Administrative Team

List of 11 items.

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  The Rev. Loris Adams

  Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Ethical Leadership
  
  In her newly appointed and inaugural role, The Rev. Adams leads an office centered on DEI, global programming, community service, and ethical leadership. During The Rev. Adams’s 15-year tenure in independent schools, she has served as director of equity and community life at the Hewitt School in New York City, director of community and equity affairs at St. Mark's School in Massachusetts, and as the Lower School dean of community life and chaplain at Trinity Episcopal School in North Carolina. She holds a BA in computer science, an MDiv in theology, and a certificate in intercultural competence. The Rev. Adams has presented at numerous conferences, including the Harvard School of Education’s “Let’s Talk About It!”, Seoul of a Leader, Association of Independent Schools in New England, the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools, the New York Association of Independent Schools in New York, and the National Association of Independent Schools’ People of Color Conference.
  
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  Paige Blumer

  Associate Head of School

   

  During her 16 years at NCS, Blumer has been a Middle and Upper School English teacher, department chair, division head, and assistant head of school for academics. She has worked on transformative projects for the school, including developing the coordinate daily block schedule, guiding 4-12 curriculum development, restructuring the faculty evaluation and professional development process, and overhauling the school’s hiring protocols. Blumer has served on several Association of Independent Maryland Schools (AIMS) accreditation visiting committees and has been a speaker for parent and alumnae groups. 
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  Brian DeMarco 

  Head of Development and Philanthropy 

   

  DeMarco oversees a comprehensive fundraising strategy to support NCS's philanthropic priorities and for building a highly relational and dynamic culture of philanthropy within the community. Prior to joining NCS, DeMarco oversaw fundraising at the Center for American Progress, a D.C.-based think tank. He has 14 years of experience in higher education, both in enrollment and fundraising. DeMarco holds a BA in Spanish from Dickinson College. 
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  Heather Dent 

  Director of Athletics and Physical Education 

   

  Dent began her career at NCS in 2004 and currently oversees physical education classes, athletics, Voyageur, and dance for grades 4-12. Over the years, she has served on numerous committees, including the curriculum, hiring, and admissions committees. Dent serves as co-chair for the crisis management team for NCS and led the school’s preparation and response to COVID-19. Prior to NCS, Dent “walked on” to the women’s lacrosse team at Virginia Tech in 1995 and played for three seasons, serving as captain for two seasons. She was a college lacrosse coach at the Division I and III levels with experience at Roanoke College, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Wagner College, and James Madison University. She holds an MBA in Finance from Wagner College and a BS in Exercise Science from Virginia Tech.  
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  Rebecca Jones 

  Head of Lower School and Head of Faculty/Staff Recruitment, Retention, and Engagement 

   

  Jones joined NCS in 2013 after 18 years at Montgomery County Public Schools. During that tenure, Jones served as a principal, assistant principal, technology educator, and classroom teacher. As a graduate of a girls’ school, Emma Willard School in Troy, N.Y., she was drawn to the mission and vision of NCS and, once she visited campus, knew this was where she was meant to be. Jones holds degrees from Ithaca College and American University and a certification from Johns Hopkins University.  
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  Jessica North Macie

  Interim Director of Enrollment and Financial Aid
  
  

  North Macie has served at NCS for 12 years as Middle School dean, a 7th grade English teacher, a Middle School advisor, a member of the Middle School admissions committee, and on the NCS administrative team. In those roles, she has led community-wide programs, developed curricula, and led a reorganization/expansion of the office of DEI. She serves on the national staff of SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity), training new leaders. Previously, she was an admissions officer and drama teacher at Barrie School in Silver Spring, Md. North Macie holds a bachelor’s in film studies from Mount Holyoke College, an advanced certificate in acting from the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, and a master’s degree in secondary education and teaching from the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education. 

  
  
  
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  Lara Ponomareff

  Head of Strategic Marketing and Communications
  
  Ponomareff leads NCS’s integrated marketing and communications efforts by planning and delivering strategic messaging that reinforces NCS’s reputation. Ponomareff brings 16+ years of experience in conducting research, developing and managing products, leading teams, and advising executives on marketing as well as customer service/experience insights and best practices. She worked for 13 years at CEB/Gartner, including two years as the practice vice president for the marketing research practice. More recently, she ran a research and product development consulting business where her clients included arts organizations and the sports business industry. Ponomareff holds a BA in Philosophy from the College of William and Mary and an MPP from the Harvard Kennedy School.
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  Joe Smolskis 

  Assistant Head of School for Finance 

   

  Smolskis, parent of Mo ’11, returned to NCS as the assistant head of school for finance and operations in June 2022. In his prior position on the Close, he spent nearly 10 years on the PECF's administrative team, including serving as its executive vice president and chief operating officer. In that capacity, Smolskis worked on the NCS and PECF garage financings, revamped the Close’s financial systems, managed the Close-wide response to the 2011 earthquake, and led the PECF’s community relations efforts. After leaving the Close in 2011, he managed the financial and administrative affairs of the Center for American Progress, St. John's College in Annapolis and Santa Fe, and the Democratic National Committee. Smolskis is a CPA and MBA and received his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University.   
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  Dr. Viviana Valdés Santos 

  Head of Upper School 

   

  Valdés Santos earned her BA in French and Italian from Georgetown University, an MA in secondary urban education from the University of Pennsylvania, an MA in French from Middlebury College, a PhD in 18th Century French literature from Rutgers University, and a certificate in educational leadership from Harvard. She has taught at two girls’ schools: Agnes Irwin School and Dana Hall School. Valdés Santos has also taught at the University of Delaware, St. Joseph’s University, and Rutgers University. More recently, she taught languages and served in multiple capacities for 20 years at Phillips Exeter Academy, where, in 2013, she was named to the Robert Kesler Distinguished Professorship. In addition to classroom duties, Valdés Santos contributed extensively to Exeter’s curriculum development, faculty recruitment and retention, and inclusive grading practices.   
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  Ryann Williams Berry

  Head of Middle School
  
  Williams Berry returns to NCS this summer as Middle School Head, having worked at NCS as an English teacher and Assistant Director of Admissions for nearly 12 years earlier in her career. In 2015, Williams Berry was awarded the NCS Class of 2004 Fellowship Award. Her education experience spans more than 20 years, teaching Lower, Middle, and Upper School English, in addition to leading faculty professional development, mentoring teachers, supporting curriculum development, managing student course enrollment, and developing schedules for varied learning. Most recently, Williams Berry served as Middle School director at Holton-Arms School in Bethesda. She holds a BS in Speech Communication from Syracuse University, an MA in Public Communication from American University, and an MSEd in School Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. 
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  Martin Yancey 

  Director of Technology 

   

  Yancey joined National Cathedral School as director of technology in June 2008. In this position he is responsible for the implementation and management of computer hardware, software, and network infrastructure. Prior to joining NCS, Yancey worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs for 19 years where, as an administrative officer, he managed and coordinated technology, budget, and personnel operations. He is a D.C. native and holds a BA in communications from American University.