from the board president ’ s letter

We are very pleased to announce the addition of two new members: Geoffrey Plante P’20, ’22 and Dr. Robert

During the more than 200-year history of The Albany Academy and Albany Academy for Girls we have evolved and adapted several times to ensure we remained relevant to our students and families. Over all those years, our board of directors has understood that a willingness to change is important to our longevity and to maintaining our reputation as the premiere private academic institution in the Capital Region.

Geoffrey Plante P’20, ’22

Geoff Plante is a Partner with KPMG Consulting practice where he leads the New York State account, as well as various regional and national roles in the government line of business. A graduate of Siena College, he is a certified public accountant and certified project management professional with over 31 years of experience assisting clients with large transformation projects. He is a board member of Building on Love and a former board member of the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, Ronald McDonald House, and USA Powerlifting. He resides in Wynantskill, New York with his wife Laurel and two daughters, both of whom are alumnae.

The next step in our evolution is upon us. For several years, we have been exploring how we could better utilize our facilities to foster improved educational outcomes for students. After completing a comprehensive market study and speaking with representatives of our stakeholder groups, the board of directors decided that creating a new model that involves organizing by division is in the best interests of our students—who are always our primary concern—and critical to ensuring the longevity of the institution. As we embark on this multiyear initiative, we know that you will have questions, and we are prepared to provide you with answers. Please visit our dedicated web page at https://www. albanyacademies.org/campus-by-division where you will find several resources on our Campus by Division initiative.

Dr. Robert Higgins ’77

The next step in our evolution is upon us. For several years, we have been exploring how we could better utilize our facilities to foster improved educational outcomes for students.

I have heard some concern that we are moving away from a single-six educational model. That is not the case; we are maintaining our single-sex model, with each building organized by grade rather than gender. Our intent is to consolidate resources in developmentally appropriate spaces, increase faculty collaboration with grades and schools, and increase safety within and between our buildings. We are confident that this initiative is best for our students and know it will strengthen our school and help preserve it for future generations.

I encourage you to learn as much as you can about this initiative and get involved with one of the committees that will help ensure its success. I am confident that this reorganization will position us to remain a premiere institution for hundreds more years.

Robert S.D. Higgins, MD, MSHA, serves as president of Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) and executive vice president at Mass General Brigham, roles he assumed in December 2021. As president, Dr. Higgins is responsible for the vitality and success of the clinical, academic and educational mission of the Brigham in support of patients locally and across the globe. As executive vice president, he plays an active leadership role within the Mass General Brigham system, setting and guiding strategy, priorities, and performance. A distinguished academic and clinical physician with a long track record of collaborative leadership, Dr. Higgins joined the Brigham from John Hopkins, where he served as Director of the Department of Surgery and Surgeon-in-Chief, as well as the William Stewart Halsted Professor of Surgery at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Widely regarded as a leading authority in heart and lung transplantation, adult and pediatric cardiac surgery and mechanical circulatory support, Dr. Higgins is a pioneer with remarkable clinical and academic accomplishments. Prior to Hopkins, he served as Department of Surgery Chair and Director of the Comprehensive Transplant Center at The Ohio State University Medical Center from 2010 to 2015. He has served in numerous national professional leadership roles and authored more than 200 scientific articles and book chapters. Dr. Higgins earned his bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and his medical degree from Yale School of Medicine. He also earned a master’s degree in health services administration at Virginia Commonwealth University.