Exemplify Courage, Compassion, Purpose

The following was Head of School Aléwa Cooper’s address to Foote’s 9th-Grade Class of 2023.

As you embark on your high school journeys, I want to remind you of Foote values that can and should serve as a compass (if you let them), guiding you through life and empowering you to make a positive impact on the world.

Foote’s mission is to “empower children to lead with courage, compassion, and purpose.” Those are the values I want you to remember.

While sometimes overlooked, compassion is a quality I urge you to cultivate. In a world that often feels divided and disconnected, compassion is the bridge that can unite us all. It is the capacity to understand and share the feelings of others, to lend a helping hand, and to offer support when it is needed most. Let compassion continue to be a guiding force behind your actions, whether in your personal relationships, your educational endeavors, or when engaging the broader community. The smallest act of kindness creates a ripple effect that touches lives far beyond what you can imagine.

Courage is the fuel that propels dreams into reality. It is the audacity to pursue your passions, even in the face of uncertainty and fear. Courage is not the absence of doubt; rather, it is the willingness to confront and overcome those doubts, embracing the challenges that lie before you. As you step into the unknown, remember that courage is not about being fearless but about taking action in the face of fear. Have the courage to be innovative, to question the status quo, and to stand up for what you believe is right, even when it's difficult.

Finally, purpose. Discovering your purpose is an ongoing journey, one that requires self-reflection, exploration, compassion for yourself, courage, and a willingness to listen to the whispers of your heart. Your purpose is not predetermined; it is a creation of your own making. It is the intersection of your passions, talents, and the needs of the world. Seek out what ignites a fire within you, what brings you joy, and where you can make a meaningful difference. Remember that purpose is not solely about personal fulfillment; it is about serving a higher cause and contributing to the well-being of humanity. Let your purpose guide your decisions, your actions, and your legacy.

You are part of a generation capable of transforming the world in ways we have yet to imagine. Embrace the challenges that come your way, for they are the stepping stones to growth and transformation. Surround yourself with diverse perspectives, engage in dialogue, and build bridges across divides. Embrace failure and never lose sight of the power of collaboration.

Always remember that true leaders lead not for personal gain but for the betterment of others. True compassion embraces the universal humanity that binds us all. True courage is not found in reckless bravado but in the quiet determination to do what is right. And true purpose is discovered when you listen to the calling of your heart and dedicate yourself to a cause greater than yourself.

Departing from the Board

Foote is tremendously grateful for the service and dedication of departing board members George Atwood, Anna McGaw-Mobarak, Jason Price, and Alexandra Shor.

George Atwood

A board member since 2015, George was chair of the Development Committee, and co-chair of the Investment Committee. George has worked at Yale for more than 20 years overseeing administration and investment of charitable trusts. George has three children: Caroline, Ted, and Roddy ’19. George and his family live in Killingworth and enjoy sailing at the family summer house in Blue Hill, ME, or wherever sailing races take them. George received a B.A. in Economics from Tufts University, an M.B.A. from Yale School of Management, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

ANNA MCGAW-MOBARAK

Anna has been a board member since 2020. A native of the Cayman Islands, she came to the United States after studying at the United World College of the Atlantic in Wales, U.K. She has a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Macalester College in Minnesota and a master of science in Physical Therapy from Marymount University in Virginia. She worked as a physical therapist for several years in hospitals/acute-care settings and geriatric rehabilitation facilities in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Colorado. She is the mother of Coyan ’23 and Anya ’20. She currently helps manage Tennis Central in Woodbridge and is a board member of New HYTEs, which runs after-school tutoring, mentoring, and tennis lessons for children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in the New Haven area. Anna has supported Foote’s admissions outreach work and participated in Unite Through Understanding Day at Foote.

Jason Price

Jason has been a board member since 2015, and served as chair of the Audit Committee. He is a partner in Exaltare Capital Partners, a private equity investment firm, where he specializes in investments in lower middle market firms and family-owned businesses seeking growth capital to professionalize operations. Previously, he served as a senior vice president at Cigna Investment Management and as the head of private equity investment activity for the Connecticut Retirement Plans and Trust Funds, where he oversaw a $4 billion private equity investment program. Over his professional career, Jason has served on the advisory boards of more than 12 private equity partnerships. He has served on the board of directors of All Our Kin and the Promising Schol- ars Fund. Jason received his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and his B.A. in Business Administration from Morehouse College. A native of St. Louis, MO, Jason lives in New Haven with his wife Christina, and two sons, Jason ’23 and Jacob ’24.

ALEXANDRA SHOR

Board member since 2019, Alexandra graduated from Oberlin College with a degree in Comparative Religion. She received an M.D. from Boston University School of Medicine and went on to an Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at Boston Medical Center. While in the medical field, Alexandra was particularly interested in family planning and care delivery in under-served populations. After having children, Alexandra made the decision to be home with them full-time. She now lives in East Rock with her husband, Ted Cohen, a professor of Epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health, and their two children, Jack ’22 and Poppy ’25. She is involved in many projects in greater New Haven that focus on education, health, and opportunity disparities. She currently serves on the boards of Village Health Works, a nonprofit organization working to bring health care, sustainable agriculture, and education to Burundi; and NXTHVN, a New Haven project at the intersection of social justice and creative arts.