About
Mission
The Foundation for Bedford Central Schools is a New York not-for-profit corporation created to enhance learning opportunities for students of all seven schools within the district. Our volunteer initiative is composed of community citizens, alumni, educators, parents, and local and regional businesses.
The Foundation collaborates with experts, district faculty and administrators to explore meaningful and innovative ways to strengthen academic, social and emotional learning beyond traditional education experiences. The Foundation promotes forward-thinking educational initiatives with the overarching goal of supporting life-long learners and an educated citizenry.
Who We Are
The Foundation board is composed of individuals from the district’s communities who are your neighbors, perhaps your friends and acquaintances. Several, if not all, have been involved in school leadership--from PTA/PTO involvement to event planning and volunteering, neighborhood school committee work and participation in the district-wide citizen advisory committees established several years ago. Our board includes individuals with diverse backgrounds who add depth of experience to our ongoing inquiry into what constitutes high-quality public education that meets the needs of every student in our district.
2026-2027 Officers:
Christie Sasso, Co-Chair / Nell Shapiro, Co-Chair
JD Nichols, Treasurer
Sarah Evans Larsen, Secretary
Alia Ornstein, Grant Secretary
Clare Sherwood, Administrative Trustee
Board Members:
Katasha Harley is a senior human resources executive and has worked across media, advertising, beauty and non-profit industries. She holds a masters in industrial and organizational psychology and has made it a mission to foster more inclusive workplaces.
Elizabeth Krajewski is an executive producer and consultant in film and content, with a focus in climate awareness and amplifying new voices. She has partnered with the UN on projects for Climate and Women’s rights.
Sarah Evans Larsen is a consultant in the health care practice of a global executive search and leadership advisory firm.
Dave Mann lives in Bedford with his wife Sam and two FLMS kids, Tyler and Joey. Throughout the past few years, he and Sam have coordinated the BCSD Elementary Bike Run and raised over $1.2 toward cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center - a cause very near to their hearts. In his spare time he enjoys skiing, running, hiking, biking and building character as a fan of the New York Mets.
Mary Negro is a visual artist and arts administrator, with a background supporting the careers of emerging and mid-career contemporary artists. Mary's two children are students of the MKES Dual Language Bilingual Education program.
Alia Ornstein is a Legal, Operations, and People professional who has litigated, farmed, and helped helm companies. She enjoys working with change-makers. She has centered her career on driving impact for broader communities -- most recently as the Chief Operating Officer of Brooklyn Grange - a rooftop farming, urban landscaping, and events company. Alia is a PRES PTA Board Member who also helps support curriculum enrichment, and she coaches local youth sports teams.
Lara Paquette is a high school guidance counselor with more than 20 years of experience supporting students’ academic, social, and emotional growth. She is the founder and artistic director of Footlights Theater Company, a youth theater organization serving Northern Westchester. Lara is an active member of the BCSD community and has children in the Dual Language Program at MKES and at FLMS.
Nell Shapiro taught middle school ELA and early childhood prior to serving as a school director for 3 years. Currently running her own startup unrelated to education, Nell has served on BCSD SAAC and DEIB committees since moving to Bedford. She holds a Masters Degree in Mind, Brain, and Education and a Bachelors in English Education.
Christie Sasso is an anesthesiologist who worked at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mt Kisco for 10 years. She is a certified yoga teacher, with a special interest in yoga as a coping mechanism for children and teens. She is an active member of the BCSD community for both FLMS and FLHS.
Clare Sherwood is a corporate lawyer who served for many years on the governing board of the Fox Lane High School Association.
Cara Tallon is a business and hospitality consultant with more than 20 years of experience in operations, events, and fundraising. She holds a Master’s degree in Sociology and Bachelor’s degrees in Art, Sociology, and International Relations. An active BCSD parent and Bedford Hills community member, Cara brings her experience in fundraising, development, and community engagement to the Foundation.
Leslie Weir is a retail merchandising executive and brand strategist with a career background at iconic global lifestyle companies including, J.Crew, Madewell, Skip*Hop, Tommy Hilfiger, and Ralph Lauren. Leslie is a proud BCSD parent with two children enjoying the dual language program at MKES.
History
In the early 1800s, Bedford was one of the first communities to take advantage of state funding to provide public education to local children. The Stone Jug Schoolhouse on the Village Green in Bedford, completed in 1829, is a community landmark. Over nearly two hundred years, area schools have grown and have been rebuilt, condensed, and reconfigured into the seven schools that exist today.
In 2011, a group of community residents from the five towns making up the Bedford Central School District responded to a call from the superintendent to establish a foundation to support educational initiatives for all seven schools in the district. A smaller working group continued to meet for the next twelve months to envision, design, and create the legal and governing structure for the Foundation for Bedford Central Schools. In the winter of 2012, this task was complete, and the Foundation was fully authorized to conduct its not-for-profit business.
Over the past several years, the governing board has grown, outreach to the community has expanded to include sold-out annual fundraisers, and district-wide mailings have been created to inform the community about the Foundation’s annual and often multi-year project gifts made across district schools and to highlight the board’s working relationships with district educators, administration, and community partners. Workshops and events hosted throughout the year bring visibility of the Foundation’s work and additional resources to the community.