative spirit: a passionate baker and former entrepreneur behind Audrey’s Meraki, a poet and blogger, an award-winning theatre artist, and an avid clothing designer. This rich blend of intellectual and artistic pursuits infuses her teaching with authenticity, curiosity, and human connection, making her a dynamic contributor to the learning community.
BIO: Deb Abrahams-Dematte
Deb joined Tremont in 2022, and has over 25 years of advancement experience in education and non-profit settings, with a focus on children and families. She is dedicated to building meaningful relationships, and creating sustainable organizations that reflect our highest intentions for each other and the world. Deb has a BA in political science and women’s studies and an MS in nonprofit management. She enjoys cooking, yoga, gardening, and xc-skiing, and lives with her husband Bill in southern NH, along with their dog, cat, and chickens.
BIO: Jason Bandzul
Jason is a dedicated educator who has spent the last 7 years nurturing a passion for science and math among middle and high school students. Jason is a firm believer in the spirit of the Tremont School, manifesting this through a competency-based learning approach and a holistic and personalized lens on diverse learners, which facilitate the active engagement of students in the learning process. A prior work experience in precision sheet metal fabrication enriches his background, contributing a unique practical perspective to Jason’s pedagogy where he excels in translating complex theories into digestible knowledge, igniting curiosity, and fostering a deep concept attainment in his students. Jason holds a BA from Worcester State University and a Special Education License. Beyond the classroom, Jason is an avid Dungeons & Dragons enthusiast, showcasing his dynamic personality and the breadth of his interests. His dedication to teaching, combined with his varied interests and experiences, make Jason a pivotal contributor to the intellectual growth within the Tremont community.
BIO: Tori Campbell
Tori grew up in Boulder, Colorado and went to college at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where she majored in French and Russian. That led to a 20-year career as an Army intelligence officer, serving around the US and in Germany, Bosnia, Iraq, South Korea, Japan, and Australia. Along the way, she commanded a company, went to grad school (the first time), taught history and coached orienteering at West Point, and served as a project officer at the Pentagon. She is married to her West Point classmate, Jon, and they have two kids: Anna (19) and Peter (17). After Jon and Tori transitioned from military service in 2016, the whole family took time off from work and school and traveled for a few years, including a lot of backpacking, camping, and orienteering. During this time, Tori realized that although she loved intelligence work, she was more passionate about making a difference in education. She completed graduate studies at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2020 and started at Tremont that fall. Tori says the opportunity to become a part of Tremont felt like coming home to her.
BIO: Kathy Buchanan
Kathy is an experienced special education teacher and administrator skilled in supporting a wide range of learners to achieve lifelong learning success. With her Army officer husband, she has lived and taught in public and private schools in Virginia, Germany, West Point, New York, and Maine. Kathy developed special education programs in Bangor, Maine and at Cottage Hill Academy in Massachusetts, and was the Director of Special Education for 10 years for Clinton (MA) Public Schools. She graduated from Ladycliff College with a BA in Psychology and Special Education, the University of Maine at Orono with a Master’s in Special Education, and American International College with a Certificate in Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Administration. Kathy and her husband have a daughter and a son and two grandchildren, including one with significant special needs. Most of her time away from Tremont is spent spoiling her grandkids!
BIO: Victor Catano
“I am thrilled to join the Tremont School community as Director of Finance! From my very first interactions with the team and campus, I was deeply inspired by Tremont’s vibrant mission, innovative approach to learning, and warm environment. Throughout my career in independent school leadership, I’ve always believed that a strong financial foundation serves one primary purpose: enabling our educators and students to thrive. I am excited to partner with Krista, our Board of Trustees, leadership team, faculty, and families to support Tremont’s bright future, and I look forward to connecting with everyone soon!”
BIO: Chuck Chaney
Chuck Chaney was born in Alaska and raised in Hawaii. He now calls Massachusetts home where he is a committed father and husband. Often spending too much time in the kitchen and farm developing new dishes and concoctions for every season and taste. The natural beauty in Hawaii inspired a quest to document human experience, he pursued and received his BA in professional photography from Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, CA. He went on to build a multifaceted photography career calling many Fortune 500 companies clients. He returned to his creative roots earning an MFA in studio art from Tufts University in Medford, MA. At Tufts he discovered that his creative core was about creating community through communication and engagement which led him to found a 501(c)3 non-profit artist residency in Alaska, serving artists from around the globe. He has created and exhibited award winning transdisciplinary art on five continents, currently he is focused on making-time based sculptural works. Additionally, he has over a decade of work in school admissions including serving as a Director of Admissions in both college and primary schools. Chuck has taught and mentored middle, secondary and college students for over two decades. Believing there should be more places like Tremont School, that embrace diverse capabilities and empowers students to access their capacity as engaged, joyful, global citizens. He is excited to [re]turn to Tremont School focused on growing our community.
BIO: Kate Charles
Kate holds teaching experience as an Associate Instructor at Indiana University while a Ph.D. candidate in Evolutionary Biology. Following this, Kate comes to the Tremont School with seven years of private tutoring experience, working primarily with under-challenged, over-challenged, home schooled, twice-exceptional, and other non-traditional learners. Kate holds a Master of Liberal Arts in Biology from Harvard University Extension School, and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Wesleyan University. Outside the classroom, she paints, sews, and bakes, though usually not all at once. Kate also enjoys slow-hiking in the mountains, and is a certified Wilderness First Responder.
BIO: Krista Demas
Krista Demas is an educator with over 25 years of experience in both public and independent schools. Before coming to Tremont, Krista served as the Middle School Head at Shady Hill School, as the Director of Learning Resources at Shady Hill, as the grades 3-8 Learning Specialist at Milton Academy, and the grades Pre-K to 3 Literacy Specialist at Buckingham Browne and Nichols School. Krista has also worked for the Brookline Public Schools and for The Home for Little Wanderers.
About Tremont, she says, “Tremont School’s emphasis on using research-based practices to educate the whole child within a community resonates with me. Tremont’s acknowledgement that we are all working on something and bring our strengths and weaknesses to bear mirrors my own educational philosophy. I am inspired by Tremont’s commitment to interdisciplinary and competency-based learning and believe that Tremont’s mission and vision reflect precisely the sort of school that our children need. My life’s work has been dedicated to empowering young people to thrive regardless of their learning profile or circumstances.”
After growing up in North Carolina and Alabama, Krista earned her BA in Elementary Education and Communication from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and earned an M.Ed in Moderate Special Needs from Boston College.
BIO: Sue Cogswell
Sue has taught middle school students for over 15 years. Before coming to Tremont School, she spent 12 years teaching in Boston at a full inclusion middle school and tutored students in ELA and executive function skills. Sue grew up in Connecticut, and received her Bachelors in Psychology from Stonehill College, with a minor in Education. After working for a few years in the mental health field and a short stint in California, she began her formal teaching career by receiving a Masters in Special Education from Wheelock College. When she is not teaching, Sue likes cooking, baking (yes they are different), hiking, biking and spending time with her friends and family (including the fluffy ones).
BIO: Karen Harvey
Karen Harvey brings nearly a decade of experience teaching middle school humanities and mathematics in progressive independent and international school settings. Most recently at Cambridge Friends School, Karen developed inquiry-based humanities curriculum, implemented the Illustrative Mathematics program across grades 6–8, and supported students' social-emotional growth as an advisor. Her background also includes teaching at Korea Foreign School in Seoul, where she contributed to IB PYP authorization and helped establish the school's first PYP exhibition. Karen holds a Master of Elementary Education from Fairleigh Dickinson University and brings a collaborative, student-centered approach to her work at Tremont.
"I am so excited to be joining the team at Tremont. I was fascinated to learn about the completely different approach that prioritizes social, emotional, and academic learning that fits in so well with my own approach to teaching. Tremont seems like a place where I can learn a lot and really grow my teaching practice."
BIO: Colleen Meaney
Colleen Meaney, who previously served as Program Director, steps in as our inaugural Director of Teaching and Learning. In this role, Colleen will lead the design and continuous improvement of Tremont's academic program, ensuring coherence across curriculum, instruction, and faculty development — and deepening the alignment between how we teach and who we are as a school.
Colleen is a seasoned progressive educator and administrator serving as Tremont’s Program Director, our key educational leadership role, supporting our teachers and students. Prior to coming to Tremont School, Colleen served as the Director of the Theodore R. Sizer Teachers’ Center at the Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School in Massachusetts where she consulted with schools to support both educators’ and students’ learning and well-being, facilitate innovative programmatic design, and whole-school redesign—all through a progressive education lens. Colleen has a depth of experience strengthening educator capacity for antiracist pedagogy, competency-based achievement, the means to knowing students well, and creating the conditions for authentic student engagement. Colleen is a National Facilitator with the School Reform Initiative, and has served as Dean of Faculty at Souhegan High School, Assistant Principal at Concord-Carlisle High School, New England Association of Secondary Schools & Colleges Commission Member, and Board of Trustee member at Innovation Academy Charter School.
BIO: Tore Kapstad
Tore has taught at the middle and high school level for over 20 years, teaching courses in World History, US History, Geography, Civics and Government, Economics, Humanities, ELA, Literature, Writing, Comparative World Religion, and a number of elective courses. He has taught in progressive public and private schools in New York City and Boston, MA. A graduate of Middlebury College and Teachers College of Columbia University, Tore is a National Board Certified Teacher in Social Studies-History and also a certified ESL teacher. When not in the classroom, Tore enjoys sports, music, reading, and spending time with family and friends. He is waiting sometimes patiently and other times impatiently for the start of the next soccer World Cup.
BIO: Dr. Leesa Mercedes
Dr. Leesa Mercedes is our inaugural Director of Well-Being and Student Support. In this role, Dr. Mercedes leads all aspects of the student and family experience — from social-emotional development to the day-to-day life of our school community — and serves as a senior administrator acting on behalf of the Head of School in her absence.
Dr. Mercedes is the Founder and Executive Director of CAMINOS Educational Partnerships and brings more than two decades of leadership in school psychology, neuropsychology, and student-centered advocacy. Her career includes serving as Lower School Division Head at Shady Hill School, School Psychologist at Belmont Day School, and Special Education Team Chair in Cambridge Public Schools. She holds a Ph.D. in Applied Educational and Clinical Psychology from Columbia University, post-doctoral training in neuropsychology, and Diplomate status through the American Board of School Neuropsychology. A first-generation Latina scholar, Dr. Mercedes is guided by a deep commitment to equity, culturally responsive practice, and creating learning environments where every child is celebrated and empowered to thrive.
BIO: Chris Nifong
Chris is a multi-instrumentalist and composer with a Bachelor’s degree in Guitar Performance. He recently completed his Master of Music Education degree with an Autism Concentration from Boston Conservatory. Chris has been involved with Tremont in the past and is excited to re-engage with our community as one of our music faculty. Chris is devoted to empowering students to create and believes that music can be a terrific vehicle for building social connections and community. Chris will be offering a range of musical options this year.
BIO: Ed Lee Rocha
A graduate of Harvard University and Boston University, Ed is the founder of a language education company based on his RoLa method of teaching foreign languages. He is the founding president of the Harvard Latino Alumni Alliance and a published author of Spanish education books and children’s books. Ed has consulted with Tremont in the past and is excited to formally join our team where he hopes to enhance our language program and our community in a meaningful way.
BIO: Heather Scott
Heather brings over fifteen years of teaching experience across public and independent schools. She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching Art from Salem State University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration from the Art Institute of Boston. A recently published writer herself, Heather parlays her lifelong passion for creativity, writing, and literacy into her role in humanities. She is deeply aligned with Tremont's mission and committed to helping every student find and amplify their own voice. When she's not in the classroom, you might find her entering writing contests, curled up with a book, or wrangling a leopard gecko named Pickles who is now comfortably at home in her Tremont classroom!
BIO: Eric Sutter
Eric Sutter is, in many ways, a Tremont original — one of the school's earliest students, now returning as a teacher. Having spent last year as Tremont's second Rocha-Holiday Fellow in Neurodiversity, Eric taught art and humanities and quickly became a trusted and beloved adult for our students. He holds a BFA in Illustration from Massachusetts College of Art and Design, where his senior thesis was a 43-page graphic novel completed in a single semester. Eric works fluidly across traditional and digital media and brings skills in illustration, storyboarding, and concept development to his teaching. We're thrilled to welcome him back to the community where his own love of learning first took root.
BIO: Amanda Zimmerman
Amanda Zimmerman is Tremont’s School Counselor, previously serving five years as a School Psychologist at the Community Charter School of Cambridge, where she supported a diverse group of students in grades 6–12 through individual and group counseling, psychoeducational evaluation, and school-wide mental health initiatives. Amanda has served as Counseling Department Chair, launched her school's first Crisis Team, and is a trained iDECIDE facilitator and restorative practices advocate. She holds an Ed.S. and is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP). Amanda is drawn to Tremont's strengths-based, neuroaffirming approach and brings a proactive, relationship-centered philosophy to her counseling work.
"I’m really excited to be joining the Tremont School community as the new school counselor. I love Tremont's humanistic foundation, orientation towards youth agency, and commitment to supporting students in developing their individual strengths academically, socially, and emotionally."
Board Bios
BIO: Michelle Cannon
Michelle is the parent of a Tremont high schooler and served as TPAC High School Co-chair this past year and TPAC Board Member. Michelle brings 20+ years as an education professional and is currently a consultant in strategic, operational, and instructional leadership in public and independent schools and education non-profits. Her most recent project is launching a state-approved public virtual school. Before that, Michelle designed the Early College program at Fenway High School in Boston with partnerships with Wentworth Institute of Technology and UMass Boston through grants from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Before that, Michelle served as key administrator at BU Academy, transitioning that school from start-up to sustainable in creating operational, enrollment, and academic systems and school culture. In her early career, she developed out of school-time programs at The Steppingstone Foundation to help Boston school-children get on the path to college. A graduate of Harvard College with a degree in Classics and a M. Ed. from UMass Boston in Education Administration, Michelle lives with her husband and two teenage boys in Dorchester.
BIO: Jeff Poggi
Jeff has been part of the Tremont community since 2017 and is the proud father of a 2022 Tremont Graduate. He has served on the Board of Trustees since 2022 as Treasurer and is very excited to begin his 2nd year as Chair. Over his 30+ year professional career, he has held numerous leadership roles in Consumer Electronics, Automotive, and Equipment Industries including currently serving as the CEO of CMC North America based in Methuen, MA. He enjoys collaborating with teams to set strategy, build a winning culture, and deliver results. He earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, a M.S. in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech, and a M.B.A from Duke University. Jeff is an avid reader, lifetime learner, proud fantasy/fiction nerd, golf hacker, and passionate music fan. Jeff lives with his wife and best friend, Blake, in South Hadley, Massachusetts, where he regularly spins Springsteen on vinyl.
BIO: Dane Callow
Dane has nearly two decades of experience in the investment and healthcare finance fields. He is the founder and Managing Partner of Spinnaker Life Sciences, a strategy consulting firm focused on providing finance, development, and commercial support to pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies. Prior to Spinnaker he founded Brooks Hill Partners, an investment firm that supplied capital and tactical advisory to seed stage healthcare technology and biopharma services start-ups. A New Englander through and through, Dane received his BA from Middlebury College, MBA from the Tuck School of Business, and lives outside Boston with his wife, Jess, their two kids, and two dogs. A devoted sports fan, Dane supports every team equally; as long as they’re from Boston. When not immersed in the life sciences finance landscape, he’ll be enjoying any number of activities with his family; travelling, coaching, golfing, skiing, or whatever form of outdoor activity can be found. Prior to being elected to the Board of Trustees, Dane was a volunteer on the Board Finance & Investment Committee.
BIO: Sherri Herman
Sherri has been part of the Tremont community since 2022 and is the proud parent of a 2026 graduate. She holds the role of Recording Secretary and also serves as the chair of the Nominating Committee. Prior to her board service, Sherri was a volunteer on Tremont’s Board Governance and Nominating Committee. For over 15 years, she was an Executive Director at Morgan Stanley in New York. She began her career in the firm’s Finance & Administration training program and worked her way up in the Financial Operations division holding several key positions in Institutional Sales & Trading, Business Management and Strategic Planning. Later in her career, Sherri transitioned to Human Resources as the Global Head of HR for Alternate Sourcing and Off-Shore planning and completed her tenure with the firm as the Operations Officer for Human Resources. After her two children were born, Sherri filled some of her time as Founder & President of ResumeGal.com, a resume writing and editing service and has served as a volunteer on various PTO committees in the Wellesley Public Schools. Sherri resides in Wellesley with her husband, Darren, their two children, and three dogs. When not volunteering, Sherri enjoys spending time at the beach, traveling, reading, and attending dance competitions with her daughter.
BIO: Robyn Dollar
Robyn is an attorney specializing in Medicaid fraud and health care litigation. She is also the proud parent of a Tremont middle-schooler. Robyn received her undergraduate degree in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin and her law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. Before joining the Office of the Attorney General, she worked in private practice focusing on healthcare, pharmaceutical, product liability, employment, and commercial litigation. Robyn is a dedicated advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities and speaks frequently to future educators and healthcare providers on the topic. Robyn previously served on the Board of Trustees of the Atrium School in Watertown, MA. Robyn lives in Newton with her husband, Ben, and her children, Jack and Charlotte (Tremont Class of 2030).
BIO: Jill Beguhn
Jill is a career educator as well as a proud parent of a Tremont alum. After earning a combined BS/MS in Special Education from Lesley College, she embarked on a 25+ year commitment to education. Her varied experiences include serving as Interdisciplinary Case Manager at a specialized school serving children experiencing emotional, learning or developmental disabilities and working as an independent consultant to create and implement physical activities for neurodiverse children. While serving recently as a Lead Teacher at a nursery school, she played a key role in developing a modified business model that enabled the school to be financially-and mission-viable during the Covid crisis. Jill has served as a parent ambassador for Tremont School, participating in meetings with potential parents, students and staff. She lives with her husband, Shawn (another active Tremont volunteer) and her three children in Concord, MA.
BIO: Will Barker
Will Barker is the parent of a Tremont high schooler and appreciates Tremont’s success in generating his son’s enthusiasm for learning. Professionally, Will is a retired technology consultant who focused his career on order management solutions for retailers, leading cross-functional teams of engineers to design, implement, improve, or fix solutions. His education background includes an MBA and MS in Finance from Northeastern University. Will has extensive experience volunteering in non-profit organizations, such as Kimball Union Academy (trustee/alumni council), Newton-Wellesley/MGH Brigham hospital network as a member of various committees and the Board of Overseers/Advisors, Minuteman and Acton-Boxborough school districts as PAC and SEPAC officers, and as a director of a family foundation. Will lives in Acton with his wife, two sons and a spoiled dog.
BIO: Slater Campbell
Slater is a Tremont School alum, who started in 8th grade at Tremont School’s original location at the Greek church in Weston. He graduated in 2019 as part of Tremont’s second graduating class ever. While at Tremont, Slater rekindled his interest in math and writing that was lost at his previous school. He became an expert with the laser cutter, using it in nearly every project he could. He co-founded an after-school makerspace class with a fellow student, helping mentor his peers with the laser cutter, 3D printer and other tools. Following his love for engineering, Slater got his Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering, with a minor in Computer Science, from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. At WPI, he pursued sustainability-oriented projects; when he studied abroad in Oahu, Hawai’i, he helped design and build an interactive outdoor exhibit that teaches kids about pollinators. For his capstone, he led a team to create a device that would eliminate whale entanglements with lobster buoy lines, without interrupting the workflow of lobstermen (patent pending). After graduation, he joined Analog Devices as an instrumentation systems design engineer, where he designs cutting edge precision measurement equipment. His multi-disciplinary experience from Tremont and WPI allows him to design electronics, write software and algorithms, design mechanical enclosures and fixtures, visit customers and present demos at trade shows. Outside of work you can find Slater skiing trees in Vermont or Maine, hiking, playing games, or traveling with friends.
BIO: Dr. Laniesha Gray
Laniesha is the Director of Equity and Inclusion at Shady Hill School, where she leads efforts to cultivate an inclusive and equitable environment. A dedicated educator, school administrator, and independent school alum, Laniesha brings a wealth of experience to her work. Laniesha holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Boston College, an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Northeastern University, and a B.A. in Political Science and English from Columbia College. Laniesha started her career as an English teacher. She is deeply committed to women’s rights and has led many workshops on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), cultural proficiency, and gender inequity. Additionally, she serves on the Alumni Council for The Steppingstone Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping underserved students access educational opportunities that lead to college success, and on the Association of Independent Schools New England (AISNE) Student Conference Steering Committee. Outside of her professional commitments, Laniesha enjoys 70s and 80s soul music, buffalo wings, and spontaneous dance parties—though not necessarily in that order.
BIO: Darren Herman
Darren is a Managing Director at Bain Capital in Boston and Chairman of Silicon Alley Sports, an organization that comes together to play sports and network to raise money for various charities. He has had a career as an entrepreneur, investor, and executive focused on growth: marketing, digital, technology, and strategy. Darren has been featured in numerous global media, such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and various national publications highlighting some of the innovations he has accomplished and the awards he’s won. Darren lives in Wellesley with his wife, two teenage children, and three dogs. When not working, TikTok-ing with his daughter or losing in video games to his son, he can be found on the tennis court, at a New York Knicks game, or skiing with his family. Herman is an active member of the Pinebrook Country Club Tennis Committee.
BIO: Patty James, M.B.A. (Founding Trustee)
Patty is one of the Tremont School founders and has been involved since the school’s inception. She serves as a Board Trustee, donor and a member of the Capital Campaign and Collaborative Learning Project Working Group. From 2006-2008, Patty was a volunteer in the parent-directed Son Rise play-therapy program supporting a young student on the autism spectrum and a graduate of Tremont’s 8th grade. Throughout her involvement with the Tremont School, Patty is continually proud of its success in helping students achieve personal and academic growth which in turn provides them with higher educational opportunities. Patty is currently living in Chicago after relocating four years ago to be closer to her daughter, Casey (a former art teacher at Tremont) and her two grandchildren. Prior to her involvement with the Tremont School, Patty held a position as a Paralegal in a large Boston Law firm then proceeded to earn an MBA from Simmons School of Management in 1982. After graduation she worked for a small consulting firm in the Boston area and started her family of two daughters.
BIO: Lauren LaGrega, M.D.
Lauren is a proud parent of a Tremont School alum and has been a part of our community for almost 10 years. She served as Tremont School Gala Co-chair in 2018 and as an officer of the Tremont Parent Association for three years. Lauren was the co-chair of Tremont School Committee to Re-Open during the summer of 2020, and currently serves as Tremont’s Health Consultant and chair of the COVID Taskforce.
Lauren is a pediatrician currently working in Waltham, MA. She has a clinical interest in working with neurodiverse and gender-diverse patients. Lauren is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University with a BA in Public Health and graduated from Tufts University School of Medicine, MD. She was a recipient of a National Health Service Corp Scholarship and worked for over two years in a medically underserved community in the South Bronx after completion of her pediatric residency at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Medical Center.
BIO: Julie Purrington, J.D.
Julie is the proud parent of two Tremont alumni and has served the Tremont community in many roles including TPAC Chair, TPAC Advisor, and various Board leadership positions. Julie received her law degree from The Washington College of Law at American University, and her undergraduate degree from Harvard College. In her legal practice she advised health care organizations in corporate and regulatory matters with law firms in DC and RI. Julie provided business development support to a consulting firm contracting with the federal government, before spending the past 15 years in the non-profit education sector. When not volunteering for Tremont, she will most likely be found gardening or on the RI beaches. Julie lives in Connecticut with husband Dave, Mara (Tremont Class of 2022) and Alec (Tremont MS Alum) and dog Holly.
BIO: Mary Weitzel, J.D., M.P.H.
Mary joined the Tremont community in 2023 when her son started as a 9th grader. She appreciates Tremont’s evidence based progressive educational model that meets students where they are and helps them shine. She also appreciates the authentic embrace of each Tremont community member for who they are and the collaborative partnership between school and families.
Mary brings prior non-profit board and employee experience in areas ranging from legal and social services for youth, a Boston area independent progressive pre-K through 8 school, a preschool, and the Brookline Library Foundation where she served as President. During her various board service stints she has participated in leadership changes, crisis management, strategic plan development and implementation, revamping marketing materials and rewriting bylaws to reflect best practices and current priorities. Most of all, she has enjoyed learning about and serving institutions that she finds meaningful and which she believes serve their communities in important ways.
Mary is excited to leverage her background and professional experience in the legal, public health and non-profit fields. She has worked in infrastructure and affordable housing financing; policy advocacy for injury prevention, violence prevention and youth development; and, technical assistance to community-based organizations in California which were working to positively impact community priorities around violence prevention and youth opportunity. She then project-managed the HIPAA implementation for a large national behavioral health company, going on to lead their customer contracting department before having three kids and pivoting to managing the new normal. She also served on the Brookline committee assessing the feasibility and design of an additional elementary school, before COVID significantly reduced the school population projection making the additional school unnecessary.
Mary and her husband have three children and live outside of Boston where they enjoy their garden, walking, cooking food from a dizzying array of culinary traditions, good wine, travel and time with friends and family.
BIO: Jennifer Richards Little
Jen has been part of the Tremont community for over 10 years, and is the proud parent of a recent alum. In that time, she has served the Tremont community in many capacities, and is currently Chair of the Advancement Committee. She is dedicated to creating healthy and strong connections throughout the Tremont community and all of its supporters. Outside of Tremont School, Jen is a physical therapist with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from University of California, Santa Cruz, and her Masters in Physical Therapy from University of Southern California. With over 25 years of experience, she specializes in trauma recovery and somato-emotional release in relation to physical injury and chronic pain syndromes, and is the owner of Jennifer Richards Little, MPT CST LLC, her in-person physical therapy practice. When she’s not working or volunteering, Jen spends time with her husband and cat, and her two kids when they are home from college, and stays active with hot Pilates, yoga, swimming, and hiking.
BIO: Linda Echt, Ed.M.
Linda Echt is principal owner of: LINDA ECHT CONSULTING, LLC. She consults with independent schools and other non-profit organizations. She was a long time Head at Atrium School and the founder of their middle school program. Prior to that she was the founder of Kesher (an innovative approach to Jewish education) in Cambridge and helped to replicate the program on the east coast, in New York and in Newton. Linda holds a Masters in Education (Administration) from Lesley University and went to Michigan State University and graduated with a triad major in History of Art, Philosophy and Religious Studies.
BIO: Timothy B. Lee, Ed.M.
A Certified Educational Planner, Timothy B. Lee has guided young people to make informed educational decisions for over three decades. Before entering private practice, he was associate director of admissions for two years and placement advisor for five years at two leading New England schools. Mr. Lee graduated from Harvard College and received a master’s degree in adolescent development from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. As the director of educational services at Advocates for Human Potential, Tim worked with students to find the best fit for an independent school or college as well as with those seeking alternatives to meet their learning or emotional needs. He is an active member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) the professional association for independent educational consultants. Tim served on the Board for Directors for 9 years. Elected to the executive committee he was Vice President of Ethics and Practices and served as President for 2 years. He is a member of the New England Association of College Admission Counseling, National Association for College Admission Counseling, and American Institute of Certified Educational Planners. Tim currently works as an independent educational consultant in private practice.
BIO: David H. Vaughn, B.A. (Founding Trustee)
David has over 20 years of experience in non-profit management, consulting, and fundraising. He has served on the board of directors of several schools, including the founding board of the Edward Brooke Charter School in Boston, MA and the Mason Pilot School in Roxbury MA. As a founder of the Tremont School, David held the role of full-time president of the Collaborative Learning Project for many years. Following his time at Tremont, David spent 8 years as a partner at North Bridge Advisory Group consulting wealthy families on the intricacies and challenges of raising children in those circumstances. And for the past 5 years he has served as a consultant and trustee to a variety of foundations and non profit organizations.
David was also a founding director of the Social Innovation Forum, a non-profit organization that supports other non-profits in management, development, and strategic planning. He also worked for five years as the editor of a National Science Foundation curriculum-development project through the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, and served as the staff director of the Community Education Task Force, a joint task force established by the Massachusetts legislature to develop a statewide afterschool initiative.
BIO: Dinah Borden
Dinah is a parent of a Tremont middle schooler with a passionate appreciation for the Tremont approach to working with neurodiverse and gifted students. She has professional experience in land conservation and event planning, formerly working for non-profit organizations including Mass Audubon. She grew up in New Jersey and earned her BA from Rutgers University in Environmental Planning and Natural Resource Management, and has lived in Massachusetts for the past 20 years. Dinah currently volunteers for community organizations including a local soup kitchen and is a Scout Den Leader. She enjoys spending time outdoors, playing games and cooking with her kids, and working on home improvement projects. She lives in Woburn with her husband, Christian, and 2 sons, Silas (a Tremont middle schooler) and Oliver.
BIO: Pamela Adams
Pam is the proud parent of a Tremont senior and is the TPAC High School Co-Chair this year. Pam retired after a 31-year career as an engineer at Raytheon Technologies. She began her career working primarily on air-to-air missiles. She became interested in business strategy and, after Raytheon merged with another defense contractor, she led cross-functional, cross-business teams as part of business realignment. Pam moved into program management and was the program manager for a ground-based radar upgrade with responsibility for production, integration and test, and facility construction. She then held various leadership roles in program capture and execution for ground-based radar programs. Pam earned a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She volunteered with the Girl Scouts for many years as a parent volunteer and assistant Girl Scout leader. Pam lives in Bedford, Massachusetts with her husband, Bill, and her two children, along with a golden retriever and a guinea pig. Pam and her younger child are busy training the golden retriever as a service dog for her Tremont student.