Board of Trustees

List of 16 items.

Justin Shay - Chair (2019–2025)

Committees:
Executive, Finance, Investment, Facilities, Governance, Advancement, DEIB

Connection to Barnesville:
Former parent of 3 early childhood students

Day Job and/or relevant experience for board:
Justin is a commercial real estate broker and provides expertise in he area of finance, an understanding of facilities, and marketing and business development.

Education:
Associates degree: Graphic Design

Interest/reason for serving on the board:
My wife is a Barnesville Alumni and attended from Pre-k to 8th grade. Her family have been long-time supporters of Barnesville School for decades and when our children started in the early childhood program I felt it was my turn to give back.

Moment of Joy connected to Barnesville:
As a parent, my moment of joy was seeing the excitement from my son when talking about Bee School with Ms. Gekas and telling his younger sister all about what she would get to do next year when she was in EC-4. As a board member, my moment of joy was a simple conversation with an alumni student who was now in college. I was inspired by the kind words and appreciation this student shared about their time at Barnesville School and how pivotal that time was to making them the person they are today.
Jennifer Hodgson - First Chair (2024–2027)

Committees:
Executive, DEIB (Chair), BPC Liaison

Connection to Barnesville:
Current parent of 2 children at Barnesville

Day Job and/or relevant experience for board:
Jenny is Global Program Manager at U.S. Department of State managing multiple exchange programs across the globe. She has also taught in Poland, Malta, Spain, Costa Rica, Togo, and in the U.S. Prior to being in the field of international education, she worked as an event planner.

Education:
Master's degree: International Education, Bachelor's degree: Business Administration

Interest/reason for serving on the board:
The school and community is such a special place for my kids and to be able to make an impact as a parent as well is very rewarding.

Moment of Joy connected to Barnesville:
There are a lot of joyful moments at Barnesville! I love that everyone feels part of the community and encouraged to participate. I love that I can have a relationship with the teachers. My kids feel safe and happy there. Learning is directed in a way that fosters a love of learning. Once my daughter was literally hugging a pole at the school with a friend and they were saying how much they loved it. That was adorable!
Dan Swanson - Treasurer (2025–2028)

Committees:
Executive, Finance (Chair), Investment, Facilities

Connection to Barnesville:
Parent of a child at Barnesville.

Day Job and/or relevant experience for board:
Dan is a Commercial Real Estate Banker and has worked in the Commercial Real Estate Industry for over 20 years.

Education:
MBA - Pepperdine University. Bachelor's degree - Economics, Business Law and English. University of Miami.

Interest/reason for serving on the board:
Previously served as Treasurer for the Center for Adoption Support and Education and would like to contribute to the school's continued success.

Moment of Joy connected to Barnesville:
A moment that captures what makes Barnesville special for our family is our son sledding with his friends on the hills after a snowstorm - those simple, happy experiences are woven into his school days.
Gary Williams - Secretary (2020-2026)

Committees:
Executive, Audit (Chair)

Connection to Barnesville:
Current guardian of 1 student at Barnesville

Day Job and/or relevant experience for board:
Director of Manufacturing for a multinational communications company.

Education:
Bachelor’s degree: Business Administration

Interest/reason for serving on the board:
Wanted to get more involved with the Barnesville community

Moment of Joy connected to Barnesville:
Before attending Barnesville, my granddaughter did not like going to school. The first time my granddaughter went to class at Barnesville, she couldn’t stop smiling.

Share something that makes Barnesville unique/special or an achievement of the school or your child.:
Barnesville has opened up opportunities for my granddaughter to nudge her outside her comfort zone.
Susanne Johnson - Head of School (2015–Present) non-voting

Committees:
Executive, Finance, Investment, Facilities, Governance, Advancement, DEIB

Connection to Barnesville:
Head of School; Alumni Parent :)

Day Job and/or relevant experience for board:
Susanne is the Head of School and has been in the Barnesville School community since 2000, previously serving on the Board of Trustees from 2002-2008. Prior to being in the field of education, Susanne was an Executive in the Health Care industry.

Education:
Master's degree: Business Administration (MBA); Bachelor of Art, Earth Science

Interest/reason for serving on the board:
Passionate about the mission of JOY, SUPPORT, & EXCELLENCE impacting the lives of our students.

Moment of Joy connected to Barnesville:
The privilege of my role at the school is that I experience moments of joy each & every day! But the resounding moment of joy centers around the grounding foundation that my daughter received through her Barnesville education.

Share something that makes Barnesville unique/special or an achievement of the school or your child.:
The passionate and dedicated teachers committed to the next generation of empathic and critical thinkers preparing them to navigate in an increasingly complex and diverse world.
Colin Berry - Trustee (2025–2027)

Committees:
Advancement

Connection to Barnesville:
Current parent of child at Barnesville

Day Job and/or relevant experience for board:
Colin is the Executive Director of the Humane Society of Washington County in Hagerstown, Maryland. Prior to her 5 years in this role, she served as the shelter’s Development Director.

Education:
Masters of Science in Animals and Public Policy from Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine; Bachelor of Arts in English and Anthropology from Guilford College

Interest/reason for serving on the board:
Interested in ensuring that BSAS continues offering regular hands-on learning opportunities to students

Moment of Joy connected to Barnesville:
Watching my child perform on stage

Share something that makes Barnesville unique/special or an achievement of the school or your child.:
Small class size
Lori Dembo - Trustee (2025–2028)

Committees:
Governance, Investment

Connection to Barnesville:
Long standing friendships with Board members and Head of School.

Day Job and/or relevant experience for board:
Former Head of School, St. John's Parish Day School in Ellicott City. Currently, serving as Head of School for MacGillis Global Academy online education program.

Education:
Master's Degree: Curriculum & Leadership, The Pennsylvania State University. Bachelor's Degree: Early Childhood Education, Towson University

Interest/reason for serving on the board:
My love of children and lifelong commitment to education and serving to help in any capacity for independent schools as well as Barnseville's fine reputation and dedication to children.
Amy Frank - Trustee (2025–2028)

Committees:
Governance, Finance

Connection to Barnesville:
Barnesville alum parent & Current volunteer for theater program

Day Job and/or relevant experience for board:
Amy is a retired real estate attorney and e-commerce business owner with relevant experience in contracts and compliance, financial management, budgeting, and financial accountability and stability.

Education:
J.D., Quinnipiac University; B.A., Brandeis University

Interest/reason for serving on the board:
To bring Joy, Support and Excellence to the Barnesville community by building on its strong foundation for continued growth and ensuring the school's long term success for future generations.

Moment of Joy connected to Barnesville:
Watching my son singing in public for the first time was at a Barnesville Talent Tuesday morning meeting. After he came off stage, his smile glowed with pure joy as he was surrounded with love and congratulatory hugs from teachers and students. This experience filled him with confidence that continues with him every day since. This was one of many moments I've witnessed of full circle Joy, Support and Excellence at Barnesville!
Dale Glass - Trustee (2022–2025)

Committees:
Executive, Advancement (Chair), Governance, DEIB

Connection to Barnesville:
Supporter of school’s mission

Day Job and/or relevant experience for board:
A retired biomedical engineer and science teacher, Dale is a passionate advocate for science and environmental education. She volunteers with Girl Scouts, NOAA’s Planet Stewards, and the Goethe Institute’s Transatlantic Outreach Program.

Education:
Master’s degree: Science Education, Master’s degree: Applied Mathematics, Bachelor of Science degree: Biomedical Engineering

Interest/reason for serving on the board:
Supporting the school’s mission and learning more about school leadership.

Moment of Joy connected to Barnesville:
Seeing the enthusiastic smiles on the faces of students during last year’s Green Week as they hammered flowers onto cloth to make botanical imprints.
Jamey Hein - Trustee (2025–2028)

Committees:
Advancement

Connection to Barnesville:
Community Member and Former Head of AIMS Schools

Day Job and/or relevant experience for board:
Jamey currently serves as Director of Alumni Giving and Engagement at Salisbury School in Connecticut, an all-boys boarding school from which he graduated. In this role, he supports philanthropic activities within a 5,000-member alumni community. Prior to this, he served as head of school at St. Martin's Episcopal School and The Calverton School, both in Maryland.

Education:
MEd: Curriculum and Instruction (University of Virginia); BA: English (Denison University) BA

Interest/reason for serving on the board:
I have a deep commitment to sustaining and advancing our small child-centered independent schools, which I believe play a vital role in shaping students’ individual growth and character. As a former head of two small independent schools in Maryland, I understand that even small institutions are inherently complex and require both strategic vision and pastoral care. Having lived that dual role, I believe my lived experience and strategic skillset can support Barnesville as it advances its child-centered mission.

Moment of Joy connected to Barnesville:
I look forward to witnessing the joy of Barnesville this year through in-person visits and appreciating its mission in action. While I look forward to making time to enjoy some of Barnesville's beloved traditions, I am equally eager to embrace small moments of connection between children and adults.
Catie Trombley Garcia - Trustee (2025–2027)

Committees:
DEIB, Audit

Connection to Barnesville:
Current parent of child at Barnesville

Day Job and/or relevant experience for board:
Catie works in Global Benefits and HR strategies for corporate and non profits. She is also a student of Early Childhood Education and aspires to be in the classroom one day.

Education:
Bachelors International Studies

Interest/reason for serving on the board:
There is truly something so special about Barnesville. I have been inspired by the unique and wholesome character of the school to support the strategic aspects that will keep it thriving for future generations. As a student of Education, I am inspired by the quality of teachers and instruction and am honored to be of service to the community.

Moment of Joy connected to Barnesville:
Joy is abundant at Barnesville. Daily moments of joy occur when I open my child's backpack and see the creativity that bursts out which I know has been encouraged by her teachers and curriculum.
Jodi Kern - Trustee (2025–2027)

Committees:
Governance

Connection to Barnesville:
Current grandparent of children at Barnesville

Day Job and/or relevant experience for board:
Served for 11 years (1996-2007) as the Executive Director for a 650 family synagogue in Potomac, MD

Education:
B.A. in Urban Management, University of Maryland

Interest/reason for serving on the board:
I am deeply appreciative of the phenomenal education my grandchildren have received while at Barnesville, as well as the school’s mission of joyful learning, which is practiced on a daily basis. Serving on the Board is a way for me to give back to the school that has given so much to my precious grandchildren.

Moment of Joy connected to Barnesville:
Prior to attending Barnesville, my grandson, Johnny, was a very shy, insecure, withdrawn child who had very few friends (his sister was always the complete opposite so I never worried about her in the same way). Although he started at Barnesville in the fall of 2020, he didn’t really begin to feel a sense of belonging in the school until classes resumed in the spring of 2021. Pretty quickly he began to morph into a young man who was gradually developing confidence and a sense of self-worth. The first time we noticed how transformational Barnesville was for Johnny was when he performed a solo at a Veteran’s Day concert (outdoors, since activity in the school was still limited due to Covid). While he was clearly nervous, as this was his first time ever performing before an audience, the applause and cheers he received from his fellow classmates and the other children in the school became a defining moment for him. It was from that point forward that we witnessed our incredible Johnny 2.0, who now looked forward to going to school and was able to find a way to keep up his grades while getting more and more involved in sports and other extra curricular activities offered by the school. As a grandparent, I have to say that was just my first of many joyful moments connected to Barnesville.

Share something that makes Barnesville unique/special or an achievement of the school or your child.:
Barnesville has the unique ability to make EVERY child feel special and valued. Additionally, the phenomenal teaching staff has a way of making learning fun. Our grandkids have always looked forward to going to school and have always felt absolute love and acceptance by their peers and staff at the school.
Kevin Plante - Trustee (2025–2028)

Committees:
Audit

Connection to Barnesville:
Trustee

Day Job and/or relevant experience for board:
Kevin Plante is an attorney and the founder of General Counsel Law LLC. He represents a diverse clientele, including private schools. He was General Counsel at a large private school prior to forming General Counsel Law LLC. He also served as a member of the Board of Trustees at a private independent school and was Chair of the Audit Committee.

Education:
Juris Doctor; Masters in Studies of Law; Bachelors in Science

Interest/reason for serving on the board:
My reason for serving on the Board is to make a positive difference in students’ lives by contributing my time, background, and experience.

Moment of Joy connected to Barnesville:
A moment of joy was finding out that I was the newest member of the Board of Trustees.
Tatyana Riley - Trustee (2020–2026)

Committees:
Executive, Finance (Chair), Investment (Chair), Facilities

Connection to Barnesville:
Current parent of 3 children at Barnesville

Day Job and/or relevant experience for board:
Tatyana has been a Financial Advisor with RBC Wealth Management for the last 7 years. Prior to working in Wealth Management, Tatyana had an extensive 15-year career in finance, technology, and project management.

Education:
Georgetown University: MBA, University of Maryland: BS in Finance and Information Systems

Interest/reason for serving on the board:
Serving on the Board of Trustees allows me to give back in a meaningful way and feel involved while supporting the school's mission and helping to ensure its success. My background in finance and investment management helps me to support the school's long-term financial health and sustainability.

Moment of Joy connected to Barnesville:
The Barnesville community is truly something special. When our family experienced a recent tragedy, Barnesville was the best place for our kids to be. The community rallied around our kids and our whole family. We will forever be grateful to Barnesville for helping our kids and our family through a tough time.

Share something that makes Barnesville unique/special or an achievement of the school or your child.:
My kids love Barnesville School so much that when we mention moving to other areas, they want to hear nothing of it because they say they will never leave Barnesville School.
Tom Stevens - Trustee (2020–2026)

Committees:
Governance (Chair), DEIB

Connection to Barnesville:
Trustee

Day Job and/or relevant experience for board:
Retired

Education:
Master's degree + 60 credits: Developmental Psychology, Bachelor's degree: History and Psychology

Interest/reason for serving on the board:
I worked in independent school for 47 years as a teacher, coach and administrator, 30 years as Head of School. I have also served on numerous committees of state-level independent school associations.

Moment of Joy connected to Barnesville:
The faces of the teachers and administrators as parents shared their joy!
Jonathan Tomares - Trustee (2025–2028)

Committees:
Finance, Facilities (Chair)

Connection to Barnesville:
Grandparent of 1 child attending Barnesville

Day Job and/or relevant experience for board:
I am the owner of Rimsi Corp., A property management Company in Maryland & Virginia