Heronfield Leadership

Welcome from the Head of School

Celebrating the joy, the complexity and the possibility of the middle school years.

My teaching career began with a middle school position in 1994, and yet I was rather certain I would soon move on to teaching older students. It wasn’t long, though, before I found myself captivated by the enthusiasm and energy of middle school students, taken by the way that guiding experiences and thoughtful teachers can shape young people’s lives at just the right time.

Now in my 27th year in education, I’ve been a teacher in five different subject areas, an advisor, a three-season coach, and a theater director. The chance to move into senior administration seventeen years ago provided the opportunity to play a key role in shaping a school’s program, accentuating its core values while also seeking ways to bring new ideas forward.

The best parts of my day occur in seeing students discovering new knowledge, learning by doing, and working with their teachers through moments of both challenge and triumph. As we teach and learn together, I hope that we will grow in our understanding of one another as we speak with clarity and purpose while also listening with empathy and grace.

As I walk our beautiful campus and visit our learning spaces, I can’t help but notice how everyone – the board of trustees, the faculty and staff, our families and, of course, our students – contributes to the vibrant atmosphere here at Heronfield. It’s a privilege to lead this community as we truly explore the very best in middle school education.

Preparing us for the future

2023-2024 Board of Trustees

Angela Closson, Vice Chair
Angela is the Vice President of Human Resources at Profile Bank and lives in Lee, NH.  She is the parent of one Heronfield alumna and she has volunteered as a coach for Girls on the Run, served as Girl Scout co-leader as well as a board member of the UNH Partnership Advisory Board, the Rochester ELO Program, and the Wolfeboro Area Children’s Center.

Diane Devine
Bio coming soon.

Beth Finelli, Secretary
Beth lives in Portsmouth, NH.  She is a former teacher, coach, and wilderness survival educator for at-risk teens.  She has served on the board for The Acorn School, and the Seacoast Women’s Giving Circle.  She has two children, one is a current student at Heronfield and the other is an alumna.    

John Feudo
John is the Vice Chancellor for University Advancement at UMass Lowell, and he has nearly 35 years experience in education. He lives in Hampton, NH with his wife and therapy dog, who has her own Instagram account (@therapydogsookie). 

Molly Heaney
Molly lives in Rye, NH with her husband, Darby, and their two children, Lila and Henry.  Molly serves as a Director on the J.M. Huber board, an engineered material business that her great, great grandfather started in 1883.  Molly is a frequent speaker and panelist in family business forums, and she has presented at family business programs at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and Columbia Business School.

Colin Kelley
Colin is a financial advisor with Vigilant Wealth Management in Portsmouth, NH.  He and his wife, Karla, live in Hampton, NH with their son, Alex.  Colin is very active at the University of New Hampshire, serving on boards as well as teaching classes in the evening.

Joan Marchessault
Joan is the Founder and Principal of Strategic Leadership Group. She lives in New Castle, NH with her husband, Claude. She is past president of the board of both the NH Children’s Museum and the NH First Tee, as well as the Chancellor’s Advisory Board at UMass Lowell. Her grandson is a current Heronfield student.

Harper Marshall
Harper lives in Hampton Falls, NH, with his wife, Jodi, and their two daughters, Evelyn ‘24 and Piper. Harper is a Partner at Peloton Advisory, an investment banking firm based in Portsmouth, NH.

Amy McLaughlin, Chair
Amy lives in Exeter, NH with her husband, Ben. She is a financial controller of two companies specializing in commercial HVAC sales and service that she and her husband started. Amy volunteers her additional time in the nonprofit sector including the Music Hall and Leadership NH. She is a parent of two Heronfield alumni.

Justin Merrill, Treasurer
Justin lives in Exeter, NH with his wife Leah, and their daughter Catherine, a Heronfield alumna. Justin is Director of Investments at Phillips Exeter Academy. 

David Netishen
Dave and his wife, Kimberly, have lived in Exeter for more than fifteen years, and they have two daughters who are both Heronfield graduates.  Dave currently chairs the Buildings & Grounds Committee.  As owner of his real estate investment company, Dave focuses on land investments in Florida, Maine, and Anchorage, Alaska.   The Netishens enjoy travel as a way to educate their children through real world experiences and seeing cultural differences.  

Andy Rourke
Bio coming soon.

Committed to the School & Students

The Trustees of Heronfield are committed to the school and to making decisions that continue to uphold its mission and core values. It is an honor to serve a school that dedicates itself to the educational, and physical growth of its students.

AMY MCLAUGHLIN
Board Chair