Head of School Search

Dr. Ayesha Sitlani brings a unique and valuable combination of professional experience and board service experience to her role as President of the Wardlaw+Hartridge Board of Trustees. Having actively served on the Board for six years in various capacities, Dr. Sitlani was appointed as the first female President of the W+H Board. 

"I am humbled, honored and extremely excited to take on this role and the challenges that come with it, during such unprecedented times in our lives," said Dr. Sitlani, who lives in Metuchen with her husband, Dr. Adrian Looney and their daughter, Jini Looney '25.

Dr. Sitlani has chaired the Programs Committee, co-chaired the Early Childhood Task Force, and served on the Committee on Trustees (COT), Executive Committee and Development Committee during her six years on the Board.  She believes that her experience and years of collaboration with Board colleagues and W+H administrators have prepared her to take on this challenging role.

"The board members I have worked with are true leaders, and a reflection of the diversity and sense of strong community that the school stands for. The Board works as a collaborative team, respectful of diverse opinions and with an amazing commitment to the school," Dr. Sitlani said. "I have also learned so much from past Presidents and the Head of School. As President of the Board, I share this commitment and look forward to working with the Board, the Head of School, and the administration. 

Dr. Sitlani currently works as Associate Vice President at IAVI, a non-profit global health organization that is dedicated to translating scientific discoveries into global health solutions, with a focus on finding solutions for infectious diseases including COVID-19. She's leading an initiative to bring together public and private partners to drive global and equitable access to affordable new medicines. Prior to this role, she served as Executive Director at Merck and Co., Inc. for almost 20 years in various leadership roles supporting the research and development of innovative medicines. Dr. Sitlani is confident these experiences in for-profit and non­profit organizations have prepared her to serve the school and provide strategic leadership to the Board. Dr. Sitlani firmly believes in the school's mission and her primary goal as new Board president is to continue to support and strengthen it during these challenging social and economic times. She believes W+H is poised to be a leader and role model for other schools in its response to these global challenges.

"As President of the Board, I plan to work collaboratively with the Board, the Head of School, and the administration to ensure that despite turbulent times, W+H will provide the best and most in'novative educational solutions for our students and will remain true to supporting our mission of diversity, educational excellence and a sense of community," Dr. Sitlani said.

Dr. Sitlani understands that difficult times are ahead, but she's excited about the opportunity to lead the school and build on its tradition of excellence.

"My personality is one that embraces challenges and I like being a problem solver, so I am not too apprehensive about taking on this role. While the road will not be simple given the current times, I am confident that the Board and the school administration will work collaboratively to find the best solutions and raise the level of excellence of the school," Dr. Sitlani said. ''The school has a strong foundation built on the core values of our mission, with a dedicated and talented Head of School, administration and faculty. While we face uncertain times in the world, I believe that such times can create new and important opportunities for us as a school." 

Dan Schildge is the parent of three alumni at The Wardlaw+Hartridge School, but his goal as a Trustee goes well beyond helping to ensure a positive experience for his children.  Schildge also has his eye on the future - the big picture of the school's long-term sustainability. 

"As a Trustee, I need to learn. I need to understand the mission of the school, how it operates, what makes it successful, and how the Board of Trustees impacts the school," said Schildge. "My personal goal is to help ensure that the school will be successful for a long time, well past my time on the board."

Schildge and his family, with children Jack '15, Carlin '17, and Kallie '20, and wife Jennifer, former President of the Wardlaw+Hartridge Parents Association, have always been vibrant, active members of the W+H community. 

"We absolutely love the education and the experience the children received," Schildge said. "Wardlaw+Hartridge is a unique school with a wonderful community of students and families.  It is a thrill for me to be a Trustee. I love the idea of being able to help Wardlaw+Hartridge prepare for the future, while maintaining the academic excellence and unique community that make the school what it is today." 

After earning a BA in Mechanical Engineering (1986) and a Masters in Aerospace Engineering (1990) from Cornell University, Schildge began his career by serving as a submarine officer in the US Navy for eight years, which taught him many lessons in leadership and decision making.  For the past 20+ years, he has worked at CRP Industries Inc., a Cranbury, NJ based automotive supplier.  As the company's CEO, Schildge has gained experience in corporate governance by serving on three corporate boards and two non-profit boards. 

"This experience has helped me to understand the role of a board and how critical it is to the long term success of any organization," said Schildge, who serves on the Risk Management Committee and Finance Committee, as well as the International Program Task Force. "I feel that my experiences and expertise will help me contribute to all three."

Kate Szczubelek is excited about her role as a member of the Board of Trustees.  True to her background and profession as an educator, Mrs. Szczubelek is eager to learn as much as she can about how the Board of Trustees serves and guides the school.

"I am attending as many meetings and events as possible to learn the inner workings of the Board and how it fulfills its responsibilities to the school," said Mrs. Szczubelek, an elementary school teacher in the Scotch Plains-Fanwood School District.  "I think it is important to recognize both the strengths and weaknesses of the school, so we can work together to build upon our assets and remedy areas of limitation. I hope to bring to the Board my unique perspective as a long-time passionate educator." 

The Szczubelek Family joined the W+H community in 2016, and Kate began on the Board in 2019.  Daughters Charlotte '26 and Ellie '28 made a seamless transition from The Sundance School. Kate and her husband, Steve, have enjoyed watching their daughters grow up at the school and have truly embraced the W+H community. 

Mrs. Szczubelek has always loved working with children in some capacity and has held many positions in her career. She brings many years of experience in education and curriculum, on various levels to the W+H Board of Trustees and is confident her perspective as an educator will be an asset. She is a member of the Development Committee and plans to join the Strategic Planning Committee as well.

Sachina Lyons-Brown ’89 has been involved in the Wardlaw+Hartridge community for 40 years, ever since she entered the Lower School as a fourth grader. The oldest of four sisters who also attended the school, Dr. Lyons-Brown is proud to join the Board of Trustees.

“The school has given my family and me so much that I hope to be able to give back in a meaningful way,” she said. “As a new board member, my biggest goal is to learn from my fellow trustees and contribute to the efforts that are already in progress.”

Dr. Lyons-Brown’s family connections within the Wardlaw+Hartridge community are seemingly endless. She experienced deja vu when her son Kori ’22, now a senior, visited the school as a prospective student in fourth grade and spent the day with veteran teacher Ellen Ritz, who was Dr. Lyons-Brown’s fourth grade teacher in the early 1980s. Kori entered in fifth grade and will be graduating in June. Dr. Lyons-Brown’s sisters Naya ’95, Ariana ’09, and Micaela ’12 graduated from the school and her father and step-mother, Dr. Leroy Lyons and Michelle Lyons, received honorary degrees from W+H at the commencement ceremony of their youngest daughter.

Although they have made their mark at W+H in many different decades, the Lyons-Brown family shares a passion for athletics. Dr. Lyons-Brown has fond recollections of her days as a student-athlete and would love to see today’s Rams succeed.

“I also have an interest in seeing our athletic program thrive as I have seen for myself what a positive effect being a part of a team can have,” said Dr. Lyons-Brown, a standout field hockey, basketball and track and field athlete in her W+H days. “My siblings and I are all former W+H athletes. I also have a child who is a current W+H athlete. For all of us, being a part of the athletics program has been one of our best memories at W+H.”

Dr. Lyons-Brown believes her perspectives as an alumna and parent will be useful as a member of the Board. She also credits her profession as a veterinarian for providing additional attributes that will be beneficial in her new role.

“This is a profession that really molds your development in many different areas. It has taught me that there is satisfaction in helping people, that growth and development take hard work, and that education is a lifelong process. I learn something new every day and I love that. These are all sentiments that I hope to bring to my work with the school,” Dr. Lyons-Brown said.

Dr. Lyons-Brown has been appointed to the Facilities and Marketing and Communications committees. Although she does not have direct expertise in those areas, she is eager to learn from her committee colleagues and won’t be shy about seeking guidance from the experience of her husband Ray, an architect, or sister Micaela, who has a Master’s degree in marketing.

“I am very honored to be participating in the work of the school,” she said. “In my brief time with the Board of Trustees, I have been so impressed by the level of commitment by the members of the Board and the W+H staff.”

Having enjoyed one year of retirement after 22 years on the job as Director of Finance and Facilities at The Wardlaw+Hartridge School, Seth Austin has returned to serve the school in a new role. Mr. Austin was appointed to the Board of Trustees and is confident that his many years of experience and institutional knowledge will be an asset to the school.

"I hope to speak from my experience when it might be helpful and to provide the administration and faculty support in any way that I can," Mr. Austin said. "I have been privileged to be a part of the W+H community for 22 years as an administrator. I am excited to be given the opportunity to continue as an active member of the community in this new role." 

Mr. Austin played an integral rule in the successful completion of a series of construction projects during his years as a W+H administrator.  He worked closely with the Board of Trustees and school administrators on many large projects, including the Plumeri Gym, Upper School Science Lab renovation, Middle School addition, swimming pool renovation, Main Entrance, Admission Office and front courtyard renovation and, most recently, the Berry Performing Arts Center.  He also takes great pride in the important accomplishments related to financial and environmental sustainability. 

"I have held the administrative role of Director of Finance and Facilities for a total of 25 years in independent schools," Mr. Austin said. "I hope to draw on that expereince to make whatever small contributions that I can as a Board Member."
 

Mr. Austin will serve as a member of the Finance Committee and the Facilities Committee, as well as chairing the Audit Committee.

Robert Berry has been a member of the Wardlaw+Hartridge School community for almost two decades with children Nicola '10 and James '13 joining in the Lower School. 

"We have been very fortunate to have benefited so much from the school as a family," Mr. Berry said. "W+H of today is built on the hard work, dedication and generosity of many before us, and it is wonderful to be able to give a little back and help build for the future." 

"I hope my background helps me understand the need to safeguard the school's assets for the long term," said Mr. Berry, who serves on the school's Finance, Investment and Development Committees. "And by assets I mean the people: the staff and the W+H community, the financials: the cash flow and the facilities, and the reputation: the integrity and good standing of the school."