Vice President

Co-Clerk
Executive Committee
Committee on Trustees

//at a glance
Anjali is the Managing Director & Deputy Chief Counsel of Private Markets at John Hancock/Manulife Financial, leading a team of global attorneys.  She provides legal counsel to the Manulife Investment Management private markets, real estate, and private equity and credit business lines. Prior to joining Manulife, Anjali was in private practice at the Boston office of the law firm of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale & Dorr LLP. Earlier in her career, she was a corporate banking analyst and strategic marketing and communications manager at FleetBoston Financial. 

Anjali joined the Board in 2022 and brings non-profit board experience by serving for six years on the Board of Trustees for The Home for Little Wanderers, the nation’s oldest child welfare agency, where she was Chair of the Risk and Governance Committee.  Anjali has also served on the Boards of the South Asian Bar Association and The Network of South Asian Professionals.

//what GUS means to me
To our family, GUS means a nurturing environment, magical experiences, dedicated faculty and staff, strong community, and exceptional education.  When my daughters head off to school each day, I know that their worlds are being expanded, their minds are being challenged, their selves are being empowered, and their voices are being heard.  There is no greater feeling.

//what makes Anjali, Anjali
Anjali lives in Hamilton with her three daughters and her husband, Yash.  A native of Pennsylvania, Anjali feels most happy amongst the trees and mountains.  She enjoys spending time reading, cooking, talking politics and planning international travel, sprinkled with a healthy dose of true crime documentary binge-watching.

Co-Clerk

//at a glance
Amy has been involved in marketing and fundraising in the arts and non-profit sector for 25 years, spending much of her early career in the performing arts, at Boston Ballet. She has also worked both on the Board and on staff at North Shore based non-profit Change is Simple which allowed her to focus on her interest in sustainability, and more recently took on a role in Development at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University. She has enjoyed working on the PA at GUS and now in her role on the Board of Trustees brings her background in fundraising and sustainability to the committees she serves on. She has three boys, two who graduated (Max and Henry) and one currently in upper school (George).

//what GUS means to me
GUS has always felt so aligned with my values. I appreciate so much how GUS infuses a love of nature, the arts and humanities into the curriculum, and the way students are seen, heard and valued. The empathy instilled in them, the understanding and compassion for world and local issues, people and events is so impactful. Through the GUS curriculum, beyond the regular subjects that are taught so well, students come away with a true sense of belonging and self. Thematic learning helps students to frame subjects in a clearer way and connect  living and learning so uniquely. I have met the most wonderful people at and through GUS. Students here learn to speak up, speak well and as the motto says - do better.

//what makes Amy, Amy
Amy majored in Studio Art (and business) in college, and rekindled her love of the fine arts as a painter of places she loves – seascapes, landscapes as well as still life – as an adult. She has loved showing her work at GUS, and in other places in and around Boston and the North Shore. Amy grew up in England, still calling that one of her homes, and loves to travel - especially in Europe. She practices yoga (RYT200), pilates, and runs; she loves time outdoors in nature (with kids whenever possible), visiting museums, hosting and planning, and wishes she had more opportunities to sing and dance which she currently does mostly around her house.

//at a glance
Crystal DaCruz is a proud alumna of GUS, where the formative education she received in grades 4-8 built her confidence, sparked her curiosity, and made her feel included—experiences that laid the foundation for her personal growth. Today, as a member of the GUS Board of Trustees, Crystal is dedicated to fostering the same sense of possibility and inclusivity that profoundly influenced her own life.

Crystal is the founder of Boxed in Black, a luxury gifting company she created after years in the corporate gift card industry. Seeking more purpose in her work, she built a business that approaches gifting in a personal way, while supporting diverse brands. Her work at Boxed in Black reflects her passion for entrepreneurship and creating meaningful connections. Crystal also serves on the Board of Directors for SEED Corp, helping entrepreneurs overcome barriers to traditional funding and foster economic growth.

Crystal’s work reflects her deep belief in the power of education and entrepreneurship to drive personal growth, create opportunities, and build stronger communities.

//what GUS means to me
GUS taught me how to think critically, lead with purpose, and approach challenges creatively. It’s a place that values individuality while building a strong sense of community. GUS kids are bold thinkers and compassionate doers, they’re equipped not just to succeed, but to contribute meaningfully to the world.

Serving on the GUS Board of Trustees is my way of giving back to the school that helped shape my journey. I’m honored to be part of ensuring future students have access to the same education and experience that inspired me to lead and grow.

//what makes Crystal, Crystal?
Crystal is driven by the belief that everyone has the potential to thrive when they are equipped with the right resources and a strong foundation. As a mother, entrepreneur, and creative, she is passionate about creating opportunities where people can grow, learn, and reach their full potential. 

Living in Rhode Island with her children, Crystal enjoys cooking and hosting, activities that bring her joy and allow her to connect with her family.

Chair, Buildings + Grounds Committee;
Long-Range Planning Committee
Head of School Evaluation and Support Committee

//at a glance
Liam is a shareholder in the law firm Crowley & McCarthy, P.C., and is its Managing Partner.  For 25 years, he has represented insurers in property insurance coverage and subrogation matters in courts throughout New England, and he is admitted to practice in all six states.  In his practice, Liam has served as a Referee, Appraiser, and Umpire in property insurance disputes; regularly acted as a mediator; and been retained as an expert witness on insurance claims handling procedures.  Liam has been a frequent speaker to insurance company trade groups on topics related to insurance coverage and fire investigation.

He is a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators, and has served on the Board of Directors and as President of its Massachusetts Chapter, as well as previously serving on the Board of Directors of the New England Chapter of the National Association of Subrogation Professionals.

//what GUS means to me
GUS truly represents what education can be and what community can provide.  My son came to GUS in 2nd grade and has grown, by his GUS experience, into an interested, engaged, and eager learner who is curious about the world and ready to try everything it has to offer.  His growth is testament to the interest, care, and skill of the faculty and staff, but also to the commitment of his classmates and the GUS community as a whole to the institution and its work.   

//what makes Liam, Liam
Although I grew up in New England, and attended the same high school as my grandmother, I was born in California.  I like planning vacations more than I like taking them, with the possible exception of regular family trips to Ireland.  I am an enthusiastic golfer, but my talent does not match my desire.  Ditto for fly fishing.  Despite having played baseball in college and other sports in high school, my favorite sport to watch is one I have never played, rugby, and I am happy to talk at length with anyone about it, particularly the successes and failures of Munster, Ireland, and the New England Free Jacks.

Finance Committee

President

//at a glance
With over 20 years of experience in marketing, communications, education, and fine art, Lisa brings a unique blend of creativity, strategic insight, and leadership to the Board of Trustees. Her diverse career spans creative direction, brand strategy, copywriting, and design, along with commercial and fine art.

Lisa began her career in sales and art consulting at a prominent contemporary art gallery in Boston, while also pursuing her own artistic practice, exhibiting her work in both New York City and the Boston area. She then transitioned into marketing, leading a successful agency north of Boston specialized in financial clients. Later, taking on the role of Marketing and Communications Director at GUS, Lisa played a key role in developing the school’s brand and enhancing GUS’ visibility.

Now, in her “second act,” Lisa has returned to her love for art, combining her expertise in communications and marketing with her artistic vision. Lisa is a mother of two GUS kids and deeply committed to supporting education and fostering innovation and growth at GUS.

// what gus means to me
GUS encourages kids to be kids. A GUS education is about connection, intellectual exploration, critical thinking, problem solving, skilled teaching, inclusion, and fun! GUS celebrates the wonder of childhood and the play in learning. GUS kids are top academics and good humans. They have ambition and compassion. They lead and include. GUS kids are deep thinkers–doers, dreamers, innovators, and truth seekers. 

//what makes lisa, lisa?
A reformed nomad and mother of two teens, who found humor in the human condition early in life, Lisa is defined by her social curiosity, her distaste of the status quo, and her obsession with the color wheel. Find her beachcombing for plastic, chasing down outsider art makers, in pursuit of the perfect lightbulb, taking on an endless building project with her husband, Nick, or in her studio making art with her duck tolling retriever, Penny, by her side.

Treasurer

Leslie Marchesseault has spent her adult life in schools as a lower school teacher for nine years, a preschool director and teacher for eleven, and as the GUS  admission director for twenty two years.  Equipped with a BS in Education and an MA in Early Childhood and Family Relations, her life in schools was a joy and passion.  She joined the GUS Board in 2025.

“GUS is unique. It lives its mission in the way it treats and educates children in a multi disciplinary way.  Academics is paired with social learning ; classroom instruction is partnered with first hand experiences, and classic instruction is complimented with new ways of teaching. It is a balanced and joyful way of learning.” 

At a Glance Greg is a Partner at Baystate Financial which is a 120-year-old financial services firm located in Boston.  Baystate has over 300 financial advisors and fee-based planners that provide financial guidance and wealth management to over 300,000 clients across New England.  Baystate has been recognized multiple times as one of the” Best Places to Work” by the Boston Globe, Boston Business Journal and others.

Greg joined the GUS Board in 2022 after 10 years on the Beverly YMCA board having served as President.  He currently is also on the Board of the Massachusetts Police Activities League.

What GUS Means to Me…. The embodiment of the “whole person” concept where environment, faculty and leaning come together to position the next generation for the challenges that lie ahead.  Empowering kids to think critically and challenge themselves.

What makes Greg, Greg

Greg lives in Beverly with his wife Maggie.  Their three kids are launched with two in Boston and one in NYC.  Greg and Maggie enjoy traveling and can often be found playing golf and enjoying the company of great friends and family.

Executive Committee
Committee on Trustees
Long-Range Planning Committee

//at a glance
A seasoned marketing leader, Emily has helped build and grow brands across a broad array of industries by building strong, lasting relationships and employing insight-driven, customer-centric strategies. After over 15 years of marketing and advertising agency experience in client service and strategy, Emily determined she was ready to dedicate her time to one organization and is currently serving as Director of Marketing at BOND Civil & Utility Construction. In her role, she leads efforts to scale the business and support the sales pursuit process through marketing, public relations, market research, branding, and strategic planning. She’s also steering initiatives geared toward strategically positioning BOND in key markets, supporting all existing business and relationships, and driving new sector goals.

Emily joined the Board in 2024 after serving as Co-President of the GUS Parents’ Association for two years. She also serves on the Boards of The Hamilton-Wenham Community House, Christ Church Parish Day School, and the Hamilton-Wenham Garden Club.

//what GUS means to me
GUS's unwavering commitment to centering everything around students cultivates an environment where they are truly seen, heard, and supported. Students are encouraged to be their best selves, not just academically, but as well-rounded individuals. They’re given the freedom to explore their unique strengths and passions, and the guidance to grow into confident, kind, capable people. GUS goes beyond traditional academia, emphasizing the importance of building strong values and character alongside academic excellence. Students learn the importance of integrity, empathy, and leadership, preparing them not only for future success but also for meaningful contributions to the world around them. 

//what makes Emily, Emily?
Emily lives in Hamilton with her husband, two daughters, one son, and two rescue pups. An old soul trapped in a millennial’s body, Emily enjoys tending to her various gardens, whipping up meals for her family, listening to music, watching sports, and reading anything in print, whenever possible. 

Head Evaluation + Support
Building & Grounds Committee

Parents Association
Executive Board Communications Chair + Room Parent 

Dr. Kimberly Ridley is the Head of Fayerweather Street School, a progressive PreK–8 independent school in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She leads with a deep commitment to fostering joyful learning, equity, and belonging, ensuring that every student is known, valued, and challenged.

A former school and clinical psychologist, Dr. Ridley brings a reflective, relational approach to leadership, grounded in emotional intelligence and empathy. Her work focuses on strengthening Fayerweather’s experiential learning model, advancing institutional equity, and supporting educators in creating environments where curiosity and connection thrive.

Dr. Ridley earned her B.A. in Psychology from Spelman College and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical-School Psychology from The Derner Institute of Psychological Studies at Adelphi University. She also completed the Executive Coaching Program at the Teleos Leadership Institute.

Finance Committee

//at a glance
Andrea is an Equity Partner and Chair of the Real Estate Department at Rubin and Rudman, LLP in Boston, Massachusetts.  She practices in all areas of commercial real estate, including acquisition, development, financing, and leasing for a broad range of developers and financiers of commercial properties at a local, regional and national level. Her practice encompasses industrial properties, educational uses, suburban office parks, and downtown office buildings.

As Vice President and later President of the GUS Parents Association, Andrea was the Parents Association liaison to the Board of Trustees in 2020, before joining the Board as a Trustee in 2021. She is a former member of the Planning Board for the City of Beverly, served on the Steering Committee for Plan Beverly, and was a member of the Amicus Committee for the Massachusetts Civil Liberties Union.  

//what GUS means to me
GUS means growth in all areas - curiosity, confidence, and a willingness to take on academic challenges.  Our son thrived while at GUS, both academically and emotionally.  His creativity was nurtured as much as his intellect, and he left GUS ready for a new set of challenges and adventures.  

//what makes Andrea, Andrea
Andrea and her husband Dan live in Beverly with their recent GUS graduate, Malcolm (now at Pingree), and very sweet poodle, Teddy.  She loves spending time with her friends, running, and has a somewhat unhealthy (for her) interest in the fate of the Buffalo Bills.