Board of Directors

Ann Hriciga, board chair since May 2018, has been associated with WMS since her older daughter started kindergarten. As her two daughters, both WMS graduates, pursue very different career paths as adults, she constantly sees links to the education and values they experienced at WMS.

Ann left DuPont after a career that included management assignments in technology, manufacturing and marketing. A strong supporter of STEAM education, Ann has a Bachelor of Science (Michigan State University) and Ph.D. (University of California, Berkeley) in chemistry.

Stephanie has been part of the WMS community for eight years. A graduate of Widener University, with a bachelor’s degree in management, Stephanie enjoys involvement and giving back to the community. Within WMS, she has chaired WMS's annual auction and assisted with other various activities. Outside of WMS, Stephanie served as president of her neighborhood homeowners' association and has introduced philanthropic programs and initiatives at her place of employment.

Mayura Simon and her family have been a part of the WMS community since 2012 after moving to Wilmington from Atlanta. Her daughter graduated from WMS in 2013, and her son is currently in the middle school program.

Mayura is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science and a minor in Art History. She is currently employed by one of the big four financial services firms as an Information Technology program leader where she also serves on steering groups focused on people engagement and diversity.

Mayura's passion for Montessori education was fostered even before having children herself. She is an active part of the WMS community and co-chaired the annual fund for three years before joining the WMS Board. As an avid supporter of the arts, she has also served as a volunteer with First State Ballet Theatre and Cab Calloway School of the Arts.

Susie Ventresca, a former WMS parent, joined the board in May 2012. She is the parent of two WMS alumnae. A graduate of the University of Delaware in chemical engineering, she works as a supply chain planner with Dow AgroSciences. For several years, Susie was in charge of the Sunday School program at her church. She coached Odyssey of the Mind at WMS and has been active in Cub Scout Pack 1313 based at WMS, serving on the planning/leadership committee and as a pack leader.

Jayme has had the pleasure of being part of the WMS community for the past four years. She is the parent of two students who entered WMS as toddlers and are now in the Primary (3-6) Program.  Dr. Banks holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, certification in school psychology and an M.B.A. from Widener University.  Her focus has been on helping children and families in both community and educational settings.  Currently, Dr. Banks is the Deputy Chief of Prevention, Intervention and Trauma at the School District of Philadelphia.

Israel Floyd has a bachelor's degree in economics, an M.B.A. in finance and a law degree, along with years of experience in law and business, both domestically and internationally. He is an experienced member of nonprofit boards, including serving as WMS’s Board chair when his children attended the school. Since then, Israel has continued his association with WMS and his commitment to WMS's success.

 Rick was elected to the Board in April 2019. He and his family have been part of the WMS community since 2003. His daughters, Ava (2010), and Adele (2012), graduated from WMS. Every day he sees the value of a WMS education reflected in their successes. Rick is currently Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Interdigital, Inc., a wireless technology company headquartered in Wilmington. Prior to Interdigital, Rick worked in the life sciences industry for more than 25 years and has a deep experience in leadership and legal strategy. Rick is a graduate of Colgate University and Duke University School of Law.

Lisa Hastings-Sheppard has worked in higher education since 1997, when she began teaching English at Delaware Technical Community College. Since 2006, she has served in various marketing and communication roles at the college. Having spent years as a local climate change educator for The Climate Reality Project, Lisa's volunteer work has been focused on environmental issues. Lisa and her husband, David, are the parents of a WMS Lower Elementary student.

Joe is the founder and CEO of Acclaim Academy, an early learning child-care center located in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. Prior to COVID-19, Acclaim Academy had up to 150 children with 25 employees. They have continued to operate  through the pandemic and have obtained the Pennsylvania's highest quality certification - STAR 4. Joe is a graduate of Hampton University and earned his M.B.A. at the Pennsylvania State University. He served as President of the Germantown Special Services District and is an active Board member of Germantown United CDC.

Paul Sakaguchi served on WMS's board from 2005 to 2010 and rejoined the board in 2012. He is the parent of an alumna who attended WMS from age 3 through sixth grade

A graduate of Rutgers University (B.A. in Computer Science), Villanova University (M.S. in Computer Science) and the University of Delaware (M.B.A. with a concentration in finance) Paul is an equity systems analyst at DuPont Capital Management.