Our Board of Directors

Dr. Phillip Braun: Director. Dr. Braun is an ophthalmologist practicing in New York City, with a focus on cataract surgery and comprehensive ophthalmology. He has a longstanding interest in teaching and mentorship, and is currently a faculty member of the Mount Sinai healthcare system, where he instructs resident physicians in medical and surgical ophthalmology. A humanist by training, he pursued his undergraduate studies in Classics at Princeton University then his doctorate at Yale School of Medicine, and subsequently completed his residency at the University of Rochester.

Mrs. Maryanne Harkins: Director. Mrs. Harkins brings over 25 years of experience teaching mathematics from grade school to college. Most recently, she served as an adjunct professor at the LaPenta School of Business at Iona University, where she taught Operations Management Analytics. A lifelong learner and dedicated educator, Maryanne holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Wellesley College, studied Industrial Engineering at Northwestern University, earned a Master of Science in Engineering in Applied Mathematics from Johns Hopkins University, and is currently pursuing an MBA in Business Analytics at Iona University. Maryanne has been an active member of several school communities, including Sacred Heart Greenwich, Iona Preparatory School, and The Hawthorn School. As president of the Hawthorn Parent’s Guild, she works to strengthen family involvement. Maryanne and her husband, Mike, reside in northern Westchester County, where they are raising nine children, the youngest of whom attend The Hawthorn School. With her analytical expertise, Maryanne advocates for process efficiency and the implementation of best practices in education. She actively promotes a learning environment that inspires curiosity and problem-solving.

Mr. Alexander G. Hutter: Director. Mr. Hutter is an Officer of Silgan Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SLGN), a leading global packaging manufacturer, where he currently serves as Vice President and Global Head of Investor Relations. Prior to joining Silgan in 2018, Mr. Hutter spent over a decade performing fundamental equity research across several sectors, most recently at Jefferies LLC. Mr. Hutter lives in North Stamford with his wife and three children, and is a graduate of Loyola University in Maryland and Fairfield Prep.

Mrs. Mary Ellen Kranzlin: Director. Mrs. Kranzlin is a mother of five. She has an MBA from Columbia Unversity and B.A. in English from the University of Virginia. Before becoming a mother, she worked in marketing for Proctor and Gamble and in the marketing division of advertising at Saatchi & Saatchi and the former SSC&B: Lintas. With her cousins, she runs the Bunting Family Foundation. She is a trustee for Save the Sound. She serves on the Board of Alderton House, which provides religious, cultural, and social activities for women. She was a Board Member at Seven Acres Montessori in Wilton, CT for 9 years. She was a Trustee for Oakcrest School for 5 years. Mary Ellen was an active volunteer at her children’s’ various schools. She taught religion to children of all ages at her church from 2000-2020. She also teaches at mini-retreats and classes for women. She is a co-leader of the Women’s Bible Study program at her church.

Mr. Andrés I. Pérez-Benzo: Chairman. Mr. Pérez-Benzo is a private investor and the founder of Sfumato Equity Holdings L.P., a hedge fund in New York City. Mr. Pérez-Benzo has worked previously at Goldman Sachs, Uber and IBM. He serves on the boards of several educational institutions including The Heights School in Potomac, MD, and is a graduate of Princeton University.

Mr. Joel Pidel: Secretary. Mr. Pidel practices traditional and classical architecture in New Canaan, Connecticut, residing nearby with his wife and children. He attended the University of Notre Dame where he studied architecture and philosophy, graduating in 2005. His work has been the recipient of architectural design awards and has been published in various books and magazines.