Meet the Team

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. 

Nia joined the Thayer community in the summer of 2024 bringing a decade of administrative experience to the Advancement team. She holds a degree in Music Business and Songwriting from Berklee College of Music, and worked in the admissions office of her alma mater for four years post graduation in May of 2012. She has worked as a Director of Musical Worship and Admin for several years before taking some time to be at home with her two beautiful girls. She is a lover of people, laughter, organization, and cares a great deal about the small details.

Renee joined the Advancement team at Thayer in the fall of 2021, bringing with her 15 years of experience in the non-profit fundraising events field. Most recently, Renee spent seven years at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as a Regional Development Director managing events all around New England. Prior to that, Renee served at two local performing arts institutions as the Director of Special Events at Boston Lyric Opera and Special Events Manager at Boston Ballet. Renee graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Hobart & William Smith Colleges. Renee resides in Marshfield with her husband and two young sons. 

Elizabeth joined the Advancement & Engagement team at Thayer in 2023, bringing with her 10 years of experience in IT Operations and Digital Platform Management. Most recently, Elizabeth worked as a Digital Platform Manager for the non-profit NDES and was responsible for optimizing all digital platforms to drive awareness and support for the NDES foundation's mission of creating self-sustaining communities in Cameroon. Elizabeth is also a remote United Nations Volunteer with multiple organizations focused on creating educational and micro-entrepreneurship opportunities for women. Prior to that, Elizabeth spent six years at athenahealth as an Operations Manager for their global Integration Services team. Elizabeth graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Salve Regina University. Elizabeth resides in Whitman with her husband and two young children.

Ray joined the advancement team as the Alumni Giving and Engagement officer in the fall of 2023 after managing Suffolk Constructions internal non-profit, The Giving Circle. Her psychology background and former experience will help to strengthen alumni donor relations, Board management, fundraising, and execution of events. In her new role, she is focused on reengaging with graduates to build upon their connection with the Thayer community. Ray resides in Hanson with her husband, Scott, and their 2 year old son, Mac.

Vassalotti's professional journey at Thayer Academy began in 1998 when she joined the Advancement team. Over the years, she has taken on various roles, starting as a Development Associate and progressing to the Director of Major and Planned Giving, her current position. Her most notable experience was working on the Campaign for Thayer Academy, the most successful comprehensive fundraising campaign in Thayer's history. This transformative campaign saw significant growth in the Annual Fund, a strengthening of the endowment, the establishment of the Thayer Sports Center Campus, and the new Thayer Academy Middle School.

Before returning to her alma mater, Vassalotti was the Director of Training and a Regional Operations Manager for a multi-location retail organization. After she and her husband, Michael '79, graduated from Thayer, she attended Bates College and graduated with a B.S. in Geology.

Vassalotti is currently a North Falmouth resident and is very proud of her three children, Kristen '07, Michael '11, and Angela '12. She is passionate about everything about the Academy and loves supporting strategic efforts to advance the Thayer experience for future generations of students.

Kelly joined the Advancement & Engagement team in summer of 2024. Most recently, Kelly was Vice President of Leadership Giving at Cure Alzheimer's Fund. Past roles include Director of Annual Giving at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Director of Annual Giving at UMass Boston and various roles at Harvard University in the Harvard College Fund, Graduate School Fund and within the University Development Office. Kelly has a BFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College and a Master's in Communications Management from Simmons. She lives in Weymouth with her husband.