New Members of the Board of Trustees

NEW MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

Linda Lai

Linda Lai is the founder and CEO of Career Solutions Ltd & CareerLeader China, coaching MBA professionals in their career development and lecturing at top business schools in China. Ms. Lai mentored MBA students as a career coach at Harvard Business School, where she earned her MBA degree. She interviewed high school students as an alumni interviewer for Harvard University for 13 years before becoming an interviewer for Stanford University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. Ms. Lai serves on the Board of Stanford Professional Women of Orange County as Co-President. Her previous work experience includes McKinsey & Company, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and China International Capital Corporation Ltd.

She is honored to join the Harbor Day School Board of Trustees. She has a Harbor Day graduate from the class of 2017, Anson, and a daughter, Adeleine, in seventh grade at Harbor Day.

Laurel Tippett

Laurel Tippett grew up in Newport Beach and graduated from Corona del Mar High School. She attended Northwestern University and doublemajored in Communications and International Studies while also running cross country. Upon graduation, she stayed in Chicago, Illinois, as a public relations manager for Weber Shandwick. After a year, she moved to San Francisco, attended the University of California, Hastings College of Law, and graduated in 2005. Her first job as an attorney brought her back to Newport Beach, where she worked for the County of Orange as a Deputy District Attorney. After a couple of years as a prosecutor, she was hired as Deputy County Counsel, handling child dependency cases.

In 2016, she continued her legal career in the public sector, switching to the Orange County CEO – Real Estate division. Within the community, she co-founded in 2019 the Newport and Laguna Beach chapter of S.H.A.R.E. (Sisterhood, Heart, Altruism, Reach, and Empathy), which is a collective of women and children who gather three times a year to support local charities and businesses through fundraising and education. She also enjoys her role as co-leader of the now third-grade HDS Brownie Troop. Mrs. Tippett is married to Scott Tippett, an alumnus of Harbor Day School. They have two children, Cassin, a third grader, and Wesley, a kindergartener.

Scott Watson

Scott Watson serves as a Managing Director of Walker & Dunlop’s capital markets group. In this position, Mr. Watson provides financing solutions to commercial real estate developers and owners located nationwide.

Before joining Walker & Dunlop, Mr. Watson served as vice president at Johnson Capital, where he was responsible for structuring debt, mezzanine, and equity transactions for his clients. Before Johnson Capital, Mr. Watson served as finance director for Mission Pacific Land Company. As finance director, Mr. Watson was involved in managing public finance proposals (CFDs), leading comprehensive due diligence on potential acquisitions, and assisting in negotiations on the sale of residential and commercial land.

Mr. Watson holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration, a Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Real Estate Development from the University of Southern California. Mr. Watson and his wife Jennie have three children—Will, a graduate of the HDS class of 2022, Luke in eighth grade, and Summer in second grade.

OF TRUSTEES 2022

Brendan Welch

Brendan Welch is an Executive Vice President at Fitness International, LLC, one of the industry’s largest and fastest growing health club chains. Fitness International operates the brands LA Fitness, Esporta Fitness, City Sports Club, and Club Studio. Currently, his focus is on adding additional ancillary services to their new and existing locations. He also has experience with multi-unit management, customer service, sales, and marketing.

Mr. Welch is the president of their family foundation, which focuses on supporting organizations and causes that are making the most significant impact in our community. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of San Diego.

Mr. Welch is originally from Newport Beach and currently resides in Laguna Beach with his wife, Kylette, and their two children—Jack, in first grade at Harbor Day, and Ava, in preschool. n

GRADATIM AD SUMMUM STEP-BY-STEP TO THE TOP About the Board of Trustees

Harbor Day School is a tax-exempt, non-profit educational institution that is governed by a Board of Trustees. Trustees are nominated by the Committee on Trustees and elected by the full Board to serve two three-year staggered terms. The Committee on Trustees aims to nominate prospective Trustees with diverse professional and personal backgrounds and skills. Trustees are drawn from a variety of constituencies, including alumni, current and past parents, grandparents, and other friends of the school. Trustees voluntarily contribute their time and talent for the good of the school and bear ultimate responsibility for perpetuating the mission and well-being of the school.

The Board of Trustees has four principal areas of responsibility:

1. Mission

The Board is responsible for guarding and perpetuating the mission of the school for future generations.

2. Finances

The Board seeks to ensure the financial integrity and long-term financial health of the school by setting budgets and managing the endowment.

3. Head of School

The Board hires and cultivates the Head of School. The Board does not exercise authority over the selection, evaluation, or dismissal of faculty, staff, or students.

4. Policy

The Board formulates major policies concerning the future direction of the school. The

Board’s focus is on the long-term health and stewardship of the school while the Head of School is charged with the day-to-day administration of the school.