Message from the Board of Trustees Chair

Although this year has brought tremendous challenges, I focus less on the difficulties and more on the invaluable lessons we learned, and the sense of renewal we feel, as we emerge knowing that we are stronger for all of this. It’s clear to me that this strength was forged by a community of heroes who truly love Mayfield and are dedicated to serving the mission of the school. At the very heart of that mission are our students and faculty, who have proved themselves to be heroic in more ways than we could have imagined. Over the last year, just showing up to take on each day required a very different approach and a flexible mindset. This letter is a resounding thank you to you, the everyday heroes of our loving community.

I’d like to give special thanks to our Head of School, Kate Morin, for her bravery, faith and selfless dedication to “figuring it out.” Right behind her, I’d like to thank my fellow trustees, who tirelessly reimagined and realigned how we would further our top strategic initiatives in an environment fraught with uncertainty. We remained committed to: 1) safely returning to campus and providing a world-class learning experience; 2) progressing on our work on justice, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives; and 3) beginning the critical renovation of our home, Strub Hall. All of this while achieving success in admissions, matriculation and the financial strength of the school!

Informed by the lessons of the past school year, and rooted in our Holy Child values, we also celebrate new beginnings. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am excited to welcome our new Board Chair, Erika Randall, a dynamic and compassionate leader who has worked in higher education for decades at various universities, with a focus on service-learning pedagogy. She received her B.A. in psychology from James Madison University and her Master’s in Education from Harvard University. Her Catholic faith drives her commitment to be of service to others by volunteering her time and energy at Holy Family Catholic Church, the National Charity League, Union Station Homeless Services and serving on the Mayfield Junior School Board of Trustees. Erika and her husband, Kevin, are the proud parents of Tara ’22 and Carter (St. Francis ’25).

I’d also like to extend a warm welcome to our five new trustees: Amber Berrios ’07, Wellington Choi, Alison Jones Gamble ’87, Brittney Dennis Pruitt ’03 and Ryan Squire. Next, I’d like to extend my enormous gratitude to these trustees who are departing the board after six years of service to Mayfield: Mark Ladd, Mike Maddigan and Rob Neithart—you will be dearly missed!

Finally, congratulations to the Class of 2021! Standing with you at graduation, I was overwhelmed by how meaningful this year’s ceremony was, enhanced by a very present feeling of resilience and optimism that only the Class of 2021 could provide. You have shown a remarkable ability to tap into joy, even under the most difficult circumstances. We are very proud of each and every one of you!

With Joy and Love,

Kelly Nelson Nakasone ’93

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2020-21

Chair: Kelly Nelson Nakasone ’93

Vice Chair & Treasurer: Robert Neithart

Secretary: Erika Randall

Representative for the Society of the Holy Child Jesus: Sr. Sheila McNiff ’56, SHCJ

Michael Alvarez

Brent Callinicos

Ferari Domingo-Vu

Jane Hawley ’86

John Hotchkis

Mark Ladd

William Lewis

James Lo Coco

Michael Maddigan

James Muenzer

Rev. Wayne R. Negrete, SJ

Ana Raptis

Carrie Fogliani Richards ’93

Shadi Sanbar

Chelisa Vagim

Richard Vargas

Ex Officio Member of the Board of Trustees: Kate Morin, Head of School