Our Team

John Catlett

John spent more than 26 years with the consulting firm Accenture before retiring as a senior partner. During his 14 years as a Trustee, John has served as Chair of the Board, Chair of Strategic Planning, Development and Governance Committees and continues to serve on the Development, Finance and HRAC Committees. He holds degrees from Drew University and Lehigh University. John lives in Lyme with his wife, Athana, and three daughters, Sarah, Sabrina and Anna.

Liz Doering

Liz is the owner of Sperry View Farm in Bethany, CT.  Before spending 15 years in the Healthcare Insurance Industry, Liz received an undergraduate degree at Mt. Holyoke College, a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from American University, and an MBA in Health Administration from Quinnipiac University.  In 2012, Liz decided to follow a lifelong ambition of owning her own equestrian facility and purchased Sperry View Farm.  She grew up in Pony Club where she stays active as a National Examiner and Chief Horse Management Judge as well as having served on multiple National Committees throughout the years.  For the past four years, Liz has served as the President of the Connecticut Dressage Association (CDA).  While remaining as the VP of CDA, Liz stepped down from the President’s position in 2022 to continue her pursuit of her Dressage Technical Delegate’s License through the United States Equestrian Federation (USDF).  She is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist and continues to compete at the Intermediate I Level.  Liz resides in Bethany, CT and Old Saybrook, CT.

Mark Fader

Since 2008, Mark Fader has been the 10th Head of The Williams School, New London, Connecticut, after previously serving as Assistant Head. He has over 25 years of experience as an educator, administrator, and coach. Before joining Williams, he was at Providence Day School in Charlotte, NC and Severn School in Severna Park, MD. A Cum Laude Graduate of Hampden-Sydney College, Mark earned his BA in History and French and holds a Masters of Arts in Education from The College of William and Mary. Mark is active in the shoreline community as a former board member at New England Science and Sailing (NESS) and as a member of the Ocean Commotion Committee at Mystic Aquarium. Mark and his wife Suki have three children, Jack, Ellie, Lucy, who all volunteer at High Hopes.

Affiliation: The Williams School

Landon Potts

Landon is a self-employed attorney.  In June 2010 she was admitted into the Connecticut Bar after receiving her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Connecticut School Of Law in 2009 and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Summa Cum Laude, from Quinnipiac University in 2005.  In addition, Landon interned with the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch and Hubard, Samuels & Lewane where she mediated landlord/tenant disputes and assisted in trial preparation of felony criminal cases and personal injury cases respectively.  Landon is very familiar with High Hopes.  She was a program participant from early childhood through her teenage years, as well as High Hopes’ Development Assistant from 2004-2006 and Administrative Assistant/Intern from 2002-2004. Landon was a Trustee on the Board of Living Rock Church in Killingworth from 2017-2020 and presently holds several leadership positions within the church.  Landon resides in Essex, CT.

Jeffrey Ridgway

Jeff is retired from boatyard and building industries. He has served for multiple terms on the Board of Trustees since 1994, with two years as President. His many leadership roles at High Hopes include assisting with the construction of the facility in 1990 and serving as Co-Chair, with his wife, Holly, of the ‘94 and ‘95 Antiques Shows. Jeff Co-Chaired the 2000 Building expansion project; was Co-Chair of the High Hopes’ Hoedown, (now the Holiday Market), Co-chair of the Endowment Campaign and has been a member of the Building & Grounds Committee for 30 years. He is actively involved with many events such as the June Benefit. He was the recipient of the NARHA Region I Volunteer of the Year Award in 2009. Jeff was born in Africa and grew up in the UK. He and his wife, Holly, reside in Chester.

Affiliation – Caulfield & Ridgway

Gary Rogers

Gary is a marketing & business development executive with expertise leading a number of Fortune 500 brands. He is currently working with Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT, cultivating members and forging strategic partnerships. His global brand marketing initiatives generated over $1 million in charitable contributions through national cause-marketing campaigns. He served as VP of the Alumni Association Board of Directors for Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY, where he focused on capital campaign strategy and branding for the President of the College and Development Office. An avid supporter of High Hopes alongside his wife Linda, Gary leads corporate sponsorship efforts for the June Gala. Gary and Linda live in Lyme, CT.  Education: M.S., Leadership & Strategic Management, Manhattanville College School of Business, Purchase, NY; B.A., Biology, Colby College, Waterville, ME.

Affiliation: Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut

Maris Wacs

After 50 years of living in Manhattan, Maris moved to Old Lyme in 2013.  Maris holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the School of Visual Arts and has worked as a national award-winning graphic designer at numerous national magazines, e.g., Condé Nast, Vogue, and Rolling Stone, as well as with Jim Henson Productions until his death in 1990.  Since relocating to Connecticut, Maris has done pro bono design work for Safe Futures, CT River Museum, Community Foundation of Middlesex County, and The Community Music School.  She is on the Development Committee at Safe Futures and volunteers as a sidewalker at High Hopes.  Additionally, Maris is a 500-hour, nationally-accredited yoga teacher with a studio in Old Lyme.  Maris has three adult children, Jordan, Sydney, and Lindsey.

Natalie Yonker

Natalie is the Manager Organizational Effectiveness for Dominion Energy at Millstone Power Station where she has worked since 2015.  Since obtaining her Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering from Purdue University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Averett University, Natalie has worked in the Nuclear Industry for 22 years at both Millstone Power Station and Surry Power Station in Surry, VA.  In addition to her current position, Natalie was also a Supervisor in Engineering and Operations with Dominion Energy.  Natalie has served on the High Hopes Development Committee since 2018 and has been a member of St. Matthias Parish Women’s Club and Certified Food Protection Manager since 2019. She is an active member of the local chapter of Women in Nuclear (WIN) since 2020, as well as a member of the American Nuclear Society since 1998.  Natalie resides in East Lyme.

Affiliation:  Millstone Power Station