Board of Trustees

Mara has 25 years in executive leadership and has held numerous senior positions in Talent Management and Human Resources. She is currently the Managing Director, Human Capital at The Riverside Company where she leads portfolio company value creation on behalf of the Riverside companies. She been a Chief Human Resources Officer, Operating Partner, and Management Consultant, with experience building and scaling teams, both globally and domestically, driving value creation through talent programs across the employee life cycle.  Mara joins the Parker Board, with a passion for DEI strategy, long term strategic growth, fundraising and supporting initiatives that drive talent attraction and retention.   Mara has a BA from Wheaton, College in Norton MA, and a Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University.  She is a Member of the Massachusetts Bar. 

Mara lives in Groton MA, with her husband, her two children (one is in Division 2), and her two rescue mutts (Lucky & Max).  When not working, Mara enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and reading.

Julie Fredericksen has spent the last thirty-five years working and volunteering in the field of education. She began her career in administration at The School of Education at Boston University and Harvard University’s School of Public Health. She then moved to Development at The Bancroft School in Worcester, MA. Her claim to fame (so far) is being one of several founders of Oxbow Schoolhouse, a private Waldorf-inspired Elementary School, where she served as a Trustee for 6 years, was chair of the fundraising committee, and volunteered in the classroom. Currently she works as a librarian at the Reuben Hoar Library in Littleton, MA. Her favorite aspects of the job are issuing children their first library cards and recommending books for her patrons. Julie is a fervent supporter of the Parker Way and has served on over 30 information panels to help others (prospective families, educators from other countries, and even a State Senator) obtain a deeper understanding and appreciation of this extraordinary school. She routinely shares her enthusiasm for Parker’s educational philosophy with anyone who is willing to listen and is thrilled to bring her passion for learning and alternative education to the Parker Board.

Julie lives in Littleton with her husband, Patrick, and is the mother of two Parker graduates. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, reading, walking in the woods with her dog, and cooking for family and friends. Her favorite quote is, “Educating the mind, without educating the heart, is no education at all.” (Aristotle)

For over 25 years Pam has worked as an educator with a deep commitment to equity, student-driven learning, and transforming education. Pam became a history and civics teacher because she wanted to help young people gain an understanding of their unique identities and voices through rich and relevant learning experiences. She wanted to participate in reforms focused on creating schools and classrooms that engaged all students and focused on equity. Furthermore, she wanted to help students understand how to be agents of change. After teaching in international, public, and charter schools she pursued and earned her doctorate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) to explore questions she had about her passions related to civic and political education, student voice, and student centered learning. She worked with teacher education programs, helping new teachers navigate schools and find their own voices in schools and classrooms. Pam joined the faculty at the Leominster Center for Excellence (LCE), the first Big Picture Learning school in Massachusetts. She was drawn to BPL’s focus on relationships and student-driven learning through interests and internships. Currently Pam runs Professional Development at LCE and consults with Big Picture Learning conducting research and helping schools with their internship programs. Pam also holds an EdM in Teaching and Learning from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and an AB in American Civilization from Brown University. 

Pam and her husband live in Harvard, MA with their three children, all of whom have attended Parker (Classes of ‘22, ‘24, and ‘26). She loves traveling, hiking, biking, and most outdoor activities.

Brian Harrigan is thrilled and honored to join Parker as the new Head of School. Brian promotes a positive school culture that is rigorous, loving, respectful, equitable, inclusive and welcoming to all students. 

Brian taught Social Studies at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, DC. Brian has served as the Principal of Natick High School for the past seven years. During this time he has developed a close partnership with Starfish International, a school for girls in The Gambia, West Africa.

Brian is an avid runner, completing 15 marathons at an ever slower pace. He lives in Hopkinton with his wife and two teenage daughters. He is a better parent and educator as life and work come together every day.

Luciana Hayner has been a Cybersecurity Professional for MIT Lincoln Laboratory (MIT LL) in Lexington, MA for over 6 years, prior to working at MIT LL, she was a government contractor on Hanscom Air Force Base in various cybersecurity positions.

In addition to her position at Lincoln Laboratory, she was a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard, with over 27 years of service, retiring in January 2023. Her last position in the military was as the Diversity and Inclusion Program Manager role. She enjoyed working in the DE&I position so much that she decided to return back to school and get her Master’s degree in Diversity Leadership, Luciana is currently enrolled in Tufts University in the Diversity Leadership Program and has an expected date of graduation in December of 2023. She is also a member of the Parker Charter Diversity Council. In addition to her involvement in the Parker community, Lucina also is active at her church, serving in leadership roles in various youth ministries.

Luciana values family, she is married with two children and loves family time, and doing family activities, like playing board games and taking road trips with her husband James, and their children, Emily and William (students of Parker).

Amy is currently Head of School for Applewild School in Devens and Fitchburg. Amy previously served Maine Girls Academy, The Fenn School, Shady Hill School, and Oakcrest School. Amy first pursued a career in management consulting and project management but the lure of school life proved to be too strong! Her areas of expertise include: recruitment, marketing, & brand positioning; financial aid and finance; and strategic partnerships and program development.

Amy grew up in Lunenburg and attended American University (B.A.) and Fitchburg State University (M.Ed.). She has three adult children and presently lives in Sterling, MA with her two incorrigible Labrador retrievers.

Matt first joined Parker in 2013 as a special education teacher. After teaching in special education, Matt transitioned into teaching Arts and Humanities, first in Division Three and then Division Two. In addition to his role as a classroom teacher, Matt works closely with Parker students coaching Mock Trial and formerly coached Model UN. Matt holds a B.A. in History from UMass Boston and an M.A. in Education from Lesley University. In his free time, he enjoys staying active through running, reading, playing softball, and hiking.

For the past 30 years Nicole has devoted the majority of her professional life to event planning and development. She's had the opportunity to be involved with a number of non-profit and for-profit organizations. Most memorable include the Initiative for a Competitive Inner-City based in Boston, the national chain of Improv Comedy Clubs and the Parker running team's pasta parties. Nicole served on the Nashoba Regional School Committee and has volunteered with the Hudson Area Arts Alliance, River's Edge Players, the Sudbury Savoyards, and the Worcester Civic Light Opera.

She has two Parker alumni who are both thriving despite not living full-time with their mother and a current Parker student who is also thriving despite living full-time with his mother. Her household in Stow also includes her husband and two adorable but somewhat rude dogs.

After graduation from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Richard Madamba spent 20 years working at Fortune 100 manufacturing companies managing engineer development programs and having P&L responsibility for an extensive network of global aerospace companies at Ametek. In 2013, Richard acquired Aqua Blasting Corporation, an aerospace and industrial metal finishing company in Bloomfield, CT. Richard resides in Northborough, MA with his wife Jill and their three dogs. He is an avid runner and enjoys spending time with his wife and children at Lake Winnipesaukee and in Palm Coast, FL.

Glenn has over 25 years of experience in developing managers, leaders and organizations. In his senior leadership positions, he has helped to plan, build and run transformational programs, and as a consultant, he has focused on building organizational effectiveness through program management and leadership development, executive coaching and team building/facilitation.

Glenn resides in Boston with his wife, Pamela.  Their three sons have each graduated from Parker; Seth ‘15, Reis ‘16, and Jared ‘18, each of whom have now graduated from college.  Glenn has served as a Trustee for Parker since 2017, becoming Treasurer in 2019 and Vice Chair in 2021.  Glenn is excited to contribute to the school’s continued success through his involvement, focusing on expanding community outreach with a target goal of promoting greater diversity in faculty and students.

He is a passionate traveler who has visited six continents, with intentions of visiting all seven, while also being an avid reader of history and biographies, and enjoying cycling and outdoor activities.  Glenn’s volunteer work includes leading a parent support group through Parents Helping Parents and serving as a mentor to a student at Beacon Academy in Boston.

Sonia has over 20 years of experience in the biotechnology industry. She currently is Senior Vice President of Quality and Operations at Generation Bio, a genetics medicines company in Cambridge, MA. A recent addition to the Parker Board of Trustees, Sonia resides in Shirley with her husband, Rob.  She has two adult children, Noah and Ella, both college students.

Sonia holds a PhD in Biological Sciences in Public Health from Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.  In her free time, Sonia enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with her family, including three dogs.

For over 25 years, Stefanie has worked in education as a teacher, instructional coach, researcher, professional developer, adjunct university faculty and consultant for schools across the United States and Canada. Currently, Stefanie is the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning in the Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough. Stefanie’s previous work as a consultant involved supporting schools in designing and implementing instructional improvement practices incorporating collaborative, non-evaluative, classroom observations. She continues to serve as a faculty co-chair for the Programs in Professional Education Instructional Rounds Institutes. Stefanie was an adjunct professor at Brandeis University, as part of the teaching team for a graduate program for teacher leaders. She completed her doctoral studies in May 2015 at the Harvard Graduate School of Education with a concentration in Education Policy, Leadership, and Instructional Practice.  Her research and publications focused on issues of instructional improvement in urban schools with a concentration on leadership practices, teacher evaluation and teachers’ working conditions. Previously, Stefanie was a faculty member for the Boston Principal Fellows Program for aspiring school leaders in the Boston Public Schools for 6 years.  Stefanie was a math coach and middle school math teacher in the Boston Public Schools (BPS).  Prior to working at the secondary level, Stefanie was an elementary school teacher in BPS and in other settings including a suburban public school, a suburban private school, and an international school.  In addition, Stefanie has a MA from Harvard in Education, Management and Policy, an MAT in elementary education from Manhattanville College and a BA in Art History from Princeton University.

Stefanie and her husband Micki and their three children live in Sudbury and love to enjoy the outdoors, hiking, kayaking, playing sports, and skiing.  One of her children currently attends Parker.

Christina has more than 25 years of experience in the business development and marketing communications fields.  Specializing in Human Capital Management, she has helped bring strategic solutions to the C-level suite at enterprise-sized organizations throughout the Northeast.  Her strong business acumen and creative problem solving and negotiation skills make her a valued consultant to the global organizations that she serves.  As an enterprise sales executive, she has consistently ranked as a top performer for her employers, securing millions of dollars annually in net new sales and earning Presidents Club status on a regular basis. 

Christina holds an MBA from Bentley University with a concentration in Marketing, as well as a BS from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in International Business Management and French, and a minor in Economics.  She is a current board member of the Sizer Foundation, a member of Parker’s Essential Community Organization, member and past president of the Holden Garden Club, past president of Davis Hill Elementary School PTA, and a regular volunteer at her church.   She lives in Holden with her husband and three children who all currently attend Parker.  In her free time, she enjoys travel, gardening, beekeeping, reading, and spending time at their lakehouse in Maine. 

Tiffany has been a part of the Parker Community for over 18 years. After leaving for some time to raise her sons, she returned and has been teaching MST since 2014. Tiffany was introduced to the Ten Common Principles her very first year of teaching and they have been the bedrock for her work in education. Prior to Parker, she taught at two other Coalition schools, and spent a short amount of time at a very large and traditional high school. While home raising her boys and unable to find the best environment for early schooling, she and a close colleague developed and ran an outdoor nature preschool, Many Paths School. Her passion is in creating meaningful and engaging curriculum as well as working with other teachers collaboratively to continually improve teaching and learning. Tiffany’s belief that all kids can and should be expected to use their minds well is unwavering. When educational decisions are grounded in these principles, good learning can follow. She is happy to serve on the Parker School Board supporting a school she truly believes in. Tiffany lives in Hollis, NH with her husband Ryan, and two sons, Luke and Christopher. She enjoys everything outdoors, especially camping, kayaking, the ocean and tropical ecosystems. She combines these interests by leading Parker Eco-Travel groups to the Bahamas, Belize and Costa Rica. Most weekends she can be found on the sideline of any given soccer field in New England. Her favorite players are her two sons!

Martin has over 40 years of experience in facilities design, management, and engineering. In the course of his career, he has lead engineering design teams for large projects like Worchester Tech High School, managed engineering/energy and site operations at Novartis in Cambridge, and is currently a senior facilities engineer at MIT.

Martin lives in Westford with his wife, Paula. Their two sons Danny (2011) and Chris (2015) are Parker alumni. A longtime member of the Facilities Committee, this is Martin’s fifth year as a Trustee for Parker. He has helped the school through major projects including roof replacement and electrification and air conditioning of the Spanish wing. He hopes to continue contributing to the school’s success through his involvement upgrading the facilities to give every student a meaningful high school experience. In addition to a lifelong interest in engineering and science, Martin is a sports enthusiast and in his spare time, he enjoys coaching and refereeing soccer. He believes strongly that all children should have the opportunity to participate in sports and learn from the experience it provides.