I was shocked at how significantly I felt a responsibility to this institution, an institution that I consider extraordinary in so many ways.” Dianne M. Connolly, outgoing Chairman of the Board of Trustees, describes her feelings the morning after she took on the role of Chairman. Dianne first became involved with the School in 1998 representing her son Matt’s class for the capital campaign. In this capacity, she got to know four other Derryfield families quite well – they were a kind of “team.” When the campaign was over, she found that she wanted more. By that time, she felt that she better understood the pulse of the School and wanted to stay involved. Dianne joined the Board of Trustees in 1999 and has remained a driving force in its governance since then. Serving on a Board was not new to Dianne; she had served on the Board for the private school her children had previously attended. But the Derryfield Board was much more serious – and powerful. Here she felt that she could make a real difference in the School’s plans. While a Board member, Dianne was extremely active chairing four committees. It was a natural progression for her to become Chairman of the Board. And, although recognizing the depth of responsibility, she never felt like she was in it alone. She had tremendous support from outgoing Chairman Tricia Lucas and from the Executive Committee, whose members she can’t find enough praise for. In fact, she praises the entire Board for its high level of commitment.  | The Derryfield School
Graduation
June, 2007 |
As Board Chairman, Dianne had three goals: 1) revise the Strategic Plan, which hadn’t been done for over five years; 2) create a Master Facilities Plan; and 3) build the endowment and financial aid, particularly for students in need and children of faculty and staff, through a Capital Campaign. The Capital Campaign would include both endowment and bricks and mortar. She was hoping to get the Campaign going in her second year as Chairman. “But life happened, and we found ourselves working on leadership instead.” Dianne speaks enthusiastically about both the new Board Chair, Steve Burke, and the new Head of School, Craig Sellers. “Steve will be great! He comes to us more from the finance side of things, whereas I am more from development. But, although our styles are very different, we both share the same vision for Derryfield.” Dianne sees Craig Sellers as her biggest accomplishment. She calls him an exceptional, polished leader who will fill the School with “warmth and genuineness” while moving forward and bringing everyone with him. She shares Craig’s vision for bringing more diversity to Derryfield by developing significant global ties. Will we still see Dianne around campus? Although her plans do not include any type of leadership for the next year, she will still be on the Board and available to Steve Burke to help him with “history and process.” After that, Dianne hopes to complete her original agenda by becoming actively involved in the long-awaited Capital Campaign. – Diane Allen |
