Blair Family Celebrates Transformative Leadership of Former Board Chair Doug Kimmelman

Blair Trustees, parents, alumni, faculty and staff came together on April 29 to honor Doug Kimmelman P’12 ’13 ’15 ’22, whose tenure as Blair’s 19th Board Chair came to a close on June 30, 2022. The tribute to Mr. Kimmelman’s transformative leadership included remarks from family, colleagues and friends, including Maria Vinci Savettiere P’17, who began her tenure as Blair’s 20th Board Chair on July 1, 2022.

The evening event took place in the winter sports complex, affectionately known as the Blair “bubble” over the tennis courts, an addition to campus that was the idea of Doug’s late wife and former Blair Trustee, Carol, who had a passion for athletics and education and wanted to provide Blair students with the opportunity to practice indoors during all seasons.

“One reason we are gathered in this space tonight is to dedicate the ‘bubble’ in honor of Carol Kimmelman,” said Head of School Peter G. Curran in his opening remarks. “Carol was affectionately known as ‘Lulu’ to many, and was a gifted athlete and educator and true inspiration to all who knew her. This space, which has done so much to expand our athletic and activity offerings over not only the winter months, will be forever known as Lulu’s Place.”

Following his opening remarks, Mr. Curran introduced Monie Hardwick, wife of Blair’s 15th Headmaster Chan Hardwick, who directed the School’s advancement office and strategic planning during her time at Blair. She spoke about the Kimmelman family’s relationship with Blair and how it grew through their four children: Annie ’12, Robert ’13, Tommy ’15 and Scottie ’22. She also explained why she and Chan looked to Doug to lead Blair forward when they left in 2013.

“Doug Kimmelman was Chan’s and my final—and perhaps most important—legacy to Blair,” said Mrs. Hardwick, who met Doug and Carol when Annie arrived at Blair for her interview. She described Carol as an “all in” person who did nothing halfway and noted the “outsized impact” the Kimmelman family has had on the Blair that is today. “All transitions in leadership are fraught with challenges. Chan and I knew that the greatest gift we could leave Blair was an outstanding leadership team within the School partnered with strong Board leadership guided by vision and by values.”

Doug’s leadership has been defined by a few things, she went on to say: inspiring change and making change happen, and asking others to give but never asking more than he gives himself. Calling Doug forward-looking and decisive, as well as a powerful listener and observer, Mrs. Hardwick concluded: “Doug’s service is completely and totally unselfish. He accepted the role as Board

Doug (center) with his children (from left to right): Annie ‘12, Robert ‘13, Tommy ‘15 and Scottie ‘22.

Blair Family Gathers to Celebrate 19th Board Chair’s Transformative Leadership

Chair because he believes deeply in making the world a better place and because he loves his family and wanted his children— and other children—to have the very best education possible.”

Mrs. Savettiere, a proud Blair parent and Trustee since 2015 who has known Doug since their children were in kindergarten, stepped onstage to honor her predecessor and mentor and award him the Citation of Merit, Blair’s highest honor. “The word ‘transformative’ is one that is often overused and exaggerated,” she said. “But, in the case of Doug and Carol Kimmelman, that word does not even come close to describing the impact that they have had on Blair. No aspect of student life has not been made better because of their philanthropy—residential life, academics and athletics at Blair have been forever changed because of their vision. Their example challenges us to do better, to see opportunities not obstacles, to leave any place we touch better than we found it.” That change has set the bar incredibly high, and Mrs. Savettiere commended the Kimmelman family for dedicating time, talent and treasure—which she called the three pillars of philanthropy—with such ease, dedication, finesse and humility.

The Kimmelman children then took the stage, with Scottie at the microphone, speaking on their behalf. Noting that he has come to cherish Blair during his four years, as well as watching his siblings go through the same experiences, Scottie said, “We are so grateful for what our parents have done to support Blair and, thanks to the financial support of Trustees, alumni, parents, past parents and friends, Blair has created the Kimmelman Family Scholarship, and together, this group has raised nearly $400,000 in support of a deserving student who, without this scholarship, would not be able to attend Blair.” After hugging his children and expressing his gratitude, Doug thanked everyone for coming together to celebrate.

“Even if we didn’t have this event, having all four of my kids in one place is as good as it gets,” he said, noting he would miss his Blair family, despite knowing nothing about the School when daughter Annie wanted to take a look at Blair in 2008. Over the last 14 years, the Kimmelmans went on to develop deep friendships with faculty and staff, and Doug gave special thanks to those who impacted his children the most.

Ending his remarks on a personal note, Mr. Curran thanked Doug for teaching us all that “Reaching our goals means doing the unexpected, thinking creatively, and proving our value by working hard and delivering, day in and day out.” The best way to honor Doug’s leadership and legacy, he concluded, is to collectively live these values every day moving forward and leave this incredibly special place better than we found it. ■

Monie Hardwick, former director of the School's advancement office and strategic planning, shares a moment with Doug and his daughter, Annie '12.

Doug accepts the 2022 Citation of Merit, Blair’s highest honor, from Maria.

Reception Honors the Generosity of Benefactors

During the 2022 Leadership Reception, Mr. Curran also expressed deep gratitude to the evening’s 13 Arch Print recipients, and honored Meena and John Grizzetti P’20 ’22 ’23 ’26 as Meena was on campus for Blair’s Board of Trustees meeting earlier in the day. Expressing his thanks to the other generous donors who could not be present to be recognized in person, Mr. Curran expressed deep gratitude to:

Mr. Matthew J. Cressotti & Mrs. Tina Vandersteel Cressotti ’86

Mr. L. John Dughi Jr. ’65 & Mrs. Virginia Dughi

Mr. Pavel Grachev & Ms. Anna Gracheva P’25

Mr. David A. Juge & Mrs. Anne W. Juge P’21

Mr. David Lau & Ms. Wei Da P’23 ’24

Mr. Lewis Y. H. Liao & Mrs. Wendy S. W. Tseng P’22

Dr. Johnny Liu & Mrs. Yi J. Shi P’23

Ms. Karen H. Thomas P’20 ’22 ’22

Mr. Roger W. Thomas P’20 ’22 ’22

Mr. Jordan Turkewitz & Mrs. Heather Turkewitz P’22

Mr. Jue Sun & Ms. Yang Jiao P’25

Mr. Liangbo Yao & Ms. Yanling Wu P’25

“Through your leadership, philanthropy and commitment, we are able to offer Blair students extraordinary educational opportunities that would not otherwise be possible. We are grateful for your investment in our students, teachers, facilities and programs, and we are especially pleased to come together in person to recognize you for your loyal support of Blair Academy.”

— Head of School Peter G. Curran