School Leadership

Chris M. Fortunato, JD, MSW, became the ninth head of school at Thayer Academy in July 2021. A New Jersey native, Fortunato earned an undergraduate degree from Harvard College, a law degree from Harvard Law School, and a master’s degree in social work from Boston University. His varied career includes time as a practicing attorney, a decade of work at a Newton nonprofit dedicated to assisting underserved youth, and experience at Providence College where he served as both dean of students and acting vice president for student affairs. As dean of students at Harvard Kennedy School from 2010 until 2013, Fortunato created the school’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion and appointed the first dean to that office. From 2013 until 2021, he served as head of school at Blair Academy, a boarding school in New Jersey. There, he helped to develop innovative curricula, programs, and services that advance students’ personal and academic growth while fostering a culture of achievement and social responsibility in a diverse, supportive learning environment. Fortunato emphasizes addressing real-world problems and opportunities through collaboration across academic disciplines and teamwork among various constituencies. He and his wife, Erin, have two children, Matt '26 and Katie '28, who both attend Thayer Academy.

Jed Wartman joined Thayer in 2022 as the Academy’s first assistant head of school for student engagement and well-being. Wartman’s responsibilities include counseling, health and wellness education, student health services, advising, leadership development, and service programs. Before his arrival at Thayer, Wartman worked at Governor’s Academy as dean of students, a dorm parent, and boys varsity soccer coach. Prior to that, he worked in higher education for 15 years, including roles at Colby College and MIT. He has also served as an executive coach and consultant for schools and other nonprofit organizations. Wartman graduated from Bowdoin College with a degree in Spanish and education and a focus on psychology. He then earned a graduate degree from the Harvard School of Education. Wartman lives in Braintree with his wife Brynn and their two boys, Micah ‘30 and Theo.

As an alumna of Thayer, Melissa rejoined Thayer in the summer of 2014. Following Thayer she attended the University of Vermont where she earned a BA in Psychology. She came to Thayer with more than 15 years of experience in non-profit development. Her previous roles include Director of Development for Partners Continuing Care and the Spaulding Rehabilitation Network, Director of Major Gifts for Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Director of Major Gifts for Horizons for Homeless Children and Director of Major Gifts for Walker. In that time Melissa worked on capital campaigns that resulted in the building of the state-of-the-art new Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlestown, a new headquarters for Horizons for Homeless Children in Roxbury and a campus expansion at Walker. Prior to working in development, Melissa worked as a counselor for homeless and runaway teens at Bridge Over Troubled Waters and also sold residential real estate in Boston. Melissa currently serves on the Board of Trustees for AccesSportAmerica, an adaptive sports program for people living with challenges and disabilities. The youngest of four sisters who all graduated from Thayer – Whitney Presutti ’85, Kelley Tuthill ’88 and Tracey Buckeridge ’90 – Melissa often says she grew up here. She spent many of the afternoons of her youth on the fields or in the gymnasiums watching her sisters compete in sports until she was able to enter as a sixth grader. Happy to be back, Melissa currently resides in Hingham with her husband and three children. 

Chris M. Fortunato, JD, MSW, became the ninth head of school at Thayer Academy in July 2021. A New Jersey native, Fortunato earned an undergraduate degree from Harvard College, a law degree from Harvard Law School, and a master’s degree in social work from Boston University. His varied career includes time as a practicing attorney, a decade of work at a Newton nonprofit dedicated to assisting underserved youth, and experience at Providence College where he served as both dean of students and acting vice president for student affairs. As dean of students at Harvard Kennedy School from 2010 until 2013, Fortunato created the school’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion and appointed the first dean to that office. From 2013 until 2021, he served as head of school at Blair Academy, a boarding school in New Jersey. There, he helped to develop innovative curricula, programs, and services that advance students’ personal and academic growth while fostering a culture of achievement and social responsibility in a diverse, supportive learning environment. Fortunato emphasizes addressing real-world problems and opportunities through collaboration across academic disciplines and teamwork among various constituencies. He and his wife, Erin, have two children, Matt '26 and Katie '28, who both attend Thayer Academy.

Matthew Ghiden started as the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in 2022. He taught Grade 6 English, Social Studies, and Math at Thayer Academy since 2014 and has inhabited roles as MS Diversity Coordinator, Upper School and Middle School football coach, and Middle School boys lacrosse coach. After graduating from Amherst College, Matthew worked with English language learners in Concord, New Hampshire. He earned his Master's of Education from Harvard University. Matthew is originally from Dorchester and now lives there with his family. His hobbies include listening to music, writing, and hiking.

An independent school educator for more than 20 years, Highley feels "right at home" as Upper School Director at Thayer, having attended the co-ed, 6th-12th-grade independent Severn School in Maryland. An English major and a member of a national champion lacrosse team at Princeton University, Highley spent the first two years of his teaching career at his old school as a middle school math and Latin teacher, while also coaching girls’ soccer and boys’ lacrosse. After earning his master’s degree in education from the University of Virginia, Mr. Thompson returned to Severn School and taught English, ethics, and algebra in the upper school for 14 years, also coaching boys’ soccer and lacrosse. In his time at Severn, he served as Dean of Students, Academic Dean, and Upper School Head. After a two-year stint as Director of the upper school and Assistant Headmaster at Chestnut Hill Academy in Philadelphia, Mr. Thompson joined the Thayer staff in the summer of 2011. He lives in Braintree with his wife, Anne, and their two children, son Garner '20 and daughter Virginia '23.

Jon White joined Thayer as Director of Admissions and a Financial Aid Officer in 1993. After attending an independent day school himself, White attended Harvard University, Middlebury College (Bread Loaf School of English), and Harvard Graduate School of Education. White’s academic career has included teaching English, coaching soccer, basketball, and rowing, and living in a dormitory at three New England boarding schools. As a freshman advisor, he works closely with a group of eight freshmen each year, assisting them in their transition, including their freshman orientation at Camp Bournedale; checking in with them daily to support their endeavors; and communicating with their parents about their progress. White has also taught seminars for juniors in college essay writing and has coached Middle School tennis in the spring. White enjoys talking with young people interested in Thayer and hearing about their experiences, interests, and aspirations. White's wife Deb teaches and coaches at an independent elementary school. Their two sons Ben ’09 and Jonathan Traylor ("T") ’11 and their daughter Mollie ’15 are all Thayer Academy graduates.