Who We Are

Faculty & Staff

Board of Trustees

Jane Moulding - Chair
BA in English and German Literature, University of Warwick (UK)
A.L.M. in Nineteenth Century British and American Literature, Harvard University (School of Extension Studies)

A life-long educator, Jane was born in the Midlands of England and was the first child in her family to attend college. She has taught middle and high school English. Jane honed her leadership style and skills as a dean of faculty at Beaver Country Day School and later as the director of the middle school at Buckingham Browne and Nichols School, Cambridge, MA. She became Head of The Cambridge School of Weston in 2002 and served for 17 years. She co-founded SmarterWisdom Consulting, where she is a principal, in 2019. She enjoys problem-solving and focusing on leadership growth working with school and not-for-profit leaders in her consulting and coaching role at SmarterWisdom.

Seth Abramowitz – Clerk
B.S. in Economics, The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania

Seth is a Research Analyst at Axiom Investors. Prior to his current role, he was managing director and equity research analyst at Wellington Management Company responsible for analyzing equity investments in the information technology, business services, and consumer sectors. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Seth has been a resident of Jamaica Plain since 2006 and is the parent of three daughters, Ayelet ’26, Aviva ’29, and Aria.

Sherri Melamut – Treasurer
B.A. Franklin and Marshall College
M.B.A. Boston College

Sherri Melamut, CPA, MBA is an Associate at Your Part-Time Controller, LLC’s Boston Office and she leads YPTC’s Independent School Specialization. Prior to joining YPTC, she worked in independent schools for over 18 years. During her tenure in the independent school sector, she participated in NBOA meetings and educational events. Her work was recognized with the NBOA Will Hancock Unsung Hero Award. She has presented at NBOA and NAIS annual Conferences and other regional events.Sherri was a member of NBOA’s inaugural cohort to complete and receive the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Business Leadership in Independent Schools from Johns Hopkins University.  

Velina Batchvarov
B.S. in Economics, University of Economics, Varna, Bulgaria
M.B.A. in Marketing, University of Massachusetts, Boston

Velina is the Program Manager at the Talloires Network of Engaged Universities at Tufts University, Tisch College of Civic Life. She has a background in university program and grant management, student success initiatives, marketing, and public-private partnerships. Prior to joining the Talloires Network at Tufts University, she worked at the University of Massachusetts Boston as a grants and program manager and student success program coordinator. Velina has served on the governing boards of Baldwin Early Learning Academy and Mission Hill K-8 School. She has taught in the Bulgarian Sunday School in Boston. Velina is currently pursuing a PhD in Higher Education from University of Massachusetts Boston with a focus on spatial justice and the public mission of urban universities. Velina is the parent of Alumna, Dimitra ’22.

Stephanie Kinkel
B.S. in Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego
M.S. in Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Stephanie is the Academic Architect at Millennium School, a 6th through 8th grade school in San Francisco, CA, where she is working to develop frameworks and curriculum, while also supporting the guides who capably lead students in their learning each day. Stephanie has worked in education for 12 years, teaching STEM to students in grades 6-12 including 6 years at Meridian, where she served as a MST teacher and Dean of Faculty. Her keen eye for detail has also served her in her prior work as a cancer researcher and science illustrator. As a person devoted to teaching and learning across all disciplines, Stephanie believes strongly in the mission and vision held by Meridian, which she sees as an ideal community in which to learn and develop.

Lisa J. Poller
B.A. in American Studies, Brandeis University
M.A. in Museum Education, Tufts University 

Lisa is an entrepreneurial and strategic education innovation leader and consultant with over 30 years of experience.  With Agile Fundraising and Strategy Consulting, she specializes in helping educational organizations develop an agile funding engine for innovation and growth. Prior to launching her consulting business, she was the Co-President and Chief Strategy Officer at CAST, a not-for-profit education innovation organization. She worked with the founding team to transform CAST from a local to an international leader of a dynamic new field of Universal Design for Learning.  She is also Co-Founder of Brain Explained Products a startup ed tech company that has developed a platform to help young adults/adults understand how they best learn and provides support for areas of challenge in college, workforce development, or life. 

Marieke Rosenbaum
B.S. in Biology, Allegheny College
D.V.M. in Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
M.P.H. in Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
M.S. in Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

Marieke Rosenbaum is a public health veterinarian and Assistant Professor at Tufts University whose work explores the links between urban ecology, zoonotic disease, and human well-being. A product of progressive alternative schools herself, she values experiential, inclusive education that nurtures curiosity and engagement. Dr. Rosenbaum is also deeply involved in community life through her work as a volunteer and board member at Spontaneous Celebrations, a grassroots organization that builds community through festival arts. Marieke is the mother of Zee, class of 2030, who started at Meridian Academy in 6th grade.

Amy Traverso
B.A. in Psychology, Smith College

Amy Traverso is the senior food editor at Yankee magazine and co-host of the television series Weekends with Yankee, as well as the podcast Talking with My Mouth Full. Previously, she was food editor at Bostonmagazine and an associate food editor at Sunset magazine. Amy is the author of award-winning The Apple Lover’s Cookbook, which was also a finalist for the Julia Child Award for best first-time author. Her father, sister, and aunt have all worked as teachers and school administrators. Amy is a resident of Brookline and parent to Ollie ‘26.

Joshua Abrams – Trustee Emeritus
B.S. in Biology, Yale University
M.A. in Mathematics Education, Columbia University

Josh founded Meridian in 2003 and was the Head of School from its start in 2005 through 2025. Josh sought to create a school for secondary students that valued their ideas, understood their need to be useful members of their communities, and welcomed them as junior researchers within and across the disciplines. Both of Josh's sons, Matthew ’11 and Isaac ’17, graduated from Meridian. Josh continues to work with schools and on curricula that inspire students as problem posers and problem solvers.