Webinars

Thomas Gorman, Chief Operating Officer, Westover School

During his nearly 28-year career as an auditor, Thomas Gorman has worked with a variety of educational, non-profit, and governmental entities. He made the transition from public accounting to private industry in 2016 and now serves as the chief operating officer at Westover School in Middlebury, CT. In this capacity, he oversees the finance, accounting, investment management, facilities and information technology needs of the school. He also serves as the chief risk officer. Gorman earned his Bachelor of Science in business administration from Georgetown University.

Lauren Castagnola, Chief of Staff, Westover School

Lauren Castagnola is currently chief of staff at Westover School, serving as a strategic advisor to the head of school and primary liaison between the school and the board of trustees. She also oversees the administrative, communications and marketing functions of the school, and as COVID coordinator. Prior to this role, Castagnola worked at a marketing and communication agency, as well as in higher education in both fundraising and alumni relations roles. She also served as director of annual giving and constituent relations at Westover School from 2012 to 2014. Lauren earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing and recently her master’s degree in organizational leadership, both from Quinnipiac University, where she also serves as an advisory board member to the People’s United Center for Women & Business.

Caryn Pass, Chair, Education Practice, Venable LLP

Caryn Pass has represented independent schools for over 25 years. As chair of Venable’s Education Practice, she advises over 200 schools nationwide on a wide range of legal issues. She tracks trends specific to independent schools and develops industry best practice. Ms. Pass works with schools on legal issues raised by students, parents, employees, trustees, donors, alumni, neighbors, and vendors by establishing policies, procedures, and strategies that promote positive working and learning environments while limiting potential liability exposure. A problem solver and strategic thinker, Ms. Pass helps avoid liability while meeting the needs of the school. Ms. Pass works on documents utilized by independent schools, including employment, enrollment, and contractor agreements. She advises on the proper use of technology and social media, wage and hour compliance, employee and student discipline, admissions, investment, and financial issues, FMLA, performance evaluation design, and employee termination. She conducts investigations involving students, employees, and other members of the school community. In addition, she reviews employee and student handbooks, develops emergency preparedness plans and works with experts in the assessment of campus security. Ms. Pass designs and reviews by-laws and governance policies and works with boards to establish good governance. Ms. Pass is well known for her commitment to mentoring, supporting, and developing the next generation of independent school leadership and assists in developing transition plans and strategies for ensuring the new head’s success. She drafts and designs head of school employment contracts and advises on the intermediate sanctions process. Ms. Pass presents to schools on a variety of topics, including hiring, harassment prevention, manager training and appropriate student boundaries. Ms. Pass presents at NBOA and NAIS annual conferences and before regional and professional associations.

Grace Lee, NBOA Legal Counsel and Partner, Education Practice, Venable LLP

Grace Lee is a partner with Venable, LLP in the Labor and Employment Practice. Lee is an independent school law attorney whose practice focuses on employment law, risk management and other compliance and regulatory matters that impact independent schools and nonprofit organizations. Lee has extensive experience helping schools implement compliant policies and adopt preventative strategies, and she has defended schools against claims regarding employment discrimination, harassment, retaliatory discharge, and wage and hour violations before administrative agencies and federal and state courts. She previously served as NBOA’s vice president, legal affairs. Lee holds a J.D. from The George Washington University Law School and a B.A. from Northwestern University.