Regional Advisory Board

Berkshire School is fortunate to have wonderful groups of alumni volunteers to help the School in a variety of capacities; one of those groups is the Regional Advisory Board (RAB). Their mission is to generate increased support through engagement within each region. This includes staying connected with alumni and Berkshire families, organizing programs and events, and assisting the Admission and Advancement Offices. The Board currently has alumni representation in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, New York, the Pacific Northwest, Southern California, and Washington D.C.

If you are interested in becoming an alumni volunteer for the RAB or being involved through another volunteer role, please check out our volunteer opportunities here.

We are excited to introduce the Regional Advisory Board Co-Chairs and a few of our regional ambassadors below!

Regional Advisory Board

Tracy Wenzell Davlin ’86: Co-Chair

Occupation: PTR (Professional Tennis Registry) certified tennis coach for ages 10 & under

Favorite spot on campus: My favorite spot on campus was, what I consider to be the artery, the quad. I loved walking up to Berkshire Hall with the Mountain in the background and passing the beautiful tree on the left. We would all socialize on the quad after dinner or classes. As a tour guide, the quad was a focal point of my tours when I introduced prospective students and families to some of the great aspects of the School. I went back to campus last fall and the space still holds the same emotion.

What inspires you to give back to Berkshire? Co-Chairing the Regional Advisory Board allows me to make valuable relationships with alumni, help plan events in several regions, and stay tied to Berkshire. While I have thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with old friends, I am also making new connections within the alumni network. I like connecting people and have found that Bears share a deep and magical love of the Mountain.

Kit Landry ’10: Co-Chair

Occupation: Vice President of Investments at E2MVentures

Favorite spot on campus: The terrace off the back of the third floor of Berkshire Hall looking into the woods.

What inspires you to give back to Berkshire? Berkshire and all the amazing faculty and staff did so much for me in my three years that it only feels right to support Berkshire through volunteering as a RAB Co-Chair.

Susie Norris ’79: Boston, MA Ambassador

Occupation: I'm now a cookbook author and retired pastry chef. I'm the kid who went to boarding school and never returned! I've loved the Berkshires since I first arrived as a freshman in 1975. I was a member of the cooking and drama clubs, which set me on a lifelong course of loving both food and the performing arts.

Favorite spot on campus: One of my favorite spots on campus is the trailhead to Black Rock. To me, it is a familiar spot behind civilized Berkshire Hall and a portal into the deep wilderness of the woods.

What inspires you to give back to Berkshire? I enjoy serving on the Regional Advisory Board because I stay connected to the School and the many people who enjoy Berkshire's unique blend of academics, sports, arts, and inspiration ‘pro vita.’

Errett Van Nice ’88, P’23: Chicago, IL Ambassador

Occupation: I am a Private Wealth Advisor at Van Nice Private Wealth Management Group and Managing Director at UBS Private Wealth Management. Our group provides financial planning, estate planning, and acts as a fiduciary investment advisor, to 100 select families throughout the United States.

Favorite spot on campus: The Mountain will always be my favorite part of campus, specifically, Guilder Pond. I love how it takes a spark of motivation, a little leadership, and some anticipation of what lies on the path ahead, to reach the rocky sunkissed shoreline and the cool waters of Guilder.

What inspires you to give back to Berkshire? I love introducing Berkshire School to families in the Chicago region that may not be aware of the exciting and unique opportunities offered here. The choice to apply and attend a boarding school can be an incredible leap of faith for both parents and students alike. Our Regional Advisory Board offers insight on why taking a different path and leaving the familiar can create new possibilities for growth. We also plan alumni get-togethers with our classmates that can span several class years. It’s always interesting to hear what fellow Bears are up to and reminisce about past adventures.

Katharina Kreke Peña ’12: Dallas, TX Ambassador

Occupation: I am currently staying home to raise my 16-month-old daughter, Sofia. Prior to becoming a mom, I worked for a staging and interior design company in Houston.

Favorite spot on campus: My favorite spots on campus are the art studio and Shawn’s Place.

What inspires you to give back to Berkshire? I am very grateful for my whole experience under the Mountain; my time at Berkshire was incredibly formative and greatly attributed to who I am today. Volunteering as a regional chapter ambassador allows me to give back and connect with old and new Bears in the Texas region. There might not be many Berkshire Bears in Texas, but when we do come across one another it is always great fun and a special treat.

Helen Pearsall Galvin ’08: Denver, CO Ambassador

Occupation: I am currently a metalsmith and jewelry designer. I also coach a club team in Boulder called the Colorado Bears Field Hockey Club.

Favorite spot on campus: My favorite place on campus is the Kenefick Center for Learning and the WBSL radio studio.

What inspires you to give back to Berkshire? I give back because it’s a special place, and I adore the memories I made on campus.

John Diebold ’07: New York City Ambassador

Occupation: Providing ESG analytics and advisory to investors across public and private markets.

Favorite spot on campus: My favorite spot is a tie between Buck Valley and Black Rock. I lived in Buck my entire time at Berkshire and loved being able to step out the front door and relax on the quad. I also spent as much time as I could hiking up the Mountain and eventually did a NOLS semester before starting at Middlebury, where I became a wilderness orientation leader for freshmen.

What inspires you to give back to Berkshire? Berkshire was an incredibly important part of my life. You would be hard-pressed to find another school that cares as much about each individual student, their family, and their success as Berkshire did during my time and still does today. So much has changed on campus, and I love having the opportunity to meet recent college grads, share current happenings with older alumni, and speak with prospective families in the New York area.

Mike Harrison ’04: New York City Ambassador

Occupation: Senior Executive Vice President, General Manager at starpower, a global full-service culture agency.

Favorite spot on campus: I always enjoyed coming up the tree-lined driveway onto campus when returning from an away game or a weekend off campus. There was always a warm and welcoming feeling whenever returning to campus.

What inspires you to give back to Berkshire? Berkshire helped me become who I am today, providing a platform for personal growth and independence, while affording me the opportunity to develop relationships and create memories that will last a lifetime. I give back to Berkshire as an alumni ambassador to help prospective students find and choose Berkshire, so that they too can have the opportunity for a similar experience.

Ayren Moskowitz Pfeifer ’95: Southern California Ambassador

Occupation: Realtor in California and South Carolina

Favorite spot on campus: Although there are many places that hold fond memories for me on campus, my favorite is Benson Commons—its construction was completed when I was a student, and it is where I got married in 2002!

What inspires you to give back to Berkshire? Berkshire played a crucial role in helping me carve out my future, and it’s important to me to share my gratitude for the School with others. When I look back at that time of tremendous growth, I am grateful for the friends, coaches, and teachers who opened my eyes to my own potential.

Jon Nicolazzo ’90: Pacific Northwest Ambassador

Occupation: Senior Vice President for American Funds | Capital Group based in Portland, OR

Favorite spot on campus: My favorite place on campus sadly no longer exists. It was the third floor of the Memorial dormitory where the Morgan/Bellas/Dixon Math and Science Center stands today. That floor was filled with a cast of characters unlike any other: Haze Moss, Kris Hughes, Shaft Lewis, Adam Carey, Chris Vulliez, Chris McKhann as well as a brand new teacher, Larry Pratt, who wasn’t sure what he got himself into. It was a wonderful year!

What inspires you to give back to Berkshire? The main reason I give back is so that other young people will have the chance to meet their lifelong friends whom they would never have crossed paths with otherwise. The alumni ambassador role allows me to help foster those relationships long after graduation. The photo I attached is one of dozens of photos with a few handfuls of people I could have sent along. This photo is me with E.A. Weymuller ’90, who grew up in Seattle, WA, and was a PG during my senior year. We have become lifelong friends, and our friendship would never have happened without Berkshire School. Along with E.A., I’ve maintained great friendships with Brian Luts ’90, Chris McKhann ’90, and others from our years at Berkshire.

Jason Rano ’98: Washington, DC Ambassador

All Members of the Regional Advisory Board

MEMBERS
Co-Chairs: Tracy Wenzell Davlin ’86 and Kit Landry ’10

Atlanta, GA Region:
Nick Dancey ’01, Kat Gaudin ’05, John Hull ’03, Tyler Reighley ’10

Boston, MA Region:
Matt Crowson ’05, Sam Maher ’12, Susie Norris ’79, Mary Pace ’08

Chicago, IL Region:
Will Borders ’88, Alex Lesser Forbeck ’05, Courtney Kollmer Siemborski ’06, Sue Ann Stanton '81, Errett Van Nice ’88

Dallas, TX Region:
Michael Allen ’13, Katharina Kreke Pena ’12, Bailey Duffy Stovall '05

Denver, CO Region:
Steve Kaczmarek ’85, Kelsey Markiewicz '10, Jacob Nagy ’04, Helen Pearsall Galvin ’08, Karen Wilbrew '87

New York, NY Region:
John Diebold ’07, Mike Harrison ’04, Tobenna Ikejiani ’20, Georgia McLanahan '16, Nicky Picotte Smith '09

Pacific Northwest Region:
Noah Dunn ’10, Haze Moss ’90, Jen Nichols ’87, Jon Nicolazzo ’90

Southern CA Region:
Ali Fox ’11, Michael Gutenplan ’99, Shawn Ingram ’85, Ayren Pfeifer ‘95

Washington, DC Region:
Dorothy Graves ’07, E.B. Harris '85, Brian Luts ’90, Andrew Mueller '92, Jason Rano ’98, Hattie Waldron ’13

Board Representative: David Rondeau ’78