NCS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Head of Development and Philanthropy
DeMarco oversees a comprehensive fundraising strategy to support NCS's philanthropic priorities and for building a highly relational and dynamic culture of philanthropy within the community. Prior to joining NCS, DeMarco oversaw fundraising at the Center for American Progress, a D.C.-based think tank. He has 14 years of experience in higher education, both in enrollment and fundraising. DeMarco holds a BA in Spanish from Dickinson College.
Dr. Elinor Scully is the 12th Head of National Cathedral School. She came to NCS in July 2021 after completing eight years of service as Head of The Langley School, a preschool-to-8th-grade school in McLean, Va.
With more than 20 years of both classroom and administrative experience, Dr. Scully is a nationally recognized thought leader on independent education and, in particular, on social and emotional learning. An expert in childhood and adolescent development, she has consulted with more than 40 independent schools and written for numerous publications on the topics of gender, sexuality education, and social and emotional learning.
Prior to assuming the headship of The Langley School, Dr. Scully served with distinction for eight years at NCS as head of the Upper School, assistant head of school, and associate head of school. She began her career in 1990 as a family life education teacher at St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Va., subsequently taking positions as chair of the family life education department and associate director of the Upper School before moving to NCS in 2005.
A Falls Church, Va., native, she holds a PhD and an MS in education from the University of Pennsylvania and a BA in English from the University of Virginia. She currently serves on the Board of the Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington.
Valdés Santos earned her BA in French and Italian from Georgetown University, an MA in secondary urban education from the University of Pennsylvania, an MA in French from Middlebury College, a PhD in 18th Century French literature from Rutgers University, and a certificate in educational leadership from Harvard. She has taught at two girls' schools: Agnes Irwin School and Dana Hall School. Valdés Santos has also taught at the University of Delaware, St. Joseph's University, and Rutgers University. More recently, she taught languages and served in multiple capacities for 20 years at Phillips Exeter Academy, where, in 2013, she was named to the Robert Kesler Distinguished Professorship. In addition to classroom duties, Valdés Santos contributed extensively to Exeter's curriculum development, faculty recruitment and retention, and inclusive grading practices.
Job Titles:
- Director of Athletics and Physical Education
Dent began her career at NCS in 2004 and currently oversees physical education classes, athletics, Voyageur, and dance for grades 4-12. Over the years, she has served on numerous committees, including the curriculum, hiring, and admissions committees. Dent serves as co-chair for the crisis management team for NCS and led the school's preparation and response to COVID-19. Prior to NCS, Dent "walked on" to the women's lacrosse team at Virginia Tech in 1995 and played for three seasons, serving as captain for two seasons. She was a college lacrosse coach at the Division I and III levels with experience at Roanoke College, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Wagner College, and James Madison University. She holds an MBA in Finance from Wagner College and a BS in Exercise Science from Virginia Tech.
Job Titles:
- Interim Director of Enrollment and Financial Aid
North Macie has served at NCS for 12 years as Middle School dean, a 7th grade English teacher, a Middle School advisor, a member of the Middle School admissions committee, and on the NCS administrative team. In those roles, she has led community-wide programs, developed curricula, and led a reorganization/expansion of the office of DEI. She serves on the national staff of SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity), training new leaders. Previously, she was an admissions officer and drama teacher at Barrie School in Silver Spring, Md. North Macie holds a bachelor's in film studies from Mount Holyoke College, an advanced certificate in acting from the National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts, and a master's degree in secondary education and teaching from the University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Head of School for Finance
- Assistant Head of School for Finance & Operations
Smolskis, parent of Mo '11, returned to NCS as the assistant head of school for finance and operations in June 2022. In his prior position on the Close, he spent nearly 10 years on the PECF's administrative team, including serving as its executive vice president and chief operating officer. In that capacity, Smolskis worked on the NCS and PECF garage financings, revamped the Close's financial systems, managed the Close-wide response to the 2011 earthquake, and led the PECF's community relations efforts. After leaving the Close in 2011, he managed the financial and administrative affairs of the Center for American Progress, St. John's College in Annapolis and Santa Fe, and the Democratic National Committee. Smolskis is a CPA and MBA and received his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University.
Job Titles:
- Head of Strategic Marketing and Communications
Ponomareff leads NCS's integrated marketing and communications efforts by planning and delivering strategic messaging that reinforces NCS's reputation. Ponomareff brings 16+ years of experience in conducting research, developing and managing products, leading teams, and advising executives on marketing as well as customer service/experience insights and best practices. She worked for 13 years at CEB/Gartner, including two years as the practice vice president for the marketing research practice. More recently, she ran a research and product development consulting business where her clients included arts organizations and the sports business industry. Ponomareff holds a BA in Philosophy from the College of William and Mary and an MPP from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Member of the Officers Team
Job Titles:
- Bishop of Washington, Ex Officio
Yancey joined National Cathedral School as director of technology in June 2008. In this position he is responsible for the implementation and management of computer hardware, software, and network infrastructure. Prior to joining NCS, Yancey worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs for 19 years where, as an administrative officer, he managed and coordinated technology, budget, and personnel operations. He is a D.C. native and holds a BA in communications from American University.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
Job Titles:
- Head of Middle School and Assistant Head of School for Academics
During her 16 years at NCS, Blumer has been a Middle and Upper School English teacher, department chair, division head, and assistant head of school for academics. She has worked on transformative projects for the school, including developing the coordinate daily block schedule, guiding 4-12 curriculum development, restructuring the faculty evaluation and professional development process, and overhauling the school's hiring protocols. Blumer has served on several Association of Independent Maryland Schools (AIMS) accreditation visiting committees and has been a speaker for parent and alumnae groups.
Job Titles:
- Head of Lower School and Head of Faculty / Staff Recruitment, Retention, and Engagement
Jones joined NCS in 2013 after 18 years at Montgomery County Public Schools. During that tenure, Jones served as a principal, assistant principal, technology educator, and classroom teacher. As a graduate of a girls' school, Emma Willard School in Troy, N.Y., she was drawn to the mission and vision of NCS and, once she visited campus, knew this was where she was meant to be. Jones holds degrees from Ithaca College and American University and a certification from Johns Hopkins University.