Leadership

Board of Directors 2025—2026

Officers

Sara Elsasser ’02

Board Chair

Sara Elsasser ’02

Why did you join the NTEF Board?
I joined the NTEF board because I was inspired by the opportunity to fund innovative and interesting initiatives that not only make an impact on New Trier and its students and community but also have the opportunity to impact education more broadly. When the organization funds interesting projects, the educational community has the opportunity to learn from these projects and then scale them at New Trier and beyond. I feel privileged to learn about the creative ideas our New Trier faculty are implementing on a daily basis.

What is the most rewarding thing about being on the NTEF Board?
I love having the opportunity to have a strong understanding of the impressive work happening at New Trier. I am always excited to learn how thoughtful and strategic the school is in thinking about opportunities for our students, both from an academic and social-emotional perspective.

What was your favorite movie in high school and why?
Ferris Bueller's Day Off—I attended New Trier and loved seeing the Chicago suburbs and City of Chicago featured in the movie.

Megan Cummins

Board Vice Chair

Jaqueline Avitia-Guzman

Treasurer

Sarah Ricciardi

Secretary

Learn More

Cathy Shaw ’79

Why did you join the NTEF Board?

I joined NTEF because I found my involvement with NTBC, NTPA, and the Graduation Party so rewarding. Now that my kids have graduated, NTEF seems like the right place to give back to a school and community that has given my family so much.

What is the most rewarding thing about being on the NTEF Board?

The most rewarding part about NTEF is being continually amazed by the faculty, staff, and students at New Trier and being able to support the work they are doing.

What was your favorite movie in high school and why?

I absolutely adored Fame and Flashdance in the 80’s. I love musicals and dance films, in general!

Directors

Doug Ackerman

Learn More

Doug Ackerman

Why did you join the NTEF Board?

I want to continue to give back to New Trier because it was such a wonderful experience for our kids.

What was your favorite movie in high school and why?

The Terminator, because it was awesome!

Saboora Alsikafi

Neha Biggs

Joan Miles

Chair, Marran Grants

Learn More

Joan Miles (Criswell)

Why did you join the NTEF Board?

I joined the NTEF board as a way to give back to an institution that provided such an amazing educational foundation for both of my boys.

What is the most rewarding thing about being on the NTEF Board?

As the grants chair, the most rewarding thing about being on the board is to see the dedication that the teachers and staff have in continually trying to improve the curricula, students’ learning and social experience while at New Trier.

What was your favorite movie in high school and why?

My favorite movie in high school was probably one of the John Hughes movie. Being from Texas, little did I know that I would end up living in the area where they were based!

Lenny Feller

Learn More

Lenny Feller

Why did you join the NTEF Board?

To help the New Trier community.

What is the most rewarding thing about being on the NTEF Board?

Funding student activities that wouldn’t be funded otherwise.

What was your favorite movie in high school and why?

Braveheart. Who wouldn’t want to be William Wallace (until the end at least)?

Rachel Fiely

Learn More

Rachel Fiely

Why did you join the NTEF Board?

My son has been part of the BinaryHeart Club since his freshman year at New Trier, and when I found out the club had received several Marran Grants, I was instantly curious. Learning more about the NTEF’s mission and impact really inspired me. I knew right away it was something I wanted to get involved with.

What is the most rewarding thing about being on the NTEF Board?

It is really amazing to be a part of something that you can see the positive impact on both the community and your own kids so immediately.

What was your favorite movie in high school and why?

I love a good rom-com, so Can't Buy Me Love, Pretty in Pink, and Pretty Woman were all video tapes I watched on repeat!

Steven Fifita

Learn More

Steven Fifita

Why did you join the NTEF Board?

My family and I are proud members of the New Trier Community and we are grateful for the opportunity to send our children to the schools in the New Trier School District. Personally, I am passionate about the pursuit of excellence in education through innovation and equality and I firmly believe the NTEF Mission is aligned and able to support New Trier School District with those goals. I joined NTEF for the opportunity to do my part to serve the New Trier Community.

What is the most rewarding thing about being on the NTEF Board?

Recently, I was fortunate to participate in one of the semi-annual Visit Days where NTEF members rotate between grant award winners' classrooms with balloons and the "oversized check" to award and celebrate the respective winning teams. For me, the reward comes from the looks of wonderment and pride emanating from the faces of the students and the teachers when they realize that their voices and vision can be rewarded.

What was your favorite movie in high school and why?

That is a tough call, I went to high school in the '80s. One of my favorite movies in high school was The Breakfast Club, although Ferris Buehler's Day Off is right behind it. Why? High school kid in the '80s, John Hughes movies...need I say more?

John McGuinness ’77

Learn More

John McGuinness ’77

What was your favorite movie in high school and why?

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest!

Cathy Shaw ’79

Learn More

Cathy Shaw ’79

Why did you join the NTEF Board?

I joined the board as an alumna and a resident of the district. I had a wonderful experience there and was involved in the social service club. I feel it’s important for a school to be able to encourage students and faculty to expand their education with thinking outside the box. Those programs aren’t always covered by the District budget so the foundation can help support them.

What is the most rewarding thing about being on the NTEF Board?

My most rewarding experience so far as a board member was to attend the GoBabyGo Day when children with spina bifida get fitted for their customized Power Wheel toy electric cars. The students in the Intro to Engineering Design class did the hands-on project. To see high school students working with children with mobility deficits was very touching. It made me proud that the Foundation could help such an Empowering program.

What was your favorite movie in high school and why?

There were a lot of good movies in the mid ‘70’s but my favorite was One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. First movie I’d seen that dealt with how society treated people with mental illness.

Honorary Directors

Rob Faurot ’77

Learn More

Rob Faurot ’77

Why did you join the NTEF Board?
I joined the NTEF board because I was inspired by the opportunity to fund innovative and interesting initiatives that not only make an impact on New Trier and its students and community but also have the opportunity to impact education more broadly. When the organization funds interesting projects, the educational community has the opportunity to learn from these projects and then scale them at New Trier and beyond. I feel privileged to learn about the creative ideas our New Trier faculty are implementing on a daily basis.

What is the most rewarding thing about being on the NTEF Board?
I love having the opportunity to have a strong understanding of the impressive work happening at New Trier. I am always excited to learn how thoughtful and strategic the school is in thinking about opportunities for our students—both from an academic and social-emotional perspective.

What was your favorite movie in high school and why?
Ferris Bueller's Day Off—I attended New Trier and loved seeing the Chicago suburbs and City of Chicago featured in the movie.

Janet Hersh ’74

Chris West ’68

Learn More

Chris West ’68

Why did you join the NTEF Board?
Being fortunate enough to participate in the New Trier experience and its lasting impact, I want to ensure that this tradition continues providing a current and relevant experience.

What is the most rewarding thing about being on the NTEF Board?
The opportunity to positively influence and impact the lives of young people who will actively participate in their own way in shaping our future.

What was your favorite movie in high school and why?
“Bonnie and Clyde” is one of my favorite films. A film or story can be viewed on multiple levels, as I have matured, I have come to realize the relevancy of this classic film to our society.

Ex-Officio

Nicole Dizon
Chief Communications
Officer

Denise Dubravec
Winnetka Campus Principal/
Assistant Superintendent

Jean Hahn
President
Board of Education

Chris Johnson, EdD
Deputy Superintendent
Finance and Operations

Liz Mayer ’02
Executive Director,
New Trier Educational Foundation

Peter Tragos
Superintendent

Paul Waechtler
Northfield Campus
Principal

Executive Director

Liz Mayer ’02

Learn More

Liz Mayer ’02

Why did you join the NTEF Board? 
I knew working for the NTEF was the right fit for me the very first day I walked back onto campus. In so many ways, this is home for me. Seeing the commitment of our Board to the students and the desire NTEF Board members have to truly impact the educational opportunities of students is inspiring.

What is the most rewarding thing about being on the NTEF Board? 
For me, being able to see and experience the impact of our work with the students on a regular basis is the most rewarding thing. Seeing the dedication of our teachers and administrators constantly reminds me how proud I am to be a Trevian!

What was your favorite movie in high school and why?
 I’ll have to go with Bring It On, I was a high school and competitive cheerleader!