Leadership

HEAD OF
SCHOOL

Audrius Barzdukas P’20 
Head of School

Our 10th Head of School since 1854, Audrius Barzdukas came to Poly in 2016 from Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, where he served as Head of Athletics, Associate Head of School, and Head of Upper School during his time there from 2003-2016. Previously, he was a Director with United States Swimming and Associate Director, Coaching with the U.S. Olympic Committee. The Virginia native earned a bachelor’s in philosophy and master’s in education from the University of Virginia.

ACADEMIC AND
PROGRAM
LEADERSHIP

Michal Hershkovitz P’16, ’18 
Assistant Head of School, Academics

Before being named Assistant Head of School, Academics in 2019, Hershkovitz was Chair of Poly’s History Department since 2011. She oversees curriculum ensuring academic excellence in all divisions. Drawn by Poly’s vibrancy, diversity, and commitment to nurturing the whole child, Hershkovitz has worked with our talented faculty to develop progressive curricula; design student travel programs; and advance initiatives that foster new modes of learning within and beyond the classroom. Hershkovitz holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Michigan, an MA in International Relations from Yale University, and an MPhil in Political Science from Columbia University.

Sarah Bates 
Head of Upper School

Richard Corso 
Head of Athletics

Andre Del Valle Jr. P’29, ’33
Head of Middle School

Michael Robinson 
Head of Arts

Francis Yasharian 
Head of Lower School

BUSINESS &
OPERATIONS

Lynda Casarella
Interim Chief Financial Officer

Hailing from Maine, Lynda Casarella started at Poly Prep in 2015 as Associate Director of Summer Programs & External Learning. She began serving as Interim Chief Financial Officer in 2020. Lynda attended George Washington University and Salve Regina University, where she graduated with a BS in accounting. She earned her MBA in 2019 and is working toward her doctorate degree in business administration from William Howard Taft University. Lynda has always considered herself a “numbers person,” so working in accounting and finance is a natural fit. She also accrued business experience and financial acumen having owned and operated two successful small businesses when she lived in Rhode Island. When not balancing the ledgers and crunching numbers, Lynda enjoys keeping fit, sewing, and singing. A talented vocalist, you may have heard her sing at Poly events. One of her favorite quotes is, “The key to success is to focus on goals, not obstacles.”

Peggy Cook 
Chief Advancement Officer

Kyle Graham 
Associate Head of School, Enrollment Management and Student Outcomes

Matt Stelluto
Head of Operations 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
2019-2020

Officers
Chair: Nicholas Gravante, Esq. ’78, P’20, ’23
Vice Chair: Arnold F. Mascali ’84
Treasurer: Robin L. Bramwell-Stewart ’86, P’16 
Secretary: Andrew Foote P’27, ’29

Board Member, Non-Trustee
Alexandra Maresca Azara ’00, P’33 (Pres. Alumni Board of Governors)

Trustees Emeriti
Clifford Barr, Esq. ’48
Dr. Karen Burke Goulandris P’15
Harry J. Petchesky, Esq. ’55

Organized as a not-for-profit corporation under the laws of the State of New York and granted 501(c)3 status by the IRS, Poly Prep Country Day School is governed by a Board of Trustees, consisting of alumni and parent volunteers, who provide strategic oversight and ensure that Poly Prep fulfills its educational mission.  The Board meets approximately once every two months throughout the school year.  Through Board committees—ranging from Education and Co-Curriculars to Development and Finance—the Board has frequent and regular campus contact with parents, alumni, and school administrators.

Poly Prep also benefits from the active support of a Parents’ Association, and its Alumni Association and its Board of Governors.