Administrative Team
Lauren Byrne
Director of Admissions
What’s the best thing about Urban?
This is my thirteenth year at Urban and I remain inspired and energized every day by the dynamic, inclusive, funny, interesting, curious, driven, compassionate, humble students and faculty.
What's something uniquely Urban?
The intensity that goes into the Halloween costume competition. It's so much fun. That whole day is one of my favorites of the whole year!
What’s special about working with high school students?
Their willingness to jump in and try things or help out. They know how to live their values.
Giselle Chow
Assistant Head for Teaching and Learning
What’s the best thing about Urban?
I've been here for five years and feel deeply connected to Urban's commitment to do well by students: we are always in a state of striving and trying new approaches.
What's something uniquely Urban?
Winter Fest — a day where Seniors organize outings and adventures for the rest of the school. A great example of community-building across the grades and a demonstration of how we're comfortable handing decision making over to the students.
What’s special about working with high school students?
Hands down, their love of learning.
Jason Ernest Feldman
Dean of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
What’s the best thing about Urban?
I’m in my fourth year at Urban. When I came to Urban's campus, I could feel a commitment and passion for social justice that was rooted in empathy and community.
What's something uniquely Urban?
The Month of Understanding! Every January our student-led affinity and ally groups collaborate on panels, workshops, and more.
What’s special about working with high school students?
Urban students truly want to make the world a better place. They advocate for their own belonging, celebrate their cultures and identities, and look out for communities in need.
Lauren Gersick ('99)
Director of College Counseling
What’s the best thing about Urban?
What drew me back to Urban — I've been here for thirteen years now — is the shared respect between adults and students. I have never seen it quite as powerfully anywhere else.
What's something uniquely Urban?
The labyrinths that are the Page Street buildings still make me smile.
What’s special about working with high school students?
They're cool and funny. Funnier than adults!
Anna Lee
Director of Development
What’s the best thing about Urban?
My journey here started as a parent and a trustee, and now I've been here for seventeen years helping the school grow! I love how students take ownership of their Urban education and they apply those skills later in life to great effect.
What's something uniquely Urban?
I love Urban's graduation tradition of handing out diplomas in random order!
What’s special about working with high school students?
High school students amaze me with their ability to find meaning and humor in the every day.
Zac Rose
Director of Marketing and Communications
What’s the best thing about Urban?
I'm only in my second year, but growing up in San Francisco, I knew lots of kids who went to Urban and they were all incredibly different, plugged into the culture, and also kind.
What's something uniquely Urban?
I never have to look hard to find a great story about what our community is up to: the creativity is everywhere and off the charts.
What’s special about working with high school students?
Urban students will unselfconsciously drop insightful nuggets into every conversation. It's so impressive!
Joe Skiffer
Director of Athletics
What’s the best thing about Urban?
I’m in my 16th year here and I love the curious environment, how we encourage students to explore and develop new interests. I love that our student-athletes often have passions outside of sports that they get to dive into.
What's something uniquely Urban?
Senior days: it's a moment where we celebrate our Seniors for their contributions to their Urban sport. It's always nice to see how appreciative our younger student-athletes are and how they look up to the Seniors.
What’s special about working with high school students?
The amount of growth that takes place over the course of the four years of high school is amazing to behold. It's an honor and privilege to be a part of our students' journey.
Diane Walters
Chief Financial Officer
What’s the best thing about Urban?
Even after thirteen years here, we remain a dynamic institution, constantly evolving, changing, and growing. No two years are alike which keeps my role fresh and interesting.
What's something uniquely Urban?
U-period electives. It's so joyful to see students having fun by learning to play a ukulele or developing dorm cooking skills (who knew you could make a grilled cheese sandwich with an iron?)
What’s special about working with high school students?
It's so meaningful to see students on their journey of becoming who they want to be as an adult.
Charlotte Worsley
Assistant Head for Student Life, Class of 2029 Dean
What’s the best thing about Urban?
What's kept me at Urban for thirty-seven years is the partnership between students and adults being central to what makes an excellent education. We ask questions together, explore together, teach each other and grow together.
What's something uniquely Urban?
Our student leadership approach means we have joint student-adult committees. We genuinely respect the student perspective and allow them to actually practice leadership.
What’s special about working with high school students?
Their authenticity — they are honest and curious.