2024-25
PRESIDENT'S
REPORT
A Celebration of Generosity
At Pine Crest, momentum is more than motion. It’s the engine of our ingenuity, the spirit that propels leadership and the drive that launches us into a future empowered by knowledge. We reflect not only on where we’ve been, but where we’re headed—told through the voices of our students, alumni and families.
Together, these portraits offer a glimpse into what Pine Crest is becoming and how we are building what’s next.
Dear Pine Crest School Community,
Momentum is powerful. It is the force that transforms potential into progress, innovation into impact and vision into reality. At Pine Crest, momentum is created when inspired faculty, ambitious students and generous donors come together around a shared purpose. This year's President’s Report, "A Portrait of Momentum: Perspectives on Innovation, Leadership and the Future," captures the dynamic energy your philanthropic support creates throughout our school community.
As you explore these pages, you'll witness momentum in action—students making an impact, faculty pioneering new approaches and alumni creating positive change worldwide. The world today’s Pine Crest students will inherit is complex and rapidly evolving. We must equip students not only with knowledge, but also with creativity, resilience and ethical grounding.
This momentum extends far beyond our campus. Our graduates enter universities and careers equipped not just with knowledge, but with the innovative mindset and leadership capabilities to tackle humanity's most pressing challenges. They become the entrepreneurs launching sustainable businesses, the researchers discovering life-changing treatments and the artists redefining creative expression.
Each philanthropic gift to Pine Crest is more than support for today. You are investing in the leaders, ideas and breakthroughs of tomorrow. Thank you for believing in our mission and being part of this extraordinary journey forward.
With gratitude,
YOUR GENEROSITY AT A GLANCE
$2,784,450
ANNUAL GIVING SUPPORT
Schoolwide Priorities $2,269,350
Professional Learning $211,535
Financial Assistance $178,356
Fine Arts $86,085
Athletics $39,124
$5,879,946
TOTAL PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT
Capital $2,900,508
Operations $2,837,339
Endowments $142,099
883 Families
PANTHER LOYALTY SOCIETY FAMILIES
3+ Years of Giving = 361
5+ Years of Giving = 330
10+ Years of Giving = 151
20+ Years of Giving = 41
Pine Crest becomes part of your family’s story.
"When you have the same teachers who taught you teaching your children, it creates this incredible sense of continuity and trust. Pine Crest becomes part of your family’s story."
Brian Klein ’03,
joined by Alexandria Feinstein Klein (2007)
Parents of Ethan, Penelope and Rory
PANTHER GIVING WEEK
2024 HIGHLIGHTS
Between October 21-25, 2024, our community came together in a powerful demonstration of collective generosity, fueling opportunities for our students and strengthening the Pine Crest experience.
This is what excellence looks like.
“They’re not just giving them the best resources—they’re showing them how to use them with purpose. That’s what excellence looks like.”
Lisa Hayes, joined by John Hayes
Parents of Joseph ’31, Anna ’32 and Gia ’35
For the Hayes family, philanthropy is a partnership with Pine Crest's strategic vision. Their philanthropy supports the innovation, teachers and programs that have sparked their children's growth while helping shape the future of our school community.
Innovation, leadership and preparation for the future don’t happen by chance at Pine Crest. They happen by design. Through three-year programs such as Social Entrepreneurship and Science Research, to learning spaces like the Zimmerman Family Innovation Lab and Mintz Family Innovation Lab, students are immersed in experiences that expand their thinking and sharpen their leadership capabilities. These opportunities are possible through philanthropy. Your support fuels the ideas and environments that give students the tools and the confidence to shape what’s next.
By weaving virtual reality into her English classroom, Dr. Alexandra Parsons transported her ninth grade students to Elizabethan London to perform at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, unlocking confidence, creative symbolism and a new lens on literature.
With a passion for mentorship and innovation, Dr. Wendy Swanson leads by example, cultivating professional growth and inspiring Pine Crest faculty to embrace learning as a pathway to stronger teaching and leadership.
Dr. Krista Promnitz '97 champions a support system where character meets energy. Through tailored exective functioning coaching and responsive emotional support, Pine Crest equips students to lead with resilience, empathy and adaptability.
They’re building people who are ready for life…
"I talk about this a lot to prospective families — Pine Crest doesn’t just educate. They’re building people who are ready for life, for relationships, for careers and for community. It’s lifelong preparation."
Reena Chugani, joined by Tesh Chugani
Parents of Harshi ’34 and Riya ’36
Momentum is visible in our students’ journeys—from how they respond to setbacks to how they step into new roles with purpose. Parents see it in the quiet growth and the bold leaps: children who become more empathetic, more collaborative, more willing to lead. These aren’t just academic transformations; they’re human ones. And they reflect the values at the heart of Pine Crest’s vision for innovation, leadership and the future, all values your generosity helps bring to life.
Middle School student Juan Yoshikay ’31, brings innovation to life as a member of Pine Crest's VEX Robotics team. Competing at the VEX World Championship, he and his team designed their own "back roller bot" and learned that creativity, teamwork and resilience can build confidence well beyond the classroom.
With determination and heart, Johanna Henry ’26 turned a setback into a platform for growth, leading her peers as Student Council President.
Charlotte Thies ’25 and Jake Weidenfeld ’25 turned challenge into change with GRIEF Lift, a student-led support network that’s redefining leadership through empathy and community.
…it’s exciting, it’s vibrant, and it’s something special.
"I’d describe Pine Crest as a place of energy. It’s this environment where kids are encouraged to be themselves, to explore and to connect. You feel it when you’re on campus — it’s exciting, it’s vibrant and it’s something special."
Stacey Cooley, joined by Ellis Cooley
Parents of Evelyn ’35
Dear Pine Crest School Community,
On behalf of Pine Crest’s Board of Trustees, thank you for your role in creating the extraordinary momentum showcased in this report. The student and faculty stories represent the powerful progress your support makes possible.
Under Dr. Markham’s forward-thinking leadership, this past year has been transformative. Her vision for preparing students for today's world and tomorrow's possibilities has positioned our school as an engine of innovation and progress.
Your generosity fuels this momentum. What excites me most is witnessing our community's collective impact. Students are developing solutions to real-world challenges, creating award-winning artistic works and launching social enterprises. Faculty members are constantly advancing in their disciplines while mentoring tomorrow's innovators. Alumni are returning as entrepreneurs, researchers and leaders, creating pathways for current students to follow.
Thank you for partnering with us to build unstoppable momentum toward a brighter future.
With appreciation,
Jay Schwedelson
Chair, 2024-25 Board of Trustees
Chair, 2024-25 Board of Trustees
Pine Crest holds onto the values that made it special…
"There aren’t many institutions that stay true to who they are for decades, while still being on the cutting edge. Pine Crest holds onto the values that made it special from the beginning, even as the world changes. They are true leaders."
Fort Lauderdale Campus
Marcia Hunt ’12H
Dean of College and Academic Advising
Dr. Peter Boylan
Head of Middle School
Dr. Kristin Shealy
Head of Lower School, Assistant Head of School
Joseph Walters ’95
Head of Upper School, Associate Head of School
Boca Raton Campus
Melanie Connors
Head of School, Interim Head of Middle School and Vice President of Admission
Jason Foreman
Head of Lower School
Dual Campus:
ADVANCEMENT AND OPERATIONS
Christine Dardet
Vice President of Marketing Communications
Kara Donvito (1995)
Vice President of Philanthropic Engagement
Nancy Greene
Vice President of Finance and Operations/Chief Financial Officer
Dr. Jeff Johnson
Director of Athletics
Keri Kolettis
Vice President of Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Science Curriculum Academic Advisor
Joseph Markham ’24H
Vice President of Security and Support Services and Crisis Management Director
Lawrence Mellone ’24H
Director of Fine Arts
Dr. Lisa Ockerman
Vice President of Academics and Strategic Initiatives
Dr. Krista M. Promnitz ’97
Executive Director of Educational Support Services
Uche Pendergast
Director of Belonging
… we found a home here.
"The thing that’s so special to me, like really special, is that we found a home here. It’s not just a school — it’s people who know my child, know us and want to walk alongside us through the whole journey."
Christina Smigie, joined by Steve Smigie
Parents of Christopher ’37
We have taken great care to ensure accuracy. Please email Theresa Reisner, Manager of Donor Engagement and Communication at theresa.reisner@pinecrest.edu with any corrections.