School Leadership

Senior Administrative Team

The members of the NCS Administrative Team bring to their roles decades of experience as educators and leaders, as well as an unwavering commitment to the school’s mission. Together, they empower students to believe in their abilities and to embody the school’s core values of excellence, service, courage, and conscience.

THE REV. LORIS ADAMS Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Ethical Leadership Loris leads an office centered on DEI, global programming, community service, and ethical leadership. During her decades-long 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. Loris 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.

PAIGE BLUMER Associate Head of School During her long tenure at NCS, Paige 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 Grades 4 - 12 curriculum development, restructuring the faculty evaluation and professional development process, and overhauling the school’s hiring protocols. Paige has served on several Association of Independent Maryland Schools (AIMS) accreditation visiting committees and has been a speaker for parent and alumnae groups.

BRIAN DEMARCO Head of Development and Philanthropy  Brian is dedicated to leveling the philanthropic playing field for girls’ education. He leads the Development and Constituent Engagement Team, fostering a strong culture of philanthropy. His fundraising experience spans higher education, international conservation, and policy development. Before transitioning into fundraising, Brian worked in enrollment management. He holds a B.A. in Spanish and Policy Studies from Dickinson College.

HEATHER DENT Director of Athletics and Physical Education  Heather 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. Heather currently serves as Co-Chair for the Crisis Management Team for NCS and led the school’s preparation and response to COVID-19. She has also served for 14 years in various executive positions (Treasurer, Commissioner, and Secretary) for the Independent School Girls’ League. Prior to NCS, Heather “walked on” to the women’s lacrosse team at Virginia Tech in 1995, earned a scholarship, 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.

REBECCA JONES Head of Lower School and Head of Faculty/Staff Recruitment, Retention, and Engagement Becca joined NCS in 2013 after 18 years in Montgomery County Public Schools. During that tenure, she served as a Principal, Assistant Principal, Technology Educator, and Classroom Teacher. As a graduate of a girls’ school, Emma Willard School in Troy, NY, she was drawn to the mission and vision of NCS and, once she visited campus, knew this was where she was meant to be. Becca holds degrees from Ithaca College and American University and a certification from Johns Hopkins University.

JESSICA NORTH MACIE Director of Enrollment and Financial Aid Jessica has served in multiple roles at NCS: 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, Jessica was an Admissions Officer and Drama Teacher at Barrie School in Silver Spring, Md. She holds a Bachelors in Film Studies from Mount Holyoke College, an Advanced Certificate in Acting from the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, and a Masters Degree in Secondary Education and Teaching from the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education.

LARA PONOMAREFF Head of Strategic Marketing and Communications Lara leads NCS’s integrated marketing and communications efforts by planning and delivering strategic messaging that reinforces NCS’s reputation. She brings a wealth 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 previously at CEB/Gartner, including two years as 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. Lara holds a BA in Philosophy from the College of William and Mary and an MPP from the Harvard Kennedy School.

JOE SMOLSKIS Assistant Head of School for Finance   Joe, parent of Mo ’11, returned to NCS as the Assistant Head of School for Finance and Operations in June 2022. He also currently serves as Co-Chair for the Crisis Management Team for NCS. Previously, 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, Joe 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. Joe is a CPA and MBA and received his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University.

DR. VIVIANA VALDÉS SANTOS Head of Upper School  Viviana came to NCS from Phillips Exeter Academy, where she taught languages and served in multiple capacities for 20 years. While there, she was named to the Robert Kesler Distinguished Professorship. In addition to classroom duties, she contributed extensively to Exeter’s curriculum development, faculty recruitment and retention, and inclusive grading practices. Viviana also has experience as a Teacher at two girls’ schools: Agnes Irwin School and Dana Hall School. Other institutions where she has taught include the University of Delaware, St. Joseph’s University, and Rutgers University. Viviana 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.

RYANN WILLIAMS BERRY Head of Middle School Ryann is in her second stint at NCS, having worked here 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, Ryann 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.

Governing Board

NCS is directed by a Governing Board composed of parents, alumnae, and other friends of the School. Three members serve ex officio: the Bishop of Washington, the President of the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation, and the Head of School. The Governing Board entrusts the administration of the school to the Head of School. Primary responsibility for the well-being of the school rests with the Board. Its tasks include: establishing policy for the educational affairs of the institution; selecting and evaluating the Head of School; and ensuring sound fiscal management, adequate philanthropic support, and wise conservation of the school's assets and physical plant.

2025-2026 Governing Board Officers

• Laura Puryear, Chair
• Gina Coburn, Vice Chair
• Helen Bechtel ’00, Secretary
• The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of Washington, ex officio

• Joe Smolskis, Assistant Head of School for Finance & Operations, Staff Contact

   

2025-2026 Governing Board Members

• Chris Calsyn
• Alexa Chopivsky ’97
• Matthew Cutts
• Kim D'Abreu
• Morgan Eaker
• Franca Gutierrez
• Makiko Harrison
• Michael Rankin
• Suzanna Kang
• Cidalia Luis-Akbar
• William "Bill" Lynn
• Sandra Ortiz
• Barbara "Lou" Rollinson ’77
• Elinor M. Scully
• Antonio Sierra
• Brendan Sullivan III
• Gay Truscott ’80