- About Us
- Community
IN THIS SECTION ---
Community
The Chadwick community is warm and welcoming and takes the school’s Mission to heart. Our faculty, leadership and trustees work together to create an environment where students feel known, supported and inspired to lead lives of purpose and possibility. We are built on connection and a deep commitment to the growth of everyone who sets foot on our campus.
Faculty Who Lead by Example
Chadwick faculty are more than subject experts — they’re mentors, collaborators and champions for their students. With more than 70% holding advanced degrees, our teachers bring deep knowledge and real passion to their classrooms. And with an 8:1 student-to-teacher ratio, they’re able to build meaningful relationships with every student.
Whether coaching a team, advising a club or leading a trip abroad, our teachers help students grow in and out of the classroom. They show up invested, curious and ready to spark learning in every form.
School Leadership Team
In service to Chadwick’s Mission and informed by the views of the school community, the Chadwick School Leadership Team establishes and implements operational priorities for the ultimate benefit of our students.















Jessica Donovan
Head of School
Jessica S. Donovan joined Chadwick School in 2023 as Chadwick’s 14th Head of School since it was founded in 1935 by Margaret Lee Chadwick. Jessica last served as Head of School at Sheridan School, an independent school in Washington, D.C. She has spent more than 25 years working in schools as a teacher and school leader, including roles as Division Director, Assistant Head of School and Head of School. Her work at Sheridan included implementing data-driven curriculum overhauls; leading renovations at both the city and mountain campuses; building a culture of philanthropy; increasing the diversity of faculty, staff and families; and overseeing the strategic plan, while ensuring that all community members have a sense of belonging. Jessica currently serves on the board of the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and is the Vice-Chair of the CAIS Secondary Board of Standards. Previously, she was on the board of the Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington, where she chaired the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. She also served on the board of the Association of Independent Maryland Schools, where she was the commissioner for accreditation. Jessica has presented at various conferences on integrated project-based learning, mindfulness, curriculum design and differentiation, and hiring and retaining diverse faculty. She serves as a leadership mentor for underrepresented leaders in independent schools. Jessica earned her B.A. in English and American Literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and her M.A. in Independent School Leadership from the Klingenstein Center at Teachers College, Columbia University. |
Bridget Anderson
Director of Risk Management
Bridget Anderson is Chadwick's Director of Risk Management. Bridget's career spans more than 25 years in the educational, risk management and legal industries. She joined Chadwick School as the K-12 Registrar in 2019, and in 2021, became the Associate Director of Risk Management, with responsibility for supporting Chadwick’s risk management, legal compliance and safety processes. Prior to joining Chadwick, Bridget spent a decade at West Coast University, where she was instrumental in writing policies and procedures and significantly bolstering legal compliance and educational support systems. She also served as a Contracts and Grants Administrator at the University of Southern California. Bridget began her career as a kindergarten teacher, dedicating six years to nurturing young minds in early childhood education. Bridget’s commitment to education and lifelong learning continually inspires her professional and personal pursuits. She is an advisor to Upper School and sixth-grade students, and she teaches a popular Textiles and Design class, which allows her to share her passion for creativity and design. Bridget holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Sustainability Management from DeVry University, a Juris Doctor from William Howard Taft Law School, and she is pursuing a Doctor of Education in Educational Psychology from California Coast University. Outside of her professional life, Bridget enjoys sewing and is a proud mother to two daughters, Lynna and Izabel. |
Julia Chun
Assistant Head of School
Julia Chun joined Chadwick in 2024 as the Assistant Head of School. Prior to Chadwick, for the past six years, Julia was the Global Director of Education at Avenues, The World School, where she led the development of a project-based curriculum for Avenues online as well as their campuses in New York; Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Shenzhen, China. Prior to that, she was the Division Head of the Upper School at Avenues New York, leading 100 faculty, 750 students and families in grades six through 12. Before joining Avenues, Julia was the founding principal of the New Visions School for Advanced Math and Science, the first in a network of 10 charter schools in New York City. At New Visions, Julia authored the school’s charter and successfully obtained SUNY charter accreditation for the first New Visions High School for Advanced Math and Science. Julia earned a master’s degree in English literature from Columbia University, a master's degree in educational leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Chicago. She is the author of the book, “The Elements of Education for School Leaders,” published in June 2023. In her free time, Julia enjoys reading, practicing yoga and watching her kids play sports. Julia and her husband Chad, are the proud parents of a son, a collegiate rower at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and a daughter, who attends Brown University. |
Katie David
Director of Human Resources
Katie David joined Chadwick School as the Director of Human Resources after spending over 25 years with The Ritz-Carlton and Marriott Hotel companies. She was a presenter of the Ritz-Carlton Legendary Service and was on the team that was awarded the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award of Excellence. Katie was the Talent Development Manager for the opening of Terranea Resort in Ranchos Palos Verdes, and she assisted with the opening of The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott at L.A. Live. Her next role as the Human Resources Manager at the Marriott Marina del Rey gave her an opportunity to further develop her human resources skills in the areas of workers compensation, payroll administration, benefits and compensation, and performance management. After graduating from Brigham Young University in Hawaii with a bachelor’s degree in hotel management, Katie moved to California to pursue her career in hospitality and human resources. She loves living in Southern California and spending time walking and playing card games with her family. |
Cotter Donnell
Director of the Upper School
Cotter joined Chadwick School in 2023 as the Director of the Upper School. He has been a school leader and humanities teacher at independent schools nationally and internationally for more than 20 years. He has developed expertise in designing curriculum and assessment models; recruiting, hiring and coaching faculty; and planning and leading local, national, and global off-campus learning experiences. Prior to joining Chadwick, Cotter was the Associate Head of School at Mountain Academy of Teton Science Schools, the Director of CITYterm at the Masters School, and served as Dean of Studies, English Department Chair and Upper School Dean at Polytechnic School in Pasadena, California. Cotter holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from the Klingenstein Center at Teachers College, Columbia University; a master’s degree in English from the Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College; and a bachelor’s degree in English and history from Boston College. |
Robert Horne
Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer
Robert Horne joined Chadwick in 2022, as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Robert oversees key areas of business operations, including finance, accounting, risk management, information technology, facilities, human resources and the school's $45 million endowment. He also works collaboratively with the Roessler-Chadwick Foundation (RCF) Board of Trustees and the RCF Board Committees, including the Finance Committee, Development Committee, Audit Committee and Facilities and Planning Committee, and with the RCFG Investment Committee. Prior to joining Chadwick, Robert served as Director of Finance and Operations for 25 years at The Seven Hills School in Cincinnati, Ohio, a two-campus, private non-sectarian pre-K through 12th-grade college preparatory school, with an enrollment of 1,017. At The Seven Hills School, Robert managed a $30 million operating budget and a $7 million capital reserve fund. He also oversaw risk management, human resources, technology, investments, legal issues, enrollment projections and the school's annual audit. In addition, he managed the maintenance and operations of the school's two campuses and 26 buildings, and managed $60 million in construction projects including new school buildings, an indoor field house, tennis complex and performing arts center. Robert also assisted with the school's COVID-19 response, both operationally and financially. Robert began his 29-year career in education as a math and science teacher at Carver Public School in Carver, Mass., where he also served as the varsity soccer coach. Previously, he worked at GE Capital for seven years as a financial manager. Robert holds a master's degree in education from Harvard University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University. He is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the International Business Honor Society. Robert lives in Palos Verdes with his wife, Nancy. He has two grown children, Matthew and Meredith, and his wife, Nancy, has three sons, Mac, Sam and Tucker. Robert's interests include environmental sustainability, traveling, tennis, soccer, reading, hiking and fishing. |
Trent Jackson
Director of Institutional Advancement
Trent Jackson joined Chadwick School in 2022 as the Director of Institutional Advancement. Trent is responsible for developing and implementing fundraising initiatives that support Chadwick's Mission to "develop global citizens with keen minds, exemplary character, self-knowledge and the ability to lead." Previously, Trent was the Director of Development at the Episcopal School of Los Angeles (ESLA) in Hollywood. He has more than 25 years of experience in philanthropy and executive-level management at academic, athletic and community-based organizations. Trent spent nearly 15 years at the University of Wisconsin Foundation where he was Senior Director of Development. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison on a basketball scholarship and is Wisconsin's only two-time team MVP. His Badgers basketball career highlights include third all-time leading scorer, first in steals and first in three-point baskets made. He played professionally in the NBA, in Europe and Asia for nine years and was inducted into the University of Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019. Trent earned a bachelor's degree in applied economics and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Trent and his wife, Cathy, have two adult children, and a chihuahua rat-terrier mix. |
Deborah Levy
Director of the Lower Village School
Deborah Levy is the Director of the Lower Village School (grades K-2). Now in her 21st year at Chadwick School, Deborah previously served as the Assistant Director of the Village School, Sixth-Grade Dean, and Director of Academic Technology. She worked with Chadwick's Innovation and Design Department to map out the future of education technology for the school, and she oversaw the K-12 curriculum for tech education and digital citizenship. In her role as dean, she led the sixth-grade team of teachers and advisors, providing administrative and logistical support as they transitioned students from the Village to the Middle School. Deborah previously worked in education technology at Crossroads School in Santa Monica, as a teacher at the Santa Monica Montessori School, and developed educational software and toys, including "Math Blaster" and "JumpStart." She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Pomona College and an M.A. in Education from Harvard University. Deborah and her husband, Beny, have two children: Sam and Eliza, Chadwick WOW alumni. In her free time, Deborah is an avid theater-goer, crocheter and board-game player. |
Jeff Mercer
Director of the Middle School
California native Jeff Mercer began his Chadwick School career in 1996 as a Middle and Upper School history teacher. He served as the Interim Head of the Middle School in 1997-98, as the Assistant Head of the Middle School from 1998 - 2000 and as the Upper School Dean of Students through the 2007-08 school year before being named Director of the Middle School in September 2008. Jeff was appointed to the newly created position of Chadwick Assistant Head of School for the 2010-11 school year, serving as a liaison between Chadwick and Chadwick International schools, with a focus on developing the shared curriculum, educational philosophy and school culture of Chadwick’s two campuses. He next served for two years as the Head of School at Chadwick International (CI) in Songdo, South Korea, where he oversaw school operations, including the successful opening of CI’s Upper School and Outdoor Education Program. Jeff returned to Chadwick School as Director of the Middle School in 2013. He then served as the Interim Head of School for the 2018-2019 school year before returning to the Director of the Middle School role. Throughout his tenure at Chadwick, Jeff has been actively involved in character education, working with the Upper School Student Council in 2002 to reintroduce an honor code on campus to align with and help advance our Core Values. He has also worked extensively on diversity initiatives, taught senior history electives, and coached baseball and girls basketball. Jeff earned his Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of California, Berkeley, and his Master of Arts in teaching from Duke University. Along with his wife, Noelle, he is the parent of twin sons, Joshua and Dylan, who are Chadwick alumni and are currently attending the University of Wisconsin, Madison. |
Sara Miranda
Executive Director of College Counseling
Sara Miranda joined Chadwick School in 2023 as the Executive Director of College Counseling. Sara’s background encompasses nearly 20 years in high school and college admissions, college counseling and academic advisement. Prior to joining Chadwick School, Sara was an Upper School Dean at Harvard-Westlake School in Studio City. In this role, she provided college counseling, academic advising and social-emotional counseling to more than 100 students in grades 10 through 12. Sara has an extensive background in college admissions, having worked at Brandeis University as the Director of Admission for six years, and previously serving in various roles, including Director of Admission, at Emerson College from 2005-2014. Sara served for three years as an elected Board Director for the National Association of College Admission Counseling, a membership organization of more than 16,000 college admission officers, school counselors and community-based organization professionals. Sara sits on the advisory board for the University of Chicago, the Coalition for College, and Revolution Test Prep. Sara holds a master’s degree in school counseling and psychology from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a bachelor’s degree in marketing communications from Emerson College in Boston. Sara lives in Redondo Beach with her husband and two doodles. |
Barbara Najar
Executive Director of Marketing and Communications
Barbara Najar joined Chadwick School in 2015 as the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, bringing more than 25 years of experience in branding, marketing and communications. At Chadwick, Barbara oversees Chadwick’s branding, marketing and communications functions, including advertising, website design and development, search engine and email marketing, multimedia content, social media, public relations and community relations. Prior to joining Chadwick, Barbara held leadership positions in the automotive, electronics and legal industries. She spent 14 years at American Honda Motor Co., Inc., overseeing corporate and brand advertising; directing advertising to reach diverse customers; and managing public relations. She led the creation of an award-winning, branded film series for the automaker, and contributed to Honda’s leading sales position among diverse new car buyers. Barbara was also a key member of the launch team responsible for the opening of Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC, and was a founding member of Honda’s Executive Task Force on Diversity. Barbara holds a bachelor’s degree in English from California State University, Los Angeles. |
Erin Nordlund
Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning
Erin Nordlund joined Chadwick in 2005 and has played a key role in shaping the school’s instructional program. She currently serves as Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning, overseeing the academic program across all divisions. From 2020 to 2024, she served as K–12 Director of Teaching and Learning, promoting curricular coherence, supporting faculty in curriculum and instruction, leading parent and staff workshops, and launching initiatives to enhance the student experience. Earlier in her tenure, Erin served as Village School Curriculum Specialist (grades K–6), where she led major instructional improvements. She has also held a range of leadership roles, including Interim Dean of Students, English Department Chair, Head Advisor, Peer Mentors leader, and director of school plays and musicals. Throughout, she has continued to teach English in both the Middle and Upper Schools. Her impact as an educator has been recognized by students through honors such as delivering graduation keynotes and receiving the yearbook dedication. Beyond Chadwick, Erin is active in the independent school community. She leads professional learning experiences, including the California Teacher Development Collaborative’s annual Department Chair Institute, presents at national conferences, and collaborates with educators from peer schools around the world to advance innovative, research-based approaches to teaching and learning. Erin earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Southern California. She and her husband, Pete — who teaches U.S. History at Chadwick — are proud parents of two current Chadwick students. |
Craig Polin
Director of the Upper Village School
Craig Polin is the Director of the Upper Village School, overseeing grades 3-6. In this role, Craig is responsible for managing all aspects of the third- through sixth-grade community. Previously, Craig served as the Dean of Sixth Grade, a role he assumed when he rejoined Chadwick in 2021 after working for Chadwick in the early to mid-2000s. Craig's extensive career in education spans more than 20 years and includes working at Chadwick School from 2003 through 2012 in a variety of roles including as a sixth-grade humanities teacher, basketball coach and Director of Summer Programs. He also worked at Chadwick International (CI) in Songdo, South Korea, from 2012 to 2015, serving as Interim Upper School Principal and in a variety of leadership roles while helping to launch CI. In the years between serving the Chadwick communities, Craig served as Middle School Director for Wildwood School in Los Angeles, and as a sixth-grade English teacher and advisor at Harbor Day School in Newport Beach. Craig began his teaching career in the Long Beach Unified School District, where he also coached middle school sports. Craig holds a BA in English and communications from the University of Michigan, an MBA from Claremont Graduate University, and has completed doctoral work in UCLA’s Educational Leadership Program. In his free time, Craig, a native Angeleno who spent his formative years along L.A. County beaches, can usually be found surfing with his son Max (Class of 2024), and his daughter, Lily; riding bikes along the beach with his wife, Gina; or walking along ocean-side trails with their dogs, Zuma and Zero. |
Valerie Richardson
Interim Director of Athletics
Valerie Richardson joined Chadwick in 2025 as Interim Athletic Director. Valerie brings to Chadwick more than 20 years of athletics administration experience, including senior leadership roles at multiple Division I institutions, including the University of California, Santa Barbara; Columbia University; and the University of Virginia. She also spent six years in leadership positions at the West Coast Conference office. Valerie’s expertise in hiring, supervising and evaluating coaches and their programs and her personal commitment to establishing an environment where student-athletes are challenged to compete at the highest levels with integrity, are in strong alignment with Chadwick’s Mission and Core Values. Over a span of two decades in athletics leadership, Valerie ascended to the positions of Senior and Executive Associate Athletics Director with duties including sports program and coach supervision; managing student-athlete welfare, operating budgets and scheduling; developing policies and procedures; directing championship events and fundraising functions; and creating staff professional development programming. Valerie began her career as a student intern in Stanford University’s Athletics Department Media Relations Office. Valerie’s longest tenure was at the University of Virginia, where she contributed to one of the athletics department’s most successful competitive periods while the school was also ranked among the top three public institutions nationally. The 15 sport programs that Valerie supervised combined to win 26 conference titles and 18 NCAA individual and team titles. Valerie also has an extensive history of national committee service, including stints on both the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee, as well as chairing the NCAA Honors Committee and serving terms on the Division I Men’s Soccer and Wrestling Committees. Valerie is a Board member of Stanford Professional Women of Los Angeles (SPWLA) and an active member of the Junior League of Los Angeles, where she has served on both the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Council and the Engagement Committee. Valerie has a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, with distinction, from Stanford University and has completed both the Management Development Program: High Performance Leadership, and The Women’s Leadership Executive Education Program at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. |
Lauren White
Director of Admission
Lauren White is the Director of Admission at Chadwick School. Her career at Chadwick began as an English teacher in the Middle School in 2003, and she has subsequently taught every grade level from seventh- through 12th-grade, as well as chaired the English Department. Lauren also served as the Upper School Dean of Students for a decade. Throughout her time as Dean, she focused on strengthening programs to foster leadership development, student well-being, and to build a close community in the Upper School. In 2016, she was honored as an Educator of the Year by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Rotary Club. Lauren joined the admission team in 2019 and oversaw the Middle and Upper School admission program before transitioning to her current role. Lauren earned her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Northwestern University, and her Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from the Klingenstein Center at Columbia University. In her free time, Lauren enjoys cooking, musical theater, and dystopian fiction, and she has recently developed a love of camping with her husband and their two spirited children. |

Roessler-Chadwick Foundation Board of Trustees
Since 1963, the Roessler-Chadwick Foundation (RCF) has supported the long-term sustainability of Chadwick School. The Board of Trustees is made up of dedicated volunteers — current parents, alumni, parents of alumni and external experts in various fields — who bring a wide range of experiences and leadership skills to Chadwick.
The Board oversees both Chadwick School (Palos Verdes, California) and Chadwick International (Songdo, South Korea), and it plays a key role in upholding the school’s Mission and long-term financial health. The Board also manages the Head of School. Chadwick School is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
















Rachel Nguyen
Chair
Rachel Nguyen and her husband Jim are the proud parents of two Chadwick students and a Chadwick alumnus. Rachel most recently was the Director of Future Lab at the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance and responsible for leading a multi-disciplined innovation team that explored new product and service ideas via living labs to gain insights and develop recommendations for new business opportunities. She previously worked as Nissan’s Director of Global Upstream Planning, where she led a global brand study and established improved innovation and collaborative processes across advanced engineering, design, product planning and marketing functions. She also served as the Director of Advanced Planning and Strategy at Nissan North America, where she led exploratory research activities, product line-up strategy and vehicle concept development. Rachel is energized by disruption across industries which allows her to pursue her passion for generating innovation that can transform people’s quality of life on a global scale. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Wellesley College and earned a doctorate degree in organizational psychology from Claremont Graduate University. |
Andrew Wooden
Vice-Chair
Andrew Wooden has dedicated his career to service within independent schools, leading top schools across the country through critical inflection points and propelling their growth. Serving in a variety of roles, including Head of School, Executive Director, Trustee, Senior Dean, Dean of Admissions, and teacher, Andrew brings a unique perspective to his role as an Executive Search Consultant identifying top talent to lead independent schools into their next chapters. Andrew received his training in school leadership during his 12-year tenure at Choate Rosemary Hall in Connecticut. Most recently, he has held leadership positions including Interim Executive Director at the Southwestern Association of Episcopal Schools, Interim Head of School at The Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, and St. James’ Episcopal School in Los Angeles, and Interim Upper School Head at Laguna Blanca School in Santa Barbara. Previously, Andrew served as the Head of School at Marymount of Santa Barbara, leading the school to record-high enrollment and tripling the size of its endowment over his seven-year tenure. Andrew earned a master’s degree from Yale Divinity School, an honorary doctorate from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, and a B.A. in English from the University of Maine. |
Ian Eddleston
Treasurer
Ian Eddleston and his wife Laurie are the proud parents of two Chadwick alumni. Ian is a senior partner at EY (Ernst & Young) Los Angeles, where he has experience leading global teams serving major clients in the media, hospitality, gaming and other sectors. His expertise focuses on advising clients as they navigate complex acquisitions and other significant matters and is the West Coast Media and Entertainment leader. Ian has also served on various partner advisory forums and the EY Americas Ethics Oversight Board. Current and past clients include: Live Nation, Netflix, Fox Entertainment, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Hulu, Universal Music, Vivendi Games, Hilton Hotels and Wynn Resorts. Ian began his career with Arthur Andersen in the U.K., where he was born and educated at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Blackburn and holds a BSc. (Hons) degree in mathematics from Bristol University. He has been a member of the Board of Heal the Bay for several years where he is the Chair of the Finance Committee. |
Stephanie Uchima-Carney ‘00
Secretary
Stephanie Uchima-Carney and her husband, Michael, are the parents of three Chadwick students. Stephanie is a proud Chadwick alumna, Class of 2000, and has remained active at Chadwick as a member of the Alumni Board and previously as Alumni Director. Currently, Stephanie runs a wellness and leadership coaching firm focused on women in business, and is the creator and host of “Mommy’s on a Call,” an award-winning parenting and wellness podcast. Additionally, she is the VP of Acquisitions and Property Management for Uchima Corporation, focused on value-add multifamily real estate investments. She is also a former board member for Sandpipers and currently serves on the youth board for FRAM Soccer Club. Stephanie holds an M.B.A. from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California; a master of real estate development from USC; and a bachelor of science degree in applied math and physics from the University of California, Los Angeles. |
Terri Burke
Terri Burke and her husband are the parents of a Chadwick Upper School student. Terri is Senior Partner at Intuitive Ventures (NASDAQ: ISRG), where she manages and grows the firm’s platform by leading investments that advance minimally invasive care. Previously, Terri led the medtech investment strategy and portfolio for Epidarex Capital’s Fund III US/UK. She is also co-founder, and former CEO of Protaryx Medical. Additionally, Terri was a member of the Senior Leadership Team at Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE: EW). She is a Board Advisor for Raydiant Oximetry and has served as the life sciences chair for the TRANSFORM program with Duke’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative. She also has participated in a working group with FDA and industry leaders to draft a framework to enhance the pediatric medical device innovation ecosystem. Terri holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Duke University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Southern California. |
Paul Chen
Paul Chen and his wife Kelley are the proud parents of three Chadwick students. Paul is a partner at Ernst & Young (EY) and advises global clients through mergers, acquisitions, asset valuations, financial reporting and strategic considerations. He also leads EY’s corporate responsibility strategy for the U.S.-West region, helping the company support the next generation workforce, collaborate with impact entrepreneurs and accelerate environmental sustainability. He has served in several markets and operational leadership roles at EY, as an undergraduate and graduate campus recruiting partner, and as a member of their global media and entertainment center network. Paul earned his bachelor of arts degree from Point Loma Nazarene University and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Southern California. |
Erin Dawkins ’93
Erin Dawkins is both a proud Chadwick School alumna and aunt of two current Chadwick students. She is the Principal of EJD Consulting, which provides services in executive management and leadership, social impact, philanthropy, and branding and marketing. Before serving in her role at EJD Consulting, Erin was Senior Vice President of Brand and Operations at House of Taylor — The Elizabeth Taylor Companies, where she led Elizabeth Taylor's lifestyle brands, including developing purpose-driven business strategies benefiting The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. Erin has held senior positions at a variety of organizations, including NYU Langone Medical Center, Matchfire, Good Scout Group, Malaria No More, CCS Fundraising and Aon Corporation. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Dartmouth College and a master of business administration degree from Cornell University. Erin serves as Vice Chair of the Board for Social Impact Fund and on the Advisory Board for Career Spring Los Angeles. After more than 15 years in New York, she now resides in Los Angeles with her husband, Matthew Aaronson. |
Seema Dhir
Seema Dhir, alongside her husband Karan, are proud parents to two students at Chadwick School. As the CEO of Wal2Wal Investments, Seema brings a wealth of expertise in real estate construction, design and management. Under her leadership, the firm has successfully acquired, developed and managed a substantial portfolio of residential and commercial properties across Southern California. Her intentional approach to integrating design with her business acumen has enhanced the aesthetic appeal of these properties and significantly increased their market value and investment returns. Her commitment to Chadwick School is evident through her extensive volunteer work, which includes roles as a room parent, fundraising committee member, auxiliary chair and Admissions ambassador. Seema's involvement stems from a deep-seated belief in the transformative power of education, and the critical role of community support. Seema holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, and an associate's degree from the Parsons School of Design. |
Barbara Eghan
Barbara Eghan is an experienced school leader and educator who serves as Associate Head of School at Holton-Arms School in Bethesda, Maryland. In this capacity, Barbara has oversight of the school-wide academic program, global education and the child development center. Previously, she worked for 10 years at Georgetown Day School in Washington, D.C., in a variety of leadership roles including Director of Enrollment and Financial Aid, Founding Executive Director of the Civic Lab and Director of Strategic Partnerships. She previously worked at Polytechnic School in Pasadena, California, as the inaugural Director of Community Outreach, and she started her career as an admissions officer and English teacher at Groton School in Massachusetts. She also served as a board member at Oak Meadow School in Massachusetts. Barbara received her Ed.M. in school leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and her A.B. in history and literature from Harvard University. |
Siri Fiske
Siri Fiske is the parent of two Chadwick alumni, Zoe ’11 and Kai ’12, and Wyatt, who also attended Chadwick. She is the founder and Head of Mysa School, a small innovative laboratory school with locations in both Washington, D.C., and Vermont. Siri is also the founder of the Micro Schools Network, a membership organization that supports families and school leaders in small schools across the nation. She has recently designed a unique student information system (SIS) that tracks and maps the skills and concepts students have mastered, along with the skills and concepts they still need to learn. The platform is being piloted at several public and charter schools across the nation. Before moving to Washington, D.C., Siri worked at Chadwick School as an administrator, helping with research and collaboration between Chadwick School in Palos Verdes and Chadwick International in Songdo, South Korea. She earned an M.A. in teaching from the University of Southern California, an M.A. in anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania, and a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College. |
Greg Hill
Dr. Greg Hill and his wife Marisa are proud parents of four children, two of whom currently attend Chadwick International in Songdo, South Korea. Greg is the Chief Administrative Officer and Dean of Faculty at the University of Utah Asia Campus (UAC) located in Songdo, South Korea. Before his service at UAC, he was a tenured professor at Boise State University in Idaho, where he served as Department Chair, Founding Director of the Ph.D. program in public policy and administration, and Founding Director of the Idaho Policy Institute. He earned his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in political science, and Master of Public Administration from Idaho State University, and a Bachelor of Science in zoology from Idaho State University. Greg stays active in his academic discipline by conducting research in public policy, education policy, and his personal favorite, sports policy. He loves baseball (his favorite teams are the Chicago Cubs and the SSG Landers) and has presented research at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. |
Ted Hill
Frederick T. "Ted" Hill is currently President of the Roessler-Chadwick Foundation Group, which seeks to support Chadwick's Mission to develop global citizens by expanding Chadwick's presence and impact internationally. Previously, he served for 18 years as headmaster at Chadwick School. Ted oversaw the founding and growth of Chadwick International School (CI) in South Korea, where he has served as Head of School since 2018. Established in 2010, CI now enrolls more than 1,450 pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade students and boasts a 500,000-square-foot campus covering 17 acres. Ted led this expansion of Chadwick into East Asia and was instrumental in fulfilling founder Margaret Chadwick's vision to bring the successful Chadwick education model to another country. Ted has more than 40 years of educational and administration experience in K-12 and higher education at esteemed institutions such as Williston-Northampton School, Graham-Eckes Palm Beach Academy, St. Margaret’s School, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Louisville Collegiate School. A graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, Ted holds a master’s degree in education from Harvard University, a master’s degree in French language and literature from Middlebury College, and a bachelor’s degree in French and English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ted and his wife Amy are the parents of two Chadwick School alumni Katharine '11 and Emma '15. |
Thomas Mooney
Thomas Mooney and his wife Johanna are the proud parents of two children, including a current Chadwick Upper School student. Tom is a versatile and visionary entrepreneur, a beverage industry pioneer and the founder and CEO of award-winning spirits brand, Westward Whiskey. His career specialties include mergers, acquisitions, P&L management, luxury and premium brand marketing, business development, beverages, food and consumer packaged goods. Tom founded and later sold Aviation American Gin, and he co-founded and was then elected to serve as the first president of the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA). He is a former board member of the Harvard Business School Association of Southern California, and a former trustee for Ingenium Schools. Tom earned a master of business administration degree from Harvard Business School, with high distinction (Baker Scholar), a bachelor of science in industrial engineering from Purdue University and a Chinese language diploma from Fudan University. Tom is originally from Guatemala City, Guatemala, and he maintains a strong personal and professional connection with Latin America. |
Samantha P. Nadella, M.D. '03
Dr. Samantha P. Nadella is a proud 2003 Chadwick alumna and has served on Chadwick’s Alumni Board for five years. She is currently an Assistant Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Harbor UCLA Medical Center, and the Medical Student Clerkship Director, with responsibility for teaching and mentoring medical students. Samantha graduated from Pomona College with a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and attended the Keck School of Medicine at USC. She completed her Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, where she was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society, followed by an AAGL fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery in Phoenix. In addition to teaching, her professional passions include improving health equity for women, access to minimally invasive surgery and reproductive rights. Samantha lives in Palos Verdes Estates with her husband and Chadwick alumnus, Dr. Davy Cohen (’03), along with their fluffy dog Chadwick. |
Cedric Penix
Cedric Penix and his wife, Lori, are the proud parents of a Chadwick Class of ’22 alumnus. Cedric is Managing Director for Enterprise Management Group’s Capital Solutions practice where he focuses his work on improving enterprise profitability and optimizing financial and management structure for distressed companies. He has a wealth of private equity and entrepreneurial experience spanning due diligence, structuring, finance, accounting and operating areas of responsibility. Previously, Cedric was a partner at private equity concern, Fulcrum Capital Partners, and was a manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers. He is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Faithful Central Bible Church and has served Chadwick School as a member of the Strategic Planning Committee. Cedric received his bachelor of science, business administration degree in accounting from the University of Arkansas, and his MBA in finance from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA. |
Anne Severns
Anne Severns and her husband Mark are the proud parents of three Chadwick alumni. Beginning in 1998, Anne worked as a biomedical engineering consultant ensuring the efficacy of orthopedic trauma devices for major medical clients. Dedicated to innovation, she has served as a research and development engineer and biomedical technical advisor, and was a named inventor on four orthopedic trauma device patents. At Chadwick, Anne has volunteered with the Chadwick Parents Association (CPA) since 2010, including roles as CPA President in 2017-18, a fundraising committee member and a room parent. She co-founded the Heart of the Village program — an ongoing community service program for Village School students — and as CPA president in 2017-18, she collaborated with several Chadwick parent organizations to raise funds to renovate the Leavenworth Library. Anne earned a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles, a master of science in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, and a bachelor of science in mathematics and mechanical engineering from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. |

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of the RCF Board of Trustees? |
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The RCF Board of Trustees is responsible for the oversight of Chadwick School and Chadwick International. Specifically, that oversight includes:
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How large is the RCF Board and how are Trustees selected? |
The RCF Board of Trustees can be as large as 24 members, but no fewer than 15 members. The process to recruit new trustees is a comprehensive multi-year one, in order to ensure that a wide variety of skill sets and diverse professional backgrounds are at all times represented. Each trustee is an uncompensated volunteer who can be elected for a total of two consecutive three-year terms. |
What are the Board Committees? |
The RCF Board of Trustees delegates the management of tasks by appointing committees, including the following:
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What are the guidelines that govern the RCF Board? |
The RCF Board of Trustees follows the guidelines outlined in the Bylaws of the Roessler-Chadwick Foundation. |