Team
Lily
Program Director and Co-Founder
Prior to founding International Ivy in 2011, Lily held numerous roles at Pfizer (2001-2010) including Director of Worldwide Strategy and Innovation. She received her Bachelor of Science in Economics from University of Pennsylvania, the Wharton School, her Master in Business Administration from Harvard University, Harvard Business School and her Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages (TESOL) from Columbia University, Teachers College. She is a mother of three children.
Jeff
Assistant Program Director, HR Manager, and Co-Founder
Jeff is an investment executive with 20 years of experience in traditional and alternative markets. He was the Head of Alternative Investments with Nikko Asset Management overseeing $30 billion of assets. He has held senior positions in ACAM Advisor, UBS, Morgan Stanley and Lehman Brothers. Jeff is also an inventor of two patents and a super-computer engineer designer. He has four degrees – a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from NYU, a Bacelor of Engineer in Electrical Engineering from Cooper Union, a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Polytechnic University (now NYU), and a Master in Business Administration from Stern School of Business at NYU.
Elaine
Co-Founder
Elaine spent over twenty years working on Wall Street as controller for billion dollar private equity funds at Goldman Sachs (2006-2010) and Credit Suisse (1996-2004). Elaine is also co-founder of International Ivy. Elaine is mother of two children.
Nicole
Site Director – Chatham / Admin Supervisor
During the school year, she is a middle school English teacher, but like her students, she looks forward to summer at Chatham and camp all year long! Nicole loves that she has been able to make lifelong friends and form great relationships with parents and campers through International Ivy. Her favorite part of camp is the fun and exciting environment that campers and counselors make together. Nicole is a graduate of Rutgers University with a Master’s degree in Education and a Bachelor’s degree in English. Nicole has previously been a teacher and Site Director of Somerset and Lincroft. “If I have my way, I would never leave!”
Mary Grace
Assistant Site Director – Chatham
Mary Grace has been with International Ivy since 2021. She has served as a counselor, teacher, Head Counselor, and now, Assistant Site Director of Chatham. She is a graduate of University of Massachusetts. Mary Grace loves working for International Ivy and Team Chatham!
Jeff
Site Director – Short Hills
Jeff
Site Director – Basking Ridge
Jeff has been an Art Teacher for grades K-12 for over 20 years. He works as a freelance artist with jobs in logo design, concept art, painting, and much more. Jeff is married with three children and is excited to for his 10th summer at International Ivy.
Ryan
Site Director – Somerset
This is Ryan’s 12th summer at International Ivy. He is the Site Director for Somerset at Rutgers Prep. Ryan is a father of boy-girl twins named Melody and Shane who just finished the 4th grade. He has been in education for 20 years as a math teacher, chess club advisor, and basketball coach. His hobbies including reading, sports, and spending time with his family.
Kenny
Youngster Instructor / Site Director – Somerset / Healthcare Admin
Kenny is excited to return for his 13th summer at International Ivy. He teaches Youngsters and is a Site Director at Somerset. Kenny has taught over 30 classes at International Ivy and looks forward to working with the team every summer! During the school year, Kenny is a 3rd grade teacher and track coach.
Sarah
Site Director – Scotch Plains and Summit
Sarah is the Site Director at Scotch Plains and Summit for International Ivy. She has been teaching high school math for 27 years holding degrees in Pure Mathematics, and graduate degrees in both Teaching Children Math and Educational Leadership. Sarah is also an avid crafter and part time caterer. At home she enjoys spending time with her husband Keith, sons JD and Brody, dog Torre, and bearded dragon Floppie.
Jessica
Site Director – Scotch Plains / Humanities Instructor
Doreen
Site Director – Saddle River
Doreen has been a middle school science teacher for over a decade and leads the after-school science club. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities, sewing, cooking, and scrapbooking. She is the mother of four energetic teenagers who love to keep Doreen on her toes!
Kandace
Site Director – Wayne
Kandace joined International Ivy in 2024 as the Site Director of Basking Ridge and now leads our Wayne location. Besides purple hair and a passion for creating equitable and inclusive learning experiences, Kandace also brings 13 years of Biology teaching and supervisory experience to the program. She loves finding corny jokes to go along with the theme every week!
Annabelle
STEAM Instructor
This is my third year at Ivy and I am an instructor of mostly science based classes. During the school year, I am a high school chemistry teacher. I love meeting and getting to know every camper and can’t wait another summer at International Ivy!
Erin
Youngster Instructor
Mary
Math Instructor
This my third year at International Ivy. I first learned about Ivy from my full time job. I teach 6th-8th grade math, robotics, and economics at oChatham Day School. Before teaching at Chatham Day School, I taught middle school math and financial literacy in a public school.
Michelle
Arts Instructor
Hello! I am Michelle and during the school year I teach K-5 Music in Clifton Public Schools. I am happy to be an instructor at Ivy! I love the color purple, puzzles, and my dog, Cleo.
Kathy
STEAM Instructor
This will be my 4th summer at International Ivy and it is my favorite place to be in the summer months! While I love teaching all the science-y and engineer-y classes, my favorite times are always break times. During the other months I am a high school science teacher, and I definitely love that, but International Ivy is way more fun- a place where we can learn what we actually want to learn! I can’t wait to se you this summer!
Celine
STEAM Instructor
Celine is a teacher at International Ivy and is passionate about making camp an enjoyable educational experience for all campers! She enjoys teaching many different classes, although engineering and art are her favorite. During the school year she is a high school chemistry teacher, and she looks forward to spreading the joy of learning during the summer as well.
Rebecca
STEAM Instructor
My name is Rebecca and this is my fourth summer with International Ivy. During the school year, I am a 5th grade teacher. I am looking forward to a summer full of fun and learning!
JD
STEAM Instructor
JD has been a teacher at International Ivy for three years now. He studies Computer Engineering at Florida Tech and enjoys educating youth in the Stem Field.
