Board of Trustees
Mary C. Crosby
Mary is President and CEO of East End Hospice (EEH), which annually provides comprehensive hospice services to nearly 700 residents and their families on the East End of Long Island. Mary has an extensive background in clinical care, healthcare research and project management. She previously held positions at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the United Nations.
Mary was born and raised in Southampton, New York and returned to the region in 2014. Prior to assuming the role of President and CEO, she worked as a Hospice nurse and later as Nurse Manager of EEH’s in-patient facility, the Kanas Center for Hospice Care. She holds an undergraduate degree from the College of the Holy Cross, a Master’s degree in Public Health from Columbia University and a nursing degree from New York University. Mary resides in Southampton with her husband, Hilton, Executive Director of Heart of the Hamptons, and their two sons.
Liz Casey
Liz Casey is Co-Founder and Co-Director of Peconic Community School. Liz handles the admissions process at PCS and loves sharing the magic and wonder of a Peconic Community School education with prospective families. Ms. Casey has over 20 years experience in a variety of school settings, both public and private. She received a Masters of Arts in Theater and Creative Education from NYU and loves to help guide and plan project-based, integrated, creative, hands-on educational opportunities at PCS. Working alongside her sister Kathryn, and the beautiful children and passionate educators at Peconic Community School is a dream for Liz, and fills her life with so much love and joy. Liz lives in Mattituck in her childhood home, a multi-generational setting, with her three boys, and their dog Daisy.
Kathryn Casey Quigley
As a co-founder of PCS, Kathryn has helped oversee the growth of the school from a 9-student single-classroom program to an early childhood-8th grade school, serving over 100 students, in addition to summer and after school programs. She oversees the operations, finances and fundraising efforts at the school. Prior to starting PCS, Kathryn worked as a community organizer, civic engagement program director and professor of service learning. She has developed an expertise in non-profit management and leadership, board governance, development, program implementation and evaluation. Kathryn is deeply passionate about trying to make the world a better place, and sees her work and efforts through that lens. Kathryn holds a Master of International Affairs degree from Columbia University, and an undergraduate degree from College of the Holy Cross. Her free time is devoted to political organizing and family. In addition, a classically trained ballet dancer, she has over 25 years experience dancing and teaching ballet. Kathryn grew upon the North Fork and returned to the area in 2011 to raise a family. She lives in Greenport with her husband, 2 children and their dog, Gracie.
Franceska Earls
Franceska has been in the Fashion and Creative Design world for over 25-years. She is the Founder of Augden, a Bolivian based Hand-Knit Artisan Collective supporting the employment of local artisans and keeping alive the centuries old craft of hand knitting sweaters. She is also the Founder of Festoen, a sustainable Floral Event Design atelier based on the North Fork of New York whose mission it is to deliver elevated luxury floral design aesthetic for events and hospitality needs on the East End and beyond, and most importantly working with the gorgeous blooms grown by the Local North Fork Flower Farms. Franceska holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from the Villanova School of Business. Franceska resides in Peconic with her husband, Aaron Earls, CEO of Activate HQ, their two sons, both PCS alumni, and their dog Izzy.
Patricia Eckardt, Secretary
Patricia N. Eckardt has been an educator for over 20-years and has taught learners ranging from early childhood through graduate studies. She received her PhD in Language, Literacy, and Learning and MST in Curriculum and Teaching from Fordham University. Patricia is an assistant professor of education at Molloy College. She teaches in the School of Education and Human Services, serves on Molloy’s ELA advisory board, and is a field supervisor for prospective teachers. Patricia is also a co-founder of Peconic Community School. Areas of research and interest are literacy, dyslexia, cognition, and project-based learning.
Anita Haber
Anita Haber grew up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, where education was one of the community’s first priorities. She received her bachelor’s degree in education at the University of Toledo and her master’s in history at Bowling Green State University. Her relationship with progressive schools began over 30 years ago when her first born son, Henry, attended Corlears School, located in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood. It is there where her passion for teaching and learning that focuses on a child’s social, emotional, and academic development began. Her 27-year career as a school administrator was launched in the mid-1990s at Ethical Culture Fieldston School (ECFS) located in Manhattan and the Bronx. After 14 years at ECFS working in parent relations and communications, she moved to Corlears School where for seven years she was its Director of Development and Director of Admissions and Financial Aid. For the last six years, Anita worked as the Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management at Bank Street School for Children on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Anita and her husband Keith are currently full-time residents of New Suffolk after having spent weekends and summers there since 1985. Their two sons Henry and Clark have a deep affection for the North Fork as does Henry’s wife Dori. Her 3-year-old granddaughter loves the North Fork too, especially running on the beach, splashing in the bay, and eating soft-serve ice cream at the end of the day.
Candace Hall
Originally from Greenport, Candace Hall spent 17 years living in the Washington DC metro area, developing a passion for working with children as a preschool educator/administrator and advocating for representation of minorities in multiple community organizations and industries. Upon returning to the North Fork, Candace immersed herself in local community organizations and became the first African American woman in Southold Town history to be nominated by a major political party as a candidate for local office when she ran for Town Clerk. While she didn’t succeed in that race, Candace was appointed to the role of Village Clerk for the Village of Greenport in 2023, where she serves currently. In addition, Candace is also a co-organizer and founder of free community events for the youth, including the annual Greenport Summer Basketball Tournament. The Suffolk Times named Candace the Public Servant of the Year for 2023, for her dedication to the community and her work at Village Hall.
Melissa Hobley
Melissa Hobley is the Global Chief Marketing Officer at Tinder, where she’s responsible for global brand advertising, marketing, social media, and partnerships. She has a reputation for marrying powerful brand marketing with data-driven digital advertising in bold and breakthrough ways. Melissa most recently served as CMO for OkCupid, which became known for its message of inclusion and affirmation, winning numerous awards for its breakthrough social campaign under her direction.
Melissa regularly appears as an expert on tech and relationships in media like The New York Times and NPR, and is a regular guest on NBC’s “Today Show” discussing relationships in a digital era. In 2022, she was named to the inaugural Forbes Entrepreneurial CMO list, as well as Business Insider’s Most Innovative CMOs. In 2020, she was #29 on Forbes Most Influential CMOs in the World list. In 2019, she was named to AdAge’s “Women to Watch” list, and was recently featured on AMA’s “40 Under 40.”
Neena Paul
Neena is an advisor, innovator and energizer who believes that innovation can be a force for good - for all. Former CEO and Chief Innovation Officer at ?What If! Innovation, and Managing Director at Accenture, Neena has over 25 years of experience helping leaders shape future-ready organizations and unlock good growth. Known for catalyzing innovation energy across Fortune 500 companies, startups, and mission-driven organizations, she advises executive teams on innovation and growth strategy, leadership, and culture to drive systemic change. She has created and trained employees in innovation methods and mindsets at companies like Disney, Google, Pfizer, Four Seasons, Verizon, Merck, and more.
Neena currently serves on the board of ustwo, a global digital product studio, and Fishs Eddy, an iconic design-forward retail brand. She has been a frequent guest lecturer on innovation, sustainability, creativity and culture at Sciences Po University in Paris, University of Michigan and The Miami Ad School. Neena resides in Greenport and is a karaoke lover, sailing learner, dance philanthropist, Bollywood fan, wife to a shipwright, and mother of a PCS student and a dog named Ravioli.
Stephan Roussan, Chair
Stephan is a brand strategist and consultant with over 30 years of experience advising some of the world’s leading professional services firms. He was the founder and president of the digital agency ICVM Group and now leads a consultancy called Vertical Minds. He is an honors graduate of NYU, with a B.A. in both Political Science and French Literature. Stephan has supported numerous nonprofits — particularly in the environmental and educational spaces — both professionally and as a volunteer. A lifelong North Fork resident and the parent of a PCS alum (EC4–8th grade), Stephan is also an avid surfer, skier, and sailor.
Lucy Wohltman, Trustee
Lucy Wohltman is a tenured tech executive with extensive experience in real estate and media. She currently serves as Chief, New Business at Housewhisper.ai, a startup that blends real estate with generative AI.
Before joining Housewhisper, Lucy led new development at Pacaso and hosted the company's inaugural podcast, Second Home, featuring notable guests such as Tracey Anderson, Lauren Graham, Eva Longoria, and more. Prior to that, she was part of the launch team at Zillow, where she spent 15 years overseeing a highly profitable division. Earlier in her career, Lucy worked in media at CNN Money and TIME, where she was honored with the President's Award for Outstanding Achievement.
A dedicated community and education advocate, Lucy volunteered for 18 years at The Guide Dog School for the Blind and spent time in Rwanda volunteering at The Gashora Girls Academy. She and her partner are excited to call the North Fork their year-round home, along with their two Labrador retrievers.
Jeff Zeiger, Treasurer
Jeff is founder and managing member of Old Block Capital, a venture capital and advisory firm with primary focus on the financial technology, data and information services spaces. Jeff has held senior leadership positions in banking, technology and private equity in North America, Europe, the United Kingdom and Australia at firms that include JPMorgan Chase, NM Rothschild, Ion Trading and the portfolio companies of Warburg Pincus. Jeff holds a BA degree in English and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Yale University. He is a member of the board of directors of several privately-held technology companies and serves on the board of trustees of the Down Town Association in New York City.