Our Board of Directors

Mrs. Monica Almonte: Treasurer. Mrs. Almonte is an accountant at the Association for Cultural Interchange, which provides financial support and assistance to other non-profit groups and educational institutions. These educational institutions range from elementary schools through graduate studies, and from typical schools to vocational training organizations.

Mrs. Maryanne Harkins: Director. Mrs. Harkins brings over 25 years of experience teaching mathematics from grade school to college. Most recently, she served as an adjunct professor at the LaPenta School of Business at Iona University, where she taught Operations Management Analytics. A lifelong learner and dedicated educator, Maryanne holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Wellesley College, studied Industrial Engineering at Northwestern University, earned a Master of Science in Engineering in Applied Mathematics from Johns Hopkins University, and is currently pursuing an MBA in Business Analytics at Iona University. Maryanne has been an active member of several school communities, including Sacred Heart Greenwich, Iona Preparatory School, and The Hawthorn School. As president of the Hawthorn Parent’s Guild, she works to strengthen family involvement. Maryanne and her husband, Mike, reside in northern Westchester County, where they are raising nine children, the youngest of whom attend The Hawthorn School. With her analytical expertise, Maryanne advocates for process efficiency and the implementation of best practices in education. She actively promotes a learning environment that inspires curiosity and problem-solving.

Mrs. Mary Ellen Kranzlin: Director. Mrs. Kranzlin is a mother of five. She has an MBA from Columbia Unversity and B.A. in English from the University of Virginia. Before becoming a mother, she worked in marketing for Proctor and Gamble and in the marketing division of advertising at Saatchi & Saatchi and the former SSC&B: Lintas. With her cousins, she runs the Bunting Family Foundation. She is a trustee for Save the Sound. She serves on the Board of Alderton House, which provides religious, cultural, and social activities for women. She was a Board Member at Seven Acres Montessori in Wilton, CT for 9 years. She was a Trustee for Oakcrest School for 5 years. Mary Ellen was an active volunteer at her children’s’ various schools. She taught religion to children of all ages at her church from 2000-2020. She also teaches at mini-retreats and classes for women. She is a co-leader of the Women’s Bible Study program at her church.

Dr. Joseph R. McCleary: Director ex officio. Dr. McCleary brings over 35 years leadership experience in both the public and private school settings with positions ranging from the headmaster to president. At the beginning of his career he spent 21 years at the Heights School in Potomac, MD where he left as Head of the Lower School to co-found the Avalon School in Maryland. He went on to become the superintendent of the Mystic Valley Regional Charter School, managing three campuses with 10 buildings and 1,450 kindergarten through 12th grade students across six towns, which led to national rankings in Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report and The Washington Post for six consecutive years. He then transitioned to the Advanced Math and Science Academy (AMSA) Charter School in Marlborough, MA, where he served as executive director overseeing faculty, staff and 970 students in grades 6 through 12. He led the school to a number one ranking in Boston Magazine in 2016. Following AMSA, Dr. McCleary was recruited to The Schools of St. Mary in Manhasset, New York, which serves 600 students in nursery through grade 12. He is a published author and invited presenter in northeastern academia and has received multiple awards and fellowships spanning his career. He earned a Ph.D. in English from The Catholic University of America. Dr. McCleary also holds an M.A. in English from Georgetown University and a B.A. in English from Towson University.

Mr. Andrés I. Pérez-Benzo: Chairman. Mr. Pérez-Benzo is a private investor and the founder of Sfumato Equity Holdings L.P., a hedge fund in New York City. Mr. Pérez-Benzo has worked previously at Goldman Sachs, Uber and IBM. He serves on the boards of several educational institutions including The Heights School in Potomac, MD, and is a graduate of Princeton University.

Mr. Joel Pidel: Secretary. Mr. Pidel practices traditional and classical architecture in New Canaan, Connecticut, residing nearby with his wife and children. He attended the University of Notre Dame where he studied architecture and philosophy, graduating in 2005. His work has been the recipient of architectural design awards and has been published in various books and magazines.

Dr. Othón Wiltz: Vice Chairman. Dr. Wiltz is a Surgeon at Montefiore Medical Center and Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He served as President of the Board of Directors of Oakcrest School from 2006 to 2012. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences at Johns Hopkins in 1981, Dr. Wiltz attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University, earning his Doctor of Medicine in 1985. In 2009, he earned his Master of Bioethics from the University of Navarre.