Leadership
Dr. Laura M. Hotchkiss
Head of School
Dr. Laura M. Hotchkiss began her tenure as the Academy of Notre Dame’s Head of School on July 1, 2021. Dr. Hotchkiss joined the Notre Dame community from The Marlborough School in Los Angeles, Ca., where she served for over 25 years, most recently as Associate Head of Academics.
Dr. Hotchkiss earned her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Master of Education, and Doctor of Education at the University of California, Los Angeles. She serves on the Boards of the International Coalition of Girls’ School and One Schoolhouse, sharing her experience and expertise to further the mission of these organizations.
Bridget Bonner
Director of Middle School
Mrs. Bridget Bonner has been a member of the Notre Dame community since 2001. Bonner holds a Master of Education from Cabrini College and a Bachelor of Elementary Education from Saint Joseph's University.
Prior to being named Middle School Director in 2019, Bonner served as Director of Admissions, taught Religion in grades 6-12, and had served as Religion Department Chair and mentor to Student Council and student clubs.
Lisa D'Orazio
Director of Marketing & Communications
Ms. Lisa D'Orazio joined the Notre Dame community as Director of Marketing & Communications in November 2020. She joined the Notre Dame team after nine years as Director of Communications at Friends' Central School. D'Orazio also served as Associate Director of Communications at The Agnes Irwin School.
D'Orazio received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in French from Widener University and is pursuing a master's degree at Rosemont College. She is a dedicated youth softball coach and serves on the Board of Amigos de Jesus.
Tyler Gaspich
Director of Information Resources & Technologies
Mr. Tyler Gaspich holds a BS in Mathematics and an MS in Math Education, both from St. Joseph's University. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Philosophy in Education with a focus on Science, Mathematics and Educational Technology at Temple University.
Gaspich began his tenure at Notre Dame in the Mathematics Department before becoming the Director of Academic Technologies. He currently oversees the team responsible for all technology, databases and library services at Notre Dame. Gaspich is also the co-facilitator of the STEM Scholars program, co-chair of the International Sister in STEM Symposium 2023 and teaches Design Thinking, Entrepreneurship and Linear Algebra.
Maria Gunn
Director of Enrollment Management
Mrs. Maria Breck Gunn holds an MBA from Villanova University, where she also completed her undergraduate studies in Communication Arts as part of Villanova's Honors Program. Prior to joining Notre Dame as Director of Advancement in 2018, Gunn served in the Advancement Office at the Holy Child School at Rosemont for 11 years and had an extensive career in executive management.
In July 2020, Gunn's role at Notre Dame expanded to include oversight of Admissions and Enrollment Management.
Lori Johnson
Director of Finance
Mrs. Lori Johnson began her tenure as Director of Finance at the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur in November 2016. Prior to Notre Dame, Johnson was employed at Wipfli and Associates, serving in a supervisor role in public accounting, specializing in non-profit accounting.
Johnson is a graduate of Widener University, where she received her bachelor's degree in Accounting.
Peggy Kacergis
Director of Advancement
Mrs. Margaret (Peggy) Kacergis began her tenure as Director of Institutional Advancement at the Academy of Notre Dame in November 2022. Kacergis comes to Notre Dame from Haverford College, where she held a number of development roles in her 10-year tenure. In her most recent position as Director of Leadership Giving and Assistant Campaign Director, she oversaw the strategy, management, and execution of the leadership gifts program. Kacergis also served as Science Department Chairperson and Instructor for Physics and Environmental Science at the Country Day School of the Sacred Heart.
Kacergis received a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of Chicago, Booth Graduate School of Business.
Sheila Pauley
Director of Athletics
Mrs. Sheila Pauley joined the Academy of Notre Dame as Director of Athletics in July 2023. Prior to Notre Dame, Pauley served as the Director of Athletics at The Agnes Irwin School, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, and most recently, at The Marlborough School. With over 30 years of experience as a coach, teacher, and administrator, she is dedicated to athletics and to providing student-athletes with the support needed to grow in their skills, to be strong team members, and to learn life lessons. From her experience as a college basketball player and coach to her career as a leader in girls’ athletics, Pauley has coached and mentored girls at all levels.
Pauley is a graduate of Immaculata College, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics.
Erin Pratt
Director of Upper School
Ms. Erin Pratt began her tenure as Director of Upper School on July 1, 2022. Pratt joined Notre Dame most recently from Friends Select School, where she had served as Upper School Associate Director since 2018. Pratt taught Mathematics throughout her 10-year tenure at Friends Select and held the role of Chair of the Mathematics Department from 2015-2018. Pratt also served as Dean of Students and Mathematics Teacher at Merion Mercy Academy.
Pratt received her BS in Comprehensive Science from Villanova University and her master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Immaculata University.
Dave Teasdale
Director of Operations
Mr. David Teasdale joined the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur community in August 2021. Prior to Notre Dame, easdale worked in Facilities and Operations for 10 years, most recently as Director of Facilities and Maintenance for Cheltenham Township School District.
Teasdale has a diploma in Turf Management from Holmesglen Tafe in Melbourne, Australia, and he recently completed IFMA Certification at Villanova University.
2023-2024 Board of Trustees
David Frank
Chair of the Board
Rosemary Connors '01
Vice Chair
Sonia Hebding Churchman '86
Secretary
Mark Casale
Treasurer
Members:
Lynn Bond Bruder '80
Marissa Cherian
Sister Maria Delaney, SND
Tony Hayden
Deborah James-Vance '79
Michael Lilley
Cindy DePiano McKernan '88
Francesca Molinari
Robert Mitchell
Brian Mulligan
Preeya Noronha Pinto '94
Barbara Phelan Riley '90
Jeff Shanahan
Colleen Harvey Tegler
Anne Schoemaker Vazquez '99
Trustee Emeritus/a
Sister Helen J. Bellew, SND
Patrick Burns
Paul Finley
Rev. Robert Hagan, O.S.A.
Mary Ellen Maggitti
Donna McNeill
Janice Toscani Petersen '70
Eric Rubino
Kathleen Shay '70
Cary Toner
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