Board of Directors
Marie C. Ryan
Board President
Years on BOD: 12 years! I joined in 2007 and left after 2011, but was invited back in 2013.
Day Job: Homemaker
Why did you get involved on BOD?: I got involved with the OLCLC because I truly believe in its mission: to provide a safe, secure and happy environment that fosters the natural development of the whole child.
What the OLCLC means to you: The OLCLC is a wonderful, nurturing place that is more than a daycare. It is a Center that believes in children and provides programs that truly enable them to grow, learn, develop, and explore.
Nicole M. McCarthy
Board Member
Years on BOD: 17 years
Day Job: Inside After Market Sales—Maillefer (A Davis Standard Company)
Why did you get involved on BOD?: I got involved because both of my children attended OLCLC when I went back to work full time. I loved that my kids were happy, well taken care of and safe there. Seeing first-hand on a daily basis for many years how nurturing the center was with my own children, I wanted to give back and help the OLCLC grow.
What the OLCLC means to you: The OLCLC allowed me to go back to work full time and not feel guilty leaving my kids. They helped shape their behavior and their growing minds while I was at work. I trust the OLCLC because it is so much more than a daycare, it truly is a family.
Elizabeth Sked
Board Secretary
Years on BOD: 3 years
Day Job: Instructional Coach & International Baccalaureate Coordinator, New London Public Schools
Why did you get involved on BOD?: I have lots of interest in Early Childhood Education and had heard wonderful things about the OLCLC from staff, the BOD, and parents so I wanted to get involved!
What the OLCLC means to you: The OLCLC is a wonderful environment for parents to feel comfortable sending their children every day. The OLCLC is a warm, nurturing, educational “home away from home” for children to learn and grow.
Kristen St. Germain
Board Member
Kristen St. Germain has been involved with the Old Lyme Children’s Learning Center since her three children started there back in 1998! Kristen was a long-time educator in Region 18, teaching 7th Grade English for more than 18 years. Returning to work was a much easier transition knowing that she and her husband Randy had the OLCLC to watch over her their three children, Cooper, Eli and Tessa. Being parents was much easier with the friendships that she and her husband made over her children’s years at the Center. The fundraisers, pasta dinners, and special events allowed them to make some of their greatest friendships in and outside of Old Lyme. The OLCLC has a special way of bringing people together, which is why Kristen ended up serving as a Board Member for over 10 years during her tenure as a teacher in Old Lyme and why two of her three children went on to work at the OLCLC in the Preschool and School Age programs!
Kristen left Old Lyme and became an administrator and today is the Principal of Wheeler High School in North Stonington. Although she took a hiatus from the board when she started her career, she returned to the Board in 2018 as she wanted to continue her volunteer work at a place she loved dearly. Recently, Kristen has worked behind the scenes the last year to get the OLCLC back on track after its closing due to COVID. She has stepped off the board to tackle the temporary interim Director position this summer and is helping with the restructuring and rehiring at the Center. Kristen is excited about the many changes at the OLCLC and is looking forward to watching it thrive again in the future.
Donna Dean
Board Member
Years on BOD: 1 year, but was on the board in previous years!
Day Job: I currently work at Essex Boat Works as the office manager. I have worked here over seven years and I am in charge of customer service, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and the parts department.
Why did you get involved on BOD & what OLCLC means to you: I originally served on the OLCLC board close to 13 years ago. At the time I was very involved in the PTO and in other community groups. I felt that it was so important to be a part of the board to be the voice of the parent that doesn’t have a child that attends the program. I was looking in from the outside and was able to give a different type of view point. Years later, I am serving again because I want to see the center get back to the wonderful program that it used to be. I want to see strong programs with strong leadership. We have the very best people on the board, looking out for the children and the employees and I’m happy to be a part of that team.