Longmeadow Montessori’s Board of Directors is made up of dedicated parents whose children attend or previously attended our school.

The Board provides leadership in support of LMI’s mission by helping to set policies for the school and provide guidance with finances, legalities, fundraising, and special events.

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2023-2024 Board of Directors 

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A.J. Oleksak, President and his wife Amy have three children including two LMI alum and one current student. A.J. is Director of Investments at VIMCO Corporation and is a member of the Investment Committee. Previously, A.J. was Vice President, Middle Market Credit and Private Equity at HIMCO, an affiliate of The Hartford. Prior to that, A.J. was Director, North American Private Finance / Mezzanine and Private Equity at Barings, an affiliate of MassMutual. He began his career as an Analyst at TD Bank where he completed the TD Bank Risk Management Association Credit Training Program. A.J. was previously involved with the American Cancer Society, TD Bank’s iCare program, and The Hartford’s Playbook for Young Learners. A.J. earned a B.S.B.A. in Economics and Finance and an M.B.A from the University of Hartford.

 

Forrest Spatcher, Treasurer is an audit professional focused on control effectiveness and risk mitigation. He currently works at MassMutual as a Director of Internal Audit. Prior to MassMutual, he was an Audit Manager with Deloitte. Forrest received a BBA in Accounting from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst. He also serves on the Board of Trustees at Berkshire Hills Music Academy. Forrest and his wife Molly live in Longmeadow with their two children, the oldest is an LMI alum and his youngest is a current student.  

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Julianne Diamond, Secretary, is a technical solution engineer at Salesforce.com, with expertise in life sciences. Julianne started her career with Salesforce as a research analyst for an educational non-profit, following roles as a middle school math teacher, assistant administrator, and math curriculum designer. She holds two degrees from Boston College: a BA in Elementary Education and Computer Science, and an M.Ed in Educational Research, Measurement, and Evaluation. She and her husband Greg live in Longmeadow along with their three boys, who are all proud LMI alumni.

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Kristin Kantany is a mom of three, two proud alumni, and a current LMI student. Kristin joined the board to offer her experience in digital marketing and web development. She holds a strong branding passion and vision that coincides with the Montessori curriculum. Kristin has been specializing in brand and marketing strategies for nearly a decade. She has developed and overseen new marketing concepts for each company she has worked for that have each branched off to become their own divisions and/or entities. Kristin holds a BA in Communications and minor in Media.

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Marisa A. McCarthy, Ed.D. is the proud parent of one current LMI student and one LMI graduate. She has dedicated her career to supporting individuals with disabilities. Marisa currently works as the Chief of Special Education and Related Services for Springfield Public Schools and is an Adjunct Professor of Special Education at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Marisa's education includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology, a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Psychology, and a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership and Supervision.  

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