New Employees Join the Hilltop

STAFF

An experienced administrative professional with a strong background in real estate, education, social work and legal support, Gina Diaz joins Hackley as the administrative assistant for our Buildings and Grounds department. With a bachelor's in Social Work from Mercy College, Gina has served as a real estate administrator at Compass Group in Greater NYC, where she provided comprehensive administrative support to agents. Her meticulous attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks ensured that operations ran smoothly and efficiently. Prior to this, Gina held a significant role as an administrative assistant at SAIL at Ferncliff Manor. In this position, she coordinated transportation, managed student records, and provided daily administrative support for the school, demonstrating strong communication and organizational skills. Gina also has experience as a social worker/family specialist with Family Services of Westchester, where she managed caseloads, advocated for clients and conducted home visits. Her background in legal support includes working as a legal assistant/file clerk at Pena and Kahn, PLLC, where she assisted attorneys in various aspects of case management and document preparation.

Sarah French joins Hackley as our new theater production manager. She is an accomplished theater professional with a strong background in theater production, design and education. A graduate of Susquehanna University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Production and Design as well as English Publishing and Editing, Sarah also holds a minor in Arts Administration. Most recently, Sarah served as the production manager, teaching artist, lead technician, scenic artist and carpenter at The Play Group Theatre in White Plains, New York. Her expertise extends to scenic, lighting and costume design, and she is skilled in prop design, lighting programming and costume creation. 

Elizabeth Healy brings to Hackley 20 years of accounting experience in the not-for-profit sector, specifically education. She started her career as an auditor with Ernst and Young, then Nestle USA as a payroll accountant. After taking time off to raise her children and volunteering her accounting expertise as treasurer of her local PTAs and Boy Scout troop, she restarted her career in the Controller’s Office at her alma mater, Manhattan College, working with accounts payable before becoming controller at a different alma mater, Cardinal Spellman in The Bronx. In her role as Hackley’s assistant controller, Liz will be primarily responsible for maintaining the general ledger, reconciling and posting credit card purchases, account reconciliation, audit preparation, and reporting to departments on their budget status.

Hackley alum Joe McDermott ’14 joined the Advancement Office in February as the Hackley Fund annual giving manager. Already deeply connected to the Hilltop, Joe was named Hackley’s 15th Varsity Football head coach in 2022. He reflected on what drives his coaching career in the April 2023 Hackley Perspectives piece, “Why I Coach.” A three-sport athlete, and one of five from his family to graduate from Hackley, Joe attended Trinity College. He earned a master’s in Business Management with merit at Durham University in England and was awarded an academic distinction for his thesis, “What Motivates Donors to Contribute to College Athletic Programs: How Athletic Departments Address Donor Motivations and Donation Barriers in Fundraising Campaigns.” Joe has been a Hackley Fund volunteer and previously taught AP Statistics and Business at Archbishop Stepinac High School. As annual giving manager, Joe is responsible for implementing and executing strategies to raise Hackley Fund gifts, which support the School’s operating budget. Working closely with members of the Advancement team, Joe assists with volunteer management, direct mail, email marketing and solicitations, and all forms of interaction with Hackley donors, all while continuing to serve as

football head coach.

In February, Elizabeth Zammit joined the Advancement Office as database administrator. Elizabeth earned both her bachelor’s and her master’s degrees in business administration from Fordham. She previously worked in the music industry, most recently as senior director, research and analytics, global and digital business and U.S. sales with Sony Music Entertainment. At Hackley, Elizabeth is responsible for updating and maintaining the Advancement team’s database, providing direct support to end users, and ensuring accurate record keeping, gift processing and reconciliation with the Finance Office. Elizabeth is passionate about education and initiatives that support students’ growth.

 

Associate Teachers
We welcome back Leah Cunningham, who served as a maternity leave replacement in the second grade last school year. A graduate of Skidmore College with a double major in Theater and Psychology, Leah is a passionate and versatile educator and theater professional with a strong background in both teaching and the performing arts. Prior to her role at Hackley, Leah provided valuable support as a kindergarten and fourth grade aide at Pound Ridge Elementary School, focusing on helping students with learning disorders and special needs. Leah’s commitment to education is complemented by her international experience studying theater arts at the British American Dramatic Academy in London through Sarah Lawrence College. 

A magna cum laude graduate of Georgetown University, Hackley alumna Olivia Giacomo ’17 earned her Bachelor of Arts in French with a minor in Spanish. She also studied abroad at Sorbonne University, furthering their expertise in French language and culture. Professionally, Olivia gained valuable experience as a social media associate at mindbodygreen, where she strategized and managed content across multiple platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Pinterest. Her role involved creating branded campaigns and engaging with a large online audience. Additionally, she contributed to SEO projects and website audits as an intern, showcasing her analytical and research skills. Olivia has a strong foundation in administrative and clerical work, having served as a clerical assistant for the Georgetown University French Department. In this role, she supported faculty with various office duties and assisted in teaching a course on French literature. Olivia rejoins the Hackley Community after a year working as an assistant teacher in the second grade. 

Elizabeth Kehoe is a passionate educator and performer with a strong foundation in drama, theater and curriculum development. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Teaching at Columbia University Teachers College, building on her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama and English and American Literatures from New York University. Her education journey began at TASIS American School in England, where she first honed her love for the arts. Elizabeth has contributed to the Harlem Children’s Zone as a curriculum writer and ELA tutor, focusing on developing engaging educational content. With a strong interest in leading drama programs and integrating creative arts into the curriculum, Elizabeth is committed to fostering a love for theater and the arts in young learners.

 

Michaela McGovern is an accomplished educator with a Master of Science in Education from Hunter College, where she graduated summa cum laude. Specializing in both Childhood Education and Special Education, Michaela holds New York State certifications for grades 1-6. Her academic background includes comprehensive coursework in teaching culturally and linguistically diverse students, inclusive instruction, and the use of instructional technology in special education classrooms.

 

Hackley alumna Anna Adler ’02 joins the Lower School as an adjunct teacher this year. Anna is a multidisciplinary artist and educator with an extensive background in arts education and community engagement. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics from Cranbrook Academy of Art and a Bachelor of Science in Studio Art from New York University, with a minor in Russian and Slavic Studies. Anna has been an adjunct professor since 2014, teaching art history and studio art at institutions like SUNY Westchester Community College, Mount Saint Mary College and Marymount Manhattan College. As a teaching artist and program designer, she has developed and facilitated sensory art and nature-based programs for diverse populations, including children, families and older adults. 

Brian Bissinger joins the Computer Science Department in the Lower School. With 14 years of experience in childhood education, Brian is a dedicated and certified New York State teacher specializing in grades 1 to 6. He recently served as a math and science subject expert at BASIS Independent Brooklyn, where he also advised on curriculum and supported schoolwide initiatives. A graduate of Long Island University/C.W. Post, Brian’s previous roles include lead teacher at Success Academy and adjunct professor at Long Island University. In addition to his teaching expertise, he is actively involved in mentoring, professional development and extracurricular activities, including directing theater arts and coaching athletics.

We welcome Mary Stapleton to the fourth grade team! Mary holds a Master of Science in Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College and a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Molloy College with permanent New York State certifications in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) and Literacy (Birth-Grade 6). Mary has a solid foundation in creating and implementing inclusive, student-centered learning environments. With teaching experience across grades K to 7, she has developed expertise in Balanced Literacy, Singapore Math and differentiated instruction. At Hackley, Mary taught kindergarten, where she excelled in implementing a diverse curriculum in literacy, math and art while fostering strong partnerships with families. More recently, she served as an adjunct teacher, supporting grades 1 to 4 with a focus on individualized instruction and student resilience. In addition to classroom teaching, Mary has contributed to the admissions process on the Hilltop by conducting interviews, assessing applicant files and managing information sessions for prospective families. 

Lori Bodner joins the Math Department this year to teach two sections of Accelerated Algebra II and Trigonometry. She holds a master’s degree in Mathematics Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Barnard College. With a professional certification for teaching grades 7 to 12 in New York State, Lori has more than a decade of experience across a variety of educational settings, including Scarsdale High School, Brooklyn Technical High School and Manhattan Village Academy. As a content creator at DeltaMath, Lori designed and coded educational modules, primarily focusing on precalculus and calculus, and has developed more than 800 math content videos, garnering more than 10 million views. She has consistently demonstrated excellence in teaching, having received such accolades as the Sloan Award for Excellence in Teaching and achieving remarkable student success rates in AP Calculus exams. In addition to classroom teaching, Lori has taken on leadership roles, including participating in curriculum development, and serving on hiring committees. As a Math for America Master Teacher and Desmos Fellow, Lori is deeply involved in the professional community, facilitating workshops and contributing to educational resources. She has also contributed to educational publishing, writing AP Calculus questions for the 10th Edition of Ron Larson’s Calculus textbook. 

We welcome Katherine “Kassy” Fritz to the Hilltop as our new Director of College Counseling! Kassy is an experienced educational leader most recently serving as the associate dean and Director of College Counseling at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts since 2015. In this role, she was instrumental in developing and implementing a comprehensive college counseling curriculum for grades 10 to 12. Kassy oversaw a team of 13 counselors and four support staff members, ensuring that the office met the diverse needs of students from all backgrounds. Her leadership extended to mentoring new counselors, coordinating major college fairs, and maintaining strong communication with parents, students and college representatives. Kassy’s work is deeply informed by an awareness of the evolving landscape of college admissions and financial aid, and she initiated several key programs and audits to ensure equity and access within the counseling office. Kassy has worked in both higher education and K-12 schools. At Groton School, her alma mater, she taught French and coached field hockey. In her time at Phillips Academy, she was actively involved in broader school initiatives, such as Family Weekend programming and representing the college counseling office at various fairs and alumni events. She holds a master’s degree in French Language and Culture from Boston College and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Dartmouth College.