Welcoming Our New Professional Community Members

 

 

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.

Sarah Cucchiara is a licensed independent social worker (LICSW) with expertise in child and adolescent mental health. Prior to joining the Rivers Counseling and Wellness Department as a school counselor, Sarah served as the upper school clinical coordinator and clinician at The Manville School and as the lead social worker at the McLean-Franciscan child and adolescent inpatient psychiatric unit. Sarah’s therapeutic style draws heavily upon psychodynamic theory, relational-cultural theory, developmental psychology, and neuroscience. Sarah graduated from Gettysburg College with a B.A. in psychology and a minor in Spanish. She earned a Master of Science in social work from Columbia University with a clinical specialization in health, mental health, and disabilities. Sarah is currently pursuing a doctorate in clinical social work (DSW) at the University of Pennsylvania.

Lavonne Davis brings considerable experience designing and implementing equity-focused programs in educational and community-based settings. She holds a B.S. in psychology from California State University, San Marcos, and an M.A. in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice leadership from Tufts University. Before joining Rivers, she served as community engagement coordinator at the Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House, where she led initiatives supporting underrepresented families. Lavonne is passionate about creating inclusive environments for students and families. Outside of work, she enjoys ceramics and spending time outdoors.

Andrea Edmands serves the Rivers community as the lead nurse. She brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to student well-being through her background in both educational and hospital nursing. Before coming to Rivers, Andrea served in various nursing roles at St. Bernadette School, Northborough/Southborough public schools, and Worcester Academy. She holds a B.S.N. from Endicott College. Andrea began her clinical background in the medical ICU at Massachusetts General Hospital, and then at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, where she honed her expertise for 16 years in their burn and trauma ICU. Beyond direct patient care, Andrea is an American Heart Association instructor and a former clinical instructor for MCPHS of Worcester. Her broad contributions to nursing extend from publications to the development of significant programs such as the nursing preceptor program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Andrea is also a Daisy Award recipient, an award recognizing exceptional clinical care. Outside of her time at Rivers, Andrea and her husband can be found at their “second home”: cheering on their two daughters while they light up the hockey rink.

Caroline Farrington graduated from Barnard College with a B.A. in sociology. She

earned a Ph.D. at Case Western Reserve University in pharmacology, studying a novel

therapeutic approach for the treatment of aggressive cancers driven by similar genetic

mechanisms. She expanded on her graduate research as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan and as a founding employee of the company Rappta

Therapeutics. Following her time at Rappta, Caroline moved to the Boston-based company Odyssey Therapeutics before joining Rivers in 2025.

Alyson Fulton earned a B.S. in chemistry with a concentration in biochemistry and a minor in biology from Shippensburg University. She received an M.S. in biology from Northeastern University, where she investigated the role of oxidative stress in behavior and aging using the model organism C. elegans. Aly began her career teaching integrated science at Thayer Academy in Braintree, MA. Aly continues to share her passion for science, teaching biology and chemistry in the Upper School at Rivers. 

Caitlin McDonough graduated from Connecticut College with a B.A. in international relations and a minor in psychology. She earned an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, focusing on access to higher education and student advising. She began her career at Northeastern University, first in student advising and then in undergraduate admissions. As an academic advisor, Caitlin supported students in the health sciences with course selection, academic remediation, and first-year transition issues. She also taught a first-year seminar. As an associate director of admissions, she managed the domestic recruitment strategy for the office and reviewed more than 3,000 applications annually. Caitlin has also worked as an independent college counselor with Spark Admissions. Alongside her work in education, Caitlin is a dedicated artist and runs a small business creating custom portraits. She is the parent of three children and brings both her professional experience and personal warmth to her role at Rivers.

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. 

Dan Moulton holds a B.A. in biology from North Adams State and an M.A. in chemistry from the University of Massachusetts. Prior to joining Rivers, he worked in mRNA and vaccine research at Moderna. Dan brings extensive teaching experience, having taught biology, chemistry, and life science. He served as director of residential life at Hillside School, and he was also the science department chair at Eaglebrook School, where he taught biology and chemistry. An avid outdoorsman, Dan enjoys rock climbing, orienteering, and fly fishing.

Kimberly Ordonez graduated from Framingham High School and developed an early interest in health care, which led her to pursue work as a caregiver and to become a certified nursing assistant. She has worked in health care for over five years, primarily in geriatric and home health settings. In addition to her health care background, she has experience working with children as a counselor in summer camp and in after-school programs. Eager to return to a setting that allows her to support students directly, Kimberly welcomed the opportunity to join The Rivers School as a Health Office nurse assistant. She commits to helping the Health Office run smoothly, ensuring students receive attentive, compassionate care, and contributing to the overall well-being of the school community.

Uma Ramesh first joined the development and external relations team at Rivers in November 2023 and now serves as the stewardship and prospect management coordinator. She has primary responsibility for gift processing and related correspondence, as well as supporting data management and various operations functions for the team. An integral member of the development operations team, Uma brings systems and operations experience from prior roles in health care and publishing. She holds a B.A. in English from the University of Saskatchewan and lives in Chestnut Hill with her husband and three children.

Grace Ramsdell joined the Rivers marketing and communications team in April 2025. She graduated from Wellesley College with a B.A. in studio art and English and creative writing, and she previously worked for the Wellesley College Alumnae Association and magazine. She lives in Somerville with her two roommates, both also named Grace, and her black lab, Lily.

Bri Ross, senior major gift officer, has over 20 years of experience in development and alumni relations. Before joining Rivers in January 2025, she served as a major gifts officer at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where she cultivated relationships with alumni and parents to drive philanthropy and engagement. She successfully partnered with volunteers to name a space in honor of a beloved faculty member, surpassing the fundraising goal in just a few months. Prior to WPI, Bri worked at Nichols College, where she assisted in the fundraising efforts with a focus on 50th reunion gifts and planned community events to strengthen alumni and parent relations. Bri earned a B.S. in communications from Suffolk University and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Nichols College. She lives in central MA with her husband, two sons, goldendoodle, and Bengal cat.

Before joining Rivers as dean of students in 2025, Krista Sahrbeck was the dean of students, taught a ninth grade seminar and served as an advisor at the Hun School of Princeton. There, she was also the head coach of the varsity girls’ soccer program and assistant coach for the girls’ varsity basketball team and the boys’ varsity golf team. Krista earned a B.A. in government/legal studies and environmental studies at Bowdoin College and a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration, and she received her principal certification from Boston College Lynch School of Education. In addition to serving as dean of students at Rivers, she is head coach of girls’ JV soccer, serves as an advisor, and teaches a community engagement class. In her free time, Krista enjoys playing with her emotional support dog, Tigger, traveling, attending professional sports games, and spending time with her family in Maine.

Eya Setsu joined Rivers as one of the Rivers Youth Orchestra assistants before stepping into her role at the RSC office in October 2024. Before moving to Massachusetts, she was both a violin teacher and an education assistant at the Falcetti School of Music while completing a graduate professional diploma in violin performance at The Hartt School of Music.  Throughout her time as an educator, Eya has consistently maintained studios of at least 15 students. She also holds a B.S. in biology and music from Stony Brook University, as well as a dual MM in violin performance and music theory from the University of Akron. Outside of Rivers, Eya can be found performing in chamber and symphony orchestras throughout the greater Boston area, hiking with her husband, or trying the next café on her list.  

Before coming to Rivers in 2025, Katie Sia taught in both the Stoneham and Lincoln school districts as a language-based special education teacher and a fifth grade teacher, respectively. Katie holds a B.A. in elementary education and special education from Drexel University, where she was also a four-year member of the women’s soccer team. Katie began her teaching career in 2017 as a first grade teacher at Russell Byers Charter School in Philadelphia. Outside of the classroom, Katie is an assistant coach on the varsity girls’ soccer team and serves as an assistant with Upper School strength and conditioning.