Board of Trustees

Pamela J. Clarke, President

Educated at Vassar, Yale, and Harvard, Pamela J. Clarke has spent her professional life in independent schools. After a long career teaching English in secondary schools, Pam became Head of School at The Masters School in 1990. There she introduced coeducation, gender-specific middle schools, the Harkness method of teaching, and (most importantly) started the CITYterm, another one-semester program that centers on urban studies and experiential learning. She now heads Trevor Day School in New York City, a coed N-12 day school. Her major non-professional interests include rowing, fly-fishing, travel and waiting for grandchildren.

Blair Jenkins, Vice President

Blair Jenkins recently retired after 15 years as the Head of the Dana Hall School. During her tenure, Dana Hall joined the High Mountain Institute as one of our Member Schools. Before becoming Head at Dana Hall, Blair was the Associate Head of School, Director of the Upper School, and Dean of Students. She was also the Dean of Students at Westover School in Middlebury, CT, with prior positions as Assistant Director of Admissions at Emma Willard School in Troy, NY, Director of the Upper School at Colorado Springs School in Colorado Springs, CO, and Director of the Middle School and history teacher at Kent Denver School in Denver, CO. Blair and her husband Steve live in Bend, OR.

Mike Maughlin, Treasurer

Mike Maughlin has a master's degree in organizational development from Pepperdine University and now works in the Organizational Development department of the Denver Children's Hospital. A passionate outdoorsman and outdoor educator, Mike is a former National Outdoor Leadership School instructor, Deer Hill Staff and Program Manager, and past summer faculty member here. Mike was a vital contributor to the creation of the Leading Edge curriculum and early staff member who helped develop our specific techniques and practices for teaching leadership to teenagers. Upon accepting the invitation to join the board, Mike said, "Over these 15 years, I’ve been fan, friend and staff. I’ve sat in circle with students. This fall, I return as a trustee; a new role that has me feeling much the same way as I do when gazing at Mt Massive. Daunted. Humbled. Honored. Excited. I bring with me both a deep commitment to the mission; and a respect for Molly, Christopher, and the many talented people of the school's past and present. I engage in partnership with the other trustees, as we collaborate to influence an enduring legacy. As we approach our 3rd decade, we will tinker with the tension of honoring the past while stepping into the future. And I fully expect this new role to challenge me to learn and grow in the same manner as our school challenges its students."

Lise Martin, Secretary

Lise Martin was one of the pioneering members of Rocky Mountain Semester I. She came to us from New Trier High School outside of Chicago. Since graduating from the University of Washington, she has worked with youth in a variety of settings, including teaching at the Oregon Episcopal School in Portland. She has completed her MAT, is nearly done with her Masters in Nonprofit Leadership and is currently an Ed.D candidate in Educational Leadership at Seattle University. When asked why she joined the Board of Trustees, Lise noted that the Rocky Mountain Semester "provided me a life changing and empowering semester that forever altered, in a meaningful way, the way in which I see and experience the world. It made me a better a person, one that is more in touch with their passions and strengths, as well as more engaged in community development…I have been away long enough to have gained tremendous knowledge and insight from the world outside Leadville, so it is only appropriate that I give back with those skills to the place that provided me, as well as many others, the foundation and capacity to develop outstanding leadership skills."

Doug Capelin

Doug is the co-founder, with his wife Beverly, of Deer Hill Summer Expeditions, which offers summer wilderness and community service trips, primarily in the American Southwest. In addition to his knowledge of risk management, wilderness programming and working with teenagers specifically, Doug is also a school parent. His daughter Emily was part of Rocky Mountain Semester XII and his son Ben was part of Rocky Mountain Semester XXIII. When asked what he values most about the High Mountain Institute, Doug replied "HMI epitomizes the pursuit of excellence, of living with energy, integrity, and courage. Sure, it's a first rate academic experience. These lucky students, though, immerse themselves in a community of progressive, intentional, bright people. They are learning through their pores as well as the books."

Chip Chandler

Chip began his second career teaching at Williams College shortly after retiring from McKinsey & Company in 2003, where he had been a senior partner and spent the previous twenty-five years. At Williams, he is a visiting professor in an innovative, cross-disciplinary program that focuses on gaining a better understanding of the universal phenomenon of leadership in social groups. In addition to teaching at Williams, he also is engaged in research and writing in the field of leadership, a faculty member for an internal training program at McKinsey aimed at young partners, and a board member of a leading contemporary art museum. Moreover, having lived on planes for many years, he now delights in either playing squash, biking, running, or skiing almost every day. His son, Matt, was a graduate of Rocky Mountain Semester V, and his daughter, Kelsey, attended the Leading Edge in 2005. Chip is a graduate of Williams College and the Harvard Business School.

Michael Gregory

In addition to being an alumnus, Michael Gregory is a graduate of one of our Member Schools, the Crossroads School, and of Bard College. Michael is now working as a filmmaker. His recent projects include the filming a new promotional video for the Rocky Mountain Semester. When asked why he joined the Board of Trustees, Michael noted that he learned many lessons that shaped the person he has become. He went on to say "The school teaches students through a unique awareness of environment, utilizing the most essential and relatable of tools to make academic lessons come alive and life lessons relevant. As the community has grown, so too has its capacity to teach in creative and exciting ways, looking always to nature as the principal instructor. As a board member, my primary goal is to make sure the spirit of the experience remains intact as the school progresses and adapts."

Peter Neill, Trustee Emeritus

Peter Neill was extremely influential in the creation and development of the High Mountain Institute. It was with his initial encouragement, support and guidance that Molly and Christopher decided to start High Mountain Institute in the first place. Peter was also the first person to join the board in 1995. After ten years as the Chair, Peter Neill stepped down in November, 2007. His twenty years as President of the South Street Seaport Museum, his role on various Boards, including the Atlantic Challenge Foundation and Pilobolus Dance Theater, his time spent teaching at Yale University and his experience founding Leete’s Island Books (a small publisher) all contributed to Peter’s ability to guide the High Mountain Institute with great wisdom and devotion. Thankfully, Peter remains an active board member. Peter now lives in Sedgwick, Maine, where he is the Director of the World Ocean Observatory.

Catherine Hansen-Stamp, Esq., Legal Counsel

Catherine Hansen-Stamp is an attorney in private practice in Golden, Colorado. Her practice focuses on recreation and adventure law and liability and she consults with and advises recreation, adventure and sport program providers and related organizations on legal liability and risk management issues. Cathy speaks and writes frequently on these topics, both regionally and nationally. She co-chaired the first 4 CLE, International conferences on Recreation & Adventure Law & Liability held in Colorado 2003-2006. She is the former co-editor of the nationally published Outdoor Education & Recreation Law Quarterly and writes regularly for the American Camp Association’s Campline. She is a member of the Wyoming, Colorado, and American Bar Associations. Cathy and her husband Barry and family enjoy hiking, skiing, biking and generally recreating in the outdoors together. They have 3 daughters: Megan, Hilary and Tessa. Cathy can be reached at 303-232-7049 or e-mail reclaw@hansenstampattorney.com; www.hansenstampattorney.com.

Molly P. Barnes, Head of School, Ex-Oficio Board Member

Christopher Barnes, Executive Director, Ex-Oficio Board Member