Krissie Kelleher has worked in development for more than 15 years, having started her career in the Harvard College Fund office before moving to Loomis Chaffee, where she was an integral part of the development team. Krissie worked at Loomis as associate director of development and major gifts officer before being promoted to director of major gifts and then director of the school’s Centennial Campaign. A native of the South Shore, she earned a BA in communication from Boston College and an MA in public relations from Boston University.
List of 16 members.
Amelia Cortez
Senior Director of Annual Giving and Engagement
339-686-2247
St. Lawrence University - BA
Jane Dornbusch
Senior Assistant Director of Communications, Editor of The Riparian
Jane Dornbusch joined the Rivers communications office in January 2019, after spending two years as associate editor of Babson College’s alumni magazine. Previously, she worked in a similar capacity at Phillips Academy in Andover. Jane was the food editor of the Boston Herald for many years and later served as a correspondent for the Boston Globe, covering topics ranging from teatime to tattoos. She has a BA in English from Brown University.
Amy Dunne joined the advancement office at Rivers in the fall of 2008 as the coordinator of parent relations. She manages all programs relating to current parents, grandparents, and friends, including the parents’ league auction, the annual fund, parent dinners, and other activities. Her two sons, BJ and Matt, are Rivers alumni, graduating in 2006 and 2008 respectively. Amy received a BA in psychology from Muhlenberg College and an MEd in counseling psychology from Boston College.
Alexandra Ghiz
Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing
Alexandra joined the communications and marketing office at Rivers in April 2023. Previously, she worked on the communications and marketing team at the Winsor School in Boston. Prior to that, she led communications and media efforts for the School of Engineering at Wentworth Institute of Technology and also worked as an English Teaching Assistant in Austria. Originally from Medway, Alexandra attended Montrose School in Medfield. She holds a BA in music and Italian from Smith College, and an MS in strategic marketing communications from Fordham University. Alexandra also enjoys an active career as a professional classical singer and can be found as a soloist and choir member at several Boston-area churches, and as both a singing member and a board member of Nightingale Vocal Ensemble. Alexandra currently lives in Waltham, where she enjoys tackling interior design projects and trying out new recipes.
Kendall Grace
Development Systems Information Coordinator
339-686-2361
The College of Wooster - BA
Teresa Harris
Director of Stewardship
339-686-2233
Lasell University - MS Westfield State University - BA
Jan Hicinbothem served as director of advancement at Rivers since 1997. A Boston University graduate and parent of a Rivers alumnus, she previously served as assistant vice-president of development at Boston University and director of institutional advancement at Curry College. She was the recipient of the Bergen-Decker Award in 2000 and has extensive involvement in the Wellesley community.
Talia Hirsh supports operations for the Development and External Relations team. Talia joined Rivers after a decade in higher education, working in academic advising at Simmons University and Brandeis University. She holds a BA in psychology from Boston University and an MA in sociology from Brandeis University. Talia grew up in Weston and is happy to be back in her hometown, although she now resides in the town next door. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids, reading, and musical theater.
Inger Karlsson
Assistant Director of Development Communications and Operations
339-686-2315
New York University - MA Princeton University - AB
Inger Karlsson joined the Advancement Office in 2017 as Campaign Coordinator. She has previously served in campaign-focused roles at The Chestnut Hill School and at The Winsor School. Inger holds an A.B. in Economics from Princeton University and an M.A. in Educational Leadership, Politics and Advocacy from NYU. She resides in Waban with her husband and their three children.
Ashley McGlone
Director of Development Information Systems
339-686-2239
Franklin Pierce University - BA Franklin Pierce University - MBA
Ashley McGlone serves as the director of development information systems, overseeing the development and maintenance of the advancement office's data management systems. Previously, Ashley served as director of development at the Boch Center, steward of the Wang and Shubert theatres in Boston. Ashley earned a BA in creative writing and an MBA in organizational leadership from Franklin Pierce University.
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.
Leah O'Brien
Senior Development & External Relations Administrator, JV Field Hockey Asst. Coach and Varsity Asst. Softball Coach
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.
Laurie Sachs
Communications Specialist
339-686-2392
Northeastern University - MS Connecticut College - BA
Laurie has worked at Rivers in various capacities since 1995. She was previously the associate director of athletics, taught media literacy in the Middle School, and served as assistant varsity girls’ field hockey and lacrosse coach. In 2002 Laurie received the Rivers School Athletic Department Distinguished Service Award. She has been in the communications department since 2004, working primarily as the web editor of the Rivers School and camp websites. In addition to her duties at Rivers, Laurie is the communications specialist for The New England Preparatory School Athletic Council and the webmaster for the ISL and the EIL. A 1992 graduate of Connecticut College, Laurie received an MS from Northeastern University in 1995. She volunteers with Meals on Wheels in Hudson.
Marc Stroum joined the advancement office at Rivers in 2016. He previously worked at Brandeis University, dividing his time between fundraising and alumni outreach. During his last two years there, he oversaw all alumni programming in greater New York City and stewarded Brandeis volunteers, building strong relationships with alumni leaders in that region. A Rivers graduate, Marc has a BS in communications from Roger Williams University.
Jacob Werrick is a Rivers alumnus (Class of 2016) who graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BS in sport and entertainment management. Jacob has worked at Rivers since 2019 and holds numerous roles on campus, serving as the digital marketing specialist, sports information director, an eleventh grade advisor, and an assistant boys’ varsity basketball coach. Jacob created the athletics internship program, which allows students to earn a sports credit by helping the athletics department in a variety of ways, including photography, communications, and social media.