MKA review
AT THE EDGE OF WHAT'S NEXT
SPRING 2026
THE MAGAZINE OF MONTCLAIR KIMBERLEY ACADEMY
EDITORS Gretchen Berra Kim Saunders ASSISTANT EDITORS/COPY EDITORS Richonda Fegins Marnie McNany DESIGN Mercer Design www.mercerdesign.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHERS Michael Branscom David Kenas Jon Lopez Evidence of our mission is found in the KNOWLEDGE, VISION, and INTEGRITY of our students and our alumni: KNOWLEDGE • Academic excellence • Intellectual independence • Love of learning VISION • Personal engagement with the world • Understanding of human complexity • A sense of humility and compassion INTEGRITY • Strength of character • Responsibility as a citizen and leader • An honorable and generous life
A Note of Appreciation We would like to acknowledge several committed supporters of MKA whose generosity was not recognized as it deserved in a recent publication. A change in our recognition practices fell short of reflecting our gratitude and the impact of these donors’ commitments to our community. We are deeply thankful for their leadership, loyalty, and belief in our mission. We would like to take this opportunity to recognize them here as a token of our appreciation for all they do on behalf of MKA.
— AROUND MKA
MKA review
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SPRING 2026
THE MAGAZINE OF MONTCLAIR KIMBERLEY ACADEMY
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F SCHOOL
Every day across our three campuses, we witness the quiet and powerful work of purposeful education. In classrooms, studios, labs, and on fields, our students are not simply learning—they are growing into thoughtful, capable, ethical leaders. This issue of the Review captures that energy and marks several milestones in the life of our school. This year, Montclair Kimberley Academy reaches an important milestone with the launch of our Strategic Plan, a bold, forward-looking blueprint grounded in mission and guided by shared purpose. Its four pillars— Inspiring Inquiry and Insight, Expanding Access, Sustaining Community Well-being, and Shaping a Sustainable Future—will serve as both compass and catalyst as we prepare our students to flourish in a rapidly evolving world. While new in form, these commitments reflect what has always defined MKA: a student-centered approach to learning, a deep belief in the strength of community, and an unwavering dedication to preparing young people not only for college but also for lives of meaning and consequence.
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Dear MKA Community,
— WELCOME
O FROM THE HEAD
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— MKA REVIEW SPRING 2026
A visible expression of this vision is the opening of the Inquiry and Innovation Center—a 27,000-square-foot hub designed to spark curiosity, cultivate creativity, and deepen students’ capacity for collaboration and ethical leadership. With state-of-the-art laboratories, light-filled spaces for interdisciplinary work, and a new home for academic support and counseling, the I & I Center brings our first strategic pillar vividly to life and represents an investment in both excellence and belonging. This season also marks a leadership transition on our Board of Trustees. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Naveen Ballem for his extraordinary service as Board President. His steady leadership, strategic insight, and profound belief in MKA’s potential have helped guide us through a period of meaningful growth and momentum. We are stronger and better positioned for the future because of his stewardship. At the same time, I am energized by the leadership of our incoming Board President, Alison Slone, who steps into this role at a moment of strength and possibility. I am confident that her focus, passion, and commitment to our mission will help carry MKA forward with purpose and conviction.
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As you read this edition of the Review, I hope you see what I see each day: a community united by care, ambition, and shared responsibility. Your partnership as parents, alumni, faculty, Trustees, and friends makes this work possible. Together, we continue to shape an educational experience worthy of our students and equal to the future they will inherit.
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With gratitude and optimism, Nigel Furlonge, Head of School
— AROUND MKA
IN THIS ISSUE
18 AROUND MKA
Campus, student, faculty, and staff news
42
ALUMNI Recognizing our Changemakers and sharing news and events
76 PARENTS
News and events for current families
82
TRUSTEES Top of mind for our Board President
90 CLASS NOTES
Updates and more about our alumni community
86 WE ARE MKA
Stories of extraordinary people and why they give
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AT THE EDGE OF WHAT'S NEXT Poised at the edge of a new chapter, MKA is guided by a Strategic Plan grounded in mission that reflects a bold vision, preparing students and the school to flourish in a rapidly evolving world
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AT THE EDGE OF WHAT'S NEXT: MKA’S NEW STRATEGIC PLAN
GROUNDED IN MISSION. GUIDED BY PURPOSE. FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE.
Shaped by bold vision and collective purpose, Montclair Kimberley Academy is at a pivotal moment. As we unveil our new strategic plan, we invite you to explore the distinctive qualities that have always set MKA apart and the commitments that will carry us confidently into the future. MKA is dedicated to fostering student-centered learning that inspires critical thinking, ethical leadership, and the confidence to navigate an ever-changing world. Every student’s journey is rooted in academic excellence, social-emotional growth, and a culture of curiosity, creativity, and balance. At MKA, students thrive with the support of passionate faculty and a community grounded in inquiry, courage, empathy, and resilience. Our new strategic plan is guided by four pillars: Inspiring Inquiry and Insight, Expanding Access, Sustaining Community Well-being, and Shaping a Sustainable Future—blueprints that reflect our deepest commitments and boldest aspirations.
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INSPIRING INQUIRY AND INSIGHT
Why? MKA fosters dynamic, student-centered learning where school is a place of wonder, challenge, and creation. Through interdisciplinary inquiry, real-world application, and innovative teaching, students learn to think critically, lead ethically, and navigate the world with confidence—hallmarks of MKA’s academic excellence.
How?
We provide meaningful academic and co-curricular challenges while prioritizing faculty growth in innovative teaching, assessment, and mentorship to support every student’s success.
PRIORITIES: • • • •
Enhance Real-World and Interdisciplinary Learning: Expand inquiry-based experiences that connect students to community, leadership, and service. Integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emerging Technology: Use new tools responsibly to strengthen learning and prepare students for a digital future. Optimize Learning Spaces: Improve classrooms and common areas, especially at the Primary and Middle Schools, to spark curiosity and collaboration. Invest in Faculty Development for Innovative Teaching: Equip teachers with strategies and support to inspire and challenge every learner.
Why? MKA is committed to building a diverse community, recognizing that varied backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives are essential to our mission. By broadening access, we enrich learning, deepen connections, and prepare students to lead with empathy and integrity.
How?
Through expanded financial aid, strategic partnerships, and intentional outreach, we will attract and retain mission-aligned students who bring a diversity of experiences and perspectives to our community.
PRIORITIES: • • •
Implement Sustainable Funding and Increase Access: Establish long-term strategies to grow financial aid. Steward MKA’s Essential Relationships: Strengthen pathways for prospective families to explore MKA’s transformative opportunities. Deepen Outreach and Partnerships: Collaborate with families, alumni, and community organizations to identify and support high-potential learners from diverse backgrounds.
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EXPANDING ACCESS
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SUSTAINING COMMUNITY WELL-BEING
Why?
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MKA is committed to a culture where students, colleagues, and families feel supported, valued, and connected. A strong sense of belonging and well-being fosters growth, engagement, and empowerment—essential for learning and thriving together.
How?
Through thoughtful programming, professional growth, and a focus on health, balance, and connection, we sustain a culture of excellence and care. This empowers individuals to thrive, explore diverse perspectives, and become impactful members of an inclusive, global community.
PRIORITIES: • • • •
Empower Student Voice and Leadership: Create opportunities for students to shape school culture, lead with integrity, and learn from mentors. Expand Holistic Health and Well-Being Initiatives: Broaden programs that support mental, emotional, and physical health, engaging alumni as partners in lifelong wellness. Evaluate Our Culture of Belonging and Support: Use measurable strategies to ensure all members of the community feel seen, valued, and connected. Cultivate a Supportive and Rewarding Environment: Provide employees with competitive compensation, growth opportunities, and a workplace that values individual strengths and well-being.
Why? MKA embraces its responsibility to ensure long-term sustainability, financial health, and innovative stewardship of our campuses and resources. By aligning financial and environmental strategies with our mission, we provide a strong foundation for future generations.
How?
Through fiscal responsibility, philanthropy, strategic investments, and thoughtful campus development, we will secure MKA’s position as a leader in independent school education for decades to come.
PRIORITIES: • • • •
Advance Campus Infrastructure: Create a long-term Campus Master Plan that supports program excellence, community engagement, and environmental sustainability. Enhance and Unify MKA’s Storytelling and Brand: Build a consistent, creative messaging strategy that reflects the value of an MKA education. Balance Fiscal Responsibility with Strategic Growth: Sustain financial health while investing in initiatives that advance MKA’s mission. Grow MKA’s Endowment: Expand philanthropic efforts to secure lasting resources for innovation and growth.
— AROUND MKA
SHAPING MKA’S SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
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— MKA REVIEW SPRING 2026
While there is a lot of talk in terms of how secondary education needs to change, in the age of AI, a focus on humanities and STEM together is what will win for students. My school has figured this out. - Vejay Lalla ’93
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BOLD NEW ERA OF I N N O VA T I O N AT MKA
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At Montclair Kimberley Academy, innovation is more than a concept; it’s a commitment to preparing students for a future we cannot yet define. To thrive in a rapidly changing world, our students must be able to think critically, solve problems creatively, collaborate across disciplines, and approach challenges with both courage and curiosity. In the new Inquiry and Innovation Center, state-of-the-art labs, flexible classrooms, and spaces designed for robotics, research, and collaboration provide a home for discovery that matches the passion and potential of our students and faculty. This bold investment in the future of MKA is not just a building project; it is a guarantee that our community has the resources, programs, and people to lead in education for decades to come.
Find out more —
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— AROUND MKA
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“The STEM+ Student Leadership Group is not just a chance to take on a title; it’s a chance to lead inquiry at MKA—to collaborate on real problems with real impact.” - Advik Tyagi ’27
Reasons to Get Excited About MKA’s NEW Inquiry and Innovation Center
Learning Without Boundaries Bringing Disciplines Together to Explore New Connections The new Inquiry and Innovation Center has been intentionally designed to blur traditional lines between subjects and spark new ways of interdisciplinary thinking. Math and science classrooms are integrated across each floor, with humanities and health and wellness spaces interspersed throughout. The flexibility to schedule English and World Language classes in these areas further expands interdisciplinary opportunities, helping students make connections and further explore the intersections of creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking across fields of study.
Transparency That Inspires A Building Where Thinking and Learning Are on Display Glass walls, open collaboration zones, and flexible gathering spaces make learning more visible than ever before. Students and teachers can observe, share, and build on one another’s thinking, fostering a culture of creativity and innovation. This architectural transparency actively promotes a learning process that celebrates curiosity and collaboration at every turn.
Expanding What’s Possible More Space, New Courses, New Opportunities With additional classrooms and lab spaces, MKA can now offer new, advanced courses such as Engineering Design Honors (launching September 2026), while envisioning even more project-based, authentic learning experiences throughout the curriculum. These spaces will support MKA’s strategic priority to provide students with more experiential learning opportunities, further empowering them to take on complex, real-world challenges through hands-on inquiry.
Innovation in Action Robotics, Research, and RealWorld Impact Dedicated, visible spaces for MKA’s Robotics and Science Research programs will allow these signature initiatives to grow and inspire. Their central placement in the building ensures that experimentation and innovation are not tucked away but celebrated as an integral part of the MKA experience.
Academic Innovations
Sustainability & Design
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Designed for a Sustainable Future A Bold New Era of Innovation and Sustainability The Inquiry and Innovation Center reflects MKA’s commitment to excellence in both design and environmental stewardship. Built to achieve LEED Gold certification, the building incorporates green features, such as solar panels across the Upper School campus roofs and a living green roof accessible from one of our state-of-the-art chemistry labs. An elevator ensures accessibility for all, while a light-filled courtyard terrace, thoughtfully designed bathrooms, and air conditioning in the gym elevate daily life for students. Light-filled spaces and panoramic views of both New York City and games on Van Brunt Field provide further inspiration for learning in community. This new space truly embodies the future of innovation at MKA.
A Living Classroom Learning with, and from, the Environment With direct classroom access to the Green Roof, environmental science lessons will unfold seamlessly between indoor and outdoor spaces. Students will not only study sustainability, but they will also live it as they gather and analyze realtime data from solar panels, weather stations, and energy systems that turn the building itself into a hands-on learning tool.
Designed for Everyone Accessible, Inclusive, and Thoughtfully Built From wheelchair-accessible sinks and lab tables to the elevator, wide hallways, and flexible learning zones, the Inquiry and Innovation Center ensures that every student has access to meaningful, engaging learning experiences. MKA’s commitment to inclusivity and universal design principles is built into every detail of this new space.
Community Supporting Every Student Where Care and Connection Come Together The new Inquiry and Innovation Center is transformative not only for academics but also for student well-being. For the first time, MKA’s Academic Support team and Counseling Office, now the Office of Student Support, will share one unified space within the building. Previously, these essential services operated separately and in different parts of campus. Now, students have a clear and accessible hub for both academic and emotional support. This integration fosters stronger collaboration among staff, ensures that students know exactly where to go for help, and provides dedicated areas for programming as well as quiet spaces for decompression. In a busy school environment, having this cohesive, easily accessible space makes it far easier for students to receive holistic support when they need it most. Collaboration Beyond the Classroom Spaces That Build Community and Connection Revitalized and reenvisioned community areas, including a math lab, science lounge, history lounge, and student collaboration spaces with soft seating, promote learning beyond classroom walls. These informal gathering spots emphasize that some of the most meaningful insights happen in conversation—when students and faculty meet, exchange ideas, and collaborate in new ways.
The Community Innovation Hub Together: Design. Invent. Build. A dynamic new collaborative studio that invites the entire community to explore, create, and imagine together. By providing a welcoming, highly accessible environment filled with intuitive tools and versatile materials, the Community Innovation Hub provides a space for all students and faculty—regardless of experience—to bring their creative ideas to life.
A Space to Pause and Recharge The Courtyard as a Place of Restoration The interior courtyard provides a safe and serene outdoor space at the heart of the building—perfect for academic discussions, group collaboration, or quiet reflection. It serves as a restorative environment that supports both well-being and intellectual growth, reinforcing MKA’s belief that innovation flourishes when balance and connection are integral to daily life.
& Well-Being
Step Into Summer Innovating Doesn’t Stop Just Because School Does This summer, Montclair Kimberley Academy will launch an exciting new STEM+ Explorers Summer Program designed to spark curiosity, fuel creativity, and inspire innovation in middle schoolaged students. Rooted in MKA’s mission of academic excellence and ethical leadership, the program will utilize our new Inquiry and Innovation Center to offer hands-on, interdisciplinary learning experiences that combine joyful discovery with real-world problem-solving. From robotics and coding to bioethics and architecture, students will be invited to explore big ideas, take risks, and develop the skills and confidence needed to navigate a rapidly changing world. Guided by passionate MKA faculty and supported by Upper School student leaders, the STEM+ Explorers Summer Program is a dynamic extension of MKA’s year-round commitment to inquiry, imagination, and innovation.
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SCAN HERE
Learn More About the I&I Center and our Summer Programs:
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AT THE GROWING EDGE
REIGNITE ROCKET FUEL POWERS MKA LEARNERS
Offering world-class professional development for its faculty is one way that MKA remains at the cutting edge of academic and intellectual excellence. This summer, 52 faculty members and several administrators focused on experiential learning as part of REIGNITE, MKA’s hallmark summer symposium for professional development. Hosted at Van Vleck House and Gardens and led by Assistant Head of School for Curriculum and Professional Development Karen Newman, faculty members explored the way experiential learning helps students derive purpose and meaning from their school experiences — rocket fuel for their growth and development. Facilitated by a team of leaders from MKA’s three dynamic campuses and professional thought partners, faculty designed learning experiences for future students to prompt curiosity and inquiry, encourage reflection to deepen learning, and underscore the importance of experimentation and learning from “mistakes.” “Professional development at MKA is incredibly robust, and REIGNITE provides genuine and impactful time for collaboration and reflection,” Kerry Verrone, Upper School Dean of Student Life and TriCampus Chair of Ethics, shared at the event. This immersive opportunity to connect with colleagues from different campuses, to notice and wonder about ideas related to our current teaching practice, and to invest in intentional and creative curricular and instructional design is unparalleled.
A STEP AHEAD AT ALL STAGES
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Montclair Kimberley Academy is proud to announce that six current seniors were named 2026 National Merit Scholarship Finalists. This nationwide competition recognizes high school students for their academic excellence and provides opportunities for college scholarships. Those finalists include:
— AROUND MKA
Six MKA Seniors Named 2026 National Merit Finalists
Rachel Abrams
Mila Huang
Nathan Hubert
Tyler Rizzo
Eli Rosenberg
Albert Yao
These talented seniors had an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,930 scholarships worth nearly $26 million to be offered next spring. To enter the National Merit Scholarship Program, students take the Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®) in their junior year, with semifinalist recognitions announced in the fall of their senior year and finalists chosen in the spring. This process serves as an initial screening for the over 1.3 million entrants each year. Twenty-four additional students from MKA have been named commended scholars among the top 50,000 who entered the competition. These scholars include: Justus Ajayi, Langston Ajayi, Noah Akinnuoye, Nikhil Ballem, Owen DuHaime, Suzanna Elkhouri, Sophie Felsenthal, Noah Fitzgerald, Santos Garner, Jan Hejna, Rachael Huang, Maanasa Jagan, Aiden Jia, Christie Kim, Matthew Kwon, Chelsea Lee, Andy Liu, Serena Nguyen, James Osborne, Talia Rosenthal, Alex Shilkrot, Gaby Slim, Victoria So, and Ian Tratner. This recognition reflects how our students embrace challenges, demonstrating a love of learning and an intentional pursuit of intellectual curiosity and excellence— hallmarks of an MKA education that challenges students at their growing edge. We extend a huge congratulations to our finalists and commended scholars.
ATHLETICS:
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FALL 2025 ATHLETICS IN REVIEW
Fall 2025 Team and Student-Athlete Honors and Awards
Olivia Adubato ’28 Honorable Mention All-Prep B; 1st Team All-American Division, SEC; Honorable Mention All-Red Division, Essex/Union Conference; Essex County “AllTournament” Team; 2nd Team All Non-Public, NJFHCA; SEC All-Academic Team FOOTBALL Head Coach: Anthony Rea (12th Year) Record: 2-7 Samuel Akaho ’26 1st Team All-MIFL Nathaniel Chou ’26 Captain Jack Gallagher ’26 Captain; MKA Weiner Award; 1st Team All-MIFL Allan Haynes ’26 MKA Offensive Player of the Year Award; 1st Team All-MIFL William Morral ’26 MKA Most Improved Player Award Francis Ogbuehi ’26 Captain; MKA Defensive Player of the Year Award; 1st Team All-MIFL Charlie O’Hara ’26 1st Team All-MIFL Isaiah Medley ’29 MKA Rookie of the Year Award BOYS’ CROSS COUNTRY Head Coach: Timothy White (7th Year) Record: 2-8; 2025 NJSIAA Non-Public B State Champions Matthew Kwon ’26 Captain; Honorable Mention All-American Division, SEC Nathan Hubert ’26 Captain Tyler Rizzo ’26 Captain
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FIELD HOCKEY Head Coach: Injoo Han (15th year) Record: 15-9 Grace Fitzgerald ’26 2nd Team All-American Division, SEC; NJFHCA Senior All-Star Game; SEC All-Academic Team Julia Flocco ’26 Captain; MKA Coaches Award; Honorable Mention All-American Division, SEC; Essex County “AllTournament” Team; NJFHCA Senior All-Star Game Addie Goldstein ’26 Captain; MKA Players’ Player of the Year Award; 1st Team All-Prep B; 1st Team All-American Division, SEC; 2nd Team All-Red Division, Essex/Union Conference; NJFHCA Senior All-Star Game; 2nd Team All Non-Public, NJFHCA; 3rd Team All Non-Public, nj.com Maggie Murphy ’26 Captain; 1st Team All-Prep B; Honorable Mention All-American Division, SEC; NJFHCA Senior All-Star Game Shea Murphy ’26 Captain; 2nd Team All-American Division, SEC; Honorable Mention All-Red Division, Essex/Union Conference; NJFHCA Senior All-Star Game; SEC AllAcademic Team Madison Kaminski ’27 2nd Team All-American Division, SEC; 1st Team All-Red Division, Essex/Union Conference; SEC AllAcademic Team Genet Sheridan ’27 MKA Most Improved Player Award; Essex County “All-Tournament” Team Eva Sieger ’27 1st Team All-Prep B; Honorable Mention All-Red Division, Essex/Union Conference; Essex County “AllTournament” Team
— AROUND MKA
*During the recently completed 2025 Fall Athletics season, the following MKA teams, coaches and athletes achieved honors:
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Ryan Yeu ’26 MKA Coaches Award Fabian Castillo ’28 Honorable Mention All-American Division, SEC Henri Muller ’28 MKA Most Improved Runner Award Daniel Meade ’29 MKA Rookie of the Year Award GIRLS’ CROSS COUNTRY Head Coach: Timothy White (7th Year); 2025 Super Essex Conference Coach of the Year, nj.com Record: 6-4 Maren Wheeler ’26 Captain; 2nd Team All-American Division, SEC; SEC All-Academic Team; 2nd Team All-Essex County Victoria Altirs ’27 Captain; 1st Team All-American Division, SEC; 1st Team All-Essex County; 1st Team All-Prep Milena Kwapniewski ’27 Captain; MKA Most Improved Runner Award; Honorable Mention All-American Division, SEC Jordyn Spence ’28 2nd Team All-American Division, SEC; 2nd Team All-Essex County Madeline Ahern ’29 MKA Coaches Award Cecilia Spagnoletti ’29 MKA Rookie of the Year Award; Honorable Mention All-American Division, SEC BOYS’ SOCCER Head Coach: Rob Leather (12th Year); 2025 Non-Public North Coach of the Year, Soccer Coaches Association of New Jersey (SCANJ) Record: 17-5-1; 2025 NJISAA Prep B State Champions; 2025 NJSIAA North Non-Public B Sectional Champions; 2025 NJSIAA Non-Public B State Champions Nicholas Carrascosa ’26 Captain; MKA Players’ Player of the Year Award; 1st Team All-Prep B; 1st Team All-American Division, SEC; 3rd Team All-State, nj.com; 2nd Team All NonPublic, nj.com; 1st Team All Non-Public North, SCANJ Jan Hejna ’26 1st Team All-American Division, SEC; SEC AllAcademic Team; High School All-East Region Team, United Soccer Coaches Association; 2nd Team All-State, nj.com; 2nd Team All Non-Public, nj.com; 1st Team All Non-Public North, SCANJ Nitai Jimenez-Stanley ’26 Captain; Honorable Mention AllPrep B; 2nd Team All-American Division, SEC Braedan Keegan ’26 Captain; MKA Most Valuable Player Award; 1st Team All-American Division, SEC; 2nd Team All Non-Public, nj.com; 1st Team All Non-Public North, SCANJ CJ Dike ’27 2nd Team All-American Division, SEC; 2nd Team All Non-Public North, SCANJ Solomon Lucas ’27 1st Team All-Prep B; Honorable Mention All-American Division, SEC; 2nd Team All Non-Public North, SCANJ Max Ludlow ’27 1st Team All-Prep B; 2nd Team All NonPublic North, SCANJ Joseph Morante ’27 MKA Coaches Award Wes Narucki ’27 1st Team All-Prep B; Honorable Mention AllAmerican Division, SEC Gustavo Rosen ’27 2nd Team All-American Division, SEC; SEC All-Academic Team
GIRLS’ SOCCER Head Coach: Timothy Keegan (1st Year) Record: 10-8-1 Elizabeth Freeman ’26 Captain; 1st Team All-Prep B; 2nd Team All-American Division, SEC; SEC All-Academic Team Grace Masella ’26 Captain; Honorable Mention All-American Division, SEC Nahlia Udofia ’26 MKA Coaches Award Emery Walls ’26 Captain; 2nd Team All-American Division, SEC; SEC All-Academic Team Grace Barrett ’27 MKA Most Improved Player Award Olivia Davis ’27 MKA Players’ Player of the Year Award; 1st Team All-American Division, SEC; SEC All-Academic Team Elizabeth Scuorzo ’27 2nd Team All-American Division, SEC; SEC All-Academic Team Shirley Rivera ’28 1st Team All-Prep B; 1st Team AllAmerican Division, SEC Jazmine Taylor ’28 Honorable Mention All-Prep B Sloane Dawes ’29 Honorable Mention All-American Division, SEC GIRLS’ TENNIS Head Coach: Bill Wing (29th Year) Record: 11-5; 2025 NJISAA Prep B State Champions Nina Abalos ’26 Captain; MKA Player of the Year Award; 1st Team All-American Division, SEC; 1st Team All-State, nj.com; 1st Team 1st Singles All-Flight, nj.com; 1st Team Singles All Non-Public, nj.com; NJ Girls’ Tennis 2025 Player of the Year, nj.com; SEC All-Academic Team Lauren Chung ’26 Captain Ellery Nowak ’26 Captain Agatha Greenberg ’28 1st Team All-American Division, SEC; SEC All-Academic Team Maddie Lewis ’29 MKA Rookie of the Year Award; Honorable Mention All-American Division, SEC VOLLEYBALL Head Coach: Kyla Sebello (3rd Year) Record: 19-12; 2025 NJSIAA North Non-Public B Sectional Champions Layla Brown ’26 Captain; 1st Team All-Prep B; Honorable Mention All-American Division, SEC Mahala Weintraub ’26 Captain; MKA Most Valuable Player Award; 1st Team All-Prep B; 2nd Team All-American Division, SEC; SEC All-Academic Team Ava Wheeler ’26 MKA Defensive Player of the Year Award; Honorable Mention All-Prep B; 2nd Team All-American Division, SEC; SEC All-Academic Team Corinne Kittles ’27 Honorable Mention All-American Division, SEC Layla Lynch ’27 Captain; MKA Offensive Player of the Year Award; 1st Team All-Prep B; 2nd Team All-American Division, SEC; SEC All-Academic Team
— AROUND MKA PAGE 33
Watch Our Fall Athletics Video Recap!
MKA CAPTAIN'S AWARD
The MKA “Captain’s Award” will now be known as the “Carmen Marnell Captain’s Award.” Mr. Carmen Marnell began teaching French at Montclair Academy in 1957 and served as a beloved coach, faculty member, and friend for 26 years. During his tenure, he served as the Director of Athletics and coached football, basketball, and fencing. Mr. Marnell also served as the Assistant Headmaster at MKA and made a tremendous, positive impact on the lives of thousands of students. His inspiring leadership and impact continues to be felt today. Congratulations to the recipient of the “Carmen Marnell Fall Captain’s Award,” Boys’ Soccer Captain Braedan Keegan ’26. The “Carmen Marnell Captain’s Award” is given out each season to that male OR female captain who has exhibited the qualities that we look for in our team captains: leadership, dedication, respect, work ethic, and being a role model both on and off the field to his or her teammates and peers. Coach Rob Leather states, “Braedan has been an integral leader for the Boys’ Soccer team this season, which has been our most successful campaign since 2012. On the field, he is a fierce competitor, a steady presence, and a born winner. For four years, Braedan has been a culture-setter for our program. He leads with a quiet confidence, relentless work ethic, and steely determination both on and off the field. Braedan is a player who refuses to quit and elevates everyone around him.” Braedan has been a true role model, and his legacy will endure among the players who have learned what it takes to lead, compete, and win the right way.
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This fall, all three campuses became vibrant spaces for imagination, collaboration, and community— powerful examples of MKA’s Creative Edge in action. Whether through theater, choral music, or instrumental performance, students engaged in the performing arts not simply as learners, but as courageous creators.
— AROUND MKA
ART AT THE HEART
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THE CREATIVE EDGE IN ACTION:
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— AROUND MKA
Just before winter break, MKA’s campuses were charged with joyful energy on each stage and in every auditorium. The Primary School’s concert, A Season of Light, explored global music and traditions, and the Middle School Winter Choral Concert was a joyful celebration of the season, from playful folk songs to powerful messages of belonging and togetherness. The winter band concerts at both the Middle and Upper Schools filled campus auditoriums with holiday spirit. At the Middle School, fourth through eighth-grade students were joined by a special guest and triangle soloist, Tom Ruddy, MKA’s archivist and librarian. The Jazz Band brought New Orleans to Montclair with "Second Line" and the improvisation-filled "Sonnymoon for Two." Over on the hill, sixty-five Upper School musicians performed jazz by Duke Ellington, Ray Charles, and Donny Hathaway. One third of the Jazz Band was featured as soloists, including senior vocalists Katie Holzer and Gaby Slim. The full band played a rousing finale that combined the Ukrainian Bell Carol with heavy-metal-inspired harmonies. The season continued into January with the Middle School's MLK and Lunar New Year Dance Recital, which brought movement, cultural expression, and reflection together in a performance that honored both tradition and shared community values. MKA has always been committed to celebrating diversity in its many forms, and for over 15 years, this dance recital has given students a safe space to showcase their artistry while making cross-curricular connections to what they learn in the classroom. This is the Creative Edge at work. It is the confidence students have to step onstage, the discipline to rehearse, and the imagination to try something new. At MKA, the arts do not sit on the sidelines of learning. With guidance from dedicated faculty members, students can uncover who they are and find the courage to express themselves with clarity and conviction.
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The Upper School fall comedy, Lend Me a Tenor, and the Middle School’s fall play, The Amazing Lemonade Girl, marked the season’s opening performances, pushing actors to master both fast-paced demands and emotionally rich storytelling.
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KNOWN AND CONNECTED
MKA CELEBRATES ANNUAL ALL-SCHOOL GATHERING
Students, faculty, and staff came together at MKA’s Middle School Athletic Fields Complex for the annual AllSchool Gathering—an inspiring tradition uniting the three campuses. Head of School Nigel D. Furlonge opened the event by welcoming 138 new students and the new faculty and staff members to the MKA community. A highlight of the day was the cherished Cougar Presentation, when kindergarten students cross a bridge to receive plush cougars from Upper School seniors—a symbolic exchange linking MKA’s youngest learners with those soon to graduate. The moment captures the spirit of mentorship, connection, and belonging that defines the MKA experience. Middle School Student Council President Noa Streater shared, “Here in this moment together side by side, we are different ages and in different stages, and yet one community.” Upper School President Nate Chou added, “The best part of MKA isn’t just about what we accomplish, but who we go through it all with.” The celebration featured spirited performances from the Cheer Squad, REMIX a cappella group, and Pep Band, and the community honored Daniela Vespucci, recipient of the 2025 Founders’ Cup for Teaching Excellence, and Scott Coronis, holder of the MacVicar Cane. The gathering closed with the alma mater, “Oh, MKA,” and the ringing of the Academy Bell, officially marking the start of the 2025–2026 school year.
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— AROUND MKA
BIG NEWS
A NEW HOME FOR CURIOSITY, CREATIVITY, AND CONNECTION At MKA, we believe that inquiry and innovation are essential to preparing students for a rapidly evolving world. Thanks to the vision, commitment, and the extraordinary generosity of our community, MKA is moving boldly into the future, investing more than $20 million in facilities, programs, and people with the Inquiry and Innovation Center—a 27,000-square-foot hub designed to ignite curiosity, foster creativity, and empower students to think critically and lead ethically. This landmark addition embodies the first pillar of our Strategic Plan: Inspiring Inquiry and Insight, bringing MKA’s mission to life through dynamic, student-centered learning and real-world exploration. Your support ensures that our students have inspiring learning spaces and world-class faculty to guide them. With state-of-the-art science and technology labs, and a new home for academic support and counseling, the I & I Center unites innovation and well-being—emphasizing MKA’s belief that transformative spaces inspire transformative learning. MKA had the opportunity to celebrate this milestone with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony.
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A Heartfelt Thank You To Our Impactful Donors: Jacqueline Ahern Cynthia and Kwaku Amo Valerie Anders Linny and Rick Andlinger Bob August ’73 Bernadette Aulestia-Lynch and Kristian Lynch Priya and Naveen Ballem ’90, M.D., F.A.C.S. Arthur Beaudet Steven Beckelman ’73 Kathleen Beebe and Jeffrey Szilagyi Barry Belmont ’65 Heather and Vincent Benjamin Ashish and Sneha Bhatia John Blondel ’74 David Brandley ’73 John Brandow ’71 William Breen ’73* Kirsten and Christopher Brown David Bruck ’61 Thomas Brueckner ’72 Devin Bukowczyk ’05 and Steven Bukowczyk Christy Burke Ingrid Burke Kristina and Tom Burke Nadine Burnett Craig Cameron ’66 Stewart Carr ’74 Jeffrey Carrie ’73 Dillon Carroll ’16 Corinne and Elie Chakhtoura Nicole and Charbel Chalfoun Maritza Chang-Chavez and Esteban Morales-Osso Estella Chen and Michael Graham Katie and Mike Cocco Lee Cohn ’73 Paige Cottingham-Streater ’79 Rupa and Karl Coutinho Allan Cox ’74 James Crooks ’73 Mimi and Rafael Cuellara Sally D'Alessandro ’75 and Donald D'Alessandro ’75 Sonia and Sumeet Datwani Kathryn and Edwin Davison Carmen and David DeMatteis ’95 Dining Partnership Group Jenn Dozier and Anindya Chakraberti Mike Ehrenberg ’75 Sara and David Elwell Sybil Eng and Tad Roselund Catherine Fears and Russell Zack Michelle Fertig Megan and Chad Flick
Kelly and Austin Flippin Eric Fox and Daniel Helmick Wanda and Monique French-Brown Nicole and Nigel Furlonge Susan Galligan ’74 and Thomas Galligan ’73 Patricia and Steven Gamcsik Tricia Garrubbo Harlan Gibbs ’72 Melanie Girton and Craig Marshall Jessica and Brian Glatt Hugh Gleason ’75 Flora Go Tao and Ronald Sutedja Tao Carolyn and Michael Goldman Dennis Goldstein ’83 Joe Hare ’65 Kathleen and David Harrison (MKA 1994-1995) Karen Heath-Wade and Kirk Wade Liza and Keith Helwig Ashley and Craig Hirsh ’01 Becki and Jonathan Hirsh ’95 Alan Hirsh ’69 David Hughes ’76 Janice and Jeffrey Jacobson Marjorie Lopus Jameson (MKA 19651972) Jackie and Rick Jenkins ’77 Alissa and Curt Johnson Ann and Thomas Johnson The Johnson Family Foundation, Inc. Rowan Johnson DiFeo and Brian DiFeo Teresa Johnson Jeffrey Kindler ’73 Marc Kirschner ’60 William Kovacs ’73 David Kwan ’74 Justyna and Jan Kwapniewski Gregory Lackey ’73 Sapna and Vejay Lalla ’93 Philip Leone ’60 Meredith Levine and Andrew Heller Amy and Jordan Lissauer Yang Lou and Vince Jia Gemma and Richard Lury Rachael and Michael Ryan Masters Fatou Mbaye and Mten Halsey Yonette and Michael McLean McMullen Family Foundation Palak Mehra and Sowmyanarayan Sampath Sandra and Gerardo Mejia Danielle and Franklin Mitola Tom Murphy ’73 Robert Nagel ’73 Diana and Devang Nagrecha Malcolm O'Hara ’73 Jack O'Neill ’68
Besa and David Owen Nilie Pajoohi ’89 and Hossein Ekrami The Parents Association of Montclair Kimberley Academy Tricia Paolucci and Dean Paolucci ’73* Gi Gi Paralkar ’98 and Michael Fleming John Pariseau ’74 Rob Pariseau ’76 Mona Patel and Adeep Thumar Peter Perretti ’72 Ruth Perretti ’79 The Pinkerton Foundation Laura Popp-Rosenberg and David Rosenberg Valerie and Wesley Puryear Stacey Rappaport and Craig Solomon Peter Redpath ’73 Limor and Bob Regular David Reichstein ’97 Jamie and Matt Reichstein ’01 Zach Richardson ’73 Ann and Barry Ridings ’70 Jerica Rikard Katherine and Rob Ruberton Anu Sahi-Shah and Samir Shah Stephanie and Glenn Salzman Luca and Kassandra Samman Jodi and Luke Sarsfield ’91 Joseph Scirocco ’74 Moushumi Sanghavi and Daniel Khublall Chandni and George Shchegolev Frederick Sheldon ’70 Julie and Matt Sherman Meredith and Justin Silver Alison Slone and Adam Miller Huanhuan Song and Minhua Lu Judy and Mark Tabak Tera and Michael Tarulli Lauren Tabak Fass and Jason Fass Yancy Thompson ’73 Natalie and Tommaso Trento Debbie and Tom Turvey Hannah and Stephen Viviano Kristin and Sebastian von Renouard Margaret Wager (MKA 1988-1993) and Richard Wager Helen Walter Crossen ’95 and David Crossen Ming Wang and James Liu Rene and Marc Watkins Katie and Cameron Williams Henry Williams ’74 Thomas Wood ’73 Qi Xu and Jun Yu Sunny Zhao and Gavin Gao Paul Zukerberg ’75 Anonymous *Deceased
— AROUND MKA PAGE 43
COUGAR PRIDE SHINES AT MKA HOMECOMING Rain couldn’t dampen the spirit as students, families, alumni, faculty, and staff gathered on Lloyd Road for MKA’s annual Homecoming. The day kicked off with an exciting lineup of athletic events and plenty of school spirit. A highlight of this year’s Homecoming was a moving tribute honoring the life and legacy of Todd Morici ’13, a beloved alumnus and former student-athlete who passed away this spring. Known for his infectious energy, loyalty, and love of MKA, Todd embodied true Cougar spirit on and off the field. In a touching moment, MKA presented his family with his senior-year jersey and dedicated the day’s game in his memory. From start to finish, Homecoming once again captured what makes MKA extraordinary, a community known, connected, and united in Cougar Nation.
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LEANING IN: MKA’S CULTURE OF CONVERSATION AND THE COURAGE TO LISTEN
At MKA, the Culture of Conversation is both philosophy and practice. Rather than teaching “civil discourse” as a reactive measure to growing polarization, MKA’s approach recognizes conversation as an essential skill for living and learning well. “We don’t reserve these norms for difficult discussions,” Salkin explains. “They guide our everyday interactions, whether we’re in the classroom, a faculty meeting, or just talking with a friend.” These Conversation Norms, to suspend judgment, listen to learn, speak thoughtfully and act intentionally, speak up and step back, and agree that learning leaves but stories stay, are integrated into the life of the Upper School. Ninth graders encounter them in the Ethical Leadership Lab, where they practice active listening and perspective-taking. Faculty receive training to model and reinforce the norms, while student groups such as the Global Leadership Committee (GLC) and Student Diversity Leadership Committee (SDLC) partner with the Culture of Conversation Working Group to create new opportunities for authentic dialogue. “MKA has always been a place of high
This initiative connects seamlessly with MKA’s broader academic vision. The school’s inquiry-based research program, its innovative STEM+ curriculum, and its emphasis on ethical leadership reflect the belief that meaningful education demands both rigor and relevance. Students are encouraged not only to pursue knowledge but to understand its implications and to articulate that understanding thoughtfully. “Our Culture of Conversation sits at the intersection of our academic and moral aspirations,” says Salkin. “When students learn to engage in dialogue that is open, informed, and respectful, they are practicing the very skills they’ll need as citizens and leaders.” By positioning conversation as a form of inquiry, MKA reinforces that learning is not about winning arguments but about seeking truth together. This subtle yet profound distinction defines the kind of intellectual excellence MKA nurtures. It’s not enough to be smart; one must also be humane. The idea of teaching young people how to talk and listen across differences has gained traction in schools and universities nationwide. But what sets MKA apart is its early adoption and intentional framing. While many institutions have launched “civil discourse” initiatives in recent years, MKA deliberately chose the language of “conversation” to emphasize connection rather than correction. That distinction has drawn attention from educators beyond the MKA community and reflects MKA’s growing reputation as a model for schools seeking to balance intellectual rigor with relational integrity. The Hemmeter–McNeal Lecture Series, established to bring thought leaders and visionaries to campus, has long embodied MKA’s belief that great education flourishes through exchanges between the school and the world. Most recent lectures have included Wynton Marsalis presenting “Jazz and Community in America,” Gloria Steinem and Sallamishah Tillet speaking on “Feminism across Generations,” and Hugh Herr exploring the “Future of Bionics.” By hosting Amanda Ripley, MKA underscores its commitment not just to academic excellence but to intellectual courage and the willingness to engage complexity and difference in pursuit of understanding. Ripley’s work
— AROUND MKA
intellectual ambition,” Salkin notes, “but we’re also deeply committed to cultivating the habits of empathy and selfawareness that allow real learning to happen. The Culture of Conversation brings those values together.”
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In a world increasingly defined by polarization and noise, Montclair Kimberley Academy stands apart for cultivating something quieter and far more powerful: a Culture of Conversation. This initiative, deeply woven into the fabric of MKA’s mission, invites students and educators alike to engage with complexity, lean into disagreement with curiosity, and speak and listen with empathy. It is not merely a program or a set of rules; it is an evolving practice that shapes how the MKA community learns, grows, and leads. This fall, MKA’s commitment to this work took center stage when Amanda Ripley, New York Times bestselling author, Washington Post columnist, and co-founder of Good Conflict, joined the community for the Hemmeter–McNeal Lecture Series to present her acclaimed lecture, “Breaking the Spell of High Conflict,” exploring why ordinary disagreements so often escalate into destructive divisions and how we can find our way out. Following her talk, she sat down for a fireside chat with Kyle Salkin, MKA’s Upper School History Department Chair and co-chair of the school’s Culture of Conversation initiative. Together, Ripley and Salkin modeled what it means to have a conversation that matters and a dialogue rooted in understanding rather than persuasion, revealing the intellectual and emotional sophistication MKA aims to instill in every one of its graduates.
aligns naturally with MKA’s mission. Her books, High Conflict, The Smartest Kids in the World, and The Unthinkable, explore how people think, learn, and lead under pressure. Her insights, drawn from years of investigative reporting and collaboration with communities worldwide, offer tools for navigating disagreement and fostering connection.
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MKA’s Culture of Conversation reminds us that education is not only about mastering content but about becoming the kind of person who can handle complexity with grace and has the courage to listen, reconsider, and connect. When Ripley and Salkin took the stage on November 4, they invited the MKA community to continue this work: to see conversation not as a skill to be perfected, but as a shared responsibility and a lifelong art.
Statement of Purpose — The Culture of Conversation at MKA
Our mission statement promises to graduate students with vision who exhibit “personal engagement with the world,” understand “human complexity,” and possess “a sense of humility and compassion.” We are committed to cultivating and maintaining a Culture of Conversation in our school by equipping students to have face-to-face dialogue with people with whom they agree and disagree. We encourage students to explore and understand the responsibility that comes with freedom of speech so they may recognize that this does not free them from the consequences of its impact. This commitment demands that we actively work to create a school culture where community members lean into challenging conversations, listen with kindness and empathy, speak thoughtfully, and repair relationships when missteps occur. Intentional training in and practice of conversation is essential to realize the promise of our mission to cultivate students’ responsibility as citizens and leaders. We believe that a commitment to a Culture of Conversation strengthens core aspects of our school and our dedication to promoting authentic learning across all our spaces. Building a Culture of Conversation reinforces our commitment to graduating students who capably enter the world as ethical leaders.
“A Culture of Conversation is what turns a school into a community. It’s not just about speaking; it’s about listening, questioning, and being willing to understand someone else’s story. That’s what makes MKA feel like a place where every voice can shape the larger dialogue.” - Ranvir Chahal ’26
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Amanda Ripley and MKA’s Ongoing Culture of Conversation
— AROUND MKA
BREAKING THE SPELL OF HIGH CONFLICT:
In a world increasingly defined by division, New York Times bestselling author and journalist Amanda Ripley brought a message of clarity, hope, and humanity to Montclair Kimberley Academy’s 2025 Hemmeter–McNeal Lecture Series when she presented “Breaking the Spell of High Conflict.” The evening event, framed by MKA’s ongoing Culture of Conversation initiative, invited the community to reflect on how individuals and institutions can engage across differences with courage and empathy. After an introduction from Head of School Nigel Furlonge, Ripley asked the audience to close their eyes and recall their first memory of conflict. From there, she led listeners through a series of stories, personal, scientific, and deeply human, that illuminated her central point: conflict itself is not the problem; it’s how we manage it. Drawing from years of reporting across the globe, Ripley differentiated between what she calls good conflict, the kind that challenges, stretches, and ultimately strengthens relationships, and high conflict, which becomes destructive, all-consuming, and self-perpetuating. Ripley’s storytelling blended humor and insight. She described her childhood tendency to “monitor” family arguments, a habit that later evolved into her career in journalism. But over time, she said, observing and reporting on conflict began to feel less like illumination and more like participation in its escalation. “Fighting wasn’t helping,” she confessed, “but neither was avoiding.” The realization led her on a journey to understand what makes conflict productive or poisonous.
Her research took her from gang violence interrupters in Chicago to rabbis in New York, from Colombian peace negotiators to NASA scientists. One of her most memorable examples came from space: the tension between astronauts and ground control. Despite NASA’s efforts to recruit “noconflict” astronauts, the agency discovered that such people do not exist, and that the absence of conflict was not the goal. “We need conflict,” Ripley explained. “It’s how we learn and evolve. But we need the right kind of conflict, deliberate, contained, and constructive.” The distinction between healthy disagreement and “high conflict,” Ripley argued, is critical for any community. High conflict, she said, feeds on us-versus-them thinking and is often triggered by four conditions she calls “fire starters”: humiliation, corruption, splitting, and conflict entrepreneurs, those who profit, literally or emotionally, from division. In this state, individuals or groups lose their peripheral vision, she explained, and begin to harm the very thing they set out to protect. Yet Ripley’s tone was never despairing. She pointed toward what she calls good conflict, marked by curiosity, humility, and learning. “In good conflict, people might not agree,” she said, “but they leave wanting to have another conversation.” The goal isn’t consensus, it’s connection. When Kyle Salkin, MKA’s History Department Chair and co-leader of the Culture of Conversation initiative, joined Ripley for a fireside chat, the dialogue turned toward how these ideas take root in schools. Salkin described MKA’s
commitment to helping students engage with complexity, especially in the wake of post-pandemic polarization and cancel culture. Ripley agreed that young people and adults have become increasingly conflict-avoidant. “The more you avoid conflict,” she observed, “the more allergic you get to it. Like peanuts, you need small, regular doses to build immunity.”
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The two discussed how to safely cultivate those “doses.” Ripley offered a simple framework borrowed from a mediator she admires: before speaking, ask Does it need to be said? Does it need to be said by me? Does it need to be said right now? Timing, she said, often determines whether dialogue deepens or fractures. The conversation also touched on identity, journalism, and the role of technology. Ripley acknowledged that some subjects, particularly those tied to personal identity, require experience and care to discuss well, but emphasized that silence isn’t the solution. On journalism, she lamented the media’s habitual focus on fear and failure, noting that “every cognitive bias that predicts anxiety and depression, journalism tends to do on purpose.” She called for “stories of repair” and highlighted organizations like the Solutions Journalism Network and the Builders Movement that are working to tell stories of progress as compellingly as stories of pain.
Perhaps most striking was Ripley’s example of using artificial intelligence as a tool for listening. She described a new AIbased “looping” coach her team has developed - software that helps users practice paraphrasing and checking for understanding during moments of disagreement. Far from replacing human empathy, she said, such tools can strengthen it by training users in the habits of reflection and restraint. “Once people feel heard,” she explained, “they may actually listen.” As the evening drew to a close, Salkin asked what gives Ripley hope. Her answer returned to the local and the human. “The most exciting innovations are happening at the community level,” she said, citing mayors and governors working to reduce political violence and restore trust. Even the data, she noted, offers reason for optimism: the United States is on track to have its lowest homicide rate since 1960, a fact that, she pointed out, few people know because it rarely makes headlines. Ripley’s final message was both sobering and inspiring. In a time when global and national narratives are dominated by outrage, she urged listeners to pay closer attention to the quieter, constructive work happening in their own communities, and to keep talking. “Conflict,” she reminded the audience, “is inevitable. But high conflict is not.”
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A L UM N I
As we move through an inspiring year at MKA, I want to express my sincere appreciation for the many ways our alumni community has engaged with the school this fall. From joining us at events, to supporting MKA Day with remarkable generosity, to mentoring students and nominating peers for our Distinguished Alumni and Young Alumni Awards, you have helped shape a season filled with connection and momentum. Your commitment continues to elevate what it means to be an MKA graduate. What excites me most is where we are headed together. With the launch of MKA’s new strategic plan, we have a shared vision that looks boldly toward the future. The pillars of Inspiring Inquiry and Insight and Shaping a Sustainable Future speak directly to the strengths of our alumni community: your leadership, your adaptability, and your willingness to reach back and lift others up. Each time an alum returns to campus or reconnects with MKA from afar, you help chart the path ahead for the students who follow in your footsteps. Thank you for your partnership, your pride, and your belief in what MKA can become. Our alumni network is one of the school’s greatest assets, and together, we are building a vibrant, innovative, and enduring future for the next generation of Cougars. With gratitude, Stu Harwood '07, Alumni Council President
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esident Alumni Council Pr
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A Letter from the
EMPOWERING New York City Reception
A night filled with connection, conversation, and celebration of our amazing community. A heartfelt thank-you to Stacy ’77 and Eric Cochran for opening their beautiful home to us and making the night so special.
MKA Golf and Tennis Classic
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Sunshine, serves, and a hole-in-one! The 2025 MKA Golf & Tennis Classic brought our community together for a day of fun, friendly competition, and MKA pride! A huge thank-you to our amazing sponsors: Datwani Pharmacy Group, Garage Force, Eden Golf Media (Rick Jenkins ’77), Beacon Wealth Partners, Mission for Ukraine, Livingston Family Orthodontics, Dining Partnership Group, and the Salzman Family, for helping make this day possible!
Seattle Bound!
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A great night with our Pacific Northwest Cougars—amazing people, meaningful connections, and delicious food. So special to spend time with Margaret Coyle ’87 and Patrick Coyle ’87, Mike Ehrenberg ’75, Sierra Gannicott ’11, Jay Greene ’82, Carol Ottenberg ’56, and Jan Shaw ’66.
Alumni Back on Lloyd
This year, MKA’s Entrepreneurship Club set an exciting goal: to empower students with the skills and mindset needed to launch their own ventures. Through a series of workshops on generating ideas, building teams, creating business plans, using technology, etc., students are learning what it takes to turn inspiration into action. These workshops will build toward an MKA’s Shark Tank–style competition and startup incubator, designed to inspire the next generation of innovators. Caitlin DiRuggiero ’06, Angela McCaffrey ’06, Evin Henriquez-Groves ’15, Andrew Kyrejko ‘05, and Peter Tiboris ’98 all returned to mentor the students on their journeys. Their energy and insight were truly inspiring! Other alumni who mentored our students this fall included Sarah Botwinick Pollack ’15, who led an event thrown by our Women in STEM club and MKA Robotics, our Upper School robotics team, and Paige Cottingham-Streater ’79, who spoke with our Public Policy and International Affairs Club..
Alumni Lace Up for the Return of MKA vs. MHS Hockey
After more than two decades, a beloved Montclair tradition made its triumphant return this Thanksgiving weekend: the MKA vs. MHS Alumni Hockey Game. Held the day after Thanksgiving at the iconic Clary Anderson Arena, the revival brought an outpouring of community spirit, friendly rivalry, and Cougar pride, all while raising funds to support the arena, a cherished staple in the heart of town. Dozens of Cougar alumni laced up and hit the ice to take on the Bulldogs, drawing hundreds of enthusiastic fans who packed the stands to cheer on former classmates and teammates. The day featured two spirited matchups: the 35+ game, which ended in a decisive Cougar victory, and the Under-35 game, in which the Bulldogs clinched a tough win over our younger alumni. Perhaps the biggest triumph of the day? “No injuries!”
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— ALUMNI Meet the remarkable individuals who have been selected as this year’s MKA Alumni Changemakers—an extraordinary group of alumni who embody the ideals of Knowledge, Vision, and Integrity. They work tirelessly to break barriers and drive progress. They have turned their passion into powerful purpose and wildly successful careers, leaving their indelible marks on the world. Help us celebrate these inspirational and visionary leaders who are changing the way we live.
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CHA NGE MA KERS
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CHANGE MAKERS
CAITLIN DIRUGGIERO ’06 AND ANGELA MCCAFFREY ’06
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— ALUMNI
CHANGE MAKERS
CAITLIN DIRUGGIERO
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was an honors marketing graduate of the University of Scranton. She brings a strong business mindset and a people first approach to every transaction. At 25, she co-founded Corefire, a Montclair based fitness studio that became a community staple and earned multiple awards before she successfully sold the business. That entrepreneurial experience sharpened her negotiation skills and strategic edge. Known for staying calm under pressure, Caitlin guides clients through complex transactions with steady communication and a focus on results. Clients consistently describe her as hardworking, genuine, and deeply committed to their best interests. Caitlin specializes in Essex, Morris, and Bergen Counties, with particular expertise in train line towns and surrounding communities throughout Northern New Jersey. She works extensively with first time buyers, move up sellers, and investors seeking both lifestyle and long term value. Outside of real estate, Caitlin gives back through her work with The Arc of Essex County and her time as former President of the MKA Alumni Council. When she is not working, she enjoys golf, surfing, and spending time with family, friends, and her dogs.
ANGELA MCCAFFREY
is a North Jersey native and real estate professional known for pairing sharp financial instincts with a steady, relationship-first approach. She co-founded CityWest with her childhood best friend and business partner, Caitlin DiRuggiero, to serve the community that shaped them, and has built a reputation for strategic execution, trusted guidance, and consistently strong outcomes. With 15+ years in real estate and a finance degree from Providence College, Angela leads every transaction with disciplined analysis, confident negotiation, and total reliability. Clients count on her to move fast, stay calm under pressure, and protect their interests, whether they are first-time buyers, renters, sellers, developers, or investors. Her business is built on long-term relationships and a deep local network, earned through performance, integrity, and follow-through. Rooted in Montclair and active across Northern NJ, Angela supports The Arc of Essex County and has served on the Alumni Council at Montclair Kimberley Academy. She also co-founded, scaled, and sold Corefire, a multi-award-winning fitness brand with multiple North Jersey locations, reflecting her track record for building companies that last. Outside of work, Angela prioritizes time with family and friends and is usually planning her next travel adventure. She lives in Essex County with her husband, Patrick, and their two children, Tommy (4) and Rosie (2).
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"Their chemistry, equal parts humor, hustle, and honesty, has become the heartbeat of their business."
From Best Friends to Business Partners When best friends Caitlin and Angela met at Montclair Kimberley Academy, they had no idea their friendship would one day become the foundation of one of New Jersey’s top-performing real estate firms. Co-founders of CityWest Real Estate, they’ve been recognized as the youngest female-owned team ranked among the Top 50 in New Jersey and within the Top 1.5% of real estate professionals nationwide, a distinction that reflects not only their business success but the trust, courage, and shared purpose that define their partnership. “Because we grew up together, there’s this deep level of trust,” says Angela. “We’ve been through everything, from college to heartbreaks to our first jobs. That connection shaped how we work together now. We just know the other will get it done.” Caitlin says: “It sounds cheesy, but I don’t even have to ask what she’s doing, I just know she’s doing it, and it’ll align perfectly with what I’m doing. We operate like a well-oiled machine… most days.” Their chemistry, equal parts humor, hustle, and honesty, is the foundation of their business. Their business thrives on balance. “We always say one of us is the engine and one is the brake,” Angela explains. “Some days that switches, but that’s what keeps us grounded. We know when to step in for each other, when to back off, and when to just laugh it out.” Caitlin adds, “We’re not solving world hunger, but we are creating something that reflects who we are, and that’s fun, real, and peoplefirst.” They attribute that balance to self-awareness and sportsmanship. “We both grew up playing sports,” says Angela. “If one of us needs to tag out, the other jumps in. There’s no ego, it’s just teamwork.”
From Fitness to Real Estate: A Story of Grit and Growth While CityWest has become synonymous with luxury service and data-driven results, the road to building it wasn’t linear. The pair’s first business venture was Corefire, a boutique fitness concept they launched and later sold. “Corefire was our passion project,” says Angela. “But real estate was always our original business. Even in college, we worked in property management, literally starting from the bottom, cleaning offices on Wall Street during the 2008 crash.” Caitlin adds, “We were janitors in smocks while our friends were heading to happy hour. But that’s where we learned work ethic. We wanted to understand the business from the ground up.” Their pivot back to real estate wasn’t just practical, it was purposeful. “Real estate is about people and trust,” Angela explains. “It’s high-touch, high-stakes, and deeply personal. You’re not just selling a house, you’re helping someone navigate one of the biggest decisions of their life.” “That’s what we love most. It’s not just numbers, it’s the people,” says Cait. The CityWest Standard CityWest Real Estate’s distinguished model combines performance, precision, and heart. “What sets us apart is our results,” says Angela. “One hundred percent of our listings sell over asking, compared to a national average of twenty-eight percent. We sell homes four times faster than the market average and consistently outperform our competitors by nearly three percent over asking.” But she’s quick to note that performance isn’t just about profit. “We stage every home ourselves, and we cover that cost. Presentation matters. We treat every listing like it’s a Bloomingdale’s window display. It’s that level of care that
gets results.” For Caitlin, their shared values are what truly differentiate them. “We’ve always said our friendship comes first, and that principle guides how we treat clients, too. People trust us because they can see the trust we have in each other.”
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Their roots also play a role in that ethos. “Both our grandparents immigrated to Essex County from Italy,” Angela reflects. “They built small businesses here. My grandfather was a doctor in Newark and Montclair. Cait’s grandfather was a dentist in Belleville. They cared deeply about reputation and community. We carry that forward every day.” Recognition and Resilience When asked what it means to be recognized among the Top 50 in New Jersey and Top 1.5% nationwide, both Angela and Cait pause, rare for two lifelong friends who rarely run out of words. “It’s humbling,” Caitlin says. “We’re always so focused on the work that we forget to look up and realize how far we’ve come. It’s a reminder that hard work pays off, and that starting young, taking risks, and trusting your gut can get you somewhere extraordinary.” Angela adds: “We like to win, and we like our clients to win. But it’s not all glamorous. Behind every million-dollar listing are late nights, endless phone calls, and yes, even fishing dead rabbits out of pools before a showing. Recognition reminds us that it’s worth it.” They laugh together at the memory. “We’re proof that success comes with grit and a sense of humor.” Lessons in Leadership Their friendship also shapes how they lead others. “We both believe in empowering our team to speak up, make mistakes, and learn,” Caitlin says. “You can’t grow if you’re afraid to fail.” Angela agrees: “Corefire taught us that. We couldn’t sustain two full businesses at that intensity, so we made the hard call to sell. But that experience taught us how to trust our instincts. When something isn’t the right fit, it’s okay to walk away.”
That instinct continues to guide their business decisions today. “We’ve learned to trust our gut,” Caitlin says. “If one of us feels something isn’t right, whether it’s a client relationship or a new hire, we listen to that intuition.” Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs When speaking to MKA students and young alumni, Caitlin and Angela are generous with advice. “Don’t wait until you’re ready,” Angela says. “You’ll never feel ready. Start small. Learn as you go. You don’t need a perfect plan, you need persistence.” Caitlin adds, “And get out of your comfort zone. Go somewhere new. Experience how other people live and work. That’s how you find your perspective and your purpose.” Angela counsels others not to chase the glitz and the glamor. “The real opportunities often lie in overlooked spaces. Everyone wants to dig for gold, but the people who made the real money were the ones selling the shovels.” Full Circle Asked what role MKA played in their story, both women light up. “We wouldn’t be here without it,” says Angela. “MKA shaped who we are: our confidence, curiosity, and leadership. It’s where we learned to ask questions, collaborate, and care.” Caitlin adds, “We were never the perfect students, but MKA never made us feel less than. It encouraged our creativity, our social skills, and our leadership, and those are the skills that built our business.” They also credit their parents. “Our parents made huge sacrifices to send us to MKA,” Angela says. “That kind of support gave us the foundation to dream big. We’re so grateful for that.” “At the end of the day,” Caitlin says, “It all comes back to trust, friendship, and gratitude. That’s what started it, and that’s what keeps it all going.”
"Trust, friendship, and gratitude…that’s what started it, and that’s what keeps it all going."
Our goal is to provide a service that is not only professional and reliable but also personal and enjoyable. With our multi-generational connection to New Jersey, we can connect our clients with their dream property and more, ensuring they feel genuinely connected to the community:
CityWest Real Estate is dedicated to sustainable expansion while upholding our high-end boutique identity in North Jersey and beyond. We strive to maintain a local feel in all areas we serve, ensuring our clients experience personalized, exceptional service that reflects our commitment to excellence.
As fourth-generation New Jerseyans, we embody a profound connection to our communities. We leverage our deep-rooted knowledge and extensive network to serve our clients comprehensively.
We offer high-level concierge support, helping our clients with whatever they need and using data to help them make the best decision for themselves: Our concierge-level service is hands-on and high-touch; when you work with us, you get our direct involvement, not just our team. We provide a white-glove experience, prioritizing personalized attention and meticulous care throughout the process. We stage our properties as part of our listing fee, seeing it as crucial for maximizing sale prices. Our dedicated designer leads the staging process, ensuring a seamless experience. We use data to educate clients on market intricacies, presenting information in an easily understandable way. Reputation is paramount for us. We lead with a coaching-focused approach rather than a sales-oriented one. We believe that a down-to-earth, human approach is critical to making the real estate process as stress-free and successful as possible: We understand that buying or selling a property can be a daunting experience. That’s why we prioritize developing relationships that feel like friendships, which allows us to build trust and allows our clients to feel comfortable and confident every step of the way. We don’t see our clients as transactions - we see them as individuals who need our help. By leveling with them and being upfront about every step of the process, we aim to reduce stress and anxiety and help them achieve their desired results.
Our wide-ranging connections grant clients access to premier schools, country clubs, and invaluable local insights, ensuring they feel integrated and supported in the area. With a robust pool of buyers and a strong presence in the city, we facilitate seamless transactions backed by our social media influence and the trust of our peers and clients, especially among younger demographics. CityWest: • • •
Is ranked in the top 1.5% in the nation for production by Real Trends (WSJ) for multiple years in a row Featured on CBS and NYT One of the highest producing/ youngest femaleowned brokerage firms in North NJ
For more information: C@citywestrealestate.com citywestrealestate.com
— ALUMNI
CityWest Real Estate is the ultimate guide for seamless transitions from the busy streets of NYC to the tranquil surroundings of North Jersey. Our name embodies the journey, and we specialize in providing expert guidance and support to ensure that our client’s move is not just a change of location but a step towards a fulfilling lifestyle.
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CITYWEST REAL ESTATE
CHRIS MARTIN ’71
— MKA REVIEW SPRING 2026
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known as “Chris,” is the Chairman of the Board of C. F. Martin & Co.® and the sixth-generation leader of the legendary acoustic guitar maker. Over the course of his career, Chris has expanded Martin’s reputation for innovation, sustainability, and philanthropy while maintaining its tradition of handcrafted excellence. Under his leadership, the company has introduced groundbreaking guitar designs, advanced environmentally responsible manufacturing, and continued to build lasting partnerships with artists and organizations. Chris remains actively engaged in preserving Martin’s history and regularly tours with Martin ambassador Craig Thatcher, sharing stories from his 50-plus years with the company. In addition to his leadership at Martin, he is a strong advocate for music education, environmental sustainability, democracy, and charitable giving, including spearheading major philanthropic efforts through the Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation.
For nearly two centuries, the name Martin has been synonymous with craftsmanship, heritage, and the pure sound of acoustic excellence. Representing the sixth generation of his family to lead C.F. Martin & Co., Chris Martin carried that legacy forward through challenge, change, and luck, transforming the company from a struggling family business into a global leader in guitar making. Finding His Way Chris’s MKA story begins in the 1960s, when his mother, after a series of family moves between Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New Jersey, enrolled him at Montclair Academy. “My mom knew one of the teachers there, and before I knew it, she said, ‘You’re going to Montclair Academy,’” he laughs. Each morning, his grandfather, a physician, drove him partway before Chris caught the bus to school. “It was a haul,” he remembers. “But the education was exceptional. When I transferred later to public school, I realized just how far ahead I was.” His time at Montclair Academy left a mark that endured, even after his family relocated to Pennsylvania before his senior year. “My grandfather decided to retire and move to a small farm in the Poconos. That’s why I had to leave early,” Chris explains. “But MKA instilled something special in me discipline, curiosity, and the idea that hard work mattered.” His early interests pointed him toward marine biology because, he said, “I thought I’d get to scuba dive every day.” Chris would later say that luck had other plans. While studying
at UCLA, a family friend who owned a Los Angeles music store offered him a part-time job. “He told me, ‘Come work at my shop; you’ll learn something,’” Chris recalls. “Next thing I know, I’m repairing guitars instead of selling them, and I’m realizing how fascinating the process is.” That experience shifted everything. “I called my mom and told her I was quitting college and coming home to work in the factory,” Chris says. “She didn’t take it well.” But he did it anyway. He returned to Nazareth, Pennsylvania, the company’s longtime home, and began working on the factory floor. “That was when I truly understood how skilled our craftspeople are,” he says. “These weren’t just workers. They were artists.” Chris later returned to school and earned a degree in business from Boston University. “I knew if I wanted to help the company, I needed a solid understanding of business,” he says. It turned out to be a critical decision—one that would prepare him for what was to come. Taking the Reins in a Time of Transition When Chris officially joined the family business full-time, the timing was, in his own words, “terrible.” The folk music boom of the 1960s and early ’70s had faded. The world of music was shifting rapidly toward synthesizers, drum machines, and pop. “Disco had arrived. Digital keyboards were taking over. Suddenly, nobody wanted to play acoustic guitar,” he recalls. “When I joined, we’d gone from producing 23,000 guitars a year at our peak to struggling to sell just 3,000.”
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CHRISTIAN FREDERICK MARTIN IV
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CHANGE MAKERS
on acoustic instruments. They needed guitars, and Martin was at the top of their list. “I said, ‘Sure, let’s loan them a few,’” Chris recalls.
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It was a simple decision, but the impact was seismic. When artists like Eric Clapton and Kurt Cobain performed heartfelt, stripped-down versions of their songs on Martin guitars, the acoustic sound suddenly felt fresh again. “That was the luck we needed,” Chris says. “It reignited the world’s love for acoustic guitars.”
— MKA REVIEW SPRING 2026
“The key is knowing when to hold on and when to move forward.” Still, Chris saw opportunity where others saw decline. “I’m an introvert by nature,” he admits, “but I also knew that if I didn’t step up, our family business might not survive.” With his father stepping away from the company and his grandfather’s health declining, the responsibility soon fell squarely on Chris’s shoulders. “The board made me chairman and CEO, and I thought, ‘Now I’m really scared.’” He quickly began to redefine what leadership looked like at C.F. Martin & Co. “My family’s management style had been very traditional, top down,” he explains. “But I’d studied organizational behavior at BU, and I realized that real improvement happens when you listen to the people who actually do the work.”
“I’m an entrepreneur. I have ideas and instincts, and I’ve learned to surround myself with people who complement my skills.” That openness, along with a strong belief in lifelong learning, guided him through decades of industry shifts.
Chris began visiting every corner of the factory, asking craftspeople how they thought the company could do better. “At first, they didn’t believe me.” “They’d say, ‘Is he serious?’ But I was. I didn’t know how to make guitars, but I knew they did.”
A Lucky Break — MTV’s Unplugged Luck, combined with a willingness to say yes, would change everything for Martin Guitars in the early 1990s. “One day, my colleague came into my office and said, ‘I got a call from MTV.’ I laughed and said, ‘MTV? The rock video station?’”
Chris’s leadership journey was shaped as much by humility as by vision. “I’m not an operations person,” he admits.
The network had an idea for a new show: MTV Unplugged, featuring rock musicians performing their biggest hits
This philosophy led to one of his most meaningful contributions: a companywide profit-sharing program. “I told the board, ‘If we ever turn this company around, I want to share that success.’” The idea was radical at the time, but it worked. “That first profit-sharing check was for eight dollars,” he says with a grin. “Today, we’ve distributed more than $100 million to our coworkers. That’s the kind of luck and teamwork that keeps a company alive.”
The results were staggering. Demand surged. Production grew. “When I started, we made 3,000 guitars a year,” Chris says. “Now, between our Nazareth headquarters and our factory in Mexico, we make over 100,000 guitars annually.” The factory in Mexico was a key part of that evolution. “I didn’t want Martin guitars to be instruments only for the elite,” Chris explains. “By expanding, we could offer guitars at more accessible price points so that anyone who loves music can play a Martin.” Balancing Tradition and Innovation For Chris, balancing heritage with innovation has always been both challenging and a calling. “We are blessed and cursed by our tradition,” he says. “People expect a Martin guitar to look, feel, and sound a certain way. You can make subtle changes, but if you go too far, customers push back.” That respect for tradition doesn’t mean standing still. Under his leadership, the company embraced new materials, sustainability efforts, and continuous improvement systems, all while preserving the craftsmanship that defined Martin’s identity. “Our family’s been making instruments since the 1800s,” he says. “We’ve built mandolins, ukuleles, and of course guitars. The key is knowing when to hold on and when to move forward.” It’s that delicate balance, paired with his collaborative leadership, that earned Chris admiration across industries. But ask him about his proudest accomplishment, and he doesn’t point to awards or production milestones.
Advice for the Next Generation When asked what advice he’d give to today’s MKA seniors, Chris says, “Be flexible”. “If you already know what you want to do, great, stick with it as long as it excites you. But if you don’t know, or if you change your mind halfway through, that’s okay too. That’s what college and life are really about, experimenting, learning, and pivoting when something doesn’t fit.” For students stepping into an uncertain world, he adds one final piece of wisdom: “Don’t underestimate the power of communication. I was a shy kid, but I took a public speaking class in community college. It changed everything. You don’t have to be a natural; just be willing to learn. Being able to stand up and express yourself will open doors you didn’t even know were there.” A Legacy in Tune Today, as CEO Emeritus, Chris remains deeply connected to the company his family built and the music that continues to define it. “We’re still here because we listen to our people, our customers, and the music,” he says. “That’s the thread that ties every generation of this company together.”
Project 91 is one of Martin’s most ambitious historical recreations—a once-in-a- generation effort to bring back 91 legendary instruments that helped define the sound of American music. Between 1933 and 1942, Martin built just 91 original D-45s, each handcrafted during what many consider the company’s golden era. Nearly a century later, Martin is honoring that legacy by recreating every one of them, one by one, as part of a numbered collection that carries forward their tone, details, and lineage. Each Project 91 guitar is directly linked to its historic counterpart by serial number. Using surviving instruments, archival research, and original production records, Martin’s team replicated the defining features of these rare guitars—from forward- or rear-shifted scalloped bracing to vintage neck shapes, 12- and 14-fret body designs, and the intricate pearl inlay work that sets Style 45 apart. Brazilian rosewood backs and sides echo the coveted tonewood of the era, while several models include unique touches inspired by their originals, such as thinner nut widths, a shaded top, a lefthanded configuration, and even one with twin pickguards. For Chris Martin IV, the project represents a continuation of the craftsmanship that has defined Martin for generations. He explains, “The 45 has always been the culmination of our best work. During my career, we’ve done D-50s, D-100s, D-200s—but there’s something about the 45. The fact that we made the 91 during what people considered one of our golden eras—I would like to say today is another one—this is really exciting for me.” Owners receive more than a finely crafted instrument—they gain a documented place in Martin history. Each guitar includes a certificate of authenticity, and customers who register their instrument receive a commemorative framed poster depicting the original D-45 it descends from, complete with matching serial-number lineage. Built in sequence over the coming years, Project 91 bridges the past and present, offering today’s players a rare opportunity to experience—and own—a faithful connection to Martin’s most revered guitars.
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That same sense of stewardship extended beyond Martin Guitars when Chris was asked to serve on the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) board, an eightyear commitment culminating in his role as chair. When the pandemic hit, he found himself helping lead the entire music industry through crisis. “Our members were scared; no one knew what the future looked like,” he recalls. “I reminded them that my family’s company had survived wars, recessions, and even pandemics in the 1800s. We’ve been through hard times before, and we always make it through.”
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Instead, he reflects on the people and the purpose behind the work. “It’s the craftsmen and people who make these instruments, and the community we’ve built together. That’s what lasts,” he says.
ERIC WOLF ’01
— MKA REVIEW SPRING 2026
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— ALUMNI
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advises clients on executive compensation and employee benefit-related arrangements, including cash-based incentives, equity-based incentives, employment, severance, deferred compensation, and retirement arrangements, with a particular emphasis on issues arising in connection with mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, new and joint ventures, and other corporate transactions. Eric has extensive experience representing both private equity investors and management in their portfolio companies with structuring equity compensation and employment arrangements. Eric also advises public companies and their executives on employment, severance, and change-in-control arrangements and with respect to ongoing disclosure requirements for stock ownership.
When did you know you wanted a career in law? Tell us about your career path. I actually didn’t decide to pursue law until after college. I was a psychology major exploring a few career paths when, through some MKA connections, I landed my first office job as a paralegal in New York City. That experience was really formative. About a year in, I took an assignment with the executive compensation and employee benefits group and became the lead paralegal there. Working alongside talented lawyers, I got to see firsthand what lawyers actually do. That exposure sparked my interest in becoming a lawyer myself. I went to law school soon after, which confirmed that decision, and after graduating, I joined a New York firm in its executive compensation and employee benefits group—the same area that first inspired me to pursue a legal career. Tell us about your work. What is your area of expertise? I advise companies and executives on a wide range of executive compensation and employee benefits issues. My work primarily centers around mergers and acquisitions, where I help clients navigate the complex compensation and benefits aspects of their transactions. That includes reviewing and negotiating transaction documents, employment and severance agreements, equity and incentive plans, and retirement arrangements. In short, I help ensure that compensation and benefits arrangements and structures are not only compliant and well-drafted but also align with my clients' strategic goals and interests.
What areas of opportunity in the industry excite you the most? What are you most passionate about right now? One thing that excites me right now is how technology, particularly artificial intelligence, is impacting both the practice of law and the way companies think about talent and incentives. In the executive compensation and benefits space, we’re starting to see organizations rethink how they reward employee innovation, adaptability, and cross-functional collaboration. AI is accelerating that shift, creating new roles and skill sets that don’t fit neatly into old compensation models. I’m also passionate about how this translates internally at law firms, where there is a focus on mentoring lawyers to use technology thoughtfully, to work smarter, and to see how emerging tools can enhance (not replace) professional judgment and client relationships. It’s an exciting time to bridge the human and technological sides of our industry. What is the biggest career challenge you have faced, and what did you learn from it? One of my biggest career challenges was understanding how to apply executive compensation practices to large, fast-paced M&A transactions that required not only deep technical knowledge of compensation and employment arrangements but also seamless coordination with multidisciplinary deal teams and demanding clients. Navigating the complexity of integrating compensation structures into broader transactional objectives under tight deadlines and evolving deal terms taught me the importance of proactive planning
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and adaptability under pressure. I learned to anticipate issues early, translate technical matters into business terms, and stay calm and responsive even when circumstances shift. Most importantly, I realized that true value as an advisor comes from being pragmatic and solution-oriented by delivering advice that is not only technically sound but also advances the client’s strategic and business goals. What is your proudest professional accomplishment? What I’m most proud of professionally is that my career has allowed me to fulfill an early ambition: becoming a teacher. While I ultimately chose law over teaching, I’ve found that mentoring and developing younger lawyers has become one of the most meaningful parts of my work, and one of the most rewarding aspects of becoming a partner at a law firm. Watching my mentees grow in confidence and skill, earn clients' trust, and, in turn, mentor others makes the work truly fulfilling. In what ways did MKA prepare you for the path your life has taken? MKA prepared me for my career in more ways than I appreciated at the time. The school placed a strong emphasis on work ethic, collaboration, adaptability, and critical thinking—skills that have been essential to my path to becoming a lawyer and to my work as a lawyer. Managing complex matters requires technical skills, the ability to balance many perspectives, and the capacity to find practical solutions under pressure, and I trace much of that problemsolving ability back to the environment at MKA, where we were encouraged to think independently, work effectively in teams, and approach challenges from multiple angles. Thinking back, I can point to specific classes, teachers, coaches, and friends who helped me develop those skills, whether it was learning to lead through group projects, taking instruction on the court, or thinking critically through spirited discussions. Now, watching my daughter experience MKA’s primary school, I see those same values of knowledge, vision, and integrity being instilled in her, and it gives me great confidence that she’ll be just as well prepared to pursue her own path, whatever it may be.
"One thing that excites me right now is how technology, particularly artificial intelligence, is impacting both the practice of law and the way companies think about talent and incentives."
KEVIN WILKINS ’83 PAGE 69
— AROUND MKA
CHANGE MAKERS KEVIN N. WILKINS
— MKA REVIEW SPRING 2026
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is the Founder and CEO of Trepwise, a strategy consulting firm whose mission is to unlock the potential of purposedriven organizations by aligning people, process, and vision. With over 35 years of experience in corporate, non-profit, and private ventures, Kevin has built a strong team of consultants at Trepwise who collectively have worked with over 700 purpose-driven organizations. After living in Boston for 20 years, Kevin and his family decided to move to New Orleans in 2010, where his wife, Ginny Wise, grew up. Kevin’s early experience working in the New Orleans ecosystem with for-profit, non-profit and public entities led him to solidify his vision for Trepwise: thriving communities nourished by good ideas. The company, established in 2013, believes that good ideas, that make real impact, can come from anywhere and anyone. When solving problems or addressing opportunities for purpose-driven organizations, Trepwise puts people at the center of their work. The resulting solutions empower people to drive progress from where they sit. Uniquely, Trepwise uses this human-centered approach to drive change and create solutions at all levels - the systems level, the organizational level, and the project level. Kevin serves on many boards, currently for Hillel International, The French and Montessori Education Inc., Dartmouth College Hillel, Institute of Mental Hygiene, Touro Synagogue, ADL South Central Regional Board, and Jewish Endowment Foundation (JEF); and formerly for Collegiate Academies, Tulane Hillel, City Year New Orleans, The Foundation for Science and Mathematics Education, Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans, Louisiana Children’s Museum, and GNO Inc.
For Kevin Wilkins ’83, meaningful change doesn’t begin with a breakthrough idea or a perfectly crafted plan. It begins with people, listening to them, understanding them, and creating the conditions that allow their ideas to surface, connect, and endure. Over a career that spans corporate leadership, financial services, nonprofit consulting, and civic engagement, Kevin has become deeply attuned to the ways ideas move — and the reasons they sometimes stall. Today, as founder of Trepwise, a New Orleans–based national consulting firm that partners with purpose-driven organizations, Kevin works at the intersection of strategy, systems, and human-centered design, helping organizations navigate moments of transition with clarity and intention. At the heart of his work is a conviction that good ideas can come from anyone, anywhere. But for those ideas to truly thrive, to scale beyond a single organization or moment, leaders must be deliberate about how they design for inclusion, alignment, and collective impact. Creating the Conditions for Ideas to Thrive Kevin often speaks about thriving communities, places where ideas don’t simply emerge, but spread. For him, the question is not whether good ideas exist, but whether leaders have
built environments capable of holding them. At Trepwise, that work takes many forms. The firm focuses on three core areas: strengthening organizational effectiveness, supporting strategic planning, and facilitating systems coordination among organizations working toward shared goals. While the contexts vary, Kevin emphasizes that the approach remains consistent. “We often say we’re a human-centered design firm,” he explains. “We’ll start with the org chart before we start with the financials.” The reasoning is simple: an organization’s structure reveals its story, what it prioritizes, how power flows, and how decisions are made. While financials matter, Kevin believes understanding people and relationships is the essential first step toward lasting impact. That human-centered approach requires deep and intentional listening. Whether working with a single organization or an entire ecosystem, Kevin and his team seek out voices across roles, hierarchies, and perspectives. “Organizations are always moving,” he notes. “They’re moving forward, backward, and sideways, and that movement is driven by people.”
Change Management Across Sectors Kevin’s perspective on change has been shaped by experiences across vastly different environments from Fortune 500 boardrooms to post-Katrina New Orleans. Early in his career, he worked in brand management at Procter & Gamble, where change meant influencing consumer behavior and introducing new ways of thinking about everyday products. Later, after earning his MBA at Harvard Business School, he spent two decades in financial services, navigating market volatility and helping investors adapt to uncertainty. In each setting, the mechanics of change looked different, but the underlying challenge remained the same: helping people shift behaviors in service of a new outcome. When Kevin moved to New Orleans several years after Hurricane Katrina, he encountered yet another form of transformation. By then, the national spotlight had faded and funding had slowed, but the need for change remained urgent. Many organizations were deeply committed to rebuilding their communities, yet lacked the structure, strategy, or coordination necessary to sustain impact in a complex and evolving landscape. That realization ultimately led Kevin to found Trepwise. “No matter the sector,” he reflects, “change is constant. The question is whether organizations are equipped to adapt.” For Kevin, adaptability is rooted in values, particularly agility and curiosity. Leaders who remain open to learning, who stay connected to cultural and systemic shifts, and who continually ask whether there might be a better way forward are best positioned to lead through uncertainty. The Barriers Leaders Face — and How to Move Through Them Despite good intentions, Kevin sees several recurring barriers that prevent organizations from enacting meaningful change. One of the most common is a lack of clarity. Organizations that are unsure of their mission, vision, or values often struggle to prioritize, chasing new opportunities without a clear sense of direction. Another challenge arises when organizations become overly attached to their own uniqueness. While passion for a mission is essential, Kevin cautions against mistaking
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“You have to be intentional,” Kevin says. “If you want good ideas to be heard, you need to be inclusive, clear about the impact you want to make, and diligent about capturing and using feedback.” Without that discipline, even the best ideas struggle to gain traction.
"A vision without a plan is simply hope — and hope is not a strategy." differentiation for isolation. In his systems coordination work, he often encounters organizations hesitant to collaborate, even when they share similar goals, because they fear losing their individual identity. “The real opportunity,” he explains, “is in collective impact.” When organizations align around a shared vision and coordinate efforts, they can achieve outcomes far greater than what any single entity could accomplish alone. At Trepwise, Kevin helps leaders articulate the world they want to create, define how their organization contributes to that vision, and develop realistic, multi-year plans to guide action. Strategy, however, is only the beginning. For Kevin, accountability is what transforms aspiration into impact. Clear goals, shared ownership, and measurable outcomes allow organizations to move from intention to execution, even amid uncertainty. What Effective Leaders Have in Common Through decades of mentoring entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and executives across industries and geographies, Kevin has observed striking similarities among the most effective leaders. At the core is passion, a deep commitment to solving a real problem or meeting a genuine need. But passion alone is not enough. The leaders who thrive over time are also curious, agile, and intentional. They hold a clear vision, but remain open to adaptation. They are willing to question assumptions, confront blind spots, and evolve alongside changing circumstances. Kevin notes that one of the greatest risks passionate leaders face is becoming too attached to their own ideas. “When leaders fall in love with what they’re doing, they can miss opportunities,” he says. Sustained impact requires both conviction and humility — the ability to stay grounded in purpose while remaining responsive to feedback. A Leadership Lesson Learned Kevin’s own understanding of leadership has evolved significantly over the course of his career. Early on, he felt pressure to always have the answers — and feared that admitting uncertainty might be perceived as weakness. Over time, that belief has shifted. Today, Kevin views vulnerability as a critical leadership skill. The strongest
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For ideas to flourish, leaders must create spaces for broad discovery, bringing stakeholders together to share insights, surface tensions, and articulate shared aspirations. From there, the work becomes one of synthesis, turning diverse input into a coherent path forward.
leaders, he has learned, are those who surround themselves with people they trust, people who will challenge their thinking, offer perspective, and help them see what they might miss on their own.
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“You are only as good as the people you surround yourself with,” he says. Leadership, in his view, is not about individual expertise, but about collective wisdom. Holding a clear vision does not require having every solution, it requires creating space for others to contribute meaningfully. Advice for the Next Generation of Changemakers When Kevin speaks to students, recent graduates, and young professionals, he often senses a shared feeling of overwhelm. The scale of today’s challenges—from political polarization to technological disruption can make meaningful impact feel elusive. His advice is simple, but deeply intentional: focus on why you do what you do, not just what you do. In a world that places outsized emphasis on titles, firm names, and financial success, Kevin encourages young changemakers to resist defining themselves by external markers. Careers, he notes, often unfold through a series of opportunities, some planned, some unexpected. What matters is the intentionality behind the choices made along the way. Meaning, he believes, comes from cultivating curiosity, making values-driven decisions, and engaging in work that builds both skill and character. Self-esteem, he adds, is not granted by others, it is earned through “esteem-able acts” that align with one’s principles. Above all, Kevin reminds young people that community and belonging are central to a fulfilling life. “At the end of the day,” he reflects, “it’s not about the jobs you had or the meetings you attended. It’s about who you are.” Titles, organizations, and financial success may change, but character endures. For Kevin Wilkins ’83, that is the truest measure of leadership, and the foundation of change that lasts.
TREPWISE is a New Orleans-based national strategy consulting firm that aligns people, process, and vision for purpose-driven organizations. We are strategy consultants dedicated to unlocking the potential of purpose-driven organizations. They work with non-profits, foundations, public agencies, and corporate social responsibility programs across sectors and industries, using innovative approaches to create strategies and plans through the lens of fostering a more equitable and justice-filled world. We lift the experiences and insights of a diverse array of stakeholders in all our work to create a positive impact on our clients and their communities. ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS Ensuring that your organization is as effective and efficient as possible is essential. Clarity around the mission, vision, and values is really important. Then, define the outcomes you are looking to achieve and organize yourself in a way that allows you to achieve them. We lead teams through a human-centered experience to develop an effective and actionable assessment and then map out a plan to help use the assessment to strengthen their organization. ORGANIZATIONAL PLANNING Collaboration is the key to designing a plan that brings the whole team on board. Our people-first approach ensures all voices are heard, understood, and translated into a clear approach that gives organizations confidence to execute the path forward and maximize their impact over a three to five-year window. SYSTEMS COORDINATION Moving the needle on community-wide challenges starts with connecting the right stakeholders. We bring together leaders from across sectors to align, take action, and collaboratively build a more equitable future. At Trepwise, we believe in people—their passion, their perspectives, and their drive. Regardless of sector, people are what steer an organization towards wherever it’s heading. We exist to get people moving in the right direction.
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ROHINA GANDHI-HOFFMAN ’86
CHANGE MAKERS
ROHINA HOFFMAN
is an Indian-born American artist whose narrative work explores themes of identity, home, adolescence, and the female experience. Raised in New Jersey and now based in California, Hoffman earned both her B.S. in Neuroscience and M.D. from Brown University, and also studied photography at the Rhode Island School of Design. After years of practicing as a clinical neurologist, she shifted her focus fully to her artistic practice. Her first monograph, Hair Stories (Damiani Editore, 2019), was accompanied by a solo exhibition at Brown University’s Alpert Medical School. The book is held in prominent public collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Getty Research Institute, the Cleveland Institute of Art, and over 25 university libraries. Her second book, Embrace (Schilt Publishing, 2023), was exhibited in a solo show at the Griffin Museum of Photography. In 2023, she also self-published Providence: Uncovered, a bound collection of photo postcards documenting Providence’s iconic street names with accompanying historical notes. In 2021, she won the Purchase Award with the Atlanta Photography Group, and several works from her Generation 1.75 project were acquired by the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. Hoffman’s photographs have been exhibited nationally and internationally in juried group shows at venues including The Center for Fine Art Photography, Griffin Museum, Atlanta Photography Group, Colorado Photographic Arts Center, Los Angeles Center of Photography, Photo LA, and A. Smith Gallery. She has also shown work with Alta Vista Arts (Paris) and the World Food Photography Awards in Madrid, Spain. Her work has been featured in Marie Claire Italia, The Guardian, F-Stop Magazine, Lenscratch, Shots Magazine, Dodho Magazine, Aesthetica Magazine, Gastronomica, Blackberry Magazine, Oxford Magazine, and Art New England (including a cover feature). Her poetry has been published in Art New England and Blackberry Magazine, where both her writing and photographs appeared together. Her awards and recognition include being a Critical Mass Finalist (Top 200, 2025), a winner of the 20th Anniversary Julia Margaret Cameron Award for Women Photographers (Self-Portrait, Professional Category, 2023), and shortlisted as Food Photographer of the Year (Pink Lady, 2021). Her speaking and interview appearances include NPR’s Brian Lehrer Show (2019) and NPR/WJCT Public Radio (2023).
When I later considered returning to practice, I intended to join a group rather than resume solo work. Yet as I began exploring that path, I realized how much had changed. The field I had once known so well now felt driven by administrative and business pressures that had little to do with the patient-centered work I loved.
What draws me to these themes is their universality. The more I examine my own experiences, the more I recognize echoes of others within them. Creating work around these subjects satisfies a personal need to make sense of things, but it also opens space for dialogue. Each project becomes both an investigation and a bridge, an attempt to translate what feels intimate into something others might recognize in themselves.
After one meeting with prospective colleagues, I remember calling my husband on my drive home to tell him about it and suddenly saying, “What if I don’t go back to neurology and instead pursue photography full time?” Photography had long been a private passion, something that quietly accompanied me through every stage of my life. With his encouragement, I chose to follow that impulse. What began as a sudden intuition became a second vocation that continues to explore the human condition, only now through image rather than diagnosis. I should also mention that my mother, a pediatrician, was a hobbyist painter, and I grew up surrounded by the arts. Creative practice was simply part of the environment I was raised in, existing comfortably alongside science and medicine. In that sense, the departure was not abrupt, but the gradual realization that something long familiar deserved a more central place in my life. How did your background as a doctor shape the way you see and capture people through your lens? My background as a neurologist still shapes how I see and photograph the world. I have always been intensely curious, driven by a need to observe, interpret, and connect. In medicine, especially in neurology, so much depends on close listening, careful observation, and the ability to discern meaning from subtle signs. Photography, for me, carries forward that same sensitivity to detail. Through the lens, I try to understand what lies beneath the surface, whether it is emotion, gesture, or the more conceptual dimensions of our inner lives. Just as diagnosis once required me to translate what could not be easily articulated into understanding, photography allows me to give form to what is often felt but unseen. Both practices rely on empathy, patience, and attention. In that sense, the camera has become another kind of instrument for inquiry, one that allows me to study the complexities of being alive.
How do you approach building trust with your photographic subjects? Is it similar to the way you once connected with patients? When I am photographing people, especially in more documentary or portrait-based work, I try to build trust through presence and openness. I spend time in their space or in a shared environment and arrive without
"We all have many chapters in life, and each one offers a chance to grow in ways we could not have imagined at the start.” a crew or extensive equipment, allowing the focus to remain on our interaction rather than on the tools of photography. I also share my intentions and ideas so that the process feels collaborative. I never want it to feel as though I am simply taking a photograph; I want us to make something together. Sometimes people know that I am also a doctor, and that can create an added layer of comfort. In many ways, the process feels similar to how I connected with patients. It begins with
— ALUMNI
Your work explores identity, home, and women’s issues. What draws you to these themes? What inspires you when beginning a new series or project? I draw inspiration from my own life, experiences, and questions. Much of my work begins with something personal, a memory, uncertainty, or even a topic I want to understand more fully. These explorations often touch on ideas of identity, home, and women’s experiences, reflecting the places and roles that shape who we are. They grow out of the intersection between my private world and the larger shared narratives that connect us.
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You had a successful career in neurology before becoming a professional photographer. What inspired you to make that shift? I truly valued my years as a neurologist. The intellectual rigor of the field, combined with the privilege of caring for people at vulnerable moments, made the work profoundly meaningful. I maintained a private practice in Beverly Hills and cared for inpatients at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. When my children were born prematurely, I stepped away from medicine to focus on their care. That pause required me to reassess my priorities and the balance between professional commitment and family life.
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listening, with respect for boundaries, and with a genuine interest in the person in front of me, whether it is a patient or a photographic subject. That approach allows something real and unforced to unfold. What has been the most rewarding part of reinventing your career? The most rewarding part of reinventing my career has been the relationships I have built, both with the people I photograph and with other artists, curators, and collaborators. Photography has opened doors to conversations and opportunities I could never have imagined, and these encounters continue to expand how I see the world. Unlike medicine, where roles and hierarchies are more defined, the art world invites openness and vulnerability. It has reminded me that connection can grow from curiosity as much as from expertise. Building a life in art has been humbling and energizing, and it continues to teach me that growth often begins where comfort ends. Did your experience at MKA influence your curiosity about both science and the arts? My experience at MKA deeply shaped how I think about both science and the arts. One of the most influential teachers I had was William Bullard, who taught English and also led the photography program. Under his guidance, I learned analog photography and darkroom practices and was encouraged to think critically about how we see and interpret the world. In my senior year, I took an English seminar with him and wrote a paper about science and metaphor. It was the first time I realized that scientific writing also depends on metaphor and other literary devices to convey meaning. His class made me fall in love with language, a connection that continues in my image + text projects today. It showed me that both art and science begin with the same desire to study the world closely and draw meaning from it. For students or alumni considering a big life or career change, what advice would you share? For anyone considering a major life or career change, my advice would be to find a few trusted cheerleaders, people who believe in you and can remind you of your purpose when uncertainty arises. Change can be both exciting and unsettling, and it helps to have a community that offers perspective and encouragement. When I shifted from medicine to art, I leaned on that support and on the small, steady voice inside that kept urging me forward. It is equally important to tune out hesitation or skepticism, whether it comes from others or from within, and to stay close to the instinct that first drew you toward something new. Sometimes you have to take the leap and see what happens. Real-life responsibilities can make reinvention seem impossible, but small steps still move you forward. We all have many chapters in life, and each one offers a chance to grow in ways we could not have imagined at the start.
What projects or themes are you currently exploring in your photography? My series (Empty) Nesters, which looks at the shifting emotions of parents as their children leave home, was recently featured in The Guardian. The work explores how change reshapes identity, belonging, and the spaces we once called home. I am also part of a larger group of artists responding to what has been called the global “pandemic of loneliness.” My project, A Cartography of Loneliness, looks at how artists around the world express solitude and melancholy through color. By tracing these palettes across cultures, I hope to understand how emotion takes shape in color, and how loneliness, though deeply personal, reflects our shared need for connection.
(EMPTY) NESTERS “Our shared and common humanity is assumed but not always evident. Making work inspired by my own personal experiences, I look for ways to further and deepen our thoughts on this connection.” - Rohina Gandhi-Hoffman ’86 Check out Rohina’s latest series (Empty) Nesters, which looks at the shifting emotions of parents as their children leave home and was recently featured in The Guardian and recognized as part of Critical Mass Top 200 for 2025, as well as her other extraordinary work at www.rohinahoffman.com.
RUTH PERRETTI ’79 PAGE 77
— AROUND MKA
CHANGE MAKERS
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RUTH PERRETTI
started her career in fashion, design, and marketing in the early 80s, working for Ralph Lauren for over 23 years as Men's Creative Director and eventually Senior VP of Women's Blue Label and RRL. Additionally, she founded and managed her own branding and creative consultancy, working with clients such as Newman’s Own, Timberland, and Spike Lee. Her involvement in agriculture started when she and her husband, Eric Kaplan, opened a restaurant in Montclair called Ruthie’s BBQ and Pizza. Ruthie’s provided freshly prepared food for students in the neighborhood and their families, and was also a much-loved music venue. Over the years, Ruthie’s became the “go to” place for family gatherings and weekend music, where the community could find a restaurant that would more typically be seen in the South, rather than in the suburbs of Northern NJ. Ruth’s family owned a farm in Warren County, NJ, since the mid-70s, and in the early 2000s, she bought her brothers out and took over the farm completely, fulfilling a desire to grow healthy food naturally on the land. In 2016, she left her work in design and committed to running Ruthie’s with Eric full-time, and the opportunity arose to grow food for the restaurant on the farm. That chance quickly developed into a desire to source organic, regional grains to produce locally made flour, and after meeting River Valley Community Grains, this dream became possible. Ruthie’s served pizza made from their own organic flour and introduced the millers to professional bakers she knew in the area. Her interest went beyond growing her own restaurant; she wanted to learn more about regenerative farming practices and opportunities that aligned with rural economic development. Marksboro Mills was established in 2023 to provide infrastructure for other growers to take part in this movement. Ruth has collaborated with Montclair Community Farms’ Empowering Youth Entrepreneurs from Seed to Sale program, with a particular focus on small-grain production and vocational opportunities, and she currently serves as Board President of the Food Shed Alliance in Northwest NJ. In August of 2023, Ruthie and Eric sold their restaurant after 17 years in business, and they are now fulltime residents of Marksboro. She is tremendously excited about the evolution of Marksboro Mills as a home for River Valley Community Grains (RVCG), a pilot example that aims to inspire other rural communities to build their own “Grain Sheds.” She believes this mill can be a tool for restoring land and rural communities by raising awareness of where food comes from, the benefits of natural farming practices and foraging, and whole-foods processing and preparation. Marksboro Mills has become a lively community hub, offering baking classes, regular school and organization teaching tours, and a wildly popular Saturday pop-up bakery, all supported by its fully certified food-grade kitchen. Along the way, Ruth embraces the pure joy of the extraordinary taste of food-grown-right, coupled with events and live music that bring together people’s creative nature to feed souls and restore connections.
When you hear Ruth Perretti ’79 describe her life, the word “twisty and organic” comes up often. And it fits perfectly. Her story weaves through high fashion in New York City, the warmth of a neighborhood restaurant, and finally, the rolling farmland of rural New Jersey, where she’s now helping restore a local grain economy and a sense of shared purpose that goes far beyond food. “It’s been an evolution,” she says, “but one that always felt right. I’ve just followed my curiosity and my heart, and it’s led me to some incredible places.” From Art and Storytelling to the Heart of Ralph Lauren Ruth’s journey began with creativity. After earning a degree in studio art and sculpture, she didn’t have a set plan. “I loved art, music, design — all of it,” she says. “Since a child, I had been fascinated by Da Vinci and the Renaissance and artists who were the revolutionary creators. That idea that you don’t have to pick one lane really stuck with me.” That mindset led her into fashion. Drawn to storytelling and aesthetics, she joined Ralph Lauren in the early 1980s, just as the company was defining American heritage style. “Ralph wasn’t just selling clothes,” Ruth recalls. “He was telling a story about who we were, about authenticity, history, and imagination.” Starting as an assistant in boyswear, Ruth quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming Creative Director of Menswear. “It was an extraordinary time,” she remembers. “We traveled, we researched in museums and libraries, we studied the clothes people actually lived in — what pilots wore, what cowboys wore, what explorers wore. It was about narrative and culture as much as it was about fashion.” After ten years, she took a leap, leaving to start her own creative consultancy. That work, guiding brands through design, storytelling, and identity, allowed her to collaborate with companies from Timberland to Victoria’s Secret, and gave her a broad view of how creativity and commerce intersect. But Ralph Lauren wasn’t done with her yet. In the early 2000s, she was invited back to help design a women’s collection for Double RL, the company’s vintage denim line. “When Ralph saw what we created, he said, ‘I want you for something bigger,’” she recalls. “He asked me to lead Women’s Blue Label, and he said, ‘When I think of the woman,
A Leap Toward Community and Joy After more than two decades in the high-stakes world of fashion and branding, Ruth began to dream about something more personal. That dream took root when she met Eric Kaplan, a chef and blues musician. Together, they envisioned a restaurant that combined their love of food, music, and people. The result was Ruthie’s BBQ & Pizza in Montclair, a cozy spot known for its soulful food and live blues nights. “It was special,” Ruth says. “We lived upstairs, we hosted local musicians, and high school kids worked their first jobs there. It became a true neighborhood place.” Running a restaurant, however, came with long hours and little rest. “It was exhausting,” she admits. “But it was also deeply meaningful. People would thank me, sometimes grab my hand, and say, ‘You’ve created something that makes this town feel alive.’ That sense of community is what kept me going.” Even as she served up barbecue and hospitality, Ruth began to look west — to her family’s 40-acre farm in Marksboro, New Jersey. “It was a retreat my parents bought in the 70s,” she says. “My father used to walk through the fields and say, ‘Someday we should be growing food for fine restaurants in New York City.’” “I didn’t realize it then, but he was planting a seed.” Restoring the Land, Rebuilding the Grain Belt That seed blossomed into Marksboro Mills, a small but mighty operation that is helping to restore New Jersey’s regional grain economy. Working with River Valley Community Grains and in partnership with Genesis Farm, a local ecological learning center, Ruth has turned her family’s land into part of a larger ecosystem of sustainable growers, millers, and bakers. The goal, she explains, is to restore what was once thriving here. “New Jersey used to have a huge grain economy,” Ruth says. “We’re bringing that back — not just as an agricultural effort, but as a movement to protect our soil, our water, and our communities.” Inside the renovated Marksboro Mills, visitors can watch flour being milled on-site, then step into a teaching kitchen where workshops and community baking classes are held. Every Saturday morning, the smell of freshly baked sourdough fills the air as people line up for bread made from grains grown just down the road.
— ALUMNI
I think of you.’” For Ruth, it was a full-circle moment, not just designing clothes, but shaping a vision of modern American womanhood. “That was an incredible period,” she says. “We had a beautiful team, and it was about channeling confidence, individuality, and strength into the brand. Ralph gave me this amazing gift of trust; he told me to design for myself.”
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“I try not to see things as challenges, but as opportunities.”
“The bread is extraordinary,” she says, beaming. “You can taste the land. And when people come here, they feel part of something — they understand that food doesn’t start at a store, it starts in the soil. That connection to community and to the earth is what it’s all about.” For Ruth, the word restore carries deep meaning. “We’re restoring an economy, yes,” she explains, “but also restoring relationships between people, between farmers and consumers, between our past and our future.”
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Challenges, Purpose, and Possibility Rebuilding a regional grain system from scratch is no small feat. “We went into this without a playbook,” Ruth admits. “We had to invent it as we went — the markets, the relationships, even the language for what we were trying to do.” One of her biggest challenges has been policy. “Industrial agriculture is subsidized, but small natural and organic farms are not,” she says. “That has to change.” Now serving as Board President of the Food Shed Alliance and as a member of the New Jersey Council for the American Farmland Trust, Ruth is advocating for policies that reward farmers for the nutritional value and sustainability of their crops, rather than their yield. “It’s about building a food system that supports people, not just profit,” she says. Through it all, her optimism never wavers. “I try not to see things as challenges,” she says. “I see them as opportunities. We’re learning as we go, and we’re building something that matters.”
Lessons in Listening — and Leaping Looking back, Ruth recognizes how her MKA education helped shape her confidence and resilience. “I wasn’t a great test-taker,” she admits. “But my teachers told me, ‘You are not your scores. You have something to offer.’ That kind of encouragement stayed with me my whole life.” To today’s MKA seniors, she offers advice born of experience: “Listen to your inner voice. Trust yourself. Don’t take a job just because it looks good on paper — take it because you respect the people and the culture. Every leap I’ve taken, from fashion to food to farming, came from trusting that instinct.” And for those who might be unsure of their path, Ruth’s story offers reassurance. “Your life doesn’t have to be a straight line,” she says. “The best journeys never are.” A Legacy of Restoration These days, Ruth can often be found at Marksboro Mills, talking with bakers, teaching visitors about stone milling, or walking her fields with the farmers who tend them. The rhythm of her life has shifted — but the artistry, storytelling, and purpose that once guided her design work still shine through every grain she mills. “This isn’t just about flour,” she says. “It’s about feeding people — body, mind, and spirit. It’s about restoring what connects us.” And with that, Ruth is a changemaker grounded in the past, rooted in the soil, and always looking forward.
A Communal Working Space Marksboro Mills is a collaborative agri-hub contributing to a sustainable food system and a healthy watershed. It provides creative space, resources, and connection for local millers, makers, and community members who share a passion for regenerative agriculture. A Story of Restoring: Communities Food Systems Regional Grain Natural Farming Agriculture Founded on the belief that restoration begins with the land, Marksboro Mills works to rebuild the natural relationships between soil, food, and people. Past Traditions & A Future Focus In 2017, our journey with growing and milling wheat naturally began. The land at Marksboro Mills has been farmed for generations, but RVCG sought to find a way to farm that would heal both the soil and the community. Today, our mission blends tradition and innovation— reviving the historic grain belt while shaping a sustainable future. River Valley Community Grains In partnership with River Valley Community Grains (RVCG), we are bringing local heritage grain production and processing back to northwest New Jersey. RVCG takes a collaborative approach to grain production, encouraging farmers to use regenerative agricultural methods and fostering open dialogue between farmers, millers, and bakers. Together, we’re meeting the growing demand for nutrient-dense grains, local flour, and “real bread”—creating food that nourishes both people and the planet. Where It Started In the heart of New Jersey, Marksboro Mills stands as a beacon of agricultural reinvention. Located in a restored historic mill site, we honor the past while cultivating a future rooted in sustainability, creativity, and community.
Timeline of Restoration Cappy’s (Before 2020) Once known as Cappy’s, this former farm equipment repair warehouse served Frelinghuysen Township for decades. Restoration (2020) The Marksboro Mills team began revitalizing the old Cappy’s site—preserving its history while reimagining its purpose for the future. Collaboration (2023) River Valley Community Grains moved their existing milling operations to this site, marking the start of a new chapter for regional grain production. Today & Beyond We envision Marksboro Mills as more than a place for healthy food—it’s a gathering place for creativity, music, art, and shared experience. Together, we’re building a resilient community from the ground up. Learn More: www.marksboromills.com
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A story of restoring community, food, and the future of farming...
— ALUMNI
MARKSBORO MILLS
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WALK THE PATHS OUR STUDENTS WALK; EXPLORE BREATHTAKING LANDSCAPES THROUGH INDIGENOUS MĀORI AND WESTERN WORLDVIEWS; REFLECT, RECONNECT, AND REDISCOVER PURPOSE. THEN, UNWIND DURING A RESTORATIVE FINAL TWO DAYS IN NEW ZEALAND’S STUNNING ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK.
JOURNEY TO AOTEAROA
— MKA REVIEW SPRING 2026
AN MKA ALUMNI EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER
In March 2027, MKA will host the first global experience alumni trip, a 10-day immersive adventure in New Zealand with ExpedNZ | Whenua Iti, leaders in experiential education. This journey invites participants to slow down, step outside their comfort zones, and see the world through multiple lenses. This is not a tour: it's a transformational learning journey for alumni who want to engage deeply with place, people, and purpose. Limited interest cohort forming now. Email gberra@mka.org for details
— AROUND — ALUMNI MKA PAGE 83
2025-2026 Alumni Council EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS Stuart Harwood ’07 - President Jenna Clancey ’03 - External Vice President Stephen Bezer ’11 - Internal Vice President Devin Bukowczyk ’05 - Treasurer Dominic Leone ’12 - Secretary
To register, visit: www.mka.org/reunion
COUNCIL Seth Bynum ’11 Dillon Carroll '16 Geoffrey Close ’71 Aron Dyadyuk ’21 Jeffrey Festa ’06 Lisa Goldsman ’15 Alex Holz ’99 Julia Helliesen '19 Cara Landolfi ’05 Dominic Leone ’12 Joseph Lilore '19 Lhenee McKoy ’05 Chadd Mukete ’11 Samora Noguera ’02 Kelsey O’Connor ’14
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PA RE NT
As we reflect on the energy, generosity, and enthusiasm that defined this fall, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to every parent and caregiver who has given so much of their time and talent to MKA. Whether you volunteered at an event, supported a classroom initiative, cheered from the sidelines, or lent your voice to community conversations, your presence has been felt in meaningful ways. This year, our work as parents feels especially meaningful. As MKA launches its new strategic plan, one of the pillars that resonates most deeply is Sustaining Community Well-Being, a commitment rooted in the belief that students thrive when the adults around them are connected, supportive, and united in purpose. Your partnership is a powerful force in this effort. When parents step forward, our children feel it. They see a community that models empathy, courage, and care, qualities that shape the way they learn, grow, and understand themselves. Thank you for all you do for our children and for our school. Your dedication strengthens our mission and enriches the experiences that make MKA such a remarkable place for our students to call home. With appreciation, Moushumi Sanghavi, M.D., PAMKA President
— PARENT NEWS
PAMKA President
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A Letter from the
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The joy of reading swept across campuses during this year’s Scholastic Book Fair hosted by MKA’s Parents’ Association (PAMKA). The inspiring theme, Be the Author of Your Own Story, guided the event. Special thanks to book fair co-chairs Katie Cocco and Angie Tekriwal, along with a dedicated team of volunteers, who created a vibrant celebration of reading and imagination for the entire community.
— PARENT NEWS
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR INSPIRES THE COMMUNITY
The Scholastic Book Fair is a joyful example of MKA’s connected community, bringing together students, families, and faculty to inspire one another and nurture creativity. Heartfelt thanks go to all parent volunteers, faculty, and staff whose time, energy, and enthusiasm made this week so memorable for students. MKA is equally grateful to Scholastic for the ongoing partnership in bringing the world of reading directly to our campuses.
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At the Primary School, the fair became a literary adventure. Students enjoyed a cozy PJ Night during the week, and author visits by Tracey West and Aria Mia Loberti, joined by her guide dog, Ingrid. The Middle School welcomed acclaimed authors Kat Fajardo and Erin Entrada Kelly. These moments brought both excitement and engagement, highlighting how MKA’s campuses are alive with learning, curiosity, and fun.
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— MKA REVIEW SPRING 2026
PAMKA FACULTY TRUST GRANTS EMPOWER EDUCATORS AND ENRICH LEARNING AT MKA Inspired teaching ignites inspired learning at MKA, and this fall, that philosophy came to life as the most recent faculty trust grant recipients shared the outcomes of their professional development journeys. The grant program, led by the Parents’ Association of MKA (PAMKA) is one that reflects a longstanding belief at MKA: investing in our educators elevates every dimension of the student experience, enabling them to pursue opportunities that enrich both their teaching and their students’ learning Over the years, PAMKA has awarded over $650,000 in funding for MKA faculty members. Each grant embodies a core aspect of The MKA Edge, illustrating how faculty propel students to the edge of their academic, athletic, and artistic excellence. These professional development experiences energize our faculty and ultimately inspire powerful learning in our students. Designed to nurture intellectual exploration and personal renewal, Faculty Trust Grants enable teachers to pursue scholarship and cultural immersion that deepen their expertise and strengthen curricular innovation. In doing so, the grants affirm a shared commitment to academic excellence: extraordinary teachers empower extraordinary learners. At MKA, professional development is not ancillary, it is essential. PAMKA’s continued support reflects the belief that when we challenge and inspire our educators, we ignite the same spark in our students. This is the creative, cutting, and growing edge of an MKA education: a community that learns forward, dreams boldly, and prepares students to navigate an ever-changing world with confidence, compassion, and purpose.
DIMITRI HADJIPETKOV, TRI-CAMPUS STRINGS DIRECTOR Hadjipetkov visited the Istituto Italiano Antonio Vivaldi and related cultural sites near San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice, where he examined historic instruments and manuscripts tied to Vivaldi’s 17th and 18th-century performances. Many of Vivaldi’s manuscripts, including violin concerti that are central to MKA’s strings program repertoire, are preserved in Venetian libraries and collections.
KYLE SALKIN, UPPER SCHOOL HISTORY DEPARTMENT CHAIR Traveling through Denmark—from Copenhagen to Odense and the island of Rømø—Salkin explored how culture and ideology shape identity. Immersed in Danish values expressed in daily life, design, education, and civic spaces, she observed how shared beliefs are practiced rather than simply taught. The experience deepened her perspective as a U.S. History teacher, prompting her to consider how belonging and national identity form in the United States. She was able to bring this insight to her classroom, helping students see how culture and identity function in the world around them and understand the forces that shape their own sense of belonging.
JOIN US Purchase your tickets for The PAMKA Social event here:
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MICHELLE BARBETTA, UPPER SCHOOL MATHEMATICS TEACHER Barbetta explored megalithic monuments and neolithic structures in the Southern UK to gain firsthand insight into how ancient civilizations applied engineering, geometry, measurement, and astronomy in their daily lives. Her experience deepened her understanding of the mathematical relationships these communities had with their environment and culture. She returned with tangible examples to help students see how mathematics shaped the ancient world—and to inspire greater appreciation for its relevance today.
— PARENT NEWS
2024-2025 Faculty Trust Grant Recipients
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T R UST EES
As I step into my final months as Board President, I am filled with immense gratitude for the opportunity to have served this extraordinary community. Over the past four years, it has been an honor to work alongside Head of School Nigel Furlonge and the many dedicated parents, alumni, faculty, and staff who care so deeply about MKA. I am grateful to my fellow Board members, whose wisdom, partnership, and unwavering commitment to MKA have inspired me throughout my tenure. It has been a privilege to serve beside them. I am especially thankful for our faculty, whose dedication, skill, and care shape our children's daily lives and empower them to grow, thrive, and discover who they are becoming. As an alum and proud parent of a soon-to-be graduate joining our remarkable alumni community, this work has always been personal. Thank you for allowing me to be part of it. Your trust, partnership, and belief in our mission have meant more than I can express. And while this marks the end of my tenure as Board President, it is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter for MKA. With our strategic plan as a guide and the incredible passion and talent of this community, I know we will continue to achieve remarkable outcomes. With deep gratitude, Naveen Ballem '90, M.D., F.A.C.S. Board President
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esident en Ballem, Board Pr
A Note from Nave
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IN APPRECIATION For the past four years, MKA has been guided by a leader whose deep commitment, kindness, and heart have shaped the school in profound and lasting ways. As Board President, Naveen Ballem '90, M.D., F.A.C.S., has not only strengthened MKA’s governance and stewardship but also embodied the very spirit of this community he has called home since his student days.
— MKA REVIEW SPRING 2026
Under Naveen’s thoughtful leadership, the Board has grown from 23 to 29 members and is a thriving, engaged, and forward-looking group dedicated to advancing MKA’s mission well into the future. His partnership with the Board’s Governance Committee has ensured a strong pipeline of Trustees and a succession-planning model rooted in purpose and collaboration. Naveen led a Board committed to optimizing learning spaces across all three campuses. The Inquiry and Innovation Center, the new Co-Lab at the Middle School, and the reimagined Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom at the Primary School illustrate how facilities can mirror and elevate MKA’s academic and programmatic aspirations. Naveen’s impact also extends beyond bricks and mortar. His leadership has promoted the philanthropic foundation for MKA’s future, ensuring that a culture of generosity continues to grow alongside the school’s mission and values. But perhaps what most defines Naveen’s tenure is his belief in connection. As an alumnus from the Class of 1990, a parent, and a Trustee, he has always spoken with pride about the strength of the MKA network and how generations of Cougars come together to learn, lead, and lift one another up. His warmth, humility, and steadfast dedication have inspired all who have had the privilege of serving with him. Naveen, thank you for your exceptional leadership, your vision, and your unwavering devotion to MKA. Your legacy is one of community, integrity, and dedication to this school that continues to thrive because of leaders like you.
MEMBER TRUSTEES Anya Barrett ’89 Dan Cesareo Sybil Eng Lauren Tabak Fass Nigel D. Furlonge Brian Glatt
Margaret Wager (MKA 1988-1993) Russell Zack HONORARY TRUSTEES Aubin Ames ’54 John Garippa Alice Hirsh Michael V. Johnson Kathleen M. Logan
— FROM OUR TRUSTEES
OFFICERS President: Naveen Ballem ’90 VP: Paige Cottingham-Streater ’79 VP: Heather Benjamin Treasurer: Rick Andlinger Secretary: Stephanie Salzman
Dennis Goldstein ’83 David Harrison (MKA 1994-1995) Stu Harwood ‘07 Karen Heath-Wade Liza Helwig Craig Hirsh ’01 Lauren Kaplan ’93 Jon Kelly Moushumi Sanghavi Khublall Devang Nagrecha Scott Rosenberg Robert J. Ruberton Alison Slone Craig Solomon Solomon Steplight ’93
ADVISORY TRUSTEE Matthew Sherman
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2025-26 Board of Trustees
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WE AR E
“I didn’t envision at 18 that I’d be talking about the school more enthusiastically at my 25th reunion than at graduation, but alas, here we are.” Alex Holz ’99
Looking back, what is one experience or lesson from your time at MKA that still shapes the way you approach life, work, or giving today? Talk about an impossible question— too many lessons to pick just one. If I must, the experience that often comes to mind took place junior year. Anyone who’s done karaoke with me knows I love to sing and have no trouble shifting from a mellow conversation voice to fortissimo. Back then, I was a much quieter singer until Mr. Kitts directed me to “sing to the clock” at the back of Weiss Auditorium while rehearsing for the Winter Musical. It was the same kind of instant magic you see in a recording studio -one line of direction, and my stage voice was unlocked. Now whenever I'm presenting at work or performing, I pick a spot in the room and think about Mr. Kitts’ instruction. That simple direction to “sing to the clock” still impacts my day-to-day. I know he's retired now, but I’m sure many others can say he had a similarly outsized impact. Thank you, Mr. Kitts! You’re known for being incredibly generous, not just with your resources but also with your time and mentorship. What drives you to give back in so many ways? That’s really too kind. Any generosity I have is a direct
reflection of my parents (Marcia and Bruce). Growing up, they were constantly involved -- helping all three of my brothers and me in various school and athletic activities, even if in a background capacity. They both stepped into the role needed at the time. Sometimes as a coach, sometimes as moral support, sometimes as an advisor. There’s a Harry Chapin line, “When in doubt, do something.” MKA has no shortage of people who take positive action bias to heart. Look at Dillon Carroll ’16 establishing Mission for Ukraine, Igor Alves ’99 developing arts opportunities in Newark through DreamPlay, or Patricia Chin-Sweeney ’99 working internationally with I-DEV. It’s easy to see MKA alums who have set the bar high. The competitor in me is just trying to keep up! When you think about the younger alumni you mentor, what’s one piece of advice or perspective you find yourself sharing most often? Career and personal growth have a funny tendency to be non-linear; it’s a series of fits, pauses, nudges, and jumps. No two journeys are equal, and the mistakes can be greater teachers than the successes. If you
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— WE ARE MKA
Walking the Walk and Talking the Talk: Stories of Extraordinary People and Why They Give
build a solid support base, you’ll be in good shape.
— MKA REVIEW SPRING 2026
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In my case, the music business was a series of happy accidents -- I had a coin flip decision on pursuing a master’s in music business or journalism and chose music (thank you, Tyler DiNapoli ’99, and my college advisor, Jack Lule, for nudging that one). My most significant break resulted from a casual conversation with a classmate who “really liked The Orchard’s business model” the first week at NYU. He started working there and referred me for a role. When two colleagues decided it was time to start a new venture, I made the jump with them and helped form RightsFlow. Fast forward many ups and downs, Google acquired RightsFlow in 2011, and I’ve been there ever since. MKA emphasizes being “known and connected.” How do those ideas resonate with you in your relationships with fellow alumni and the broader community? “Known and connected” to me is about experiencing people’s evolution. It’s seeing friends and former classmates who’ve navigated first and second acts in their personal and professional lives. One of my favorite parts about being on the Alumni Council is conversing with alums I didn’t meet at MKA and learning about their stories. For all the talk of imposter syndrome in the tech world, I’m always asking myself in a very David Byrne-like style, “How did I get here?” on the MKA front. It’s such an eclectic tapestry of experience and knowledge.
If you could describe what MKA means to you today in one word or one sentence, what would it be, and why? Community: the school is to thank (or blame!) for my closest friends. It also carries an unexplainable, connective bond across graduating classes that’s without equal in any of my other school or work experiences. When I hear someone went to MKA, my first question is: “Did you have Mrs. Forbes, Mr. Gibson, Ms. Brown-Allen, or Dr. Flocco?” Then I ask, “Did you play for Coach P? What did you do during May Term?” The names may change, but the resonance remains the same. What does “walking the walk and talking the talk” mean to you personally, and how do you try to live that out in your daily life? When you’re a teenager, “Knowledge, Vision, Integrity” sounds like a motto from a much different era. Today I see them as aspirational guideposts. “Walking the walk” means putting those values into action by providing connections between MKA alums, supporting friends in building their artistic and business ventures, and helping connect people in my personal network to new opportunities. This past year, it meant joining the Startup 101 May Term cohort to share my experience and weigh in on their ventures. I’m especially excited for what’s to come for that group.
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— MKA REVIEW SPRING 2026
The MKA Fund makes the MKA experience possible…
Beyond tuition. Beyond the classroom. For every student.
WHEN YOU GIVE, STUDENTS THRIVE. Make your annual gift
TOGETHER WE ROAR
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C L A S S
1945.
/ TKS / Mrs. Leigh Smith, PO Box 2527, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568; lbsmith15@yahoo.com
1946. / MA /
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Frank Groten on January 8, 2023. He was 94 years old. 1
1948. / MA /
Richard "Dick" Sandler, now 95, graduated from Montclair Academy in 1948, and then went on to Harvard College ’52 and Harvard Law School ’55. He still vividly recalls the rigors of his Montclair Academy education, as well as the trauma of breaking his hip while playing receiver for the football team. He writes: “I cannot overstate the importance that Montclair Academy played in my educational development. Without the schooling I received there, I could not possibly have gained admission to Harvard and experienced everything that followed. I had three great teachers, each of whom I still refer to as ‘Mister.’ Mr. William Avery Barras taught English literature. We read and discussed the Greek Comedies and Tragedies in addition to the writings of Shakespeare, Dante, and other classics I do not now recall. Mr. William Henry Miller taught chemistry, biology, and physics, and I loved them. Inspired by him, I became a pre-med student. Mr. Claude W. Monson, who graduated Phi Beta Kappa
from Columbia, taught us Latin. Those who think Latin is a dead language should have been in that class. Mr. Monson made the language and the history of the period, as written by Aeneas, Virgil, and other Roman poets, come alive so vividly that, when (my wife) Sue and I visited the Roman Coliseum, I could hear Mr. Monson reciting the Aeneid. As a result of the injury to my hip, I spent the better part of my junior and senior years at the Academy on crutches, which led to my developing great upper-body strength and very strong hands. It probably generated a fair amount of sympathy among my classmates and teachers because I was elected to all sorts of honorific positions: President of the Junior Class; President of the Senior Class; President of the Student Council, Managing Editor of the Year Book, and President of the Rostrum Society, whose function I do not recall in the slightest. At graduation, however, I was awarded the “Head Boy” prize, which was a big deal then because it represented the collective view of the Faculty, as to who possessed the best combination of scholarly skills, leadership potential, public and school spirit, integrity, decency, etc.”
In 1961, Dick and Alan Lowenstein founded Lowenstein Sandler, a law firm that has grown into one of the nation's largest and most prestigious companies, and is home to many MKA alumni and parents. Dick was recognized as one of America's most effective Securities and M&A attorneys during the 1970s and 80s; he trained a generation of lawyers who still reminisce about his legal skills, negotiating prowess, and propensity to “red-line” (aka edit) their documents. No doubt he was still leveraging the English and Latin language skills he had learned on Lloyd Road. Following his retirement, he donated his professional skills to charities that provide housing for homeless veterans and mentored other attorneys. He is a lifelong learner who still takes classes at a local university, remains a voracious reader, and plays golf three times per week, generally shooting in the 80s. With a twinkle in his still clear eyes, he points out that "the older you get, the easier it is to shoot your age.” He is married to Susan Beck Sandler, his wife of 70 years. He has three children, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, all of whom give him great joy.
1951. / TKS /
Mrs. Gail Marentette 93 Glen Avenue, Llewellyn Park, West Orange, NJ 07052
1952. / TKS /
Mrs. Fay Taft Fawcett 1305 Lilac Court, Upper Gwynedd, PA; Faytaftfawcett@aol.com (215-699-2426)
1953. / MA /
Howard T. Bellin, M.D. 945 Fifth Ave, Apt. 18B, New York, NY 10021; hbellin@aol.com
1954. / TKS /
Ms. Georgia Carrington, 38 Silver Spring Lane, Ridgefield, CT 06877; carrgeo@aol.com
— CLASS NOTES
Mrs. Enid Hyde, 5402 Duvall Drive, Bethesda, MD 20816; enidghyde@aol.com
Felicity Fergusson Winner, affectionately known as "Fluffy," passed away on June 5, 2025. She was 89 years old. 2 / MA / Mr. Sheldon Buck, 22 Bedford Court, Bedford, MA 01730-2903; sheldonbuck1@icloud.com
1956.
/ TKS / Ms. Susan Ferdinand, 125 Limerick Lane, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865; facesbyferdinand@gmail.com / MA / Dr. Lawrence Nazarian 82 Brickstone Circle Rochester, NY 14620; LFredN@aol.com
1958. / TKS /
Mrs. Diana Little, 1-K Buckingham Road, West Orange, NJ 07052; dianablittle@gmail.com
1960. / TKS /
Mrs. Sally Alice Unkles Smith 1177 N Lake Way, Palm Beach, FL 33480-3245; bickfordpond3000@gmail. com
1961. / TKS /
Mrs. Suzanne Hardy, 47 Bartlett Parkway, Winthrop, MA 02152; sueshardy@comcast.net / MA / Mr. David Bruck, 34 Nelson Ridge Road, Princeton, NJ 08540; dbruck@greenbaumlaw.com
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1941. / TKS /
1962.
/ TKS / Mrs. Barbara Creed, 501 Portola Road, #8185, Portola Valley, CA 94028; bbcreed@aol.com
as co-producers of the Broadway revival of Sunset Boulevard, starring Nicole Schwartzinger. We are now co-producers of the current Broadway production of Giant, a new play starring / MA / Mr. W. Doug Donald John Lithgow, having been 189 Sedgefield Circle, co-producers of the West End Winter Park, FL 32792; production, which received D1Donald@aol.com the Olivier Award for best new play and is truly a must-see / TKS / on Broadway. Also currently Ms. Katharine “Kitty” Haines 201 East 83rd Street, Apt. 15F running on Broadway is our co-production of the Tony New York, NY 10028 Award-winning production of khaines22@aol.com Operation Mincemeat. And our co-production of the West / MA / From Peter Stern: End multiple-Olivier AwardAfter being together for winning revival of Cabaret is over 22 years, my longtime now in its fourth year. partner, Tom Smedes, and I decided that it was time to get married, and on April 15, / TKS / 2025, we took the plunge. We Sandra Pekar, had a very small ceremony 4330 Alamanda Key Drive, officiated by a US judge who Melbourne, FL 32901; was a Columbia classmate spekar@me.com; of mine. Two months later, 561-827-2765 Tom and I were among the recipients of Tony awards
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1965.
— MKA REVIEW SPRING 2026
1966.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Pamela Ann Furlonge. Her warmth, wisdom, and enduring connection to our community will be remembered and cherished always. 3 / MA / Mr. A. Craig Cameron, 11 Bay Point Drive, Ormond Beach, FL 32174; ccameron@cameronhodges. com
/ MA / Mr. Geoff Gregg, 6108 Percheron Trail, Summerfield, NC 27358; tartanone@triad.rr.com
1969.
/ TKS / Ms. Christine Hannon, 97 North Street Northampton, MA 01060; channon@smith.edu / MA / Dr. Edward A. Griggs, Jr. 100 Cedar Street, Apt. B24 Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
1970.
/ MA / Mr. Douglas / TKS / Fitzpatrick, 70 Eastern Vista, Ms. Leslie Bryan, 844 East Sedona, AZ 86351 Morningside Drive, NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 / MA / Mr. Craig Perry, 25 Moorgate Square, / MA / Mr. V. James Castiglia Atlanta, GA 30327; 3 Lark Lane, Craigcperry250@gmail.com Oak Ridge, NJ 07438; vjc@vjamescastiglia.com / TKS / Ms. Avie Claire Kalker, / MA / Mr. Peter Webb, 10 Knolls Road, Mile Slip Farm, 48 Mason Williamstown, MA 01267; Road, Brookline, NH 03033; heraldicone@gmail.com pwebb@winerbennett.com
1967.
1968.
MKA alumni Greg Sullivan ’85, Edie Prescott ’85, Tad Cohn ’85, Helen “Henny” Skeen ’56, Carol Traenkle ’55, and Mike Ehrenberg ’75 (not pictured) met with MKA's Alumni Office on Martha's Vineyard. Thank you to Sylvia Cohn, parent of Melissa Cohn ’78, Liza Cohn ’84, and Tad Cohn ’85, for hosting the gathering.
Joan Denney Carlisle ’46 passed away peacefully at Liberty Commons in North Chatham, MA, surrounded by as many of her children and grandchildren as could be there. She was 98. Born August 3, 1927, Joan was the only child of Carolyn Denney (later Giraudy) and L. John Denney of Trenton, NJ. As a girl, she lived for a time in Spain and on the French Riviera, where she attended school in Cannes and developed a lifelong love of French language and culture. The family later returned to New Jersey, settling in Englewood, where Joan’s affection for terriers began and continued throughout her life. A proud graduate of Montclair Kimberley School, Class of 1946, Joan formed lifelong friendships and maintained a deep fondness for the area. She went on to Briarcliff Junior College in Connecticut, earning a degree in Radio and Creative Arts in 1948, and later worked in radio programming for WMGM in New York. Joan met Robert Dix Benson Carlisle on the beach in Spring Lake, NJ, and the two were married in February 1950 at the Little Church on the Corner in Manhattan. Their life together took them to Detroit and later to Tokyo during Rob’s military service, where Joan embraced Japanese style and culture and discovered a lasting passion for floral arranging, distinctive furnishings, and colorful clothing. The couple eventually settled in northern New Jersey, raising four sons—Gordon, Scott, Malcolm, and Stuart—first in Verona and later in Montclair. Joan was an active volunteer in the community, including with the Montclair Junior League and as a nurse’s aide at Mountainside Hospital. In 1989, she and Rob moved full-time to Chatham, Cape Cod, where the family had vacationed for decades. Joan was a devoted mother and especially cherished her role as a grandmother—known lovingly as “Granny” and “Bada.” Her family remained close, and her August 3 birthday was celebrated each year as a beloved tradition. Joan is survived by her four sons: Gordon Carlisle ’69 and his wife Susan Poulin of Eliot, ME; Scott Carlisle of Plymouth, MA; Malcolm and Jill Carlisle of Orleans, MA, and their children, Byron and his wife Heather and Carolyn; and Stuart ’82 and Lindsey Carlisle of West Hartford, CT, and their children Emeline, Phoebe, and Stuart.
After moving to Ames, IA, he joined the first computer group at Ames Lab and later became a trailblazer at Iowa State University, where he helped develop early information systems and led the transition of the library catalog to an electronic database. In 1960, Charles married Priscilla Kepner. They spent most of their married life in Ames, raising their children, Abigail and Andrew, in a beloved Century home near campus. Charles walked to work every day, in all weather, and was a devoted supporter of Priscilla’s fiber art, often assisting with her installations. A lifelong Democrat and Iowa caucus chair, Charles was a passionate advocate for civil rights and fair housing and served on the Ames Human Relations Board. Charles and Priscilla cherished summers at their home on Kabekona Lake in Minnesota, a gathering place for friends and family. As Priscilla lovingly recalled, “We laughed together every single day.” Charles is survived by his wife of 64 years, Priscilla; his children, Abigail (Rüdiger Lange) Sage and Andrew (Jill) Sage; and many dear relatives.
1954. / MA /
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of George Kramer ’54, a beloved member of the MA/MKA community and the patriarch of three generations of Kramers at the school. George was the oldest son of Harold and Adeline Kramer of Passaic, NJ. He was a proud graduate of Montclair Academy and attended the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. It was there that George met his wife of 47 years, Carole Arch, and together they set roots in CliftonPassaic, where he was a community leader at Temple Emanuel, the Jewish Federation of Greater Clifton-Passaic, and the Daughters of Miriam Center. George was predeceased by his first wife, Carole Sue Arch, and is survived by his wife, Barbara Palmer Kramer; his brothers Fred ’58 and Arthur; his children Larry ’78, Andy ’80, and Susan; and his grandchildren, including Hannah ’16 and Isaiah ’16, among many other family members and friends. George’s life was marked by deep devotion to family, community, and service, and his legacy will be felt for generations.
— CLASS NOTES
1946. / TKS /
1952.
/ MA / Charles Sage ’52 passed away peacefully at age 90. A true Jersey boy, he grew up in Belleville, NJ, graduated from Montclair Academy, and attended Lehigh University before enlisting in the U.S. Marines. He served with distinction and was honorably discharged as a Corporal, later continuing his education at Fairleigh Dickinson University and Stevens Institute of Technology while working at Western Electric. A man who embodied the Marine ideal of A Few Good Men, Charlie could build or fix almost anything, ran more than 20 marathons, sailed, brewed craft beer, and delighted in jazz clubs, symphony music, and sports. He was always fun to be around and was an early pioneer in computing, working with computers long before the advent of laptops or cell phones.
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In Memoriam
In Memoriam It is with great sadness that we share the passing of beloved, former MKA Primary School teacher and administrator, Donna Carrara. Donna dedicated a significant portion of her career to MKA. She began as a kindergarten teacher and later held teaching positions at both the Primary and Middle Schools over her first 13 years at MKA (1979-1992). After serving as Director of the Lower School at Far Hills Country Day School, she returned to MKA in 2003, spending another 14 years (2003-2017) as a second- and third-grade teacher. She then served as Primary School Curriculum Coordinator until her retirement in June 2017. In recognition of her service, she received MKA’s Honorary Alumni Award from the Alumni Council in 2014.
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Donna is survived by her daughter, Kristi Carrara-Davila ’92, and two grandchildren. Her husband, Richard, predeceased her.
— MKA REVIEW SPRING 2026
1971.
/ TKS / Ms. Philippa Bowles, 39 Orts Road, Hamburg, NJ 07419; philippabowles@gmail.com / MA / Mr. Jeffrey Jones 77 Monroe Street Cedar Grove, NJ 07009 coastdaylight98@yahoo.com / MA / Mr. Anthony Vitale, 10 North Wood Avenue, Apt. 601, Linden, NJ 07036; tvod9999@gmail.com
1972. / TKS /
Barbara Flessas, 140 Lorraine Ave, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043; barbara.flessas@gmail.com We extend our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Thomas Wallace’s mother, Roseanne, and hold the Wallace family in our thoughts.
1973.
/ TKS / Ms. Susan Read, 38 College Circle, Staunton, VA 22401; sread@readlawplc.com / MA / Mr. Thomas C. Galligan 14805 Audubon Lakes Drive,
Baton Rouge, LA 708108419; tgalligan714@gmail.com
for MKA and for all of you was unmistakable, and her gifts of leadership, warmth, and generosity lifted every gathering and every conversation.
/ MA / Mr. Gregory Lackey, 216 Hunters Road, Medford Lakes, NJ 08055-2116; gregory.lackey10@gmail.com Kassie was a truly remarkable person—beloved, passionate, / TKS / and talented. Her life was Ms. Erin Cuffe Crawford, full and vibrant, marked by 121 Clarewill Avenue, an extraordinary career Upper Montclair, NJ 07043; in communications, erincrawford@verizon.net deep commitments to mentorship, public service, and women’s rights, and a Mr. Paul Zuckerberg, powerful devotion to her 1790 Lanier Place NW, family and friends. She Washington, DC 20009-2118; touched countless lives with paul.zukerberg@gmail.com her wisdom, kindness, and unmistakable spark. We will hold Kassie in our It is with deep sadness that hearts always, and we will miss we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of Kassie her every day. 4 Canter, who died on October 24, 2025, after a courageous Mrs. Sara Close, battle with melanoma. 76 Wootton Rd, Essex Fells, NJ 07021; Just last year, Kassie was dmjcrowther@comcast.net at the very heart of her 50th Reunion—thoughtful, / MA / energetic, and endlessly Mr. Robert Hubsmith; devoted to bringing her roberthubsmith24@gmail. class together. Her love com
1974.
1975.
1976. 1977.
Mr. Andrew Pedersen apedersenco@gmail.com
1978.
Ms. Pamela Zeug, 60 W. 57th Street, #15F New York, NY 10019; pzeug@downinggroup.com
1979. Dr. John Brink,
1246 Beach Haven Road, Atlanta, GA 30324 We extend our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Thomas Wallace’s mother, Roseanne, and hold the Wallace family in our thoughts. Mrs. Shawn Ortiz, 2163 Gilbride Road, Martinsville, NJ 08836; csaortiz@optonline.net Mr. Bruce Eng, 1032 Irving St., #727, San Francisco, CA 94122; Lattjiu@aol.com
1981.
Mrs. Laura Reisch Itzkowitz, 37 Nottingham Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726-1834; howardandlaura@optonline. net
2.
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1. — CLASS NOTES
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— MKA REVIEW SPRING 2026
STEVE CHAMBERS ’81 Steve Chambers has spent nearly three decades at the intersection of technology and human connection, but he’s very clear on one thing: the machines are not the point. “I arrived in this field from a general philosophy of tech being in service to humans and never the reverse,” he says. That lens has guided a career that has evolved from acting to consulting to founding cutting-edge tech companies, and, ultimately, to transforming how students learn. At a time when few people had seen real-time video connections, he was helping companies use technology to work more safely and efficiently, especially during volatile moments like the Gulf War. Steve’s work cemented a pattern: offer technology as a tool to help people be more effective at their jobs and connect more deeply across distances. But it wasn’t until a major health crisis that he began to focus on how technology might transform something even more fundamental: how we learn. In 2017, after years of seven-day workweeks and 18hour days building tech startups, including two that went public, Steve became very sick, and he was diagnosed with leukemia. “The recovery process is a long one, and it created a big moment to reflect on my life’s purpose,” he says. “I realized I’d been producing technology to help corporations grow, get bigger, and help their valuations increase. I really wanted to use it to help the individual human being become a better person, become everything they can be.” That inflection point set him on a new path in educational technology, where he focused not on replacing teachers but on helping students learn more deeply and educators reach their students more effectively.
Even before his leukemia diagnosis, Steve had glimpsed the potential of technology to change the learning experience. In 2014, he became CEO of a robotics startup co-founded by the head of MIT’s Personal Robotics Lab and a serial entrepreneur. The team created a social robot, a Pixar-cute companion designed not to vacuum floors or move boxes but to form relationships. This robot, which later appeared on the cover of Time magazine as the Innovation of the Year, was designed to support elderly adults, children on the autism spectrum, and veterans transitioning back into civilian life. Its algorithms interpreted facial expressions and body language, and then responded with human-like “social reciprocity,” such as nodding, listening, encouraging, and mirroring the person in front of it. Chambers’ acting background unexpectedly became essential. He drew on classic theater exercises, such as mirroring a partner’s movement, to help design interactions that felt truly relational. At the time, this kind of emotionally responsive machine was almost unheard of outside research laboratories. That experience was a significant “aha” moment: a mechanical “other” and a human in partnership, working together so the human could learn and grow as effectively as possible. After recovering from leukemia, Steve went all-in on understanding the science of learning. While immunocompromised at home, he earned a master’s in social psychology. He then completed a master’s in technology, innovation, and education at Harvard, followed immediately by a doctorate in education (focused on learning, leadership, and ed tech). Most recently, he capped that academic journey with a degree in advanced technology
from Brown University’s engineering school. His doctoral thesis examined how students can learn more deeply through interactions with technology, not as a replacement for teachers but as an augmentation. “Across all of my technology experiences, the common thread has been helping people connect more meaningfully,” he explains, “whether that’s over digital communications devices, through a robot, or in the relationship between students and learning facilitated by technology.” That focus led him to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH), the country’s largest provider of K–12 curricular programs, where he ultimately led AI strategy. There, he and his team explored how AI could help teachers scale their impact, especially in classrooms where students might be working up to three grade levels apart in the same room. Steve is the first to admit that AI can be intimidating, especially for educators already stretched thin. However, he believes that, when used thoughtfully, AI will be “the ultimate individualization platform,” rather than a threat to good teaching. He describes a student struggling in a high school calculus class because of a shaky understanding of fractions. Instead of handing that student a packet of fifth-grade worksheets, a sure blow to confidence, AI can quickly diagnose the gap and present fraction lessons and practice at the student’s current social and emotional level as a 15-year-old. “That psychology of feeling respected, feeling you have agency over your learning experience, is so key,” he says. In his view, AI should free up teachers’ time by handling some of the more tedious tasks and by meeting students where they are, allowing educators to spend more time building relationships and less time triaging. He’s also excited by AI’s ability to support project-based learning and culturally responsive teaching. He cites pilot programs where teachers used AI to weave in cultural references that resonated with students from specific backgrounds, resulting in deeper engagement with core math concepts. Steve even built a prototype to teach geometry on a tennis court, perfect for a student who loves sports or hands-on projects and might otherwise tune out.
One of the most important roles schools like MKA can play, Steve believes, is demystifying AI. He argues that students should not only know how to use these tools but also how they work and where they fall short. “If kids don’t understand that what everyone’s going gaga about is effectively a mechanical parrot, they’ll over-trust it,” he says. He imagines assignments in which students must be creative, crafting prompts that yield wildly different outputs, then analyzing why and identifying the errors. Hands-on experiences like that, he believes, will help move schools away from a policing mindset and toward a culture of informed, ethical use, exactly the type of environment he sees MKA striving to create. For all his degrees and titles, Steve traces his relentless curiosity back to Lloyd Road. “I credit MKA for [my] love of learning. 100%,” he says. He speaks with particular gratitude about his three Upper School English teachers, Barbara Gerry, Bill Bullard, and Lynn Benediktsson, and especially Nixon Bicknell, whom he credits with changing his life. The way they taught, he recalls, showed how powerful learning could be “if it were done right.” This inspiration stayed with him over the years and then re-emerged with full force during his recovery. Today, he uses AI tools daily for his own learning, including feeding articles into platforms like NotebookLM and asking for a balanced-view podcast he can listen to in the car. While he certainly is a builder, he still sees himself as a student. Steve hopes current MKA students, especially those interested in technology, entrepreneurship, and educational change, will embrace AI. His advice to them is deceptively simple: understand the problem first. “Do yourself a favor and understand what the top impediments are,” he says. “Once you’re grounded in the why, the solution you choose to focus on will come into shining clarity.” For a lifelong learner shaped at MKA, that clarity of purpose, problem, and possibility is exactly where meaningful innovation begins.
— CLASS NOTES PAGE 105
“...across all of these roles, my through-line is simple: keep humans at the center as AI accelerates around us. Better tools, better access, more time for the work that matters. That’s the future I’m trying to help shape.”
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Nancy Rabke was the consummate 'school person.’ She understood kids, cared deeply for her community, and shared her passions for service, the arts, and poetry (among her many, many other interests), with all who knew her. She influenced hundreds of Upper School students as our nurse and advisor of the Peer Leader program—work she continued until her retirement from Columbia High School in 2007. She was a good friend and a selfless person to so many of us at MKA, both during her time with us and, perhaps even more meaningfully, long after she left us. Her presence will be greatly missed. A longtime resident of Middlesex and Montclair, NJ, and, more recently, Eastham, MA, Nancy was predeceased by her husband, John Rabke, a beloved and longtime Upper School faculty member. John served as a teacher (and later Department Chair) in the World Language Department, as well as a basketball and baseball coach, before concluding his distinguished 33-year MKA career as Director of the College Counseling Office. He passed away in 2003. Nancy leaves behind their three children, Cristina ’87, Jennifer ’88, and Carl ’90, who continue to honor their parents’ enduring legacy, as well as her six grandchildren. We are deeply grateful for Nancy’s years of service to the MKA community. She was both a source of inspiration and a steady, compassionate presence at the Upper School, and she will be greatly missed.
1987.
1982.
— CLASS NOTES
It is with profound sorrow that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of former MKA Upper School Nurse Anne Marie "Nancy" Rabke. A beloved employee and friend of MKA for many years, Nancy passed away unexpectedly following a weeklong celebration of her 80th birthday on Cape Cod with all of her children and grandchildren on November 30, 2025. During her time at MKA, she made a lasting impact on countless students, colleagues, and families. Head of the Upper School, David C. Flocco, shared these words about Nancy:
We extend our heartfelt jenremknodel@aol.com condolences on the passing of Joanne Wallace’s mother, Mr. Dennis Roseanne, and hold the Rodano, 3 Byron Road, Wallace family in our thoughts. North Caldwell, NJ 07006; rodanod@verizon.net This year, we’re thrilled to welcome John Ms. Lynne Yellin, ‘Yanni’ Fotiadis ’82 as the 413 Ridgecrest Drive, newest member of the Chapel Hill, NC 27514; Alcove. In his 30-year lynneyellin@gmail.com architectural career, Yanni has designed projects for clients Alec Schwartz; in Doha, Seoul, Dhaka, San alec@ateamhomeheroes. Francisco, Cairo, Moscow, com Panama, Kyiv, Tbilisi, Athens, Dubai, and Istanbul. Danielle DeVita; ddevita27@gmail.com He says, “I’ve been fortunate that my work as an architect It is with great sadness that has given me a unique we share the passing of Meryl education afforded only Griff Hubscher, age 53, of through travel. As Socrates, South Orange. Our hearts my intellectual hero, said and prayers go out to her via Plutarch, ‘I am not an family and friends. Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.’” You can Mr. Louis Lessig, follow Yanni’s artwork and 2009 Morris Drive, creative process at https:// Cherry Hill, NJ 08003; www.instagram.com/yanni. llessig@brownconnery.com fotiadis.art. 5 Mr. Josh Raymond, Mr. Walter J. 33 Oak Place, Davis, 66 Oakwood Drive, North Caldwell, NJ 07006; New Providence, NJ 07974; jraymond@msbnj.com davisteam@comcast.net Congratulations to Dr. Anjali Mrs. Maureen Natkin (J.P.), Bhatt Saxena, who has been 5 Riverview Road, well-deservedly promoted to Irvington, NY 10533; Clinical Professor of Medicine mtnatkin@me.com at Stanford University. She Congratulations to Holly has been a faculty member in Felber on 50 incredible the Department of Medicine, years of Barbara Eclectic Division of Nephrology, since in Montclair! A true local 2004. We wish her continued legend reaching a remarkable success and greatness! milestone. Mrs. Emily Nisbet; Mrs. Jennifer emilynisbet@yahoo.com Jones Ladda, 17 Belleclaire Place, Verona, NJ 07044; Mrs. Robyn Reeves; jjonesladda@gmail.com robynreeveslpc@gmail.com
1988.
1989.
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1986. Ms. Jennifer
Remington-Knodel, 44 Hamilton Drive East, North Caldwell, NJ 07006;
1990.
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In Memoriam
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15. 16.
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330 E. 39th, Apt. 21D, New York, NY 10016; daramarmon@gmail.com
Mr. Luke Sarsfield, 105 Franklin Street, Apt. 4, New York, NY 10013; lasarsfield@gmail.com
1992.
she will contribute to the organization’s ongoing mission to foster skill development, professionalism, and camaraderie. The IADC is a prominent global organization for lawyers representing corporate and insurance interests, with membership available by invitation only. 9
2000.
NJ 07104-3211; jferreir@pratt.edu Congratulations to Danny Monico on his film Brenda winning the Montclair Film Festival’s Special Jury Prize!
2004.
Brendan McCaffrey, 235 West 102nd Street, Apt. 10i, New York, NY 10025; brendan.a.mccaffrey@ gmail.com
Ms. Anna Cook, 5 Highview Court, Wayne, NJ 07470; We are thrilled to share anna_labowsky@yahoo.com that the incomparable Tony Mr. Jason Award–winning Brandon Awerdick, 23 Greenbrook Mr. John Garippa, Uranowitz is starring as Drive, Bloomfield, NJ 07003; 2741 NE 58th Street, F Tateh in Ragtime at Lincoln Congratulations to Alex Holz ort Lauderdale, FL 33308; Center Theater. Under the jasonawerdick@gmail.com on his marriage to Jessica visionary direction of Lear jgarippa@gmail.com Klein on June 5, 2025. deBessonet, this powerful Ms. Tanya Barnes; revival brings to life the barnes.tanya@gmail.com Mrs. Jaclyn Spedaliere, Congratulations to Daniel story of an immigrant artist 60 E. Oak Street, Basking Blake on releasing his latest navigating the hopes and Ms. Erica Hirsch, Ridge, NJ 07920; record, "Got My Wings," 10 West 15th Street, #710, jaclynspedaliere@gmail.com hardships of early 20thon LP and digitally on century New York. Brandon’s New York, NY 10011; portrayal of Tateh—a Adhyâropa Records. ehirsch77@yahoo.com Congratulations widowed father striving to Brian Dempsey on his to build a better future for Congratulations to Phil Mazo! Mr. Lee Vartan, engagement to Clare His film Replay just won the 3 Swayze Lane, McGorry on August 9, 2025, his daughter—promises to be both moving and Chester, NJ 07930; Documentary Short Film in Buffalo, NY. 10 unforgettable. Don’t miss lvartan@csglaw.com Audience Choice Award at the chance to experience the Calgary International this iconic American musical Ms. Gemma Miss Emily Santangelo; Film Festival and was then and witness Brandon’s Giantomasi Diaco, 80 Avon emilyannesantangelo@ nominated for an Oscar for extraordinary performance Drive, Essex Fells, NJ 07021; Best Documentary Short gmail.com on stage. 12 gemma.diaco@gmail.com Film! We’re so proud to see Mrs. Melissa Fortunato our alumni sharing their Montclair Kimberley Congratulations to Peter Slomienski, 58 Oldchester voices and talents with the Tiboris on being recognized Road, Essex Fells, NJ 07021; Academy congratulates Keith world. 7 in the 2025 Forbes Best-Inslomienski@icloud.com Grabowsky on the continued State Top Financial Security Congratulations to LeRoy success of Yay Clay!, the Professionals list. 6 Emily Santangelo and her ceramics studio he built from J. Watkins III, who has husband, Matt Marinello, the ground up in Philadelphia. been inducted into the Mr. Alexander Northeastern University Hall joyfully welcomed their Holz, 217 East 10th St, Apt 18, of Fame as a member of the daughter Chloe Rose on What began as a small New York, NY 10003; April 6, 2025. 11 creative studio has grown 2002 Northeastern men’s alexbhlz@gmail.com into a vibrant, multi-space soccer team. 8 Mrs. Melanie art destination. Yay Clay! now Ms. Sandra Tritt; Bieber, 462 Vance Ave, includes the retro-inspired Congratulations to Margot sandratritt@gmail.com Wyckoff, NJ 07481; Retro Room, the natureWilensky on becoming the mel.braverman@gmail.com themed Green Room, and newest member of the We’re excited to celebrate the newly opened Philly International Association Tyler DiNapoli being Room, a tribute to the city’s of Defense Counsel (IADC). Ms. Judith Ferreira, named President and 819 Clifton Avenue, Newark, culture and innovation. Keith Through her participation, Dr. Enrique Neblett; enrique.neblett@gmail.com
1994.
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1991. Ms. Dara Marmon,
Chief Marketing Officer of Bleecker Street, an American film distribution company. In his new role, Tyler will oversee marketing across the company’s full slate of titles and a wide range of genres, as well as steward Bleecker’s primary office in New York City. A founding team member since the company’s inception in 2014, Tyler has played a key role in shaping the distributor’s slate and strategy and will continue to lead Bleecker’s creative marketing efforts. Congratulations, Tyler!
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Mrs. Cheryl Rizzo; cherylrizzo@gmail.com
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— MKA REVIEW SPRING 2026
NICK DIAMOND ’96 Your career path is unique. What first sparked your fascination with aquatic life, and how did that passion evolve into founding Diamond Aquatics? The initial spark for Diamond Aquatics came from my father‘s love for fish. He had a fish tank when I was a child, and I was always curious about the fish he kept and the habitats they came from. My dad eventually gave me my own fish tank, and that’s when I really began to study ornamental fish and where they came from. Once I was old enough to work, I got my first job in a pet store that also sold fish. After working in a couple of “big box” pet stores, I started working at a store specializing in aquariums. Over a few years, I worked my way up to management there, but eventually felt I could grow more if I struck out on my own. That’s when I started my company, Diamond Aquatics. Seventeen years is an impressive run for any business. What do you think has been the key to Diamond Aquatics’ longevity and success in such a specialized field? I wish I could say I have some obscure wisdom for keeping a business alive for that long, but it’s really pretty simple. I’ve never accumulated any “fat,” so to speak, and I always live within my means. Diamond Aquatics is a one-man show, and I work out of my home and a storage unit. So, when times got tough, I didn’t have to worry about debt, salaries, or any other significant overhead that might have otherwise crippled the business. Custom aquarium design and maintenance combine art, science, and patience. What do you find most rewarding— and most challenging—about bringing underwater ecosystems to life for your clients? There are a few things I find rewarding about my job. First, I’m still truly fascinated by
marine life in general, and my work gives me an opportunity to see it up close. Second, it satisfies some of my creative urges. From designing the filter and lighting systems (which requires technical creativity) to designing the aquascape and choosing the animals that will live in it (which is more artistically creative), the process of designing an aquarium is a multi-leveled creative endeavor. Lastly, I’m project-oriented and enjoy working with my hands. Building things from start to finish is very satisfying for me. The ultimate reward is when I can finally sit back and enjoy the living art I created. The most challenging part of this business is finding a way to turn a customer’s dream into reality while working within the constraints of limited space and budget. Most people don’t initially realize how complicated aquarium systems can be and are often surprised by the size of the filtration systems we need. As a founder and entrepreneur, were there any defining moments or bold decisions that shaped the direction of your business or your own growth as a leader? The defining moment was when I realized I had reached the limits of what I could achieve in a retail store owned by someone else. I began to feel stifled and undervalued, and that feeling made me start thinking about starting my own business. Another defining moment was completing my first custom installation independently, which made me feel like my business was a success and I could make it on my own. Your work creates spaces that inspire calm and wonder. How do you see the connection between your work and wellbeing—for your clients, your team, or even yourself? You said it yourself. Aquariums provide a calming effect and
One of my most memorable MKA experiences was becoming a Peer Leader. When I initially came in as a freshman, I was nervous about the social structure of high school, but Orientation was a blast; the Peer Leaders showed me that age wasn’t an issue, and being kind and considerate made everyone feel welcome and comfortable. That made me want to become a Peer Leader so I could pass that on to incoming students. Geoff Branigan, the Peer Leader Program Director at the time, was also instrumental in helping me find that comfort level in a new environment. I think this helped me later in life to feel comfortable and confident interacting with people of all ages and personality types. This confidence is also what allowed me to venture out on my own and start my business.
For current MKA students who dream of forging their own path, what advice would you give about turning a personal passion into a lifelong career? This is a tough question to answer. There are many pitfalls and hurdles along the way. It can be difficult to stay focused on your dream while the people around you may not be able to see your vision. It’s important to understand your own limits as well as the depth of your passion. I think it’s also important to be as ambitious as you want to be. If you’re building a business from your passion, you’re doing it for yourself and no one else. Lastly, I think it’s important to stay nimble. I believe my willingness to be flexible and my ability to pivot when necessary have allowed my business to survive and thrive.
— CLASS NOTES
Looking back at your MKA days, were there particular classes, teachers, or experiences that influenced your curiosity or your drive to build something of your own? The most significant impact my MKA experience made was in helping me become the person I am. My science classes were always the most fun and interesting to me. I had several teachers who left their marks. Charlaine Charlton was one of the first. I was in her math class during my freshman and senior years. She recognized that I didn’t learn the same way my classmates did, so she figured out how to engage me in a way that worked for me. George Hrab did the same in his science classes by using his casual personality and sharp wit to keep my attention.
“...It’s important to understand your own limits as well as the depth of your passion.”
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allow onlookers to escape their everyday hustle and bustle, even if only for a moment, to imagine being underwater, in nature, watching fish live their lives. Aquariums promote curiosity as well. People (children and adults alike) learn something every time they look into an aquarium. Every time they see a new species of fish, a new animal behavior, or even just a new habitat, they are prompted to ask questions, and the answers usually fascinate them.
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also founded The Mud Club, a wish the beautiful family all 24/7 membership studio that the best! 14 currently supports nearly 100 working artists. Mr. Edmund Kozak; Yay Clay! has become e.g.kozak@gmail.com Philadelphia’s top-rated ceramics studio, welcoming Mr. Manav Lalwani; thousands of guests for manav.lalwani@gmail.com clay experiences, private events, team-building It is with deep sadness that sessions, and BYOB clay we share the passing of dates. The studio’s work has alumna Dina Berman. Dina been featured on local news will be remembered for her outlets, PBS Kids, and the warmth, spirit, and the many lives she touched as part of Oprah Winfrey Network’s series Ready for Love. our community. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Over the past year, Yay Clay! Dina’s family, friends, and all has expanded partnerships who knew and loved her. Congratulations to Ari Bildner with many of Philly’s top breweries, schools, and on taking over his own wine creators, advancing Keith’s store, Grape Collective NJ! mission to make hands-on Go check him out in Upper art accessible, welcoming, Montclair and follow him @ and fun for all. We are proud basementwineguy for more to celebrate his inspiring info! 15 journey at the intersection of art, entrepreneurship, and Congratulations to Antoinelle Vulpis and her community. 13 trusted 8-year-old dog, Congratulations to Katharine Archer, for making history this year by winning top Schrager Augustin and her honors in the terrier group husband, Joseph, on the birth of their second child, at the Westminster Kennel a son, Carter Josiah, on Club Dog Show, one of the most difficult and coveted September 11, 2025. We
— MKA REVIEW SPRING 2026
2005.
achievements in the dog world! 16 Congratulations to Jenna Levy Blum and her husband, Noaam, on the birth of their beautiful daughter, Kira Ellie Blum. 17
2006.
Ms. Angela McCaffrey; angelamccaffrey@gmail.com Ms. Natalie Azzoli Sparks; nat6888@gmail.com With three decades of combined experience and deep roots in their home state of New Jersey, Caitlin DiRuggiero and Angela McCaffrey, co-founders of CityWest Real Estate, were recently ranked #39 out of thousands of agents in the State by RealTrends Verified. They are also proud to be recognized as the youngest female-owned team in the Top 50 in New Jersey. CityWest Real Estate is a high-end boutique firm specializing in seamless transitions from New York City to North Jersey, delivering exceptional, personalized service that
reflects its commitment to excellence, community, and care. Congratulations to Brandon Bullock and his wife, Tiffany, on the birth of their daughter, Peyton Diane Gem Bullock. 18 Congratulations to William Wagner, who was named to Engineering News-Record’s East 2026 Top Young Professionals List! 19 We are thrilled to share that Joe Lazar, awardwinning author, marketer, and storyteller, has just released his highly anticipated new book: Super Skill: Why Storytelling Is the Superpower of the AI Age. In Super Skill, Joe reveals why storytelling—not technical know-how alone—will be the defining advantage in the age of AI. Through sciencebacked techniques, realworld examples, and practical principles, the book teaches how to master storytelling to lead, influence, and thrive in a world where machines can do more and more of the technical work. Joe is the best-selling author of
— CLASS NOTES PAGE 113
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The Storytelling Edge and a respected voice on blending human creativity with nextgen technology. His weekly newsletter on storytelling and the AI era reaches over 185,000+ subscribers worldwide. 20
Mike, on their wedding. We wish them a lifetime of happiness together! 22
when he served as team cocaptain, was named USILA 1st-team All-American, NJ Goalie of the Year, and Congratulations to Jared Kass selected to play in the Under Armour All-America game. and his wife Amanda on their precious bundle of joy Miller Rob continued his career Reid Kass. He is a reminder at the University of Virginia, that love and light always where he played under Coach endure. 23 Dom Starsia, and won the Mr. Stuart Harwood; National Championship in stuartmharwood@gmail.com 2011 as a Junior. In his Senior Congratulations to Kelly season, he was nominated Mr. Brian May; Byrne Sweeney and her for Division I Goalie of the bmay88@gmail.com husband, Michael, on the Year, All-ACC conference, Mr. Harry Raymond; birth of their daughter, and All-American honors. raymond.harry@gmail.com Shauna Patricia Sweeney, on He earned Academic AllMay 11, 2025. American honors and proudly Congratulations to Thomas received honor roll all four years at UVA. Following UVA, Alati and his wife, Caroline, on Congratulations to Robert the birth of their third child, Fortunato on being inducted Rob played in the MLL for Annie Claire, born on May 26, into the New Jersey Lacrosse both the Rochester Rattlers and the Chicago Machine. 2025. 21 Foundation Hall of Fame. At Rob went on to receive his MKA, Rob was a four-year Congratulations to Chrissy varsity letterman and starter, MBA from Columbia Business DeOteris and her husband, capped by his senior season, School and pursue a career
in the hedge fund industry in New York and Greenwich, CT. In his spare time, Rob enjoys giving back to the game that has given him so much. He has supported Harlem Lacrosse for over a decade and is a coach and volunteer for the Darien (Connecticut) Youth Lacrosse program.
2008.
A huge congratulations to Breanna Conley and her husband, Sham, on the birth of their baby, Shiloh! 24
2007.
2009.
Mr. Brian Purcell; bnpurcell4@gmail.com Ms. Jane Stanton; janestanton18@gmail.com Congratulations to Giri Nathan on his book, Changeover: A Young Rivalry and a New Era of Men's
29.
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28. — CLASS NOTES
Tennis. It is the story of the epic new rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner and was named one of Bloomberg’s 10 best books of August 2025. 25 Congratulations to Becky Houlding and her husband, Rory, on the birth of their son Alfred. 26
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Congratulations to Leah Cerf on her engagement to her fiancé, Sid. 27 Congratulations to Page Harbeck Kelly and her husband, Drew, on welcoming their son Welles Redmond Kelly to the world! 28 Congratulations to Jill Shakoor and her husband, Stephen, on the birth of their son, Luca Adam Shafer, on August 10, 2025. 29
— MKA REVIEW SPRING 2026
Congratulations to Barry Bruen on his engagement to his fiancée, Logan! 30
2010.
Ms. Devon Barrett; 1devonbarrett@gmail.com Mr. Matthew Palmisano; matt.r.palmisano@gmail.com Congratulations to Robert Gelberg on his marriage to Rachel Miller on July 6, 2025, in Hackettstown, NJ. 31 Congratulations to Devon Barrett and her husband, Spenser, on the birth of their son, Callan Kohl Huston. We wish them all the happiness in the world! 32 Congratulations to Alexa Franco and her husband, Christopher, on the birth of their baby, Theodore "Teddy” Christopher Dermarkarian. We wish the happy family all the best! 33 Congratulations to Taylor Hatch Espinosa and her husband, Darren, on the birth of their baby girl, Dylan Jordan Espinoza. We wish them all the best! 34
2011. Mr. Seth Bynum;
seth.bynum1@gmail.com
Ms. Carina Wong; carinamwong@gmail.com
2013.
Ms. Elizabeth “Liz” Amato; Liz.J.amato@gmail.com
Congratulations to Daniel Roses on his engagement to Julie Kayzerman on June Mr. Edward Bozik; bozik@me.com 27, 2025, in Ocean City, MD. 35 Congratulations to Liz Amato on Congratulations to Skylar Zlotnick on her marriage to Matthew Yeager in her marriage to Jordan Isaacs on June 7, Edgartown, MA. We wish them all the 2025, in Mantoloking, NJ. 36 best. 44 Congratulations to Casey Garvin on his marriage to Aidan Wharton on August 8, 2025, in Hawaii. 37
Congratulations to Will Cerf on his engagement to Zenzele Price in July 2025. 45
Congratulations to Melissa Milton Espino Congratulations to Miles Hackett on his and her husband, Jack, on the birth of engagement to Claudia Harmata! 46 their daughter, Logan. 38 Congratulations to Sarah Sharbaugh A huge congratulations to Jessie Joan and her husband, Brooks, on their Chase and her husband Benguigui on the beautiful wedding at Highlawn Pavilion! birth of their darling daughter Jane! 39 MKA Strings teacher Dimitri Hadjipetkov performed at the celebration, and he and his former strings students had Ms. Casey Holden; a wonderful time together. (Pictured casey.musicant@gmail.com above: Christine Lindholm ’21, Kathleen Nolan’13, Sarah Sharbaugh, Dimitri Mr. Ed Rosini; Hajipetkov, Claire Sharbaugh ’19, and erosini32@gmail.com Caroline Lindholm ’13) 47 Congratulations to Olivia Vicioso on her Congratulations to Haley Milowitz and marriage to Eric Impola in December her husband Brett on the birth of their 2025. 40 baby boy, Charles. 48 Congratulations to Nicholas Masterson and Paige Pacifico ’14 on the birth of their first child, Miles Ralph, on July 5, Ms. Kassandra Fotiadis; 2025. kassandra.fotiadis@gmail.com
2012.
2014.
Congratulations to David Grillo on his marriage to Darby Hogan on August 9, 2025, in Spring Lake, NJ 41
Congratulations to Emily Sauer on her marriage to Stephen Yenoskas on June 21, 2025, in California. 49
Congratulations to Christian Palmisano and his wife, Bethany, on the birth of their first child, Parker James Fisher Palmisano, in August 2025. The MKA community extends heartfelt congratulations to Emma and Chad Moran on the birth of their daughter, Madeline Cecilia, a beautiful new addition to the Moran family. 42
Congratulations to Paige Pacifico and Nicholas Masterson ’12 on the birth of their first child, Miles Ralph, on July 5, 2025. 50 Congratulations to Nadia Uberoi on her marriage to Mike Van Saun! We wish this couple all the love and happiness. 51
Congratulations to Gabe Dimasi and his wife, Samantha, on their wedding! We wish them a lifetime of happiness. 43
Congratulations to Sarah Esterow on her marriage to Lucas Cohen! We wish them the best! 52 Congratulations to Savannah Fusaro Taylor and her husband, Chris, on the birth of their son, Jalen James. 53
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“...Entrepreneurship requires constant faith and perseverance. It’s not for the faint of heart.”
ASUMINI KASULE ’96 When Asumini Kasule ’96 describes herself as a “recovering perfectionist,” she does it with both humor and hard-earned self-awareness. It’s a phrase that captures not only her personal journey but also the heart of her life’s work: helping families and young people let go of unrealistic expectations and find strength in authenticity. As the founder of Kasule & Balya Coaching, Asumini guides parents and teens through the complex intersections of identity, faith, and purpose. A first-generation Ugandan American who grew up in Newark, NJ, she understands the struggle of navigating multiple cultural worlds. “I wasn’t really African enough, and I wasn’t really American enough,” she says. “I grew up hiding parts of myself, not really knowing where I belonged.” That experience shaped both her empathy and her mission. For more than 20 years, Asumini built a successful career as an engineer and senior manager in the tech and consulting world. But even as she excelled, she felt a pull toward more meaningful work. Volunteering with youth programs and tutoring students reignited her sense of purpose. “I realized there were so many young people like me trying to figure out who they are and afraid to be fully themselves,” she recalls. “I wanted to mentor them to find their purpose earlier in life than I did.” Three years ago, Asumini made a bold leap, leaving her corporate career to become a certified parenting and career coach. Her faith, she says, was the compass that guided her through the transition. “In my faith as a Muslim, we believe that God is at the center and that we’re meant to surrender
to Him. You can’t control every outcome,” she explains. “Parenting, and life, is about doing your best with good intentions, and then surrendering the rest.” That mindset lies at the core of her work with parents, who often come to her worried that they’re not doing enough for their children. “So much anxiety comes from perfectionism,” she says. “Parents feel pressure for their kids to get into the right schools, to have perfect grades. But that pressure filters down. Teens start to believe they can’t make mistakes.” Asumini sees that pattern every day in her coaching work, including sessions with her 1:1 youth and parent clients and contracting her coaching services to Five Before College, a company supporting Muslim youth preparing for higher education. “I see brilliant students who are overthinking everything,” she says. “They think, ‘I can’t mess up. I have to get a 4.0. I have to have a million activities.’” Helping parents and teens break that cycle of perfectionism requires empathy—and often, reflection. “So many of the parents I work with were raised to be perfect themselves,” she says. “It’s a generational pattern. Unless we become self-aware of it, we just pass it down.” Her self-described status as a “recovering perfectionist” gives her credibility with both generations. “I understand what it feels like to think your worth comes from achievement,” she says. “But the truth is, perfection is not the goal. Growth is.” Asumini’s coaching practice also extends to youth leadership and career development. One of her most rewarding moments came this past summer, when
The same spirit of transformation happens with parents. “Sometimes parents come to me saying, ‘My teen is the problem,’” she says, smiling. “Then they realize that their teen’s frustration is really about not feeling heard. When parents see that connection and start creating space for their kids to be vulnerable, it changes everything.”
Asumini Kasule is the founder and CEO of Kasule & Balya Coaching, LLC. She is a published author, certified parenting coach, and career advisor. Asumini supports families who have migrated to the West and are facing cultural and identity challenges, especially as children enter their teenage years. She believes that a child’s relationship with their parents is crucial to developing their identity, finding purpose, and gaining confidence. She recently published L.E.A.D with L.O.V.E - A Journey of Faith in Parenting Teens, which highlights her own parenting journey and the work she does with clients. Asumini has also worked in the non-profit industry, developing and implementing a comprehensive career counseling program within the Prince George's County Public School System (PGCPS).
The journey hasn’t always been easy. Entrepreneurship, Asumini admits, requires constant faith and perseverance. “It’s not for the faint of heart,” she laughs. “My business coach told me it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon, and I see that every day. Even after 20 years in corporate, there are days when I feel imposter syndrome. But I remind myself that God doesn’t give you anything you can’t bear. I’m here for a reason.” That sense of divine purpose is what keeps her grounded and grateful. “I ask my kids every morning, ‘What is the gift or talent God gave you to share with the world?’” she says. “That question reminds me, too, that my gift is meant to serve others. God didn’t bring me through all these experiences just for myself. He gave me this journey so I could give back.” Asumini’s advice to current MKA students reflects that same message of authenticity and courage. “Do not be afraid to
She has over 20 years of corporate experience in various leadership positions at Fortune 500 companies, as well as experience mentoring college and high school students and young professionals. Asumini has a B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and an M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Stanford University.
— CLASS NOTES
be unapologetically who you are,” she says. “Being different is your strength. When you enter a space as your true self, you give others permission to grow just by learning from you.” It’s a fitting philosophy for someone who spent years striving for perfection only to find freedom and purpose in imperfection. “I really am a recovering perfectionist,” she says with a laugh. “And I’m proud of it.”
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a student she coached overcame deep fears of failure to launch a creative project. “She started off saying, ‘Whatever I do won’t be good enough,’” Asumini recalls. “By the end of the program, she had launched a Substack anthology for Muslim writers focused on justice and truth. She said to me, ‘Even if no one responds, that’s okay, I’ll just keep pivoting.’ Watching that transformation was beautiful.”
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42. 43.
44. 45.
46. 47. 48.
Ms. Korinne “Kori” Durando; koridurando@gmail.com Congratulations to Daniel Barrett on his engagement to Erin McPhillips on June 21, 2025, in Beach Haven, NJ. 55
Congratulations to Wesley Wade and his fiancée, Chloe, on their engagement! 58 Congratulations to Lisa Goldsman Bernstein and her husband Jordan on their exquisite wedding at the Pleasantdale Chateau. We wish them a lifetime filled with love and happiness together! 59
Congratulations to Madeleine Fleming on her engagement to Lily Andres; Pierce Cairns in July 2025. 56 lily.andres@gmail.com
2016.
Congratulations to Theodora
Ms. Zoe Bieler; zoe.bieler@gmail.com
Ms. Kerri McGuire; kerri.mcguire11@gmail.com
Mr. Charles Rilli; crilli33@gmail.com
Congratulations to alumni Audrey Lipson and Ben Yanes ’17 on their marriage on June 14, 2025, at Sterlingbrook Farm. 65
Congratulations to Sara Feraca on her marriage to Jessica Cobian in June 2025. Congratulations to Sadie Stuart and Joey Smukler ’17 on their engagement in July 2025. 60 Congratulations to high school sweethearts Emma Pacifico and Conor Nolan on their engagement. 61 Congrats to Ethan Fusco on his engagement to Emma Wagner! Best wishes to the happy couple! 62 Congratulations to Joe Strain on his engagement to fiancée Madison! We wish them a lifetime of happiness! 63
Congratulations to Hallie Ryan on her marriage to Matthew. Best wishes to the beautiful couple! 66
2019.
Ms. Michela Bellapianta; michelabella21@gmail.com Ms. Claire Brown; claiirebrown@gmail.com Mr. Patrick Morisseau; ptricky24@gmail.com Congratulations to Taniyyah Payne on being selected as a Brooklynette for the dance team for the Brooklyn Nets for the 25-26 season. 67
Congratulations to Charles Rilli and his wife, Mollie, on their spectacular wedding, where they were surrounded by Cougars! We wish them a lifetime of love and happiness! 64
Caitlin Ladda is making waves in New York City’s theater scene as both director and performer in Enmeshment, a bold, collaboratively devised play that explores the beautiful, messy, and ever-evolving dynamics of female friendship in your 20s. Produced by the indie Ms. Jenna Donatiello; jdonatiello2021@gmail.com Off-Broadway company RJ Theatre, the production Mr. Matthew Rubenstein; spotlights Caitlin’s creative mattrubenstein98@gmail. range and passion for com authentic storytelling. Want a closer look at the process? Congratulations to Joey Follow along on Instagram Smukler and Sadie Stuart ’16 @enmeshmentplay for on their engagement in July exclusive behind-the-scenes 2025. moments and updates. And if you’re in NYC, be sure to Ms. Lailanni Lucien; check out her billboard in llucien05@gmail.com Times Square!
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Trevor Jones ’15, Derek Kleinman, Ross Musicant, Alex Geylin ’15, Conor Nolan, and Joey Amato ’15 join together to celebrate Ross’s wedding in Nashville!
Mr. Keenan McAuliffe; keenmac13@gmail.com
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2015.
McRae on her engagement to Andrew Tock in July 2025. Congratulations to Jillian Jones on her engagement to Patrick Emedom-Nnamdi in August 2025. 57
2020.
Big congratulations to Evan Song for winning Best Actor
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Kelsey O'Connor and Nic Meyer were married on November 8, 2025, at The Church of Bethesda-by-theSea in Palm Beach, FL. Kelsey and Nic met while pursuing their MBAs at Kellogg and live in New York. 54
“...the most effective People teams don’t just support the company’s goals— they help define how the company achieves them through their most important asset: people.”
NADIA UBEROI ’14 Could you share a bit about your journey from MKA to your current role as Head of People at Garner Health? What experiences shaped your path? At Penn, I knew I had a deep interest in human behavior, but I didn’t yet know what I wanted to do with it. I ultimately pursued a joint program with the Wharton School of Business, focusing on Consumer Psychology, which explores the intersection between human behavior and business strategy. While interviewing for marketing roles before graduation, I met an HR Director at Chewy who insisted I belonged in the People space and went so far as to make an exception to the campus recruiting process to bring me on in Boston. Ironically, he left before I started, but his instinct proved right. That role launched my career in People. I spent four years at Chewy, advancing from an HR Generalist to an HR Business Partner and ultimately to Senior Manager of Talent Management. After experiencing Chewy’s evolution into a Fortune 500 public company, I realized I wanted to be closer to the building again. I moved into the growthstage startup world, where I now focus on designing People strategies and systems from the ground up.
Looking back, are there moments in your career when you felt you took a bold leap or made a decision that truly defined your path? When Garner’s former Head of People left to pursue another opportunity, our CEO asked me to step up from my Director role—and I did. It has been the most challenging experience of my career thus far—especially as we approach 500 employees, continue hiring for over 100 new roles, and prove that we have a real shot at transforming US healthcare. It was an opportunity I didn’t think I was ready for at this stage, but it’s pushed me to grow more than I thought possible—a leap I know will define my path. As Head of People, you’re at the heart of shaping culture and talent strategy. What do you believe are the most important ingredients in building strong, inclusive teams today? Like many elements of a business, there’s no single formula for culture or talent strategy—every organization has its own DNA and needs to define a People strategy that aligns with its business objectives. Similarly, every employee has their own motivations and definition of what a great work environment looks like.
When team members understand what the company stands for, what’s expected of them, and what they’ll get in return, it builds a sense of trust that enables them to perform at a higher level and feel a stronger sense of belonging. People can bring their full selves to work when the environment is built on shared values, aligned expectations, and mutual respect, and when they’ve consciously opted into that environment.
How did your time at MKA influence who you are today — either in your approach to work, leadership, or life in general? Two things come to mind. First, work ethic. MKA helped lay the foundation for taking on an ambitious workload while maintaining a well-rounded life—balancing academics, relationships, and other interests. And second, friendships. Several of my closest friends from MKA are still my best friends today. They’ve provided an incredible source of support and stability through all the different seasons of life.
Based on your experience, how has the role of the People function evolved over the past few years, particularly since the pandemic? The evolution of the People function from a support role to a strategic driver began decades ago, but the last five years have accelerated that shift dramatically. The pandemic altered how organizations view work at its core and compelled companies to confront questions of purpose, flexibility, and culture in real time. As a result, HR could no longer operate as the traditional “Toby” function focused on compliance and employee relations. Today, the most effective People teams operate much more like product and strategy organizations: data-driven, designminded, and deeply integrated with the business. They don’t just support the company’s goals—they help define how the company achieves them through their most important asset: people. What’s one lesson in leadership you’ve learned that you find yourself returning to again and again? “Be the leader who pulls others up with you.” I’ve been fortunate to have mentors and managers who prioritized my development and invested in my career. I try to do the same for my own teams—not only because it helps those individuals grow but also because it makes me a better and more effective leader. When your team is capable, confident, and engaged, everything else starts to work better. Garner Health is doing groundbreaking work in healthcare. What excites you most about the company’s mission and your role in advancing it? The cost and quality of U.S. healthcare are, in my opinion, among the most critical societal challenges facing Americans today. The most exciting part of working at Garner is being part of a solution that’s actually making a measurable impact. Garner’s platform combines a novel approach to data science with aligned financial
If you could offer one piece of advice to current MKA students who aspire to make their mark in the world, what would it be? Focus on learning, exploring your interests, and becoming the person you want to be—the career will follow. I wish I hadn’t stressed so much in high school about grades, college, or an amorphous future; I don’t even really know what I was stressed about at the time. I’m fulfilled in what I do now, despite not knowing this kind of work existed until I was 22, and I genuinely believe I would have found my way here regardless of where I went to college. Nadia Uberoi serves as the Head of People for Garner Health, a $2.5B growth-stage healthcare tech company transforming the U.S. healthcare economy. Before joining Garner, she helped establish and scale the Talent Management and HR Business Partner functions at Chewy during its hypergrowth years—from 5,000 to 20,000 employees—and then led People Operations at a Series C tech startup. Nadia also serves on multiple advisory boards focused on shaping the future of work. She holds a degree in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and is an alumna of MKA’s Class of 2014.
— CLASS NOTES
incentives to guide patients toward higher-quality, lower-cost care — while helping physicians continuously improve how they practice medicine. What we’re building has the potential to reshape the healthcare ecosystem by realigning provider and hospital incentives around quality and total cost of care, rather than volume alone.
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The key is clarity and intentionality—knowing who you are as an employer and making that clear to both employees and candidates. That’s your employer value proposition, or EVP, which should be embedded into every element of the employee lifecycle from hiring to performance and development, to engagement and retention.
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for Musical Theater (NAMT) as one of only eight students nationwide selected for the prestigious Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge for high school students.
Co-sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts and supported by Disney Theatrical Group, Ignacio Sanchez; Concord Theatricals, the ignaciosgag@gmail.com S.O.N.G.S. Foundation, and The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation, the Remy Ronen is in her third program gave Sadie the year (also known as “cow”) opportunity to collaborate as a cadet at the U.S. Military with professional composers, lyricists, and musicians. She Academy at West Point. credited MKA faculty Nicole She was one of the leaders Hoppe and Rob Gelberg ’10 chosen by her company to train new cadets (“plebes” or in her introductory remarks for the profound influence first-year cadets) in June on they’ve had on her creative R-Day (registration day) for journey. The culminating a six-week training program moment of the weekend called Beast. was a concert at New World Stages, where each winning song, Sadie’s included, was Philly meet-up! Dr. Flocco reconnected with Patricia performed by Broadway Columbia-Walsh ’22, Jasmine actors and professional Elmore, Trrusha Jariwalla ’22, musicians, celebrating the and Orly Sedransk. It was a voices of the next generation great night with great people. of musical theater talent.
2021.
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And, Dr. Flocco had a great night with our Cougars turned Villanova Commodores, Trent Bednar '23, Brooks Barrett '25, and Maddie Polanskyj in Nashville! (right) Though his beloved Pats faced a tough Super Bowl loss, Dr. Flocco had a winning night in Boston with Mrs. Kessler, reconnecting with some of our incredible college-aged alumni.
2025.
Sadie Shapiro recently represented MKA on a national stage, spending a long weekend in New York City with the National Alliance
Congratulations to Rahul Madgavkar! Rahul has been named one of just 10 recipients nationwide of the prestigious Emerson Prize for his award-winning paper in The Concord Review (Volume 35). His research explored the Monitorial System, showcasing the depth of scholarship and intellectual curiosity we celebrate at MKA. Since 1995, the Emerson Prize has honored exceptional student historians published in The Concord Review, and we are incredibly proud to see Rahul join this distinguished group. 70
— CLASS NOTES
at the New Jersey Comedy Film Festival in the hilarious film To Pee or Not to Pee! 68 Congratulations to Emily Sasfai on her engagement to fellow MKA alum Ross Turkington ’16 — such wonderful news from our MKA community! 69
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“...Search for mentors and cultivate those relationships— even after you stop working with them formally.”
ANA LUCIA ESPINOSA DICE ’16 Your work focuses on factors that shape risk and resilience following trauma and early life adversity. What inspired you to pursue this area of study, and what questions are you most passionate about exploring through your research? The seeds of my current academic interests were planted in high school. I remember writing on college applications that I loved math, but not just for its own sake. I wanted to find a field where statistics and quantitative sciences could be harnessed for social good. During my first year of college, I was encouraged to explore public health, epidemiology, and biostatistics, and I immediately knew I had found my path. Early on, I worked in HIV and perinatal research, but my first job after earning my master's degree solidified my commitment to population-level mental health. My personal experiences have also drawn me to the field of mental health research, which seems worth mentioning; after all, it’s a topic with real relevance to all of us, touching most people and their loved ones at some point in life. I am in the dissertation stage of my Ph.D. and investigating the health outcomes of individuals who survive a suicide attempt. For every individual who tragically dies by suicide, there are many more individuals who make an attempt on their own life but ultimately survive. In 2021, for example, over 700,000 individuals worldwide died by suicide, and millions more survived a suicide attempt requiring medical care. Importantly, most individuals who survive an attempt do not go on to re-attempt or die by suicide. However, this does not mean that this sizable population doesn’t face subsequent mental and physical health challenges, nor
that we should overlook themes of protective factors and resilience in these studies. At the population level, there is a lot that we don’t know about the long-term health trajectories of this group of survivors, and that is what I am exploring at this stage in my career. My longer-term career goals involve improving support services and interventions to meet those needs. You’ve collaborated with fellow MKA alumna Dr. Karestan Koenen ’86 in what you call a “mentorship match made to be.” What has it been like to learn from and work alongside another MKA graduate? It feels like such a small world that Karestan and I both attended MKA, a fact we realized soon after I started working with her in 2021. We agree that the strong academic foundation we got at MKA has been a privilege and a strength throughout our journeys in academia. Karestan also shared how fulfilling it has been for her to reconnect with MKA over the past decade–a good lesson for younger alumni like me that it’s never too late to engage. It has been such a privilege working with Karestan for the past four years and counting, first as my supervisor and now as my academic mentor. There are a few things about Karestan that I find especially inspiring. First, she is a pioneer in bringing the field of psychiatric epidemiology to focus on the salient, bidirectional links between mental and physical health; this has profoundly influenced my own research interests. Second, she uses her expertise to advocate for legislative reform and meaningful change. That commitment drew me to her lab in the first place and
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continues to motivate me to think about how to translate research findings for real-world impact, beyond academic silos. Finally, even though we study some incredibly tough subjects in her lab, Karestan fosters such a positive and supportive environment. She sets an example of leadership that prioritizes both excellence and well-being–a reminder that we cannot study mental health without also caring for our own. Much of your research explores how early experiences shape mental health outcomes later in life. What have been some of the most surprising or meaningful insights you’ve gained so far? My past research has looked at how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), ranging from abuse and neglect to the loss of a close family member or friend, impact mental and physical health across a life. For example, my research team and I have consistently linked ACEs to increased risk of depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and even physical conditions like cardiometabolic diseases and chronic pain later in life. What continues to strike me time and again is how connected our mental and physical health is. I work at the population level, but the field of biology also offers a wealth of evidence linking what were once considered two separate spheres of health. Our work leverages large research cohorts that follow young children and adults for decades, alongside statistical models and epidemiologic designs that aim to isolate the causal effect (if it exists) from alternative explanations and biases. However, we can’t be completely certain they are related. It turns out that studying the causal effects of “exposures” such as ACEs or mental health disorders is much more complicated than studying the causal effects of a medication for a variety of mathematical, methodological, ethical, and even philosophical reasons (if you are interested in learning more, the field of causal inference is waiting for you!). This is a huge gap–and a tremendous opportunity–for our field right now: to think critically about how we study the health effects of common human experiences and exposures that don’t fit neatly with existing epidemiological methods. Graduate research can be both intellectually rewarding and personally challenging. What is one of the greatest obstacles you’ve had to overcome in your academic or professional journey, and what did it teach you? The rapid and deliberate destruction of public health resources and scientific infrastructure by the federal government in 2025 is, without question, the most challenging thing I have experienced in my professional journey. While some days it feels like we’re making progress again, the reality is that our public health system has experienced real and, in some cases, irreversible setbacks. Mass layoffs, defunding, disinformation, and the dismantling of public health data and leadership have touched my colleagues and me directly. Ultimately, all of us may feel the long-term impacts–such as when a doctor or public health leader needs evidence to make a care or policy decision, only to find the research
needed to make those decisions is missing, because investment in those scientific questions has been halted. I’m still processing and learning as I go, but I can share a few lessons. When public sites with essential health data were being shut down, I helped organize public health “datathons”–collaborative events to identify, recover, and archive important datasets and websites before they disappeared. These curation efforts even helped support legal action against the destruction of data. When federal funding prevented us from doing our work, my team leveraged existing partnerships with alumni, private organizations, and advocacy groups to ensure the work could go on. I’m more aware than ever that I need to strengthen my science communication skills. All of this has made me revisit the most fundamental questions: What is public health? Why do I do this work? I keep coming back to my commitment to improving the lives of all individuals who struggle with mental illness and suicidality–regardless of politics or borders. I’m proud to draw inspiration from the courage and advocacy of so many peers and leaders in this field, and I hold onto hope that our collective commitment to health as a basic human right will help us rebuild and move forward. Looking ahead, how do you hope your work will make a difference in the field of public health or in the lives of people affected by trauma? My long-term goal is to build a career that bridges epidemiology and clinical practice, so we can better identify and address the physical and psychiatric health needs of people who have survived a suicide attempt. While I am not a clinician myself, I recognize that interdisciplinary collaboration is essential to achieving meaningful improvements for this population. As an epidemiologist, I am committed to making sure this research is grounded in rigorous and inclusive evidence–so we can be confident that any actions we take will truly help and minimize harm. Achieving this means leveraging strong statistical and causal inference methods. Ultimately, I hope my research will help translate epidemiologic findings into concrete interventions and policies that make a real difference. I am also hopeful that teaching continues to play a central role in my career. Strengthening the representation and leadership of historically marginalized groups in quantitative sciences has always been extremely important to me. I aim to contribute to building a more inclusive and equitable field for future generations of public health scholars. Finally, what advice would you share with current MKA students who are passionate about science, social justice, or finding their purpose in the world? Search for mentors and cultivate those relationships–even after you stop working with them formally. I credit much of my career to the amazing mentors (and parents) I have had along the way; they have inspired, pushed, and encouraged me both professionally and personally. Relatedly, ask your mentors for feedback to help you grow. I’ll be the first to admit, it’s not always comfortable, and I don’t do it enough, but it really
makes a huge difference. Finally, do justice to yourself by taking care of your own health and well-being, which are essential for both the longevity of your career and your overall happiness and quality of life. Your passion and your well-being will each help to fuel the other. Ana Lucia Espinosa Dice is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Ana Lucia holds a bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics and Public Health, and a master’s degree in Biostatistics, both from Brown University. Her research focuses on the long-term health impacts of adverse childhood experiences and the health trajectories of individuals who have survived a suicide attempt.
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The deadline for news for the FALL MKA Review is May 15, and the deadline for the SPRING issue is December 15. News can be submitted at any time in response to the Alumni Office's annual mailing, on the MKA Fund remittance envelopes, via mail or email to the MKA Alumni Engagement Office (alumni@mka.org), or to your class representative. We keep ongoing files for each class and welcome photographs in digital or hard copy. If your class does not have a Class Representative listed, please consider volunteering for the position! It is a great way to re-establish contacts with old friends, does not require a great deal of time, and is essential to the ongoing vitality of the school. Thank you.
— CLASS NOTES
PLEASE NOTE...
GET INVOLVED! Tag @MKAAlumni in your posts and check out our social media accounts: /mkaalumni /MKAAlumni /Montclair Kimberley Academy Alumni
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From your love of learning to theirs, continue the MKA legacy. 2026 SPRING PREVIEW TOURS
For families interested in the 27-28 school year Primary School, 224 Orange Road, Montclair Tuesday, May 12 | 8:30-10:00 a.m. Middle School, 201 Valley Road, Montclair
— MKA REVIEW SPRING 2026
Tuesday, May 5 | 8:30-10:00 a.m. Upper School, 6 Lloyd Road, Montclair Monday, May 4 | 8:30-10:00 a.m.
For more information about building your MKA legacy, contact Alyson Waldman ’99, P’30 at: awaldman@mka.org | 973.509.7930 | mka.org/admissions
A COED JR-K TO GRADE 12 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL
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— AROUND MKA
201 VALLEY ROAD, MONTCLAIR, NJ 07042
Check out this highlight reel capturing just a few of the moments from this past fall that define who we are and where we’re headed. We are grateful for this extraordinary community, and excited for what’s ahead.