List of 17 members.

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  Ryan Dahlem 

  Head of School

  339-686-2241

  Bio

  Ryan S. Dahlem became Rivers’ ninth head of school in July 2023. Prior to joining Rivers, he held a number of administrative and leadership roles at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School in San Juan Capistrano, CA. He spent 17 years at St. Margaret’s, serving as assistant head of school for the last nine of those years. Earlier in his career, he was an associate director of admission at Stanford University and a tenured math teacher at University High School in Irvine, CA. Ryan has published and presented extensively on innovation, purpose, and strategy in independent schools. He holds a BA in psychology from Stanford and a master’s degree in teaching and curriculum from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. An avid mountaineer and trained musician, he lives on campus with his wife, Anne; the Dahlems have three children.
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  John Adams 

  Mathematics, Director of Technology and Innovation

  339-686-4510

  Bio

  John Adams joined the Rivers math department in 2015. Prior to his career in education, he worked in finance and sales at the CEB (now Gartner). His work in schools began at The Dublin School, where he served as the math department chair, dorm head, and head varsity lacrosse coach. In addition to teaching math at Rivers, John has served as the director of academic technology and coached varsity XC skiing and JV boys’ lacrosse. During the pandemic, John spearheaded the Rivers’ digital transformation and won the 2021 Walter Family Community Prize for his efforts. John received a B.A. in economics from Bates College, where he captained the lacrosse team. As director of technology and innovation, John oversees all aspects of technology integration, infrastructure, and strategic planning, aiming to build strong, collaborative relationships with various stakeholders to ensure technology effectively supports the school’s mission and educational goals.
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  Melissa Anderson 

  Head of Upper School, Assistant Head of School for Program, History

  339-686-2346

  Bio

  Melissa Anderson has a BA in politics from Princeton University and a Ph.D. in political science from the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to joining Rivers, Melissa spent 16 years at Greenwich Academy, where she had extensive experience in both teaching history and administrative roles. In addition to teaching Upper School history, Melissa assists with special projects that support curriculum and strategic planning. She has twin daughters in the Rivers Class of 2025.
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  John Bower 

  Head of Middle School

  339-686-2281

  Bio

  John joined the faculty in 2008 and currently serves as the Assistant Head of Middle School, the Director of Diversity and Inclusion, and the Middle School Choral Director. During his time at Rivers, John has also taught Middle School and Upper School French, music directed the Middle School and Upper School musicals, and advised the a cappella groups. In 2017, he received the Walter Family Community Award recognizing his "commitment to cultivating a caring community through extraordinary contributions to the school." Outside of Rivers, John sings with a semi-professional a cappella group, "Redline," and performs with a variety of community theater groups. He holds a BA in music theory & composition and a minor in French language from Haverford College.
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  Javier Caballero 

  Executive Director of Performing Arts

  339-686-2330

  Bio

  Javier Caballero joined the Rivers community in August 2024 as the inaugural executive director of performing arts. In this new role, Javier is responsible for strategic vision and administrative oversight of The Rivers School Conservatory (RSC) and the Performing Arts Department at The Rivers School, including its signature Conservatory Program. Javier holds graduate degrees in cello performance from the Boston Conservatory and undergraduate degrees in music education and cello performance from the University of South Florida. He is a seasoned performer with a strong professional network throughout New England. Javier recently served as the executive director of the Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music in New Hampshire, where he strove to create a welcoming, inclusive community for chamber music players at all levels and from all backgrounds. Before taking on the Apple Hill role, Javier was artistic director of Project STEP, a string training program for students from communities underrepresented in classical music. He also served as scholarship and recruitment manager for From The Top, the NPR showcase for young classically trained musicians.
• 

  Christopher Dalton 

  Dean of Academics and Institutional Research, Science

  339-686-2266

  Bio

  Christopher Dalton joined the Science Department in 2016 after working as a business strategy consultant at Accenture Strategy in Boston. Prior to that, he was a teaching fellow in evolutionary biology and ecology at Cornell University for five years where he received their inaugural school-wide teaching award for a teaching assistant, published ten peer-reviewed manuscripts, wrote successful grant proposals, and presented at many conferences. Chris earned his BS in ecology and evolutionary biology from Yale University, and completed his PhD in ecology and evolutionary biology at Cornell. He teaches science in the Upper School, advises, and coaches.
• 

  Andrea Diaz 

  Dean of Faculty, History

  339-686-4599

  Bio

  Andrea Diaz joined the Upper School at Rivers in 2010. She teaches world history, US history, and electives in international relations. Additionally, Andrea is the assistant coach for the girls’ varsity cross-country team and is a member of the diversity committee. She graduated from Brown University with a BA in international relations and the history of art and architecture and earned an MA in art history from Boston University.
• 

  Susanna Donahue 

  Interim Athletic Director, US Assistant Dean of Students, Girls' Varsity Soccer Coach

  339-686-4582
• 

  Jenny Jun-lei Kravitz 

  Director of Institutional Equity

  339-686-2363

  Bio

  Jenny Jun-lei Kravitz comes to Rivers from The Pike School, where she serves as director of equity and justice, leading comprehensive DEIJ initiatives and programming across the institution. She earned a BA in biology from Tufts University and an M.A. degree in biological sciences from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. She completed a master’s degree in diversity and inclusion leadership at Tufts University, where her graduate research focused on Indigenous support and institutional decolonization in higher education. She has partnered with both the Anti-Defamation League and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Safe Schools Initiative and has also been appointed to DEI advisory roles for Tufts University, the Town of Westford, and the Town of Andover, where she currently serves on the DEI Commission. Jenny lives in Westford with her partner, Paul, and their two children. As a multiracial family, they embrace and celebrate a mixed heritage of Cantonese, Jewish, and German cultures. 
• 

  James Long 

  Assistant Head of School for Special Projects, Admission Interviewer

  339-686-2272

  Bio

  As assistant head of school for special projects, Jim Long serves in an advisory role to the head of school, as an admissions interviewer, and as an alumni relations liaison, drawing on his 30-plus years of working with Rivers students. Jim is also a junior varsity basketball coach and does course counseling for Grade 9. Jim has held a number of positions during his tenure, including dean of students for the Upper School, head of Middle School, acting head of school, and varsity basketball coach. He graduated from Bowdoin College with a B.A. in history and government and later received an MEd from Harvard University.
• 

  David Lyons 

  Director of College Counseling

  339-686-2270

  Bio

  As Director of College Counseling, Dave is responsible for all facets of college counseling office, including counseling students and parents in the college search process, course selection for seniors, and working with faculty, staff, administration, and trustees. Dave also serves as the school's liaison to the NCAA eligibility center. He is a frequent presenter at professional conferences, and well as to executive groups on topics such as developing strategies for their children’s college process, tackling the common application, and athletic recruiting. As a Rivers graduate, he was inspired by his experience here to pursue a career in education, and is thrilled to be back working with many of those same people. A graduate of Hamilton College, he previously served there as Assistant Dean of Admissions.
• 

  Benjamin McGovern 

  Director of Facilities

  339-686-2203

  Bio

  As Director of Facilities since 2010, Ben is responsible for the oversight and management of all buildings, grounds, vehicles, and infrastructure at all Rivers School properties. Before coming to Rivers, he was Construction Supervisor at Wellesley Builders, where he was involved in the construction of the Rivers School Conservatory’s Bradley Hall facility in 2007.
• 

  Meret Nahas 

  Chief Advancement Officer, AAPI Affinity Advisor

  339-686-2263

  Bio

  Meret Nahas joined Rivers in March 2022. She serves on the development and external relations team, traveling to meet with parents and alumni, overseeing The Nonesuch Society, and assisting with the Board of Trustees. Before coming to Rivers, she held the position of associate director of development at The Loomis Chaffee School. She holds a BA in political science from The College of Wooster, where she is also a member of the Board of Trustees and served as a major gifts officer. Meret lives in Arlington with her husband and her schnoodle, Foster. In her spare time she is a modern calligrapher and self-proclaimed foodie.
• 

  Colette Porter 

  Director of Marketing and Communications

  339-686-2245

  Bio

  Over the past 20 years, Colette Porter has worked as a marketing communications professional for universities and independent schools in the region, and she has dedicated herself to institutions that focus on the transformative power of women's education. She served as director of campaign communications for Wellesley College’s $500M comprehensive campaign and, most recently, led marketing and communications efforts for The Winsor School in Boston and Nashoba Brooks School in Concord. Colette started her career in publishing and advertising, including several years as an advertising account supervisor at Arnold Worldwide. A Weston resident, Colette earned a BA in English literature from Fairfield University in Connecticut.
• 

  Yassine Talhaoui 

  Director of Enrollment Management

  339-686-2251

  Bio

  Yassine Talhaoui holds a BA in Spanish and Education from Johannes Gutenberg University in Germany and an MA in English from Clark University. Prior to joining Rivers in 2022, he worked at the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, CT, where he held several roles, including associate director of admissions and director of diversity and inclusion. An experienced athlete, he played semi-professional basketball in Europe. Yassine speaks five languages and has taught Spanish and French at the Watkinson School in Hartford. 
• 

  Andrea Villagrán 

  French, Spanish, Director of Global Engagement, US Professional Growth Coordinator

  339-686-4503

  Bio

  Andrea comes to us from The Gordon School in East Providence, where she’s been teaching both French and Spanish for the last four years. In her time at Gordon, Andrea worked across the school community in a variety of ways, including as an admissions associate, a translator for the school’s website and a leader of the school’s Community Building Committee. Andrea started her teaching career at The Rumson Country Day School, where she taught for two years before moving on to Gordon. At RCDS she also taught both French and Spanish and worked closely with the school’s community service program. Andrea is an inveterate world traveler who grew up in Guatemala; she looks forward to bringing the world and its cultures to our classrooms in both the middle and upper schools. Andrea earned her B.A. in French and political science from Wellesley College and her M.A. in French Civilization, Culture and Society at Middlebury College.
• 

  Jonathan Wasserman 

  Chief Financial Officer

  339-686-2232

  Bio

  Jon's primary responsibilities as Director of Finance and Operations and Assistant Treasurer include serving as the School's Chief Financial Officer as well as overseeing non-academic operations at Rivers such as transportation, food service, facilities, and auxiliary programs like Camp Nonesuch and The Rivers Day Camp. He serves on the school's Finance, Facilities, Investments, Executive, Defined Contribution Retirement Plan, Audit, and Music Executive Committees. A 1988 graduate of Rivers, Jon previously worked as Associate Director of Finance and Operations for five years as well as Associate Director of Advancement for six years. He graduated from Brandeis University with a bachelor’s in history and education and a master’s in business administration in social policy and management. Jon was the recipient of Rivers' Bergen-Decker Award in 2013.