Winsor Leads Campaign Launch Is One for the History Books

On May 2, 2024, Winsor launched the Winsor Leads Campaign with a community-wide event and al-fresco cocktail party. Gathering in the Winsor courtyard, over 400 attendees spanning alumnae, current parents, past parents, faculty, staff, and friends took in the festive atmosphere in a tent under the stars, and enjoyed performances by Winsor students and remarks from campaign co-chairs. 

A spirited dance performance by the Winsor Dance Team preceded remarks by Winsor Trustee and Campaign Co-Chair Mallika Marshall P’27, a physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and medical reporter for WBZ-TV. “Through my career, I have realized how deeply important it is to uplift girls and women. And a transformative education like Winsor’s is a catalyst for the empowerment of girls and women,” she said. Drawing on his own experience as president and CEO of the Boston Red Sox, fellow Winsor Trustee and Campaign Co-Chair Sam Kennedy P’23 added, “Students here are encouraged to pick up a sport they’ve never tried, play in a rock band without ever having played an instrument, and develop grit, tenacity, and self-belief through these experiences.”

At the campaign launch event, guests were greeted with a photobooth to commemorate the evening. Passed hors d’oeuvres, three bars, and four catering stations—inspired by Winsor students’ favorite dining room meals—encouraged attendees to mill about and mingle with friends old and new. 

Winsor’s Upper School choir, Illumina, took the stage to sing “Gloria” by Gyorgy Orban led by Choral Director Andrew Marshall and accompanied on piano by Performing Arts Department Head Felicia Brady-Lopez. 

After the performance, Winsor Trustee and Campaign Co-Chair Perry Traquina P’09, ’13 explained, “My wife, Robin, and I believe deeply in the importance of the Winsor educational experience and the importance of expanding the ability of families to access this opportunity.” The former chairman and CEO of Wellington Management Company LLP also shared a personal story. “My parents immigrated to this country and never had the benefit of formal education. But they believed in the power and value of education, and the only way I was able to access the opportunity to go to college was through a financial aid scholarship. Needless to say, that opportunity changed the trajectory of my life.”

The most ambitious campaign in the school’s history, the Winsor Leads Campaign establishes philanthropic priorities through faculty support and student accessibility that will ensure the transformative power of a Winsor education for future generations. Winsor alumna and President of the Winsor Board of Trustees Allison Kaneb Pellegrino ’89, P’21, ’22 told the gathered crowd, “Your commitments today will secure the school in perpetuity, and will ensure that our faculty and students are supported every day, forever.” 

The final student performance was by Advanced Rock On. A music elective, Advanced Rock On is designed for experienced instrumental and vocal musicians to hone their performance skills and forge a dynamic, interdependent, top-level band. The course culminates with an all-school performance during weekly assembly, and the band also plays at the commencement ceremony in June. Guests were treated to an encore performance of their most recent set, including songs such as “Just the Two of Us” by Bill Withers, William Salter, and Ralph MacDonald (1980); “Life Is a Highway” by Tom Cochrane (1991); and “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Freddie Mercury (1975), with back-up vocals by Illumina.

“Winsor is preparing bold, courageous, extraordinary girls and students. And the world needs MORE of them,” said Head of School and O’Donnell Family Chair Sarah Pelmas, who closed out the speaking portion of the evening. “Our $100 million Winsor Leads goal is critical for securing this unmatched school for future generations. These funds will guarantee an endowment that can support our students and faculty in the ways they deserve, forever.” 

At the helm of the Winsor Leads Campaign is an incredible group of advocates: 

• Allison Kaneb Pellegrino ’89 and Stephen Pellegrino P’21, ’22
• Amanda and Sam Kennedy P’23
• Mallika Marshall and Jason Hurd P’27
• Robin and Perry Traquina P’09, ’13
• Katherine and the late Joseph J. O’Donnell P’05, ’07

After hearing from school leadership, the energy and excitement carried into the night as guests spoke animatedly about the campaign and the performances. In addition to sampling bite-size desserts, attendees took home Winsor brownies—a coveted secret school recipe—to enjoy at home. Thank you to everyone who attended the Winsor Leads Campaign launch. It was a night to remember, in honor of a campaign that will secure the future of Winsor for generations to come.