Elizabeth “Bessie” Cromwell Speers officially began her tenure as Middlesex’s seventh head of school on July 1, 2023, bringing more than 30 years of experience in independent schools to the position. Previously, she served for eight years as the head of Tower Hill School in Wilmington, Delaware; her first headship was at The Ethel Walker…

Kotryna was first introduced to ASSIST as a scholar at Miss Porter’s School in 2011. Since then, her finance skills and passion for the life-changing impact of international education have brought her back to the organization. Kotryna is an Investment Banking Vice President at Baird, where she works on the Equity Capital Markets team and advises management teams…

Jill Thompson joined the Andover faculty in 2004 and the admission team in 2005, becoming director of admission in 2015 and interim dean of admission & financial aid for the 2019-2020 academic year. Externally, Thompson is responsible for managing many of the admission office’s outward-facing partnerships, including those with international organizations. She also serves as vice…

Jefferson Burnett is a strategic advisor to independent school heads and board chairs. He was formerly a vice president at the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) where he led its global education, government relations, environmental and financial sustainability, advocacy, and accreditation work over his 30 year tenure. Jefferson was a governance and leadership resource for NAIS and the liaison to the association’s Board Governance Committee.He also served…

John Kazickas brings both an international perspective and a passion for supporting education and the arts to the ASSIST Board. John attended Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, CT, before attending The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI where he received a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering in 1980. In 1981, John began his career working…

Mirella began her relationship with ASSIST as a Scholar at St. Mark’s School in Southborough, MA. Today, she’s an accomplished businesswoman whose background in finance makes her a valuable asset to the ASSIST Investment Subcommittee. Mirella attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA, where she graduated with a B.S. in Accounting in 2001. She…

Kate Meenan-Waugh has enjoyed nearly 40 years working in education as a teacher and administrator, specializing in global history and the creation of programs to expand global education. Her experience as a year-long exchange student in high school affirmed to her the value of experiential education as a means of personal growth and intellectual and…

In ASSIST, Louisa has found an important home for her many talents by serving on the Governance Committee, Messaging and Host Family Task Forces, and as co-chair of the Admissions Advisory Council. Louisa’s background in teaching and in leading independent schools, and her service as a board member at multiple independent schools and school associations…

Joe’s experience as a school administrator, lawyer, teacher and development director gives him unparalleled discernment as a member of the ASSIST Board, where he serves as chair of the Development & Alumni Relations Committee and as an ex-officio member of the Campaign Steering Committee. He also serves on the Student Recruitment Task Force. Joe graduated…