COTTING - Key Persons


Adrienne Manson

Job Titles:
  • Director of Transitional Programming, Senior Administration

Alexander Thorndike

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Officers Team
  • Treasurer President, Choate Investment Advisors

Althea Ioakimidis

Job Titles:
  • Human Resources

Amy Houghton

Job Titles:
  • Clinical Team Leader, Occupational Therapy Team Leader, Senior Administration
  • Clinical Team Leader, Occupational Therapy Team Leader, Senior Administration - OT Team Leader, Feeding Team Co - Leader, at Specialist
  • OT Team Leader, Feeding Team Co - Leader, at Specialist

Andrea Szekely-Hill

Job Titles:
  • Chief Financial Officer, Senior Administration

Ann Dube

Job Titles:
  • Executive Assistant

Anne P. Ogilby

Job Titles:
  • Chairman Emerita Partner, Ropes & Gray

Becky Klappenbach


Bridget Irish

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Officers Team
  • President Cotting School
  • President, Senior Administration
Bridget holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Tufts University and a Master of Business Administration, magna cum laude, from Babson College. "I believe every student deserves a teaching faculty and staff that feel passionate about their work and are dedicated to their students' progress. I feel so proud to work at a school where the staff exemplifies this ideal. Not only are these professionals consistently challenging themselves to develop new and innovative ways to teach our students, they are committed to working together to see what their students can do for themselves. My goal is to support our staff to ensure they have the encouragement, resources and training they need so that every member of the Cotting community is able to reach his or her highest potential. In return, I am invigorated by the amazing opportunities we create for our students and by the eagerness with which Cotting students rise to these challenges."

Caitrin Plante

Job Titles:
  • Communication Therapist

Charles S. Morrison II

Job Titles:
  • Trustee
  • President of Asset Management, Fidelity Investments ( Retired )

Charles T. Haydock

Job Titles:
  • Treasurer Emeritus EVP, Welch & Forbes ( Retired )

D. Eliot Klein

Job Titles:
  • Secretary Emeritus VP of Commercial Banking, TD Bank

Dan Cuddy

Job Titles:
  • Physical Education & Coordinator of Supplemental Services

David Cushing

Job Titles:
  • Chairman Emeritus CIO, Aspen Creek Digital Corporation

David Peduto

Job Titles:
  • Director of Facilities, Facilities & Maintenance, Senior Administration
Dave holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Southern New Hampshire University. He is LEED Certified and has a certificate in HVAC from Northeastern University. "Cotting is a very special place that does an amazing job with every student that attends the school. I am always astounded at how caring, patient and friendly the staff is, and how this extends to all students. The facilities are designed to ensure every student can be included, no matter what the activity, which enhances the student experience at the school. It is a sincere pleasure to be here every day and watch the students blossom into mature, caring young adults."

David S. Lee

Job Titles:
  • Senior Vice Chairman President, Scudder Investments ( Retired )

Eliza Bailey

Job Titles:
  • Trustee
  • Senior Transactions Counsel, BeiGene, Ltd

Elizabeth Fay Russell

Job Titles:
  • Director of Admissions, Senior Administration
Elizabeth holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, cum laude, from Wheaton College, a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from Boston College and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from the University of Massachusetts, Boston. "When I started working at Cotting in 1995, I really had no idea that my career had taken me to such an amazing place where I could feel a deep sense of community and support amongst my colleagues, my students and their families. Cotting School is a special place; you can feel this the moment you first walk in the doors. At Cotting, I am surrounded by remarkable students who inspire me in the ways they overcome obstacles, gain confidence, develop genuine friendships and grow and mature in extraordinary ways. At Cotting I am surrounded by amazing staff and colleagues who are highly skilled and professional and who care greatly for each other as well as for their students. In my tenure at Cotting I have worn a number of different hats. First I worked as the Director of Guidance and had the wonderful opportunity to work directly with our older students in a counseling and transition planning capacity. Later, I took on the Director of Admissions role and in this role I have had the opportunity to meet many prospective families and teachers and administrators from public school districts. I am the person who gets the privilege of welcoming new students and families to our special community. I give many tours and feel like I see Cotting from fresh eyes every day. I see folks who are visiting for the first time who already feel that sense of community spirit and caring right from the get go. I see the amazement in their eyes as they see all the cutting edge technology that our students and teachers use and view our impressive facility.

Jeanine Meredith

Job Titles:
  • Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Senior Administration
Jeanine holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary and Special Education, Magna Cum Laude, from Providence College and a Master of Education in Special Education with a Concentration in Literacy from Lesley University. "I started working at Cotting School as a classroom teacher in 2009 and wholeheartedly believe that the collaboration between staff, students, and families is unparalleled. It is truly a pleasure to be part of such a warm and caring community, where students of varying abilities are welcomed with open arms and celebrated for who they are. Every student has something special to offer. Despite the obstacles and challenges they face, students work hard and preserve and it is impossible not to be inspired. There are so many special and rewarding moments each day, ranging from seeing a student master a skill independently after weeks of practice or being greeted with ear-to-ear smiles after the weekend to strategizing plans in team meetings that allow students to reach new heights. I take my classroom experiences with me as I transition into my role as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction, which will allow me to creatively adapt, maintain and explore the development of new curricula. As a Teacher Supervisor, I am eager and dedicated to fostering a supportive, caring and collaborative environment that shines a light on the potential of each student by encouraging staff, students and families alike to feel comfortable sharing their ideas and needs."

Jennifer St. Hill

Job Titles:
  • Trustee
  • Vice President of Marketing Planning & Operations, CrowdStrike

Joan I. Thorndike

Job Titles:
  • Trustee

John F. Drake

Job Titles:
  • Trustee
  • Managing Director, Accenture

John P. Connelly

Job Titles:
  • Trustee
  • Partner, Hinckley Allen

Julie Bennett

Job Titles:
  • Trustee
  • Surgeon, Cape Cod Veterinary Services

Katherine Martien Sullivan

Job Titles:
  • Trustee
  • Director, TRANSCEND Research Program at MGH

Leah Thibodeau

Job Titles:
  • Education Director, Senior Administration
Leah holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education, cum laude, from the State University of New York, Cortland, a Masters of Education in severe special needs from Boston College and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership from Bridgewater State College. "I have always had a firm belief that teamwork is key to supporting students to reach their potentials. At Cotting, fostering partnerships between staff, parents and school districts is of significant importance in working with our students. Our staff strive to have ongoing communication before, during and after student meetings to ensure that student and parent concerns and priorities are taken into account as they develop goals and plans that lead to student success. There is nothing more rewarding than the opportunity to facilitate a team process that leads to the development of attainable goals that are in each student's best interest. Though there are times when conflicting views can challenge this group effort, it's always important to remain focused on the needs of our students to be able to come to constructive resolutions. I'm reminded on a daily basis of our faculties' commitment and dedication to the success of our students. They work with collective diligence to make sure that individual student's access needs are met, and instruction is designed to enhance learning and independence. They have risen to the challenge of designing and implementing learning models and formats so that student learning continues whether in-person or from a distance even when crisis abounds. I'm so proud to have the opportunity to work alongside such a wonderful group of professionals. There is no better place to be."

Lori Campana

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Officers Team
  • Secretary Partner, Monument Group

Michael Durkin

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Officers Team
  • Chairman CEO, United Way of MA Bay and Merrimack Valley ( Retired )

Nora Frank

Job Titles:
  • Development, Director of Advancement, Senior Administration

Pamela Varrin

Job Titles:
  • Family Support
  • Family Support Coordinator, Mental Health Team, Senior Administration
Pam holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Brown University and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Clinical Psychology from Boston University. "I came to Cotting with experience as both a clinical psychologist and the parent of a child with disabilities. Previously working in the community mental health system and then in private practice in the Boston area, I was particularly interested in understanding what helped individuals and families retain and develop resilience in the face of serious illness, disability, and other forms of trauma. From my dual perspective as parent and professional, at Cotting I strive to be responsive to and learn from each family's experience and needs in contributing to a supportive community. Through sharing information and nurturing the experience of belonging, I pursue the goal of maintaining a safe, reliable, and empowering community for families raising children with disabilities.

Patricia Salmonson

Job Titles:
  • Director of Technology, Senior Administration

Patrick B. Downes

Job Titles:
  • Trustee
  • PsyD.Psychologist, Home Base

Randy Kinard

Job Titles:
  • Trustee
  • Vice President & Investment Officer, Fiduciary Trust Company

Raymond L. Killian

Job Titles:
  • Chairman Emeritus CEO, Investment Technology Group ( Retired )

Richard E. Keeley Dean

Job Titles:
  • Trustee
  • Dean, Boston College Carroll School of Management ( Retired )

Ruth Berg

Job Titles:
  • Reading Specialist

Sarah Hassett

Job Titles:
  • Technology

Stuart A. Randle

Job Titles:
  • Trustee
  • CEO, Ivenix ( Retired )

Tim Richmond

Job Titles:
  • Director of

Timothy J. Connelly

Job Titles:
  • Trustee
  • Strategic Advisor, Brown Brothers Harriman ( Retired )

Valery Glod Gransewicz

Job Titles:
  • Program Director, Senior Administration