List of 18 members.

• 

  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.
• 

  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.
• 

  Eliza Adler 

  Director of Counseling Services

  (339) 686-4504

  Bio

  Eliza Adler joined the Rivers Counseling and Wellness department as a school counselor after six years as a mental health clinician at the Manville School at Judge Baker Children’s Center, where she was also the middle school clinical coordinator. In her time at Manville, Eliza also established and facilitated the Gender/Sexuality Alliance. A licensed independent social worker (LICSW), she has a wealth of experience in both clinical and school settings. Her counseling work in schools has ranged from the early-elementary-school through graduate-student levels. Eliza graduated magna cum laude from Middlebury College and earned a master’s degree in social work from Boston University School of Social Work.
• 

  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.
• 

  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.
• 

  Kristin Cannon 

  Director of Athletics

  (339) 686-4581

  Bio

  Kristin Cannon joined the Rivers community in July 2025 as director of athletics. She possesses an impressive background in athletic administration and coaching, having made a lasting impact on athletic programs, team performance, and student development in a variety of roles. She previously served as the athletic director/chair of physical education and head girls’ soccer coach at Poly Prep Country Day School in Brooklyn, N.Y. During her tenure, the program boasted 27 league championships and 20 state championships with 13 All-Americans and one Olympian. As head coach of girls’ soccer, her teams won two NYSAIS championships, with one All-American and four All-Region players. Kristin also has extensive experience in higher education, holding coaching and administrative positions at Division I, II, and III institutions, including Xavier University, University of Cincinnati, Johnson State College, LIU-Brooklyn, and Springfield College, where she served as assistant professor and head women’s soccer coach.
• 

  Erica Casey 

  Director of Human Resources

  (339) 686-2227

  Bio

  Erica joined the Rivers community in September 2024 as director of human resources. In this role, Erica is responsible for leading talent management and partnering with other school leaders to ensure that members of the professional community at Rivers are empowered in every facet of their careers. During her 25 years as an HR professional at a marketing and communications agency, Erica was devoted to supporting her company’s culture of innovation and integrity, building a more inclusive environment in which everyone has an opportunity to belong and thrive. Originally from the Boston area, Erica received a B.A. from Tulane University in art history and classical studies.
• 

  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.
• 

  Colleen Kyle 

  Head of Upper School

  (339) 686-2478

  Bio

  Colleen holds a B.A. in history from Connecticut College and an M.A. from Middlebury’s Bread Loaf School of English. A veteran educational leader, Colleen has championed student-centered excellence on both coasts of the United States, most recently serving as academic dean at The School for Ethics and Global Leadership in Washington, D.C., and previously as upper school head at Roland Park Country School in Baltimore. Her extensive experience includes more than a decade at Lakeside School in Seattle as a department head and mentor director, as well as foundational teaching years at Deerfield Academy. Colleen’s background also includes over a decade of experience as an instructor for Rainier Scholars, an organization dedicated to advancing opportunities for underrepresented students. An award-winning teacher and presenter of civil discourse, Colleen is passionate about building collaborative faculty teams and fostering a school culture rooted in Rivers’ guiding philosophy of Excellence with Humanity. In her personal life, Colleen is an avid reader who enjoys running half-marathons, cycling, kayaking, and spending time with her husband and two children.
• 

  Jennifer Litman 

  Director of Learning Services

  (339) 686-2433

  Bio

  Jennifer comes to Rivers with extensive experience working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to support student learning across educational and social-emotional domains. She has spent the last 20+ years at The Manville School in Boston in a variety of roles, including special education teacher, clinical intern/part-time clinician, and in educational leadership. In her leadership role, Jen coordinated educational programming for middle school students, developed curriculum, collaborated with teachers, families, and students, and supported teacher development. Jen received a B.A. in Sociology from Franklin and Marshall College, an M.A.T. in English Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and an M.S.W. from Boston College. Outside of work,  Jen enjoys hiking, spending time with her dogs, and traveling with her husband and two teenage children.
• 

  James Long 

  Special Assistant to Head of School, Grade 8 Dean, 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.
• 

  William Mills 

  Assistant Head of School for Special Projects

  (339) 686-2346

  Bio

  William Mills first joined the Rivers community in 2008 and has taught a wide variety of courses within the History Department, as well as serving as an advisor to the debate team, a class dean, and in a number of administrative roles in the Upper School. Will grew up in upstate New York and graduated from Connecticut College, where he studied political science and history and rowed on the men’s crew team. He fell in love with schools when he worked at Choate Rosemary Hall after college, and he later completed a master’s in liberal arts from Harvard University and coached crew at the Middlesex School. At Rivers, Will has served on numerous faculty and trustee committees and collaborated with colleagues to redraw the school’s disciplinary systems, student support systems, and community-building efforts, while consistently advocating for student well-being and a holistic approach to fostering the growth of Rivers students. 
• 

  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. 
• 

  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.