Meet the Leadership Team

Chris Angell

Head of School

MA, Modern European History, New York University

Christopher Angell began his 33-year career in education in 1985. He has served as a history and English teacher, as a college counselor, middle school head, dean of history, director of advisory and boys varsity basketball coach; before moving into upper school administration. Christopher spent four years in China teaching at both university and high school level prior to joining CATS Academy Boston in 2012. Christopher Angell comes from a long line of educators. His parents were both teachers, as were both of his grandfathers and both of his great grandfathers.

Stephen Pendley

Assistant Head of School

BA, History, State University of New York, New Paltz

Stephen Pendley enters the role of Assistant Head of School having had 15 years of boarding school experience, five of them with CATS Boston. Throughout his tenure in education Stephen has held a number of positions including: History Department Chair, Director of College Counseling, Head House Parent, Director of Activities and Athletics Summer Program Coordinator and numerous committee and coaching assignments. Stephen also brings a background as a former business owner in corporate America. Stephen graduated Summa Cum Laude from the State University of New York at New Paltz. “My singular priority is to make CATS the best institution possible.”

Anne Reenstierna

Dean of Faculty and Academics

BA, English & Education, Wheaton College
MEd, Psychology & Counseling, Lesley University

Anne Reenstierna was the Head of School at the Brimmer and May School, an independent college preparatory day school in MA, for 27 years. She initiated an academic program with a global focus and supervised a faculty and staff of 100. Anne served on the Commission for Independent Schools for NEASC for three years, as President of the National Center for Independent School Renewal for ten years and as a Board member of the Conservatory Lab Charter School in Boston for several years. These roles have prepared her for her work with teachers and students at CATS Boston.

Jessica Doyle

Dean of Student Affairs

BA Arts in History Education, University of Pennsylvania

Jessica Doyle leads the Student Life and Culture Program at CATS. The program creates a strong and positive environment, conducive to academic success and personal growth for both students and staff alike. Jessica earned her Bachelor of Arts in History Education from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Following graduation she embarked on a three-year teaching experience in Shenzhen, China, gaining vast insights into the world of working with international students. In 2014, Jessica travelled to Haiti to lead a workshop, which provided formal training and professional development to local educators. Jess expects to complete a Master's degree (MEd) in Educational Leadership from Boston University in 2018.

Kendall Smith

Director of College Counseling

BA, Smith College
MA, St John’s College

Kendall Smith is a lifelong learner who wishes to empower people through education. Kendall brings more than 30 years of independent school administrative and teaching experience to CATS. Kendall focusses on building strong foundations of student knowledge, so each student matriculates to a college or university of their choice. A graduate of Smith College, Kendall spent her Junior Year Abroad at l'Universite de Paris IV, La Sorbonne and l"Institut d'Art et d'Archeologie. She achieved her Master of Arts at The Graduate Institute of St Johns College, New Mexico.

Amber Gunther

Director of Admissions

Amber is the Director of Admissions at CATS Academy, a position she has held for the past two years. She brings a varied background to the admissions process having lived and worked in an international environment for over 15 years; working at a private school in New York in various roles, covering admissions and human resources. Amber raised her two children in Saudi Arabia, yet both attended boarding schools in the US. This is one of the reasons she understands the importance and benefits of a global education. Amber believes that at CATS she can introduce prospective students and families to the advantages of a CATS education. She takes great pleasure in meeting future students and seeing them through their educational journey. Amber also works closely with the student ambassadors and social media students to help them develop future leadership opportunities.

James Wilkins

Director of Athletics and Activities

BA, Communication, College of Mount Saint Vincent

James enters the role of Director of Athletics & Activities, after originally joining the CATS staff as a Weekend Activities Coordinator in November of 2016. Spending his first year at CATS working to provide students and staffers with fun and exciting trips to attend on the weekend, James was able to build connections with the student body, faculty and staff.   Continuing to build those relationships, James has worked hard to provide opportunities for members of the CATS community to experience a wide range of after school activities. James has also been working on developing CATS’ athletics program, which is currently an associate member of the NEPSAC.   James earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the College of Mount Saint Vincent in 2015.  

George Naron

BA, History & Education, Maryville College

George Naron started his career as a house parent, history teacher and Director of Activities at The Webb School, Bell Buckle, Tennessee. He then worked as Assistant to the Head of School at The Phelps School in Malvern, Pennsylvania, then after two years', as Director of Admissions. George spent the next three years as Head of School in two small schools in South Carolina, the Avalon Academy and the Thomas Hart Academy. George then moved north to take up the role as Dean of Students & Development Associate at St. Mary’s Hall/Doane Academy in Burlington, New Jersey. He later accepted a position as Director of Admissions at the New York Military Academy where he spent 11 years. He then moved to The Know School in St. James, New York where he served as Dean of Students, Director of Residential Life and Director of College Counseling for seven years before coming to CATS Academy.

Danielle Baldiserra

Director of Student Services

BA, Business Administration

Danielle Baldissera is the Director of Student Services at CATS. She is originally from Brazil and has a Bachelor in Science from Lasell College. Danielle, like many of our students, came to the U.S. as an international student, therefore sharing the same first global experiences as most of our students here at CATS. She is fluent in Portuguese and Spanish and started her education career as an ESL instructor. For quite a few years, Danielle worked in the legal industry with experience in U.S. immigration, family law and civil litigation. In 2012 she decided to return to the education industry and since then she has found her dream career and is enthusiastic and committed to the principles of excellence in customer service in international education understanding and improving the CATS experience and outcomes for our students.