Faculty and Staff Directory

Laura is a native of the east coast with roots in Virginia and Delaware. She attended James Madison University and received a BS in Athletic Training before continuing on to gain a Masters in Kinesiology from California State University, Northridge. After her formal education Laura traveled to South America to study yoga and continues to further her studies in breathwork, nutrition and injury prevention. She moved to Ventura in 2016 and was welcomed into the Thacher community in 2018. In her free time, Laura loves to surf, run ultramarathons and enjoy nature. 

Jeff joined Thacher in 2015 and serves as the School's director of advancement. He started his career at Middlesex School where he held roles in the annual fund and their record-setting capital campaign. In 2001, he joined the Noble and Greenough School in Dedham, MA, as their director of development where they became the first day-school in the nation to complete a $100MM+ capital campaign. After completing the campaign, he became managing director of New Profit—one of the leading “venture-philanthropy” firms—where he helped organizations such as Year Up, KIPP, and Teach for America scale across the country. Immediately preceding Thacher, Jeff was a managing director and the head of philanthropic services at Roundtable Investment Partners, which is a shared family office headquartered in NYC. 

Melanie is the head of mindfulness programming, teaches English, coaches rock climbing, and advises sophomore girls. A northern Nevada native, she loves spending time in the mountains, especially the Sierras. As a graduate student, Melanie taught in the University of Nevada's English department, as well as putting her BFA to use in teaching photography classes. She also taught at the St. Paul's School summer program and the Hill School in Pennsylvania. 

Phillip Blackman, a native Marylander, spent many years in Los Angeles working as a recording engineer and music producer prior to attending UCLA Law.  Phil then earned his LL.M. in Business and Tax Law from UCLA Law as well as a Ph.D. in Higher Education from Penn State.  After graduating Phil worked for over five years as an Assistant Professor of Accounting and Law at Ithaca College where he taught graduate-level tax courses as well as directing the M.B.A. program in Entertainment and Media Management.  Phil then left his faculty position to join St. Paul’s School in New Hampshire as the Director of Leadership and Planned Giving.  After three years at SPS and earning a Certificate in Estate Planning from Boston University Law, Phil welcomed the chance to return to Southern California and serve Thacher’s mission.  In his spare time, Phil composes electronic music, enjoys amateur astronomy, and Formula 1 racing.

Aimee Brown-Nelson is a native to Ventura County and joined the Thacher Alumni and Development team in August 2021. She is looking forward to connecting with alumni and families to provide experiences that reinforce Thachers’ mission and values. Prior to joining Thacher, she worked in constituent engagement, event production, and fundraising within the entertainment and political spheres. Aimee holds a BA in Communication with minors in Psychology and International Studies from San Diego State University. In her spare time, you can find her hiking, camping, and enjoying live music.

Gianna is an educator who works with dancers and movers of all ages and abilities, including working in the K-12 school system, teaching dance at both public and private schools. She aims to create artistic understanding through sensory experiences, articulation & vocabulary (verbally and physically), awareness, pleasure, joy, sadness, happiness, connection, touch, listening and partnering.  Burright holds a BFA in Dance from UCSB and an MFA in Choreography from Trinity Laban Conservatory of Music and Dance.