T. Mark Aimone P’22

INTRODUCTION

Leadership & Community

eadership and Community … powerful words for sure, and ones that these days are often overused L and can seem cliché at times. However overused they may be, over this past year, the interdependence of these two words have come to define the essence of what WMA stands for. One of the unique things about leadership is that it is not only a practical skill that can be exhibited by an individual, but it can also be embraced by a group of individuals acting on behalf of a team or an organization. It is rare for an organization to have truly exceptional leadership from an individual or a group, but here at WMA we are fortunate to have both. An exceptional individual leader in our Head of School Brian Easler and a phenomenal group of leaders in our Board of Trustees. Even before COVID-19 came to the attention of the United States, Brian was already looking forward, preparing the administration, the faculty and the students for how this would impact our community. As the 2020-2021 school year began, we were ready to do “whatever it takes'' to ensure the safety and continuity of our program. We entered the school year better prepared than many of our peer schools. We had built systems and put contingencies in place to guarantee that we would be able to deliver on the WMA experience regardless of the circumstances. Thanks to Brian’s exceptional leadership, we managed to successfully complete the school year with the majority of our students on campus and in class. The Board of Trustees also demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout the year. They gave of their time by meeting monthly via Zoom to ensure that they stayed informed and were ready to act quickly in response to a rapidly changing landscape. Perhaps more importantly, they led with their philanthropy and their investment in WMA. In the matter of several weeks, the Board raised more than $600,000 to be used as a matching challenge for the month of December. Their generosity and leadership inspired more than 450 gifts in a single month. It is not hyperbole to say that their leadership inspired the most successful fundraising campaign in the history of WMA. These two examples of incredible leadership - one by an individual and one by a group - demonstrate how powerful leadership is and how it can bring people together to support a cause greater than themselves. It was extraordinary leadership that inspired the WMA community from around the world to come together and invest in protecting the mission, the vision and the values that make the WMA experience so transformational. Thanks to their leadership and your generosity, we saw the true power of our community. Leadership and Community ... may be just words to many, but for me they are the essential elements that brought us through this past year. They are what keeps us moving forward; and they are what makes Wilbraham & Monson Academy such a unique and special place. Thank you for supporting WMA and being a part of this amazing community.

T. Mark Aimone P’22 Director of Advancement