Joining Our Boards in 2022-2023

Joining Our Boards in 2022-2023

Joining Our Boards in 2022-2023

JASON BOOMA

Board of Governors

“The St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes mission statement speaks of a ‘complex and changing world.’ In particular, I think technology has greatly changed how we perceive ourselves, our immediate community, and our broader world. I believe that a Saints education places an emphasis on understanding and reconciling multiple points of view while still deciding what one believes and advocating for one’s position. These skills will be essential for students to navigate and lead in the years ahead.”

Jason Booma is excited to serve on the Board of Governors, as a means of giving back to the school community. “Our two boys, Ben ’26 and Luke ’29, have gained much by being part of SSSAS,” Jason said. “I want to ensure that future students have the same opportunity.” When Jason and his wife, Suzy, initially enrolled their children, they were looking for an environment that fostered academic learning as well as character development. “As we have matriculated through each campus, we have essentially selected SSSAS multiple times,” Jason said. “The role the school plays in character development becomes increasingly important and differentiated as our boys get older.” Jason believes the school’s greatest strengths lie in the thoughtful leadership at all levels and the focus on building a community, first and foremost among the students.

Jason has been at Columbia Capital for 14 years. As a Partner, he focuses on investments in the enterprise technology and digital infrastructure sectors. He serves on the Boards of Xtype, Billing Platform, Lemongrass, Mesh-AI, NearForm, Nisos, and 2nd Watch. Previously, he served as a director of Cloud Sherpas (acquired by Accenture), Contino (acquired by Cognizant), and SummitIG (acquired by SDC Capital Partners).

Prior to working at Columbia, Jason was a principal investor with Centennial Ventures. There he was involved with their services and technology investments in Zayo Group (NYSE: ZAYO), Compellent Technologies (NYSE: CML), New Global Telecom (acquired by Comcast), Market Force Information, and TensorComm. Before moving to Centennial in 2004, Jason was a product manager for Level 3 Communications. He started his career at QualNet (acquired by Verio), a start-up provider of Internet infrastructure for mid-sized enterprises. Jason received a bachelor’s in computer engineering from Northwestern University and an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management.

When he’s not working, Jason enjoys playing competitive golf, doing a poor impression of 1970s and 80s rock music on guitar, and exploring the outdoors with his family.

Dr. Sabrina Crawford joins the Board of Governors after co-chairing the APT DEIB Committee last year. “Serving on the Board enables me to contribute to the broader school community and leverage my personal and professional experiences to advance our mission, vision, and values,” Sabrina said. “It is gratifying to work with board members who are dedicated and enthusiastic about SSSAS and advancing the strategic plan.” Sabrina and husband Michael chose SSSAS for their sons, Sebastian ’33 and Maddox ’35, because they feel the school provides an environment where students can thrive academically and socially, while developing spiritually. Sabrina believes Saints have a love of learning, a strong commitment to faith, and treat others with respect and kindness. “Actively engaging in education, demonstrating passion and perseverance towards your goals, and leading by example are all attributes that result in collegiate success,” Sabrina said.

 Sabrina is energized by the Strategic Plan and looks forward to the continued implementation of educational programming focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, service, and wellness. “It is incredibly exciting for our students to have programming that will help nurture their ideas into tangible products or programs to improve our communities,” she elaborated.   

Sabrina provides individual, couples, and family therapy through her private practice in Washington, D.C. “I am passionate about mental health so I look forward to the continued growth of the SSSAS wellness initiative,” Sabrina said. “SSSAS promotes a culture of wellbeing including health and balance in mind, body, and spirit. Building upon these important tenets with robust wellness initiatives will enable our students to thrive in the face of adversity.”

In addition to her therapy work, Sabrina conducts immigration and forensic evaluations. She has worked extensively with domestic and international agencies, including the World Bank Group, International Development Bank, and Pan American Health Organization to provide counseling support and programs through strength based and resiliency approaches. Areas of specialization in her clinical work include trauma and resilience, anxiety, and depression; issues of culture and race; and acculturation challenges. Sabrina received a bachelor’s in psychology from Rider University and her doctorate in clinical psychology. from George Washington University.

At home, Sabrina cherishes spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors, engaging in physical activity, or just playing games. She loves reading fiction that makes her laugh and cry, traveling, and exploring new restaurants.

SABRINA CRAWFORD

Board of Governors

“St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School’s greatest strength is our community. The connectedness of the Saints community is truly unique and special. This is foundational to cultivating confident and resilient students.”

DAVID FELSENTHAL

Board of Governors

“I believe in the mission and am so appreciative of what the administration and teachers have meant to our children and family. I am particularly impressed by the school’s focus on goodness, the whole child, and mental wellness.”

David Felsenthal is returning to the Board of Governors this year, having already served from 2014-2020. When he and his wife, JoAnna, were looking for a school for their three children, Ryan ’20, Jake ’22,

 and Abby ’24, they felt fortunate to find St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes. “We love the school’s approach to character-building, its commitment to strong academics, and the nurturing environment that helps each child to grow intellectually and emotionally,” David said. “We attribute this to the amazing administrators, teachers, and staff.”

David serves as the chief executive officer of EAB Global, an education research, technology, and data-enabled service firm that helps schools support students from enrollment through graduation and beyond. Founded as part of The Advisory Board Company in 2007, EAB has grown to serve more than 2,500 schools, colleges, and universities across the country and around the world. David’s areas of expertise include enrollment, people management, strategy and planning, and student retention and success. During David’s tenure at EAB, the company has been recognized with numerous awards for its impact on its partners, service to its communities, and commitment to its employees, including Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s “Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality,” Washington Post’s’ “Top Workplaces,” The Richmond Times-Dispatch’s “Top Workplaces,” and Washington Business Journal’s “Corporate Philanthropy by Volunteer Hours.”

David previously served as president, chief operating officer, and chief financial officer of The Advisory Board Company, helping to take the company public in 2001. The company subsequently grew from $70M in revenue and 400 employees to more than $750M in revenue with 3,700 employees across 10 offices and three continents. In addition, from its origins as a subscription research business, The Advisory Board Company grew into a leading technology and services provider.

Earlier in his career, David worked in product development and delivery as vice president of eHospital, a company focused on producing health care information and delivering it to patients and providers via the Internet. David also served as director of business development at Vivra Specialty Partners, a private health care services and technology. David holds an M.B.A. from Stanford University, and graduated magna cum laude with an A.B. degree from Princeton University.

When David is not working, he enjoys fly-fishing and taking trips with his family.

Katherine Murphy is concluding six years as the executive director of the Mid-Atlantic Episcopal School Association (MAESA). The position has provided her the opportunity to work with dozens of Episcopal schools in our region, and Katherine has become well-acquainted with their heads of school, chaplains, teachers, and administrators. “I’ve gained a perspective on the very personal and complex work done by people working in Episcopal schools.” Katherine said. “One of the primary goals of my work is to help schools celebrate and express Episcopal identity throughout the school community, welcoming members of all faiths and those with no particular religious background.” In 2023 Katherine will transition to working with her husband Chris Murphy ’91 at their family business, M. H. Murphy & Associates, LLC., a full-service tax, accounting, and consulting firm in Alexandria. After receiving a bachelor’s in journalism and leadership studies from University of Richmond (Westhampton College), Katherine moved to Alexandria to join Arnold Worldwide and then worked as the regional marketing manager for McDonald’s Corporation.

For the Murphy’s, St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes is part of the fabric of their family and the Alexandria community. As a board member and a parent, Katherine is particularly excited about the Upper School building project. Her sons, Jack ’24 and William ’25, will be on the tail end of utilizing the new enhanced science and art classrooms, dining hall, and the large community gathering spaces.

 Katherine has been deeply invested in the school through the Association of Parents and Teachers, starting with co-chairing the 2014 spring gala. “That volunteer experience provided a doorway into the wonderful Saints parents that makes our school special,” Katherine said. “I continued my involvement with the APT as a room parent, as the Lower School vice president, as an APT board member serving as the communications chair, and the member at large before being asked to serve as the APT President in 2020-2021.” Katherine has also served as a chalice bearer and on the vestry at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. She recently completed a three-year term as a member of the St. Paul’s Episcopal Preschool Board. Katherine doesn’t have much free time and quipped, “When the boys go to college, I will cultivate some hobbies!”

KATHERINE MURPHY

Board of Governors

“I believe in the mission of our school, and I respect those I see leading it both as administrators and as fellow governors. I want to be a part of the conversation about the future of our school and believe I can contribute my experiences to that discussion.”

JIM TAYLOR ‘84

Board of Governors

“I am very pleased to serve on the Board of Governors of St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes. I love the school, its leadership, and mission.”

Jim Taylor ’84 joins the Board of Governors with the deep belief that the Saints community prepares its students by teaching the meaning of trust, integrity, and persistence. “The quiet premise that underlies the honor code at SSSAS is trust, and building trust leads to success,” Jim said. “As a student I learned academic and life lessons from amazingly talented and devoted teachers like Roger Barbee, Jim Osuna, Richard Babyak, Charlie Joyce, Linda Kincheloe, Bob Reed, Fred Atwood, David Checcino, and so many more,” Jim said. “These marvelous and incredibly talented individuals, like so many of the faculty at SSSAS today, devoted their lives to the development of the whole student. English Teacher Roger Barbee taught me that true integrity means having the courage and guts to confront reality, and Coach Sleepy Thompson gave me the gift of persistence. I believe strongly that real genius lies in persistence, in refusing to give up and in accepting that failure is an important step forward in any journey worth making.”

With more than 25 years of extensive commercial real estate experience, Jim serves as the chief executive officer and president at Brixmor Property Group. His passion and leadership are grounded in the belief that the retail community should be an integral part of local daily life. “I most enjoy creating shopping centers that become the ‘center’ of the community they serve,” Jim said. “Places where people gather, work, shop, eat, and play. When you get it right, you transform the community.” Jim is also a trustee and member of the Executive Board of ICSC (Innovating Commerce Serving Communities), serves on the Executive Board for Nareit (National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts), and is a member of the Urban Land Institute.

Prior to joining Brixmor, Jim was the executive vice president, chief financial officer, and treasurer at Federal Realty Investment Trust for four years and the senior managing director and head of real estate investment banking at Eastdil Secured/Wells Fargo for 14 years. From 1994 to1998 he worked for Hunton & Williams, a corporate and securities law firm with a focus on equity REITs and from 1988 to 1991 as a senior accountant for Price Waterhouse. Jim received a B.S. and J.D. from the University of Virginia.

Jim lives in Alexandria with his wife Alice and two daughters, Gracie and Mary Lyle. In his free time, Jim enjoys reading and collecting classic cars.

Patrick Dyson ’88 feels deeply connected to the school. “I have tremendous affinity for SSSAS and for what it has meant to me and to my family,” Pat said. “The relationships I made as a student at SSSAS continue to be an integral part of my life. I am excited about the direction of the school and welcome the opportunity to give back to the SSSAS community.” In fact, Pat married his St. Agnes sweetheart, Ashley Kincheloe Dyson ’89, has three brothers who graduated from St. Stephen’s, and four nephews and three nieces who graduated from St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes. He believes the school ingrains “the willingness and desire to push outside of one’s comfort zone, to expand individual horizons, to celebrate creativity and original thought, and to not be afraid to take chances.”

Pat, Ashley, and their two children, Sadie and Julia, live in New York City, where Pat is a partner at GoldenTree Asset Management and a member of GoldenTree’s Distressed Committee. Before joining GoldenTree, Pat was a managing director and portfolio manager at UBS O’Connor, handling their credit focused hedge fund and focusing on identifying, researching, and managing investments in all credit products. Pat spent six years at Credit Suisse, where he was ranked No. 1 by Institutional Investor in his sector during his last five years. He received a bachelor’s in political science from Middlebury College and a J.D. from the William and Mary School of Law, where he served as a member of the Law Review. Pat was formerly vice-chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Hewitt School in New York City, and he currently serves on the William and Mary School of Law Foundation Board.

Outside of work, Pat enjoys time with his family and friends, playing sports, and traveling.

PATRICK DYSON ’88

Foundation Board

“The school’s greatest strengths are its deep and welcoming community, its Episcopalian foundation that celebrates the importance of service, and its inclusivity which endorses a wide range of student interests and creates opportunities for students to not only explore their roles as Saints, but to begin to think about what their roles will be in the world.”

RICK FISHER

Foundation Board

“SSSAS instills our Saints with strong servant leadership qualities—aspiring to lead and make a difference in whatever they do and doing so with a passion and a commitment to excellence and diversity. Recognizing that everyone has different backgrounds, abilities, and aspirations.”

Rick Fisher and his wife, Patti, chose SSSAS for their son, Nicholas ’25, because they wanted a strong academic  environment that encourages students to be independent. “SSSAS engenders a servant leadership mentality,” Rick said. “Since starting  in junior kindergarten, we have watched Nicholas develop in many ways that incorporate important life skills that will assist him well beyond his years at SSSAS. We attribute much of his growth to the great teachers, administrators and staff, who live the mission of SSSAS and convey this passion for excellence to our children.” As a member of the Foundation Board, Rick is most passionate about supporting further enhancements of the school’s facilities and academic platforms. “The lessons and experiences learned as a Saint are great stepping stones to the more challenging endeavors in life,” Rick said. “Once a Saint, always a Saint.”

Rick is the current chief executive officer and managing partner of PSP Holdings overseeing its Business Development and Capital Investments Group. Rick and Patti founded the real estate development and restaurant operations company in Alexandria, Va., in 2004. During its 18 years in operation, Rick has overseen PSP Holdings’s growth to in excess of $75M in revenues and 700 employees with operations and investments throughout Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia. PSP Holdings has been recognized twice during the past five years as a top 100 most admired employer by the Charlotte Business Journal. Rick holds a bachelor’s in computer sciences and business administration and accounting from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and his expertise  includes real estate development, franchising, and technology investment. He currently participates on the boards of two firms and is an active advisor to several others. He also is a frequent guest lecturer at George Washington University in support of their International Studies MBA Program.

Prior to assuming the role of CEO in 2016, Rick was a sales and marketing executive in a career that spanned more than 25 years for two prominent Fortune 50 technology firms. For nearly 20 years, Rick has also been an active private equity investor, participating in several early stage start-ups in the technology, commercial real estate, and franchising areas.  

Rick believes strongly in giving back. He has served on the board of Washington Performing Arts Society and National Capital Area Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and is an active volunteer with activities related to First Book of Charlotte and Communities in Schools of Charlotte, N.C., assisting underprivileged children and their families. 

Rick enjoys boating, watching Nicholas play baseball and going to Washington Nationals games. He also occasionally picks up his guitar to relive his childhood dream of becoming a rock star!

Natalie Gunn understands the importance of pursuing and maintaining a strong and solid financial foundation, and is very pleased to lend her skills and talents to that endeavor on the Foundation Board. In 2020, the Washington Business Journal named her to their “Women Who Mean Business” list honoring the region’s most influential businesswomen. As the chief financial officer for Momentus Capital, Natalie is responsible for formulating and executing their financial road map, capital base expansion, and investor relations. She also manages the overall direction for accounting, tax, audit, treasury, and financial planning and analysis. She has served as Capital Impact’s CFO since 2016 and joined CDC Small Business Finance in the same capacity in 2021. Before stepping into the role of CFO, Natalie served as Capital Impact’s controller.

Prior to joining Capital Impact, Natalie held senior positions at the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), National Cooperative Bank, N.A., Capital Automotive REIT, Host Hotels and Resorts, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. She is a certified public accountant and graduated magna cum laude from Hampton University with a bachelor’s in accounting.

Since joining the Saints community, Natalie has volunteered through multiple roles in the Association of Parents and Teachers, including recording secretary, Upper School vice president, teacher appreciation chair, and has also volunteered as a room parent. Outside of school, she serves on the board of Pathways to Housing D.C. and the Alfred Street Baptist Church. “Being a Saint means being bold, confident, caring, and supportive of one another–putting your best foot forward each and every day and pulling others up who need a hand to do the same,” Natalie said. “My husband, Rodney, and I chose SSSAS for our sons, Zachary ’21 and Bryce ’24, because we were drawn to the school’s mission to honor the unique value of all Saints as children of God in a caring community—the focus on the whole child and emphasis on being a good person of good character was very important to us.” Natalie’s nephews, Jordan ’16 and Jonathan Randle ’20 also attended SSSAS.

When she is not working or volunteering, Natalie enjoys  doing anything with family and friends. She loves the beach, playing board and card games, doing crossword puzzles, cooking, and gardening.

Natalie Nickens Gunn

Foundation Board

“With a deep and long-standing commitment to honoring ‘the unique value of each of our members as a child of God in a caring community,’ SSSAS is dedicated to building and supporting a culture of diversity and inclusion. As we look to the future, diversity and equity will permeate our curriculum, programs, policies, and hiring practices. We will embrace our role as a leader in fostering a place for all, and a culture of dialogue and action around our world’s most complex issues and challenges.”