Belonging at Blair

Belonging at Blair

2025-2026 All-School Photo
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I. Our Commitment

Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) at Blair is grounded in our mission—to know our students and to prepare them to thrive in a diverse and complex world that we believe they will make better—and in our Five Fundamentals of living and learning together. Blair remains thoughtful and deliberate to ensure our actions are meaningful, based on good counsel from diverse voices, research, and our community’s lived experiences and truths.

We are committed to creating and sustaining an environment that promotes authentic self-expression, that is inclusive, that fosters meaningful understanding and deep relationships, and that ensures “all in” and “all together” are a lived reality, rather than simply slogans. Our dedication to the dignity and humanity of all people is unwavering. Any words or actions that deny or demean the dignity and humanity of people have no place in our community.

To provide Trustee oversight of Blair’s campus climate and DEIB efforts, Blair Trustees established a standing Board-level committee, and the group’s chair serves on the Board’s Executive Committee.

II. The Inclusivity Committee

Selected based on their roles at the School and their perspectives, varying faculty members and Trustee liaisons comprise Blair’s Inclusivity Committee. The group, which convenes weekly, promotes a sense of belonging in the community, fosters the momentum of work across campus and serves as a resource to adults and students. Meetings provide a forum for discussion, and the Committee acts as a planning and advocacy group. Committee members are also charged with the development and execution of campus programming, the review of hiring practices and other work to promote the values espoused in the Five Fundamentals.

Committee members include:

  • Anna Andrasek, Director of Parent Engagement & Philanthropy
  • Cristina Castillo, Language department chair
  • Paul Clavel '88, Director of Athletics
  • Carolyn Conforti-Browse '79, Dean of Campus Life & Director of Leadership Programs
  • Jon DeJesus, Administrative assistant
  • Dave Facciani, International student academic monitor
  • The Rev. David Harvey, Trustee liaison; Chaplain; Self & society teacher
  • Eliza Link, Assistant Dean of Students & Director of the Romano Gallery
  • Joe Mantegna, Associate Dean of College Counseling
  • Nathan Molteni, Assistant Head of School for Academics
  • Ryan M. Pagotto '97, Associate Head of School
  • Anna Raley, History teacher
  • Jackie Roecker '96, Director of Human Resources Operations
  • Gregory Rosnick, Assistant Dean of Admission
  • Andee Ryerson, Dean of Students
  • Maria Vinci Savettiere, Board of Trustees Chair, Trustee liaison
  • Leucretia Shaw, Dean of Faculty Life
  • Ally Thomas, Director of Counseling
  • Evan Thomas, Dean of Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (chair)
  • Joe Wagner, Dean of Teaching & Learning

III. Schoolwide Programs & Initiatives

Student Leadership:

Belonging & Equity Committee

Recognizing the strength and value that DEIB work brings to our community, the directors of this student-led group organize on-campus discussions, promote school programming and proactively seek opportunities for peers to offer feedback on their Blair experiences. They serve as points of contact should incidents of bias occur, and they also spearhead campus protocols with an anti-bias lens. B&E leaders tackle their work in the following roles:

Student Discussion Directors: Organize on-campus discussions, support ongoing conversations on DEIB, social justice and other related topics.

Student Directors of Campus Programming: Support campus gatherings that promote DEIB efforts. This includes events that other groups may be planning (for example, International Weekend) or creating and planning additional events (such as other heritage month celebrations).

Student Directors of Campus Outreach: Create proactive opportunities for students to offer feedback on their Blair experiences and organize ways to actively seek that feedback.

Student Directors of External Outreach: Proactively connect with similar committees and campus groups at other schools, coordinating joint initiatives and sharing ideas and lessons learned.

Student Discipline Liaisons: The point of contact when incidents of bias occur that need student input. They also spearhead reviews of campus rules and protocols with an anti-bias lens, including offering feedback on the student handbook.