OUR LEADERSHIP

Mission-driven leadership

At Collegiate, we place our mission and core values at the center of our operational and strategic decisions. The mission of Collegiate School is to create a diverse and inclusive community of learners committed to a challenging and supportive educational experience that will foster the intellectual, moral, emotional, and physical development of each student. Our values -- honor, love of learning, excellence, respect, and community -- guide our philosophy, educational programs, and daily interactions.

Mission & Values

Head of School

Jeff Mancabelli

Photo of Jeff M

As Head of School, I have the opportunity to witness our core values in action, and a love of learning at the heart of the Collegiate experience. It is rooted in the relationships formed between our teachers and students — a hallmark of our school for over a century. Our teachers care deeply for their students, and the personal attention they provide creates a culture where every student is known, supported, and valued.

Jeff Mancabelli

Head of School

PROFESSIONAL

ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL WASHINGTON, D.C.

1999-2024

President 2010-2024
Principal 2001-2010
Instructor 2001-2009
Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs/Middle School 1999-2001

GEORGETOWN PREPARATORY SCHOOL NORTH BETHESDA, MD

1991-1999

Dean of the Resident School 1994-1999
Instructor 1996-1999
Assistant Dean of the Resident School 1992-1994
Residential Staff Member 1991-1992

EDUCATION

LEADERSHIP COACHING FOR ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE PROGRAM 2019
Accredited Executive Leadership Coach by International Coaching Federation (ICF) American University, Washington, D.C.
MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT 1996
The George Washington University Washington, D.C.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 1991
University of Scranton Scranton, PA

Administrative Leadership Team

Jeff Mancabelli

Head of School

Education:

University of Scranton - B.S.
The George Washington University - M.A. Education and Human Development

Phyllis Palmiero

CFO & COO

Education:

Fordham University - B.A.
Fordham University - MBA

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Kristen Williams

Chief Development Officer

Education:

Ohio University - B.S.
Georgetown University - M.S.

Phone

Tung Trinh

Dean of Faculty

Education:

Bowdoin College - B.A.
Lesley University - M.Ed.

Phone

Khristi Bates

Head of Lower School

Education:

Kansas State University - B.S.
MidAmerica Nazarene University - M.Ed.

Phone

Jeff Dunnington

Head of Middle School

Education:

Sewanee - B.A.
Virginia Commonwealth University - M.A.

Phone

Patrick Loach

Head of Upper School

Education:

State University of New York at Geneseo - B.A.
University of Virginia - M.Ed.
University of Virginia - M.S.

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Andrew Stanley

Athletic Director

Education:

Randolph-Macon College - B.A.
Virginia Commonwealth University - M.Ed.

Phone

Sarah Abubaker

Director of Strategic Communications

Education:

James Madison University - B.A.
Virginia Commonwealth University - MPA

Phone

Frances Coleman

Director of Admission and Enrollment Management

Education:

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - B.A.
University of Virginia - M.Ed.

Phone

Mike Boyd

Director of Arts

Education:

Virginia Commonwealth University - B.M.
Virginia Commonwealth University - M.M.Ed.

Phone

Antenette Stokes

Director of Inclusion and Belonging

Education:

Chowan University - B.S.
Liberty University - M.A.

Board of Trustees

Collegiate's Board of Trustees is a group of volunteers responsible for the long-term sustainability and strategic direction of the School. This includes determining and periodically validating Collegiate’s mission and setting policies that reinforce Collegiate’s strategic goals and educational objectives.

The Board hires, supports, and evaluates the Head of School who is responsible for directing day-to-day programs, systems, and operations. The Board is required to be a responsible steward of Collegiate’s resources, which includes approving the annual budget, tuition rates, and major capital expenditures. Trustees are guided by the School's values and are dedicated to building on the legacy of thoughtful leadership that has kept Collegiate thriving since its founding more than 100 years ago.

W. Hildebrandt “Brandt” Surgner
P ’11 ’14 ’17 ’19

Chair

Professional: Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Associate General Counsel of Altria Group

Julious “Jody” P. Smith III ’86
P ’20 ’22 ’25

Vice Chair

Professional: Orthopedic Surgeon, OrthoVirginia

Mason Chapman ’84
P ’22

Secretary

Professional: CFO Lansing Building Products

Jeffrey "Jeff" Mancabelli

Head of School

Education: B.S., University of Scranton ’91; M.A., The George Washington University ’95

Neil Amin
P ’31 ’32

Professional: CEO, Shamin Hotels

W. Chason Beggerow
P ’26 ’28

Professional: Partner, Global Head of Private Equity Co-Investments, Mercer Alternatives

Callie Lacy Brackett ’95
P ’22 ’24

Professional: Former Project Manager, Beaty & Brown Interior Design

Mayme Beth F. Donohue ’03

Professional: Attorney, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Wortie Ferrell II ’88
P ’24 ’27 ’31

Professional: Managing Director, Davenport & Company

Marty Franks
GP ’37 ’39

Professional: Executive Vice President (retired), CBS Corp., Staff for Senator Patrick Leahy, Speaker Thomas P. O’Neill and President Jimmy Carter

Stephen “Steve” T. Holdych
P ’19 ’22 ’24 ’27

Professional: Co-Founder and Chairman, Averiq; Founder and CEO, North Pass Advisors; COO, Stealth Behavioral Health Network; Former Co-Chief Executive Officer, CapTech Consulting
Education: A.B., University of Chicago ‘94
Community Affiliations: Director, Vice President, President, Past President, Science Museum of Virginia Foundation Board of Directors; Strategic Advisor, CARELab/CARE360; Former Church Council Chair, Reveille United Methodist Church; Co-Chair, Collegiate School 2017 Winter Party & Auction

Mary Malveaux ’86
P ’26 ’29

Professional: Judge, Virginia Court of Appeals
Education: BA University of Virginia ’90, JD, University of Richmond ’93
Community Affiliations: Board of Director, Voices for Virginia’s Children; Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services

Neelan “Neely” A. Markel ’96
P ’27 ’30

Professional: Former Community Relations and Marketing, Markel Corporation
Education: BA, University of Virginia (’00)
Community Affiliations: Board Chair, The Valentine Museum

Nimisha Parikh Montgomery
P ’35

Professional: Innovation and Strategy Consultant
Education: AB, Brown University ’00; MPH, Brown University ’00, JD, Suffolk University Law School and University of Richmond School of Law ’00
Community Affiliations: Collegiate School Auction Co-Chair, ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation; 1708 Gallery and Independent Artists

Lia Mooney
P ’28 ’31

Professional: Former Post Doctoral Research Associate, University of Virginia; School Psychologist, Academy District 20, Colorado Springs, CO; Former Middle School History and Spanish Teacher, Germantown Academy, Glenside, PA

Education: A.B., Princeton University ’95; Ph.D. (School, Community & Clinical Child Psychology), University of Pennsylvania ’06

Community Affiliations: Past President, Collegiate School Parents’ Association; Vice President, Collegiate School Parents’ Association; Lower School Volunteer Coordinator, Collegiate School Parents’ Association; Co-Chair, Collegiate School 2024 Spring Party & Auction; Junior Board, The Virginia Home

Meera Pahuja ’97
P ’30 ’32 ’34

Professional: Infectious Diseases and Palliative Care Doctor and Assistant Professor, VCU Health
Education: BA, Virginia Commonwealth University; MD, Virginia
Commonwealth University; Internal Medicine Residency and Infectious Disease Fellowship, Cornell University
Community Affiliations: President, 5P Foundation; Board Secretary, Virginia League for Planned Parenthood

J. Cheairs Porter Jr.
P ’27 ’29 ’32

Professional: Co-head of the Healthcare & Life Sciences Group, Harris Williams
Education: BS, Washington and Lee University; MBA, UVA Darden Graduate School of Business Administration

JoAnn Adrales Ruh
P ’16 ’18 ’21

Professional: Former banker and mortgage lender. Career break to be a full-time home parent and manager. Currently a community volunteer and substitute teacher in the Collegiate Lower School
Education: College of William & Mary, '89. B.A. Psychology and Government
Community Affiliations: Board member, MENTOR Virginia; Development Ambassador and active alumna, William & Mary; Advisory Council, The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design. Leadership Metro Richmond Class of 2022. Served on the Collegiate Strategic Planning committee and was very active in the CS Parents' Association.

Wallace "Gray" Stettinius ’79
P ’07 ’10 ’12

Professional: Owner/Principal of Tuckahoe Creek Construction Solutions LLC
Education: The University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce
Community Affiliations: Building Committee, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church; Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity; Finance and Leadership Giving Committees, Richmond SPCA; Finance Chair, Tuckahoe YMCA; Richmond Chapter of the Virginia Athletics Foundation; Vestry of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church; Cristo Rey Richmond High School; Assistant Soccer Coach, Richmond’s Rebuilding Together

Malcolm “Mac” S. McDonald
P ’87 ’88

Trustee Emeriti

Professional: Retired, Chairman and CEO of Signet Banking Corporation
Education: BSB, University of Minnesota (’60)
Community Affiliations: Emeritus Board member, Richmond Ballet; Board member, The Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota; Board member, The Immokalee Foundation

Wallace Stettinius
P ’77 ’79 ’84

Trustee Emeriti

Professional: Former CEO of William Byrd Press (became Cadmus Communications)
Education: BA, University of Virginia (‘55); MBA, University of Virginia (‘59)

R. Gregory “Greg” Williams ’69
P ’01 ’04

Trustee Emeriti

Professional: Vice Chairman, CCA Financial LLC
Education: BA, Williams College (’73); MBA, University of Richmond’s Robins School of Business (’77)
Community Affiliations: St. James Episcopal Church; Board of Directors, Mutual Assurance; Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond Foundation

Juliet R. Bloodgood
P ’30 ’32 ’34
Parents’ Association President

Professional: Former Senior Manager of Strategy, Charles Schwab; Former Vice President of Corporate Strategy and M&A, Citigroup
Education: B.S., Georgetown University ‘04
Community Affiliations: Vice President, Collegiate School Parents’ Association; Co-Chair, Village Green Fair, Collegiate School Parents’ Association; Special Events Coordinator, Collegiate School Parents’ Association

Ernest “Ernie” A. Dettbarn III ’94
P ’33 ’36
Alumni Association President

Professional: Owner/Principal Broker, Dettbarn Real Estate
Education: B.A., University of Virginia ’99
Community Affiliations: Past President, St. Anthony Alumni Association of Virginia; Member, West Richmond Rotary Club