Liz Verney, Marketing and Development Coordinator, graduated from Connecticut College with a BA in Art and a focus on graphic design. Liz’s graphic design and marketing career began in New York City publishing, and then led her to Boston for corporate design work. Having grown up in New Hampshire, she missed the mountains and outdoor adventure, so later took a marketing position at American Skiing Company in Bethel, ME. Before starting a family, she joined her husband at Gould Academy where she directed their Annual Fund, and was also a girls’ dorm parent and co-advisor. Liz was no stranger to boarding school environments, having attended St. George’s School in Rhode Island, the alma mater for generations of her family. Liz and her young family eventually moved to the Upper Valley for her former husband’s new position as Headmaster of Killington Mountain School where they both immersed themselves in student life. Since that time the combination of Liz’s experience in fundraising, marketing, and graphic design has been the secret sauce for both promoting and funding local Upper Valley businesses and charities.
Liz became reconnected with boarding school life when her daughter decided to attend Gould Academy where her father is Head of School. It was in her new role as a parent that she saw both the social and academic benefits of a small, close-knit, enriching boarding school community for a child who was struggling to find her place, and voice, as a high school student.
Liz now lives in Lyme, New Hampshire with her two dogs and spends her free time being active outdoors and in the hot room, visiting her daughters, or listening to live music. Liz is thrilled to have come back to her boarding school roots, and to work with the wonderful staff and mentors at Oliverian!
What do you love most about Oliverian?
“I love that Oliverian makes the time and space to focus on each individual students’ emotional and academic needs. In this day and age a truly safe space for teenagers to grow and learn is rare and absolutely priceless!”
What motivates you to work with kids?
“I have two daughters who each struggled with anxiety during their high school years. Caring adult mentors, safe spaces to be vulnerable, and hard work was what carried them through that difficult time. I also struggled to find my place as a teenager. I can empathize with kids struggling on their way to independence, and feel lucky to be part of a community that prioritizes individual needs first, and is working with the most dynamic, multi-faceted, authentic, and brilliant children of our time!”
