Wendy Sibert Secor, P13
Director of Admission and Financial Aid

Wendy is returning to the Dana Hall community after spending some time at home with her husband and three children. Five years ago, Wendy worked at Dana in the College Counseling Office for two years. Her previous experience includes 12 years at Wellesley College in the Admission Office. Excited to be back, Wendy has always been energized by the positive community that exists here. Having worked in single sex institutions her entire career and also attending an all girls secondary school (she is a graduate of Miss Porter's School), she is a passionate advocate for girls and loves seeing the growth and self esteem that they go through during their years at Dana Hall. Wendy welcomes you to come visit and see what makes this vibrant place so special. She and the admission staff look forward to meeting you!

Nancy Mortarelli
Senior Associate Director of Admission and Financial Aid

Since she came to the Admission Office in 1991, Nancy Mortarelli has taken on many roles and responsibilities. She has warmly welcomed countless families through the interview process and by representing Dana Hall at fairs. Her favorite part of the job, which she does so well, is acting as advisor, and sometimes surrogate mother, to a group of current Dana Hall students. With a particular strength for connecting with families, Nancy knows virtually every applicant by name - even remembering when most current students first visited the office. Nancy also is responsible for enrollment management and the admission office statistical reports. In addition to interviewing families Nancy also works closely with families applying for financial aid. She leads the Financial Aid Committee through their financial aid decisions and works with current and prospective families to understand the financial aid process. 

Amanda Miles
Associate Director of Admission

Amanda joined the Dana Hall Admission Office in 2005, bringing with her admission experience at both international and New England boarding schools. Amanda began her career as an admissions associate at an international boarding school in Switzerland. After two years enjoying the beautiful Swiss surroundings, she decided to return to New England where she grew up. She spent the next few years in the Admission Office of a Boston-area boarding and day school, honing her knowledge of New England preparatory schools. With a desire to learn more about school administration and adolescent development, Amanda earned her Master of Education degree from Harvard University Graduate School of Education, with a focus in Human Development and Psychology. In addition to her responsibilities of interviewing students and their families, Amanda also travels to meet prospective Dana families and advises a group of current students. 

Laura Morgon '02
Assistant Director of Admission

Laura Morgon '02 is new to the Admission Office this year. A recent graduate of Mount Holyoke College with a degree in Critical Social Thought, her background includes study abroad in Copenhagen and travel to Kenya. While at Mount Holyoke, Laura was an intern in the Dana Hall Admission Office where she gained familiarity with the independent school admission process. As a Dana graduate who also attended a women's college, Laura can speak from experience of the benefits of single sex education. In her free time, Laura can be found cooking, reading, or running. Laura is pleased to be a ninth grade advisor and part of the ninth grade team. She is also looking forward to being the faculty advisor for the Blue Key Club, a student organization of over 100+ tour guides who welcome prospective families to campus.

Elizabeth Adams
Assistant Director of Admission
While Liz may be new to the Admission office, joining in August 2007, she is no stranger to Dana Hall. Liz began teaching English in the Upper School in 2005. After her second year of teaching English and falling in love with the culture and climate of Dana Hall, Liz decided to experience the school from a new perspective. While her decision to leave the classroom was a difficult one, she is comforted knowing that she will continue to work closely with students as a ninth grade team advisor and Varsity Ice Hockey coach. Liz graduated from Wesleyan University and began her career in independent schools teaching English, coaching ice hockey and soccer, and serving as a dorm parent at Cushing Academy. Her move to the Boston area and to teaching at Dana has expanded her understanding of the independent school system. Her experience traveling as a coach has enabled her to build relationships with other schools and provided a means for comparison amongst the many options available to prospective students. After spending five summers studying in different domestic and abroad locales such as Alaska and Oxford, Liz recently earned her Master of Arts degree from the Breadloaf School of English, Middlebury College. Liz looks forward to traveling to meet prospective families and to experiencing a student's educational process from the admission stage.

Brenda Dowdell
Office Manager

Often the first contact for prospective families, Brenda Dowdell is here to offer a welcoming voice, whether by phone, email, or during your visit to the Dana Hall campus. She is always pleased to address your inquiries, direct your questions, or schedule your interview appointments. Brenda will help guide and assist you through the application process, doing her best to make it a pleasant experience for you and your daughter. Outside of Dana Hall Brenda enjoys singing, photography, and other crafts, as well as spending time with her family and six grandchildren.