Board of Trustees
Board of Trustees and Trustee Biographies
The Board of Trustees is the governing body of Doane Academy. This group of men and women hold the school in trust and make decisions regarding its long-term operations and finances. Board members are drawn from both the Doane Academy community and beyond in an effort to maintain balance among graduates, parents, and the greater community.
- Adam Paglione '91 - Board President
- Heather M. Buzick '97 - Board Vice President
- Steve Harrison - Board Treasurer
- Erick Del Aguila ’90
- Stacy (Mullen) Nordlinger '96
- Nakia Smith
- Rev. David Snyder
- Audrey Winzinger '76
Adam Paglione '91 - Board President
Adam Paglione ‘91 is a graduate of St. Mary’s Hall/Doane Academy and joined the Board of Trustees in 2014. Adam has been an active member of the Board’s Finance Committee since 2013. Adam has two children enrolled at Doane Academy, Owen, class of 2025, and Colin, class of 2027. Adam is the President of BCG Securities, Inc., a full service broker/dealer specializing in retirement plans and wealth management services for businesses and individuals. In his capacity as President, Adam also heads the compliance and regulatory oversight for the firm, and is a member of the firm’s executive team, which leads the strategic growth and direction of the firm. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree at Gettysburg College and a Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Adam is a member of the bars of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and a member of the Financial Services Institute.
Heather M. Buzick '97 - Board Vice President
Heather M. Buzick '97 is a graduate of St. Mary’s Hall/Doane Academy. Heather is a Senior Research Scientist at Educational Testing Service (ETS), a non-profit assessment and education research organization, and has been employed there since 2009. Ms. Buzick has led several research studies to gather empirical evidence from large-scale assessments in both K-12 and higher education on validity and fairness for students with disabilities. She currently leads a cross-disciplinary research project that is contributing educational assessment capabilities, theoretical frameworks, and empirical evidence toward the goal of developing and sustaining a qualified, diverse, and cross-culturally competent teacher workforce. Her research appears in educational measurement journals including Applied Measurement in Education, Educational Measurement: Issues and Practice, and Educational Researcher. Previously, Ms. Buzick spent two years as an assistant to the Executive Committee for the University of Maryland’s decennial Middle States accreditation review. She is actively involved in the National Council on Measurement in Education professional organization; past roles include the Training and Professional Development Committee Chair, Annual Meeting Review lead, and editor of the quarterly newsletter. Ms. Buzick is currently a regular reviewer for several academic journals, a principal review panel member for scientific peer review of grant applications submitted to the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences, and an Associate Editor for the ETS Research Report Series and R&D Technical Review.
Ms. Buzick earned a Ph.D. in Measurement, Statistics & Evaluation from the University of Maryland and also holds an M.A. in Economics from the University of Virginia and a B.A. in Mathematics and Economics from Bucknell University. She and her husband, Alex ’96, have two sons who are in the lower school at Doane Academy and reside in Burlington City, where Ms. Buzick was raised. Ms. Buzick and her husband have been a part of the Doane community for more than 30 years as students, alumni, and parents.
Steve Harrison - Board Treasurer
Steven Harrison, CPA and partner at Harrison, Mauro & Mortgan, is a life-time resident of Burlington and Lumberton and a second generation professional in the Burlington business community. He graduated from Ithaca College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a minor in economics. Steve’s areas of expertise include small business consulting for closely held business and professional corporations. He has extensive background with regard to tax preparation for individuals and corporations and estate planning. White balancing his responsibilities with the firm, Steve is actively involved in the community, devoting much time to various organizations. Steve has been a member of the Burlington Rotary for 30 years and served two separate terms as president. Steve serves as treasurer of for Temple Har Zion in Mt Holly, as well as the Burlington Township Dollars for Scholars. Steve also serves on the finance committee for the Masonic Lodge #32, has volunteered on the fundraising committee for the Burlington YMCA, and was the treasurer for the Burlington County Chamber of Commerce and Friends of the Library Company of Burlington. Steve’s daughter Eliana graduated from Doane in 2017.
Erick Del Aguila ’90
Erick Del Aguila ‘90 is a graduate (and a lifer) of St. Mary’s Hall/Doane Academy and joined the Board of Trustees in 2020. He and his wife Gosia have one daughter, Penelope - born in 2016. Erick is a Principal Consultant in the Telecommunications Industry for Infosys Consulting - a global professional services firm. Having joined the firm in 2008 while living and working in Europe, Erick transferred with Infosys back to his home state of New Jersey in 2013 and has lived in Sicklerville since 2018. He earned a B.A. at the University of Pennsylvania and is currently pursuing a Diploma in Artificial Intelligence and Robotic Processing Automation from Oxford University. Erick and his family enjoy traveling mainly to Europe where his wife's side of the family are based.
Stacy (Mullen) Nordlinger '96
Stacy (Mullen) Nordlinger ’96 is a graduate of St. Mary’s Hall/Doane Academy. She joins the board from the New York City Department of Education where she serves as the Clinical Advisor to the Impartial Hearing Representation Office.
Prior to her tenure at the New York City Department of Education, Stacy served in School Psychology, Educational Evaluation and consultancy roles across Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey in both the public and private sectors. Her career in education began at SMH/DA as Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid from 2001-2003.
Stacy has earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Muhlenberg College, with a major in Economics. She holds an Educational Specialist degree in School Psychology from Rider University and is a New Jersey, New York, and nationally certified School Psychologist. Stacy also studied educational leadership at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and is a New York State certified School Building Leader.
Stacy lives in New York City and Southampton, New York with her husband and stepson.
Nakia Smith
Nakia T. Smith has over 15 years of experience in accounting and tax advisory services for businesses and individuals with an emphasis on tax compliance, planning, and tax strategies for high net worth individuals, closely held businesses and trusts. Nakia also devotes her practice to estate, financial and strategic planning activities. She currently works as a Senior Tax Consultant at a law firm in Philadelphia, PA.
Nakia serves as a mentor for The Gail Bierenbaum Women’s Leadership Council at Rider University which focuses on advancing leadership, mentoring and philanthropy. Given her passion for entrepreneurship, she is currently focused on launching a boutique fitness studio in Burlington City.
Nakia graduated magna cum laude from Rider University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting. She obtained her Master of Business Administration from Villanova University.
Nakia recently moved to Burlington City where she lives with her husband J. Roosevelt Smith. They have two children in college and one son currently serving in the United States Army.
Rev. David Snyder
The Rev. David Snyder is the rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Mount Holly. He brings to the Board of Trustees a diverse array of talents developed from his experiences in education, the nonprofit sector, and the Lutheran and Episcopal Churches.
A magna cum laude graduate of Lock Haven State College, David held positions early in his career in teaching and admissions at Freyburg Academy, Pine Ridge School, and Sewanee Academy. While at Sewanee, a persistent call to prepare for ministry led him to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, from which he received his Masters in 1984. Moving north the following year, David became Pastoral Associate at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Pottstown, PA, while also completing a “Lutheran Year” at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. In 1986 he became ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament in the Lutheran Church in America.
Three years later, the Snyders returned to New England, where David served first as Pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Newington, NH, and subsequently at the Lutheran Church of the Nativity in Conway, NH. Simultaneously, he began a Doctor of Ministry program at the Portland branch campus of Bangor Theological Seminary. In 1998 he accepted a position as Executive Director of the Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Portland, ME. This work continued until 2005 when he joined World Vision, the largest Christian relief and development organization in the world, for which he did fundraising and development.
During this period and in the absence of Lutheran parishes nearby, David and Susan became affiliated with the Episcopal Church. In August of 2000, David became Vicar of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Bridgton, Maine, the first Lutheran pastor to be called to serve an Episcopal congregation following the establishment of full communion between the denominations in July of that year. After preparation officially to join the Episcopal Church, David was received in 2008 into the Diocese of New Jersey by the then Bishop George Councell. Subsequent opportunities led him to serve on the Diocesan Stewardship Commission and as Interim Rector of The Church of the Good Shepherd in Pitman, NJ, before coming to St. Andrew’s, from which he will retire at the end of 2018.
Audrey Winzinger '76
Audrey J. Winzinger ’76 is Vice President of Robert T. Winzinger Inc., which has served the construction, demolition and land improvement industry since 1958.She is a graduate of Chestnut Hill College and earned her law degree from Widener University.For many years she has been an active supporter of not-for-profit organizations, serving as a trustee of organzations including Cedar Run Wildlife and Rotary Clubs of Mount Holly and Moorestown, and the Mill Race Theatrical Company.She served as president of the Board of Doane Academy from 2013 through 2016 and currently serves on the Buildings and Grounds Committee.
- Christina Cecchi '85
- Jeanette Smith Cureton '63
- Dreux Doyle '77
- Kelly Dun
- Joseph M. Garemore '85 - Board Secretary
- Shaniece Johnson
- Dr. Adam Potkay '78
- Alita T. Wingfield
- Ted de Villafranca
Christina Cecchi '85
Christina Cecchi ’85, joined the board in 2011 and has been an active member serving as former Board President and Vice President, and Chair of Head of School Search and Buildings and Grounds Committees. She also has served on the Committee of Trustees, Development, Strategic Planning, Head Relations and Rowan Hall Committees. Prior to joining the Board, Christina was a Member at Large of the Society of Graduates and a volunteer in the Development Office since 2003. In addition to being an alumna and a lifer, she has two children, Sabina’ 21 and Daria ’24 enrolled at Doane Academy since Kindergarten and PreK. Christina has a BA in Economics and Italian Literature and a MBA in Marketing/Market Research. Christina owns and manages several small real estate holding companies and Networking Matters, Inc., an IT consulting firm specializing in the design, building, implementing and managing of LAN and WAN infrastructure. Clients include independent schools, public schools, universities, healthcare and sports venues. Christina was previously the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Operations at LSI Group, a consulting group specializing in association marketing, direct response, marketing plans, business development and business plans for insurance companies, banks and associations. Christina is also a former adjunct Professor of Micro Economics at Rutgers Camden. |
Jeanette Smith Cureton '63
Jeanette Smith Cureton ’63 joined the board in 2015, serves on the Committee on Trustees, which she previously chaired, and on the Head Relations Committee. Jeanette is a retired higher education researcher, author, and lecturer. Independently and with scholar Arthur Levine, she conducted national research on contemporary college students, resulting in a jointly authored book, a series of journal articles, and more than 30 presentations. She also worked as a research assistant at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education and as assistant to the president at Curry College in Milton, Massachusetts. More recently, she completed nine years as a Trustee of Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York, and currently serves on the Vestry of Bruton Parish Episcopal Church in Williamsburg, Virginia. Jeanette is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Bates College, holds Master’s degrees from both Johns Hopkins and Harvard Universities, and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Elmhurst College in Illinois. Together with her husband Bryant, president for 14 years of that liberal arts college in suburban Chicago, she thoroughly immersed herself in campus and community life and in the national work of the Council of Independent Colleges. Prior to being active in higher education circles, Jeanette had teaching experience at the high school level. While a student at St. Mary’s Hall, Jeanette was the first exchange student to attend its then-sister school by the same name in Brighton, England. She was married in the Chapel of the Holy Innocents and is following a family tradition as her father also served on the school’s Board of Trustees.
Dreux Doyle '77
Dreux Doyle ’77 is a graduate of St. Mary’s Hall/Doane Academy. He has served on the Building and Grounds Committee since 2018. Dreux has worked in the construction industry for over 45 years. His work experience includes, the construction trades as a Plumber and Pipe Fitter for Local #322 and as an accomplished Construction Manager since 2000 for Hill International, Inc. He has worked on large construction projects such as nuclear plants, refineries, casinos, and school’s Pre-k -12. Dreux was a Senior Construction Manager in Trinidad and Tobago for government construction projects from 2011 to 2014.
Dreux attend Green Mountain College in Business studies 1977-1980. He completed Drexel University Construction Management Certifications courses from 1999 to 2001.
Dreux was the Governor’s appointee to the City of Burlington Housing Authority from 1990 to 1997. He also served on the Burlington Charter Study Commission that recommended the Burlington Municipal Charter change from twelve council members to seven members, which voters approved overwhelmingly.
Dreux appreciates his role at Doane Academy. He also enjoys family life having recently become a grandfather.
Kelly Dun
Kelly Dun joined the Doane Academy board in 2015 and serves on the Strategic Planning Committee. Kelly brings a wide range of independent school experience to the board. Kelly earned a M.S.Ed., Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Spanish Language and Literature from the University of New Hampshire. Before moving to the non-profit sector, Kelly worked at multiple independent schools for 25 years with experience in teaching, leadership, admissions and financial aid. Kelly was the Director of Enrollment Management at Princeton Day School for 12 years and during that time, she was active in state and national admission organizations, including being co-chair of the Admission Leadership Council for SSATB. Kelly also has presented at multiple enrollment workshops for independent schools and has provided consulting services for several east coast independent schools. Kelly, her husband, and their two children reside in Hopewell, NJ.
Joseph M. Garemore '85 - Board Secretary
Joseph M. Garemore ‘85 is a partner with the law firm Brown & Connery, LLP, in Woodbury, New Jersey and concentrates his practice in commercial litigation, including litigation in the Bankruptcy Court and matters relating to creditors' rights, and in business transactions. Joe attended St Mary’s Hall -Doane Academy from 1978-1985, where he played varsity baseball and soccer, participated in the Quiz Bowl team, and served as class vice president and was the 1985 recipient of the Head Boy cup. Joe graduated from Franklin & Marshall College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, and earned his law degree from Rutgers University School of Law, where he served as an Associate Editor of the Rutgers Law Journal. After law school, Joe served as judicial law clerk to the Honorable Myron H. Gottlieb of the Superior Court of New Jersey in Burlington County. Joe is admitted to practice in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and also before the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, the United States District Court for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. He is a member of the New Jersey and Burlington County Bar Associations, as well as the American Bankruptcy Institute and is certified by the American Board of Certification as a Creditors' Rights Specialist. Joe joined the Doane Academy board in 2016. He is the board Secretary, chairman of the Finance Committee, and the Vice President of the Society of Graduates. Joe is also actively involved at the Epworth United Methodist Church in Palmyra where he is the Chairman of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee. Joe lives in Cherry Hill with his wife Holly, daughter Grace and son, Tim, Doane Academy class of ’19.
Shaniece Johnson
Shaniece Johnson is a mother, wife, and successful business entrepreneur. From 2007 through 2010, she was the owner and operator of a Coldstone Creamery in Hamilton, New Jersey. As such, she was involved in all aspects of the business, including but not limited to financial strategies, management, marketing, staffing, and growth.
Since 2008, Mrs. Johnson she has been a proprietor of K Johnson Enterprises, LLC. (KJE), located in Bordentown, New Jersey. KJE is a company that focuses on Health and Wellness in all its various aspects. KJE’s Team Campus in Bordentown, New Jersey is comprised of an 80,000 Sq. Ft., state of the art fitness facility, three medical office buildings, and a retail location.
In 2016, Team85 Fitness & Wellness, LLC, was opened by Mrs. Johnson, who has been responsible for ensuring the Health Club’s success. Team85 employs almost 200 individuals, and Mrs. Johnson helps to oversee all the individual job functions and the financial aspects of the company.
In addition to her familial responsibilities and professional accomplishments, Mrs. Johnson is heavily involved in her community. Since 2015 she has been the Youth Director of the Greater Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church located in Hamilton, New Jersey. In 2016, Mrs. Johnson was appointed as a Trustee of the church, where she assists with the finance and upkeep of the church’s facilities.
Mrs. Johnson and her husband, Kevin, have been active in the Doane community for many years and are the parents of three children, including their daughter, who currently attends Doane Academy in grade six.
Dr. Adam Potkay '78
Holding the position of Visiting Professor for Distinguished Teaching at Princeton University (2018-19), Dr. Adam Potkay ‘78 comes to us with over 40 years of teaching experience. Dr. Potkay is the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Humanities at the College of William and Mary. He has been a Visiting Professor at Columbia University, Washington University, and the University of Aberdeen. His writings explore literature's connections to ethics, theology, and rhetoric. His most recent books are "The Story of Joy from the Bible to Late Romanticism" (Cambridge, 2007), awarded the Harry Levin Prize by the American Comparative Literature Association, and "Wordsworth's Ethics" (Johns Hopkins, 2012). While at Princeton he will be working on "Hope: A Literary History."
Dr. Potkay specializes in eighteenth-century and Romantic literature at the William and Mary, where he has taught since 1990; his appointment as William R. Kenan Professor of Humanities began in August 2009. He was Chair of the department from July 2013 to June 2016. Professor Potkay is the recipient of numerous honors for teaching and scholarship; he is a prolific writer and the author of An Education on the Delaware: St. Mary’s Hall and Doane Academy, 1937-1999.
Dr. Potkay, a 1978 graduate of St. Mary’s Hall - Doane Academy, holds a Ph.D. from Rutgers University, in English, an M.A. from Johns Hopkins University in English, and a B.A. from Cornell University, Arts & Sciences.
Alita T. Wingfield
Alita T. Wingfield is an Executive Director and Global Head of Compliance Training at Morgan Stanley. Previously, she was the Head of Bank Non-Market Risk at Morgan Stanley Bank N.A. She started her career at Morgan Stanley as the Managing Attorney of the Global Litigation Group. She is a Co-Chair of the Legal and Compliance Division Diversity and Inclusion Network and a member of the Division’s Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee. In recognition of her diversity and inclusion efforts, Ms. Wingfield was awarded the 2013 New York City Bar Diversity & Inclusion Champion Award and the 2013 Corporate Counsel Women of Color Individual Star Diversity Award of Excellence.
Mrs. Wingfield serves as the Chair of the Committee on Trustees and is a member of Development Committee. Outside of Doane, she is on the Advisory Council of the National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms (NAMWOLF), a nonprofit trade association comprised of minority and women-owned law firms and was formerly on the Board of Directors of Sanctuary for Families, an organization focused on support of victims of domestic violence and sex trafficking. She graduated from Spelman College, summa cum laude, with a B.A. in Political Science. She also holds a J.D. from Howard University School of Law, cum laude and an LL.M. in Trial Advocacy, cum laude, from Temple University Beasley School of Law.
Ms. Wingfield and her husband, Dr. Wingfield, are residents of Burlington City and have four children, including two who are students at Doane Academy.
Ted de Villafranca
Ted de Villafranca comes to the Board with 30 years of experience in all areas of admissions work, from selective college and university admissions to independent boarding school admissions. He worked at the Peddie School for 17 years as the Director of College Counseling and later as Dean of Admissions and College Counseling. He also served on the Arts Faculty as a choral director. Mr. de Villafranca directed the college counseling program at Berkshire School, where he was also Sixth Form Dean and advisor to the newspaper and tennis coach. He also directed the college counseling program at Virginia Episcopal School, where he was a dorm parent, tennis coach, and English teacher.
Prior to college counseling, Mr. de Villafranca worked in college admissions at Manhattanville College and the University of Richmond. Known within the admission and counseling community as someone who works tirelessly for his students, Mr. de Villafranca has a broad and deep network both in the United States and Canada. Mr. de Villafranca, having traveled and recruited abroad, knows school systems far and wide. He has presented at national and regional conferences and sits on the advisory board of the Fiske Guide to Colleges. Often quoted in the New York Times, Mr. de Villafranca most recently served as their on-line expert for college admissions. He currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the American Gap Association.
Mr. de Villafranca is a graduate of the Kent School in Connecticut. He earned his undergraduate degree from Rhodes College and a master's from Columbia University. He is also a graduate of Harvard's Summer Institute on College Admissions.
Trustee Emeritus/a
- Alice Fisk '61
- Pam Heckert '67
- John Miller
- Margaret Morris '57