Suzanne Baumgarten joined the NYSAIS team as their Chief Financial Officer in 2018. Prior to NYSAIS, Suzanne served independent schools for 18 years as the Director of Finance and Operations at Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield, MA and as the Business Manager at Brown School in Schenectady, NY. She has been a member of the National Business Officers Association (NBOA) and served for 6 years as an officer of the Business Association of Housatonic Schools (BAHS). Suzanne earned her BBA in accounting from Siena College. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her five children, home renovation, and is currently working toward becoming a 46’er.

Andrew S. Cooke is the Director of Communications Systems for the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS), having originally joined in 2012 as the association's first Technology Coordinator. In charge of all aspects of technology, Andrew has collaborated on creating the NYSAIS-Now platform, an internal association database, member engagement platforms, and the What's Happening @ NYSAIS newsletter, while also advising and advocating for technology education and independent schools.

Prior to NYSAIS, Andrew spent three years as a technology specialist in a public school district, followed by two years as the technology director and systems administrator for a municipal police department. A graduate of Binghamton University, he has been published in two educational journals on innovation in teaching and recently contributed to a university-level history textbook. Andrew has spent many years as a coach, small business owner, and board member, including a term as the fundraising chair for a non-profit in upstate NY dedicated to raising scholarship money for local students. A big sports fan, avid gardener, and accomplished floral designer, Andrew spends his free time with his wife and their three children enjoying the outdoors of the Hudson Valley.

Worokya Duncan, EdD is a professional educator with 23 years of classroom experience, a Doctoral-level education, a great deal of energy, and a commitment to students. Over the course of her career, she has taught both elementary and middle school students in a variety of subjects, including United States History, Literacy, and Science. Her primary foci are Teacher training and development, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Belonging. All people should feel respected and know that they are valued!

Maria Flores Seibert has been the Administrative Coordinator for Communications and Operations for the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) since 2011. Prior to her work with NYSAIS, she was a teacher of English as a Second Language and English to Speakers of Other Languages. Maria earned her B.A. in English at SUNY Plattsburgh, and her M.S. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages at SUNY Albany.

Shannon joined the NYSAIS team as the Associate Director for Evaluation and Accreditation in July 2020. Prior to NYSAIS, she was the Manager of School Accreditation with the American Montessori Society. An educator with a passion for literacy, Shannon has served school communities in New York, Chicago, and her hometown of Albuquerque. She earned her B.A. in Creative Writing at the University of New Mexico and her MFA in Writing For Young People at Antioch University.

Alex Shaurette is an experienced educational leader with a passion for fostering safe, collaborative learning environments grounded in candor, care, and connection. Alex began his career in public education and has since served in a range of roles in independent schools in the New York City area. He spent more than a decade at the Professional Children's School, where he held several leadership positions, including Associate Head of School and Head of Upper School. Alex has extensive expertise in academic administration, community engagement, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and most recently employed these talents as the Director of Development and Apprentice Head of School at former NYSAIS member, the Alexander Robertson School. Alex is also a published singer/songwriter and an advocate for the arts. Alex has benefitted for years from professional learning experiences with NYSAIS and is humbled and honored to have the opportunity to contribute to these experiences for others this year.

George Swain has been with NYSAIS since 2013. Before joining the NYSAIS staff, George served as Head of Middle School at both Poughkeepsie Day School and Brooklyn Friends School. He holds a B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology from Earlham College, an M.A. in History from Binghamton University, and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University. He has received both the Klingenstein and NAIS/EE Ford Fellowships, is a Certified Association Executive (CAE), holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Board Consulting from BoardSource, and is a certified executive coach through the UC Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute. George has also held leadership roles on the boards of several nonprofit organizations.

In addition to his work with schools, George enjoys endurance cycling, hiking, and traveling the world with his wife and two children, both of whom are thriving independent school graduates. He also writes a regular column for a national endurance cycling journal.

Vince Watchorn is the Executive Director of the New York State Association of Independent Schools. He has been in independent schools his entire life and has worked directly with boards of trustees for 30 years. He is a national leader in head of school talent development, a former head of school, and editor of the NAIS Head Search Handbook. His entrepreneurial spirit has helped launch the Head of School Database (HSDB), revitalize the NAIS Fellowship for Aspiring School Heads, and forge innovative educational partnerships. In his community service, he aims to leverage his privilege to advocate for social justice and inclusive historical narrative.