Board of Trustees

Benjamin B. Rogers '95, P'24

Chair

Ben Rogers, a Benchmark School alumnus (Class of 1995), is a Senior Vice President—Corporate Banking Relationship Manager at Citizens Bank NA. He has nearly 20 years of relationship and portfolio management experience with public and private companies in the middle market. Prior to Citizens Bank, Ben held similar roles at HSBC PLC and Truist Bank.

Ben is an active Board Member of the Association of Corporate Growth (MD chapter), and AdHoc member of Agawam Council Board of Directors (non-voting), a non-profit youth development organization.  He also volunteers with Common Impact to support social equity through skill-based volunteerism. 

Ben graduated from the University of Richmond with a BS in Business Administration with a Double Concentration in Accounting and Finance. 

Ben holds the role of Chair of Benchmark School’s Board of Trustees, and his daughter Addison currently attends Benchmark.

Rich Salerno, P'26

Vice Chair

Rich Salerno is Chief Executive Officer of Aramsco, a comprehensive solution provider serving a wide range of contractors, service providers, and facilities maintenance professionals. From 2007 to 2009, Rich served in other roles at Aramsco including Chief Financial Officer.

Prior to Aramsco, Rich worked at Summit Partners, one of the leading private equity and venture capital firms in the United States. While at Summit, Rich was responsible for sourcing new acquisitions, completing due diligence, negotiating, and structuring transactions, and working closely with management teams to increase shareholder value. Rich also worked at Prudential Capital Group on a team focused on making investments in privately placed investment grade, high yield, and mezzanine debt investments. 

Rich graduated from Boston College, summa cum laude,
with a dual degree in Accounting and Finance.

Rich's daughter Ashley (Class of 2026) is a Benchmark School student. 

Rich hold the role of Vice Chair on the Board of Trustees. 

Michele Todd

Secretary

Michele Todd grew up in Havertown and attended The Pennsylvania State University, where she was VP of The Penn State Marketing Association and earned a BS in Accounting. She interned with Coopers and Lybrand, LLP during her senior year at Penn State and went on to work full-time as an auditor with Coopers and Lybrand after graduation. 

While working at Coopers and Lybrand, Michele earned her Certified Public Accountant designation. Michele left Coopers and worked at Comcast Metrophone and at Pet Valu International, Inc. 

Michele moved to Paris, France with her husband Michael, where she worked for Pricewaterhouse Coopers, LLC. After her son Michael Jr. was born she returned to the Philadelphia area. Michele rejoined Pet Valu International, Inc. as an Accounting Analyst before moving to The Haverford School as Controller in August 2002. As human resource requirements for schools continued to change, Michele filled a need and became the Director of Human Resources at Haverford in September 2010. She currently serves as a Trustee of the PAISBOA Health Benefit Trust, Chair of the PAISBOA TPA Ad Hoc Committee, and is a member of the PAISBOA Human Resource Steering Committee.

Michele’s son, Michael Jr., graduated from The Haverford School in 2019 and currently attends the University of Richmond. Her daughter Madeline attends The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr. Michele likes to spend her time at the beach in the summers, and enjoys movies, travel, tennis, and general fitness/wellness.

Michele holds the role of Secretary and serves on the Finance Committee of Benchmark School's Board of Trustees.

Dan Berger '93, P'27

Treasurer

Dan Berger, a Benchmark School alumnus (Class of 1993), is President of Berger Rental Communities. After earning his JD and MBA degrees from Temple University and being licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Dan returned to his real estate and property management roots because of his love of working with people.

At Berger Rental Communities, Dan focuses on championing the company culture, building relationships, acquiring and developing multifamily properties, securing financing, and setting the company’s strategic vision.  Dan has grown Berger Rental Communities to a top 5 largest multi-family management company in Pennsylvania. 
 
Dan is an active member of the YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization) Philadelphia Chapter, the President of the Pennsylvania Apartment Association, serves on the Executive Committee of the Jewish Federation of Real Estate, a member of the Jewish Federation of Philadelphia Board of Trustees, and a member of the Benchmark Board of Trustees. In addition, Dan has founded and is President of Hope & Door, a non-profit charity dedicated to providing support to families facing homelessness due to an unexpected financial emergency. 
 
While not at the office or a property, Dan is with his wife, Ashly, and their two children, Isabella and Hudson. (Hudson is a current Benchmark student.) He also enjoys long-distance running, Philadelphia sports teams, and spending summer weekends at the Jersey shore.

Dan holds the role of Treasurer and serves on the Facilities and Finance Committees of Benchmark School's Board of Trustees. 

Michelle Bogosian, P'19

Michelle Bogosian grew up in Villanova and attended Villanova University, studying English and Business. In 1998, Michelle assumed a leadership role in her family’s business, The Camera Shop, founded in 1920 by her grandfather.

During Michelle’s tenure at The Camera Shop, she has overseen operations through the retail photo industry’s most turbulent era. Michelle’s methods and success in rebranding, transitioning to digital, and managing e-commerce have been recognized by imaging industry leaders such as the Photo Marketing Association, PRO, Photofinale and Hewlett-Packard. Her approach has been emulated by other independent retailers worldwide.  
    
Michelle has spent many years volunteering locally, having served as Director of the Bryn Mawr Business Association and as Director of “Bryn Mawr Day,” a free annual community event, during which time she grew the attendance from a couple of hundred to more than 5,000. Michelle has served on committees with the Philadelphia Zoo, the Philadelphia Horticultural Society, and the Philadelphia Orchestra.    

While her daughter Emma Heckmann ‘19 was a student at Benchmark, Michelle was active with the Benchmark Parents’ Association, helping with many events including the Parent Social, the annual play, and Grandparents’ Day.

Michelle’s number one hobby is driving and flying Emma (who currently attends The Shipley School) around the country for fencing training and competitions. Michelle also enjoys cooking, hiking, flatwater kayaking, or walking with her three dogs and fiancé, Greg.

Michelle serves as the Chair of the Development Committee of Benchmark School's Board of Trustees. 

Amber West Buller '84

Dr. Amber West Buller is a clinical psychologist. She has worked extensively with children, young adults, parents and caregivers as a licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania and Delaware. Dr. Buller has experience in individual therapy, family therapy, educational support and coaching. With a background in pediatric neuropsychology, her work today focuses on assisting individuals, families, and schools. 

After graduating from Benchmark School in 1984, Dr. Buller attended The Episcopal Academy, the University of Arizona where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and Palo Alto University where she earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.

Amber has always been an active member in her community. and is the current Judge of Elections for her Newlin Township. She has also served on the board at Greene Towne School, the board for Public Citizens for Children and Youth, chaired the PA Psychological Association Legislative & Government Affairs committee, and served on the Philadelphia Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Commission of Children’s Behavioral Health.

Wendi Chase, p'06

Wendi Chase, a parent of a 2006 Benchmark graduate, has held various roles in Benchmark’s Board of Trustees since 2016. 

Wendi’s professional work includes over 10 years in elementary education, as well as time in private wealth management and work for the U.S. Department of Defense. 

Wendi is a Baldwin School graduate and earned a BA in geology from Wittenberg University. She and her husband, Charlie, live in Radnor and have two sons.

Wendi serves on the Executive and Development Committees.

Len DeStefano, P'23

Len DeStefano is the father of Benchmark student Christopher, Class of 2023. Len joined the Benchmark School Board of Trustees in 2022, and has already taken an active role in the work of the Benefits and Compensation Committee. 

Now semi-retired, Len was a founding partner of McKean Defense Group Inc, a consulting firm that provided information technology and naval engineering services to the US Navy. 
   
In August 2021, Len formed Pomerado Technologies LLC (holding company) and is the Managing Partner, President & CEO. Len had both private and public sector industry experience prior to establishing McKean Defense, working as a senior executive for market leaders in the power generation industry, including Koch Industries, John Zink, and TODD Combustion. Prior to that, he spent seventeen years supporting Naval Sea Systems Command.

Len grew up in the Philadelphia area and completed a four-year curriculum of apprenticeship training for a US Naval Shipyard in just three years, graduating first in his class. He is a member of the Surface Navy Association, a Life Member of The Naval Institute, National Defense Industrial Association Del Chapter Board Member, and is a Life Member of The Union League of Philadelphia, Aronimink Golf Club, and The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (Certified Instrument Rated Pilot).  

Len currently resides in Newtown Square with his wife Elaine and two children, Jessica, and Christopher. He has a second home is Sea Isle City, New Jersey where he and his son Chris enjoy golfing at UL National. He spends his spare time enjoying his family, playing golf, doing Knights of Columbus service work, and coaching (U12) little league baseball at Newtown Edgmont Little League (NELL).

Turaya Bryant Kamau, P'24

Turaya Bryant Kamau is a Broadcast Producer for CBS Saturday Morning. Turaya has 20 years of television news experience, working at stations across the country.  

Passionate about education, Turaya is an adjunct journalism professor at Temple University. She is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Turaya also serves on the Congenital Hyperinsulinism International board of directors.   

Turaya has a BA in Broadcast Journalism from Howard University, and a Master’s of Journalism from the University of California, Berkeley.

Turaya lives in Philadelphia with her husband and two children. Her son Malcolm currently attends Benchmark. 

Sarah Kinsella, P'26

Sarah Kinsella is the Nearly Three’s Toddler co-teacher at Phebe Anna Thorne school at Bryn Mawr College and parent of Annie Kinsella '26. Sarah began her teaching career in New York City at St. David’s School where she taught both Kindergarten and second grade. Before having her son, she was the temporary lower school math specialist at Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School in Greenwich Village.

Sarah earned her undergraduate degree at Kenyon College an MA from Teacher’s College, Columbia University.

Sarah and her family moved to the Philadelphia area from New York City in 2013. She currently resides in Narberth with her husband, Shane, son Charlie (Shipley ’27), and daughter Annie (Benchmark ’26).

At Benchmark, Sarah has been an active volunteer at the school library and secretary of the Benchmark Parents Association (BPA). She served as homeroom parent and was co-chair of the BPA spring social and silent auction. Sarah is the BPA Liason to the Board of Trustees. 

ROB Lambert, P'27

Rob Lambert is the founder of SITE Engineering Concepts, LLC, a civil engineering and surveying firm, located in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. Rob has over 25 years of experience providing civil engineering and surveying services to institutional campuses, commercial, mixed use and residential properties throughout southeastern Pennsylvania.  

Rob has a BS from the University of Notre Dame and a MS from Villanova University.

Rob has twin daughters, with one attending Benchmark and the other Agnes Irwin School.

Rob serves on the Facilities Committee of Benchmark School Board of Trustees.

Anne Rice-Burgess, P'18

Anne Rice-Burgess is the Chief Executive Officer of Episcopal Community Services. Anne has developed a career devoted to helping children and families as they face the challenges of limited resources, increased poverty, homelessness, disabilities and deficits in education. 
 
Anne is a product of Philadelphia Quaker school education, a graduate of Georgetown University with a BS in Psychology and an MS in Counseling Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy from Chestnut Hill College. She obtained professional certification as a Human Resources professional at Villanova University and a certificate in Executive Leadership from Bryn Mawr College.
 
Anne began her career with Methodist Services 22 years ago. Of the work that Anne holds most dear will always be the many families whom she helped become whole through adoption leading to a 2015 Kathy Taylor Award for Mission and Community Service, the housing programs for homeless women and families she helped to create, and the organic urban farm for which she won the 2016 Social Innovations Journal Award. Anne was recognized by a Strong Families Commission – Supporters of Change Award in 2017.
 
Anne’s professional philosophy is that no matter a person’s circumstances, they deserve the best, and once that person has had the opportunity to experience something better than what they’ve known, they will work hard to keep it. Most people need support and those that are underprivileged should be given a helping hand, without hesitation.
 
Anne is the parent of a 2018 Benchmark graduate, Krista, who currently attends Friends Select School. 
 
Anne serves on the Facilities Committee of Benchmark School Board of Trustees.

Andrew B. Rogers '93

Andrew Rogers '93 is Chief Counsel to a Commissioner of the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Washington, DC. In this capacity, Andrew provides legal advice with respect to all regulations, guidance, policy, proposed litigation, subpoena determinations, amicus participation, and federal sector administrative appeals before the Commission. Prior to this role, Andrew worked in the Wage and Hour Division of the United States Department of Labor, where he authored guidance and regulations implementation COVID-19 paid leave laws, opinion letters, and other guidance interpreting and implementing the Fair Labor Standards Act. Before his government service, he worked as an attorney specializing in wage and hour and EEO law at the law firms of Littler Mendelson P.C. in Tysons Corner, VA and Paul Hastings LLP in Washington, DC.

After graduating from Benchmark School in 1993, Andrew attended the Episcopal Academy. Andrew earned a BA in Government and Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia, and his JD from the University of Virginia School of Law.

Andrew serves on the Governance Committee of Benchmark School's Board of Trustees.

Amanda Atterbury Ryan, P'25

Amanda Atterbury Ryan grew up in California, where she developed a passion for horses and soccer before moving to the Philadelphia area to be closer to extended family. Amanda attended Westtown School and Franklin and Marshall College, where she earned a BA in Business Administration/Accounting and played on the women’s soccer team. After college, Amanda worked for Deloitte as an auditor but then left to pursue her dream of becoming a veterinarian. Amanda attended the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine, earning her VMD, and worked at Southwest Equine Medical & Surgical Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she focused on surgery, internal medicine, and ambulatory medicine of (mostly) equine patients.

Amanda returned to the Philadelphia area in 2010 to raise her family. She and her husband, Kevin, live in Willistown with their three children. Amanda’s oldest son, Sam, attends Benchmark School.  She has enjoyed being involved with the Benchmark Parents Association and her past role as Class Parent over several years.

In her free time, Amanda enjoys playing multiple sports, spending time with horses, playing the piano, reading, and sailing.

Charles Ryan, P'17

Charlie Ryan is Chairman and Managing Partner of UFG Asset Management, an investment management firm based in Moscow. Charlie has top level expertise and deep knowledge of both Russian and international markets.

Charlie began his professional career in 1989 with CS First Boston, where he was a Financial Analyst. From 1991 to 1994, Mr. Ryan was an Associate and Principal Banker with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London, where he played a role in the city of St. Petersburg’s privatization program for industry and real estate. In 1994, Mr. Ryan co-founded the United Financial Group, an independent investment bank in Moscow. UFG Asset Management was founded as part of the United Financial Group in 1996.

In 2005, when Deutsche Bank acquired UFG’s investment banking business, Charlie was appointed as the Chief Country Officer and CEO of the Deutsche Bank Group in Russia. He stepped down as the CEO of Deutsche Bank in Russia in September 2008 and in October 2008 became the Chairman of UFG Asset Management. In addition to his role as the Chairman, Mr. Ryan is also responsible for the overall management of UFG's private equity business.
Charlie earned his undergraduate degree in Government from Harvard College. 

Charlie serves on the Finance Committee of Benchmark School’s Board of Trustees.

Pete Verdi, P'24

Pete is the President of Menlo Financial Consulting where he collaborates with partners and stakeholders to provide support across a variety of operational finance needs including budgeting, reporting and analysis.

He began his career on the Financial Management Program at General Electric. During his fourteen years at GE, he held increasingly larger financial positions working across multiple
business, including Appliances, Corporate Audit, Lighting, Plastics, Industrial Systems and Water & Process Technologies. In addition to GE, he has also worked for AmerisourceBergen as the Vice President of Commercial Finance. Leveraging his twenty plus years of corporate finance experience, he began a consulting career with a focus on mergers and acquisitions and CFO type services. For nearly a decade he worked with Brandywine Mergers & Acquisitions assisting business owners with exiting their businesses. This work included providing financial support (accounting, reporting, and operational improvements) and working with businesses through the sale and disposition of the company.

Pete holds a BBA in Finance from The University of Notre Dame and an MBA from Arizona State University. He lives in Bryn Mawr, PA with his wife Lesli, children James and Annie '24 and two dogs Rocky and Apollo.

JAMES Viner,  p'21

Jim Viner is the President of HSC Builders & Construction Managers. Jim oversees the company’s preconstruction, project management, field operations, information technology, business development and marketing operations. Jim has been at HSC Builders since 1998, and has 30 years of experience in healthcare, higher education, and biotech/pharmaceutical construction management. 
 
Jim has a BS from Lafayette College. His son Will is a 2021 Benchmark alum.
 
Jim serves as the Chair of the Facilities Committee of Benchmark School’s Board of Trustees.

Chris Hancock

Head of School 

Chris Hancock is the Head of Benchmark School. Chris has an extensive background in independent school education. As a mentor and an administrator, an academic advisor and a coach, he has dedicated a majority of his career to supporting children who learn differently. 
 
Chris began his career in 2003 at Eagle Hill School in Hardwick, Massachusetts, where he most recently served as Assistant Head of School for Student Life. Chris has also served as Director of Development at the Rudolf Steiner School in New York City; Director of Development and Alumni Relations at The Sage School in Foxboro, Massachusetts; and Assistant Director of Admissions and Diversity Coordinator at Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, Massachusetts. 

Chris holds a BA in Economics from Haverford College and an EdM in School Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education.

Irene W. Gaskins

Founder & Trustee Emerita

Irene W. Gaskins is the founder and former Head of Benchmark School. Passionate about learning and writing about literacy and education, Irene authored many research articles and books. Her books include Success with Struggling Readers: The Benchmark School Approach,  Building Exemplary Reading Programs & Initiating Change, and Implementing Cognitive Strategy Thinking: The Benchmark Manual for Teachers, among others. She has been honored as a Distinguished Educator by The Reading Teacher and received the International Reading Association's William S. Gray Citation of Merit for lifetime achievement. In 1987, the James S. McDonnell Foundation granted Irene a research award to study "Development of a Metacognitive Curriculum for an Elementary School." 

Irene’s particular interest in developing strategies for improving word recognition and comprehension led to her creation of the Word ID program in 1983, Benchmark School’s exclusive and renowned phonics/decoding program.

In addition to leading Benchmark School, Irene also served as a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania. She received her EdD degree from the University of Pennsylvania in educational psychology. 

Irene serves on the Development and Finance Committees of Benchmark School's Board of Trustees.

Read more about Irene Gaskins and the history of Benchmark School. 
 

Howard Marcus

Trustee Emeritus

Howard Marcus is President of HRM Leadership Advisors, a global talent management consultancy providing leadership consulting, executive coaching, and talent management expertise. Howard brings extensive human resources; leadership development; career and talent management; and international and multicultural experience cultivated over 35 years of working in a variety of industries with thousands of leaders. He specializes in developing executives, building high-performance teams, and helping organizations achieve their growth aspirations while creating value for their shareholders, customers, and employees. His work with leaders has resulted in improved core leadership skills, strengthened leadership effectiveness, higher team performance, measurable business improvement, and success in meeting the challenges and opportunities of transition and change.

Howard also serves as a senior consultant and leader coach for Right Management, serving clients across a variety of industries. Previously, at The McGraw-Hill Companies (today known as S&P Global), Howard held the role of VP Management & Organizational Development for 14 years, leading its global talent management efforts and the international HR function. Earlier in his career, Howard held senior HR leadership roles at Golden Books Family Entertainment, KPMG US, The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation, and Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceutical Corporation, the latter including a two-year assignment living and working in Paris, France. 

Howard was a member of the staff of Benchmark School from 1978 to 1987. Starting as a Psychological Services Intern while completing his graduate studies, Howard later served as the Head of Psychological Services and Director of Admissions. 

Howard received his PhD in Education (Professional Psychology), as well as his MS in Psychological Services and BA in Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania.

Howard is an Emeritus Member of Benchmark School's Board of Trustees.