Cory Hardie Ritchie ‘92, P’20 helps CRMS thrive

As a graduate, alumni parent, and trustee, Cory Hardie Ritchie has experienced CRMS's transformative impact firsthand. "I gained a different perspective as a parent. Every time I visited I got a two-fer of nostalgia for my own experience and delight in seeing my daughter grow and thrive."

Growing up in Sacramento, Cory learned philanthropy from her family, witnessing her parent's volunteer work and community involvement. At CRMS, she experienced service through household jobs, work crews, and Scholarship Work Day. A.O. Forbes '69 taught her to see world challenges and take action.

This foundation led Cory to a life of leaving things better than she found them. In college, she volunteered with environmental organizations, mentored youth, and led her UC Davis Ski Team to Nationals. As a parent, she coached youth soccer and Girls on the Run.

Today, Cory supports environmental causes, bilingual education, and youth sports at Lake Tahoe. She's helped start a Spanish immersion school, created a local Girls on the Run chapter, and serves on the Tahoe Fund's board. Recently, she and her husband worked with Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers to rehabilitate the Coffman Ranch.

"The CRMS experience is transformative," Cory says. "Every student leaves changed, but not molded. Students are given the opportunity to explore who they are and become a more confident version of themselves."

She adds, "From charting a course through the wilderness to exploring existentialism in the classroom, we CRMSers discovered we can succeed at new and hard things. I carried that into my family, my work, and my community."

As a CRMS trustee, Cory provides strategic guidance while keeping the school's longterm sustainability in mind. Head of School Jeff Leahy notes, "Cory is the embodiment of a devoted alumna and parent. Her unwavering commitment to CRMS is truly inspirational."

Passionate about the school's unique offerings, from its Wilderness Program to environmental stewardship, Cory is excited about CRMS's future plans, including facility upgrades and expanded academic initiatives.