Love For Marlborough Will Endure

The Marlborough alumnae community is an impressive and accomplished group. With 135 classes of graduates to date, the reach of Marlborough women is immeasurable. When an alumna says she went to Marlborough, there is an immediate recognition of what that means: she’s smart, she’s a critical thinker, she’s attentive, she’s a leader, she’s outspoken, she’s capable. As inaugural ViBEE Fellow Malaika Nall ’18 says, “Marlborough has always been a safe space, and it has always had the most supportive community. The incredible network of alumnae that spans the globe is truly the foundation of it all.”

Among this talented network spanning the globe are several Violets who have returned to the “ever graceful halls of learning” on Rossmore Avenue to dedicate their knowledge and career to the students in whose seats they once sat. For the 2025-2026 school year, Marlborough boasts an impactful 14 faculty and staff members who are proud alumnae. With this group walking the halls today alongside the newest Violets, we asked: What calls an alumna to return to her alma mater as her place of work?

Each alumna employee at Marlborough has had her own journey back to the School, yet the common thread that unites their stories is a desire to deepen their connection to a community that shaped them. Violets’ Giving Circle Coordinator Amanda Lovrien ’95 notes, “I was looking for an opportunity to give back in a meaningful way to a place that meant so much to me.” Using her background in event marketing, she dedicates her time at Marlborough to guiding Juniors and Seniors in Violets’ Giving Circle in producing a large-scale fundraising event every other year. Science Instructor Samantha Bordy ’16 describes how, after working in other educational environments, she knew she wanted to teach at Marlborough: “I was searching for a community that felt like Marlborough. I missed how passionate the students are here. And I missed how much emphasis there is on community and togetherness.”

Others expressed how their career paths were laid during their time as Violets and the ways Marlborough sparked an interest in their chosen field. “I knew I wanted to become an English teacher in 11th Grade,” says English Instructor Dr. Caitlin Newby ’09. “I took AP English and loved the class, from my teacher to the texts we read. And I [knew I] wanted to teach at a school like Marlborough.” Dr. Newby also serves as the Sundial advisor, guiding students in the same role she held as co-editor-in-chief of the yearbook—a true full-circle moment. 

Like Dr. Newby, Dr. Sachiko Donley ’03 first found an interest in her field during her days as a Marlborough student. When she learned there was an opening at the School to serve as  School Counselor with the Educational & Counseling Services Department, she found herself asking: “Could my professional skillset be applied in the very community that shaped my early interest in adolescent development?” Her work now focuses on helping students navigate the academic rigor of Marlborough and their own wellbeing. “I am genuinely curious and committed to helping students figure out how to maintain their ambition without sacrificing their wellbeing,” she reflects. “Having been through it, I can understand on a personal level what a difference it can make when you prioritize being your authentic self while also being a highly competitive student.” 

This sentiment of having been in a Marlborough student’s shoes is echoed by many of the alumnae. Returning as employees of the School allows them to offer meaningful support to current students. They have a deep cultural fluency, intimately familiar with Marlborough’s culture of excellence, support, high-level learning, and a dedicated and driven student body. Aubrey White ’19 expresses how having been a Marlborough Lacrosse player adds to what she can offer as a Middle School Lacrosse Coach: “It allows me to bring insight into what the girls may be experiencing at their age, particularly at Marlborough. I feel like they can relate to me, knowing I went through the same experiences that they may be having.” 

Ms. Nall, who is co-teaching 9th-grade history during her ViBEE Fellowship, adds, “​​I truly understand how the students feel, especially during busy weeks that are heavy with assessments. I can empathize with them; and I like to offer support whenever and however I can.” 

Information Systems Administrator and Registrar Amy Hirschfeld ’94 shares: “If a student comes to me with anxiety about their schedule, I just stay calm and let them know, ‘I’ve been there. I’ve been in your shoes.’ It helps them get by. And I did get through it. They all will, too!”

Ms. Bordy reflects on what made her own Marlborough experience transformative, and what she now hopes to facilitate for her students. “This school helps students find their passions in a very special way. When I went here, I was able to try everything. I do not think that I would have gone on to study engineering if I had gone to a different high school. Getting to explore all of those passions was important to me. And I know it’s still important to the current students.” 

What binds all of these stories together is something deeper than a diploma. It is a recognition that Marlborough’s culture, created through deep-seated traditions and steadfast commitment to girls’ education, connects generations in profound ways. The opportunity to have alumnae back on campus supporting, teaching, and connecting with the current students through their work is uniquely beneficial. And though parts of the experience of a Marlborough student have changed since these alumnae graduated, there is still so much that has stayed the same. 

Natalie Makous Cuadra ’09, Associate Director of Alumnae Engagement, says of the evolution, “While every generation has had a unique experience here—from shifts in faculty and the physical campus to the expansion of the curriculum—I've found two constants that powerfully connect us all: the traditions and the energy of the students. Today's students are different from my generation in a million ways, but the core Marlborough spirit is exactly the same. You still see them laughing through the halls, having casual conversations about the complex topics they're studying, and being incredibly supportive of one another. The atmosphere feels like a constant that bridges the decades.”

The 14 alumnae shaping the next generation of Violets: 

• Meghan Bernstein ’11 
  • Director of Marketing and Communications
• Samantha Bordy ’16 
  • Science Instructor
• Natalie Cuadra ’09 
  • Associate Director of Alumnae Engagement
• Dr. Sachiko Donley ’03
  • School Counselor
• Amy Hirschfeld ’94
  • Information Systems Administrator and Registrar
• Maya Jen ’24
  • Assistant Debate Coach
• Hope Lee ’24
  • Assistant Debate Coach
• Ava Limerick ’25
  • 7/8 Volleyball Coach
• Amanda Lovrien ’95
  • Violets’ Giving Circle Coordinator
• Malaika Nall ’18
  • ViBEE Fellow
• Dr. Caitlin Newby ’09
  • English Instructor
• Wyeth Renwick ’24
  • Assistant Debate Coach
• Sofia Simon Trench ’18
  • Robotics Assistant
• Aubrey White ’19
  • 7/8 Lacrosse Coach