As the school year winds to a close, so does the work of the 2023-2024 Hilltop Board of Trustees. It was a productive year of governance that included: revising the bylaws; completing development of a new strategic plan; creating a board code of conduct; strong committee work; the formalization of an investment committee; reviewing and renewing the head’s contract; and supporting a fruitful fundraising effort.
After two years of more significant board turnover, this year we bid farewell and thanks to only three departing trustees: Dora Urujeni, Asher Pucciarello, and Julia Scannell. Julia brought her experience with real estate and finances to bear with astute questions at meetings this year — often accompanied by delicious goodies from Sweet Lucy’s. Dora, who has served on the Board for 3 years, and Asher, who as served for 6 years, helped govern the school through the COVID pandemic, with Asher serving as chair, and both were important and constant voices advocating for and reminding the board of the school’s commitment to equity, justice, and inclusion.
Asher’s final parting gift to the board as chair of the committee on trustees this past year was to successfully recruit a slate of enthusiastic new trustees. Joining the board as we launch our next year of work are four trustees:
- Courtney Deal, a Birch Room parent, will share her knowledge of marketing and strategic planning as we strive to grow our work in both those areas.
- Emily Jones, former head of The Putney School, brings extensive independent school and board experience.
- Joseph Lambert, a Birch Room parent, has experience working in both independent schools and graphic design and will put both to use in support of our marketing and development work.
- Maya Sutton-Smith, a Hilltop alum from the class of 2010, is eager to develop efforts to engage recent alums in support of Hilltop.
We look forward to another productive year of board work in support of the Hilltop community, beginning with a full-day retreat on June 9, with gratitude for the year behind us and enthusiasm for the year ahead.