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Dear members of the CVA community,
I am writing to share the news that Kate Webber Punderson ’89 has decided to conclude her leadership as Head of School in June 2024. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to express our profound gratitude for Kate’s exceptional leadership and longstanding commitment to the Academy serving for the past 12 years as Head of School, and for the ten years prior in two leadership positions as the Director of Development and Alumni Relations and also as the Director of Finance. The Board also appreciates that Kate is extending her tenure through the 2023-2024 school year. (Please see the letter from Kate farther below.)
The impact of Kate’s extraordinary leadership has been transformative for CVA’s past and present student-athletes, and will continue to be for future CVA Big Dogs. Kate is steadfastly focused on delivering the mission so that CVA student-athletes can pursue their dreams and reach their potential. With this in mind, she has spearheaded many campus and facility improvements, led the Academy through difficult financial times to its current and strongest financial position, increased academic challenge and support, and set high expectations for student citizenship and a school-wide culture of kindness.
In her earlier CVA years, prior to being appointed Head of School, Kate worked with the Board and leadership on creating a vision to develop a modern and purpose-built campus to accommodate CVA's outstanding programs. As the Head of School, she has led the charge for a number of consequential facility improvements including: the 2014 completion of phase two of the New Campus Campaign with the opening of the Webber Academic Center, named in honor of her parents Peter and Martha Webber, founding members of the CVA Board of Trustees; the 2016 opening of the Bill and Joan Alfond Competition Center; and the recent completion of the Podium Project this past December.
In partnership with the Board of Trustees, Kate has practiced responsible and conservative fiscal management. The school has a healthy balance sheet with minimal long-term debt, has an endowment that has grown considerably during Kate’s tenure, and awards significant financial aid to deserving student-athletes annually. CVA finances today are stronger than ever.
Under Kate’s leadership, the program is immensely student-centered. It now includes advanced courses that qualify for college credit; a robust academic support program; an increased focus on mental health and wellness as well as on diversity, equity, and inclusion; and a school-wide commitment to responsible community living. Simultaneously, individualized needs and goals in alpine, freestyle, snowboard, backcountry, and ski cross are recognized, and athletes are supported at the highest levels. In 2016, CVA was awarded both Club of the Year and Snowboard Club of the Year, the highest honors, from US Ski and Snowboard. Critical to the program’s success are effective community partnerships with Sugarloaf, the Sugarloaf Ski Club, and the Town of Carrabassett Valley—and these relationships have never been stronger. CVA students emerge extremely well prepared for the world beyond, and matriculate to an impressive and varied list of colleges and universities.
In recent years, Kate successfully led the Academy in the midst of the ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic with measured and thoughtful decision making—all without a roadmap. With intense focus on health and safety, Kate and her team ensured continuity of programming and employment, celebrated student successes and financial growth, and made progress on several important strategic priorities, such as the Podium Project. Ensuring CVA is well positioned for the future by implementing strategic initiatives during a global pandemic is monumental.
CVA is remarkably situated to accomplish the final priorities of the current strategic plan, and under Kate’s leadership, the first steps toward the development and creation of a new strategic plan for CVA will begin. With the future vision of CVA beginning to be charted and the many substantial accomplishments during her tenure, the positive impact of Kate’s headship will transcend generations.
Kate has lived and breathed the CVA mission for decades and her level of dedication and commitment is unmatched. She leads by example with integrity and strength of character, and is consistently guided by the mission. Widely respected and ever the humble leader, Kate is quick to emphasize that nothing at CVA is accomplished alone and that the Academy wouldn’t be as strong as it is today without the collective efforts of many. Kate takes great pride in the students’ accomplishments—big and small. She never misses an opportunity to share her gratitude for the teachers, coaches, and staff, who go above and beyond every day, and for the many generous community members who have been instrumental to CVA’s success. Kate’s selfless devotion, solid character, and unwavering commitment to the student-athletes and employees, along with her diligence, knowledge, and experience, have made her a special and invaluable leader for the CVA community.
By staying on through the end of the 2023-2024 school year, Kate has thoughtfully provided the Board of Trustees with the time necessary to select and appoint an exemplary successor. The Board will commence the search for CVA’s next leader and will keep the community informed. As Kate completes her leadership years at CVA, the Board is confident in the Academy’s exceptional strength and continued progress, and is enormously grateful to Kate for her extraordinary leadership. Though her legacy will live on at CVA, she will be missed.
Sincerely,
Lindy MacKinnon Gruen ’92
Chair, Board of Trustees
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