Senior Leadership Team

Ryan brings over 20 years of experience in communications and marketing. His career includes roles leading marketing and communications efforts, acting as a national spokesperson, leading experiential marketing efforts, and in philanthropy. He has worked with widely recognized brands, charitable organizations, and international day and boarding schools in the U.S. 

His media presence includes more than 200 in-studio appearances on television news stations across the U.S. and co-hosting a nationally aired infomercial alongside a Disney Channel chef. His public relations initiatives have supported over 175 local and national charities. He has worked on marketing and communications contracts for major corporations including Microsoft, Google, Samsung, ChangHong, Motorola, Johnsonville, T-Mobile, Verizon, Hisense, Ferrari, Ford, GMC, VW, and Chevrolet. He has also served as a brand spokesperson at three NFL Super Bowls, Monday Night Football games, NASCAR races, MLB games, and numerous International Consumer Electronics Shows (CES).

Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife Elizabeth, who is originally from Peru, their two children, and their two rescue cats. Their son Joshua, an Eagle Scout, is studying mechanical engineering on a full academic scholarship. Ryan attended Brainco - The Minneapolis School of Advertising & Design and The Pennsylvania State University.

Giancarlo Bonagura is a strategic financial and operations leader with more than two decades of experience guiding complex educational, nonprofit, and government institutions through transformative growth and modernization.

Before joining Harrow School, Giancarlo served as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Financial Officer at the New York Academy of Sciences, where he eliminated decade-long deficits, achieved the institution’s first operational surplus in years, and modernized operations through technology integration and cost optimization.

Earlier in his career, Giancarlo held senior leadership roles as Chief Operating Officer at Columbia University’s Zuckerman Mind Brain and Behavior Institute, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Finance and Administration at Hunter College, and Chief Financial Officer at the New York University School of Law. In these roles, he managed multi-billion-dollar budgets, developed faculty compensation frameworks, and led major capital and real estate initiatives.

His early government service with the New York City Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Transportation provided a strong foundation in fiscal management, performance accountability, and public-sector innovation.

Charmaine Cooper brings over 25 years of experience in HR, finance, and business management to her role as Director of Human Resources. She has worked in both not-for-profit and for-profit sectors, gaining knowledge across various industries. At Wetherby-Pembridge School in New York, part of the Alpha Plus Group, she managed HR, operations, and finance, developed onboarding programs, ensured compliance with employment laws, and supervised procurement and financial reporting.

Previously, Charmaine was the Regional Business Operations Administrator at Children’s Aid in New York, where she was committed to serving young people. She oversaw daily operations, managed budgets, and ensured compliance across multiple schools. She also managed staffing activities, participated in audits, and addressed deficiencies.

Charmaine has experience working in education, the financial industry, healthcare, media, reinsurance, and as a tax professional. She holds a Master’s in Human Resources from The New School University and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Baruch College (CUNY). She is passionate about helping people and streamlining organizational processes.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Charmaine enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and gardening

Frederick is a seasoned operations management professional with over 20 years of experience. Currently serving as the Director of Facilities and Operations, he has built a diverse and impressive career since completing his undergraduate studies at Columbus State University in 2003.

Frederick’s career began with a 10-year tenure in the US Military as a Multi-functional Logistics Officer (90A), where he completed multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and was awarded three Bronze Star Medals for his service. After transitioning to civilian life, he worked as a Department of Defense contractor, serving as an embedded training and development Subject Matter Expert (SME) advisor to the Afghan Military, focusing on sustainment logistics operations.

He then advanced to roles such as Facility Director for a community center and facilities manager for a large financial institution, further honing his expertise in facilities management. His extensive experience spans management in transportation, supply chain, maintenance, facilities, and physical security, showcasing a robust and versatile career.

Frederick is married to Lauren, and together they have three energetic boys: Daniel, Connor, and Jack. Their family is completed by their beloved Shih Tzu, Lola. Frederick enjoys spending time outdoors, especially fishing, which he finds to be a great way to unwind and connect with nature. He is passionate about being at the forefront of creating an environment that delivers world-class education at Harrow New York.

Mark Frankel brings over 30 years of educational experience to his role, including 12 distinguished years dedicated to fostering excellence in International Baccalaureate programs across Europe and Asia. His extensive career has taken him to renowned institutions including the International School of Hamburg, the International School of Prague, and Canadian Academy, where he has developed a deep understanding of global education and cross-cultural learning environments. 

A Long Island native, Mark returns to his roots with extensive leadership experience gained most recently as a Head of Upper School at a prestigious independent school in New York. His international perspective, combined with his understanding of the local educational landscape, positions him uniquely to bridge global best practices with regional educational excellence. 

Throughout his career, Mark has demonstrated a commitment to academic rigor and student development within the International Baccalaureate framework. His experience spans diverse cultural contexts and educational systems, providing him with invaluable insights into preparing students for success in an increasingly interconnected world. 

When not focused on educational leadership, Mark enjoys spending time with his family, including his wife, two daughters, and their beloved—if somewhat eccentric—terrier. His passion for education is matched only by his dedication to creating nurturing environments where students can thrive both academically and personally.

Virginia Ledford, a Long Island native, brings extensive experience in education and administration to her role as HR and Finance Officer. With a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Science in Special Education, she draws on her strong foundation in communication, organization, and problem-solving to support her work in finance and human resources.

Virginia began her career as a teacher, spending ten years shaping students’ growth and developing the leadership and adaptability that continues to guide her work today. After a decade in education, she transitioned into administration, where she has gained experience in both for-profit and non-profit organizations, leading finance, human resources, and operations. In these roles, she directed financial planning and oversight, including budgets, audits, and reporting, to ensure accountability and long-term stability. At the same time, she built and developed teams by managing recruitment, employee relations, policy development, and staff training. These combined responsibilities have allowed her to strengthen organizational performance while fostering workplaces that are effective, compliant, and well-supported.

In her current role, she combines her love of education with her extensive administrative experience to bring an integrity-driven and supportive approach to her work. Guided by the belief that it is more important to do what is right than what is easy, she strives to lead with equity and compassion in every setting.

Outside of the office, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her husband and son, cherishing both their adventures together and the quiet moments at home.

Kristine Lewis, our esteemed Director of Boarding and Pastoral Care, hails from New Hampshire, USA. A distinguished scholar-athlete, Kristine was a basketball All-American at the University of New Hampshire, where she earned a BSc in Media and Communications with Physical Education. Her passion for teaching was ignited during her career as a professional basketball player in Sweden and Spain, where she also coached younger players.

Kristine began her educational career in the United Kingdom at Dulwich College Prep School. She later joined Sevenoaks School, a prestigious co-educational day and boarding school. During her 17 year tenure at Sevenoaks, Kristine held the position of Head of House, overseeing the care and development of 60 girls aged 13-18. She also served as a college guidance counsellor, assisting students with their applications to universities in the UK and internationally, and contributed as a sports coach in the PE department. In her final years at Sevenoaks, Kristine was appointed Head of Sixth Form Admissions, where she excelled in recruiting students from around the world.

With her three daughters embarking on their own careers, Kristine embraced senior leadership roles in the Middle East and Switzerland. We are now privileged to have her as a vital member of our Senior Team in New York, where she continues to bring her extensive experience, dedication, and passion for student development to our community.

Click here to watch a video featuring Ms. Lewis as she describes boarding & pastoral care at Harrow New York.

Sean commenced his career in IT support within the educational sector in 2009 as the Network and Systems Administrator at a sizeable public school in western Suffolk County. By 2011, he had progressed to a leadership position at a smaller institution situated at the eastern end of Long Island. Over the subsequent decade, Sean spearheaded numerous technological initiatives, overhauling an antiquated IT infrastructure to create a modern and efficient system.

Having served as Director of Technology for many years, Sean transitioned to the role of Technical Services Manager at a local Managed Services Provider. In this capacity, he collaborated extensively with over a dozen public and private schools across Long Island, providing expert guidance on cybersecurity, physical security, technology upgrades, software implementations, and staffing solutions.

Matthew Sipple, a seasoned professional with an extensive background in educational leadership, has held prominent roles in diverse American and International schools across North America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. With a career spanning back to the early 1990s, Matthew's experience encompasses a wealth of knowledge in fostering academic excellence and organizational development.

A dedicated scholar, Matthew pursued his academic credentials with a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Pittsburgh, followed by a Master of Arts in History from the University of Pennsylvania. He furthered his educational pursuits by obtaining a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Teacher’s College at Columbia University, complemented by a current New York State certification as a School Administrator.

Matthew's leadership tenure includes significant contributions to prestigious International Baccalaureate World Schools like The International School of Amsterdam, Oberoi International School, and the American International School of Riyadh. Moreover, he has utilized his expertise in pivotal positions at renowned boarding institutions such as EF Academy and Leysin American School. Matthew also has a prior connection to Long Island, having served as the Assistant Headmaster and Head of Upper School at Buckley Country Day School in Roslyn.

Returning to Long Island, Matthew is delighted to leverage his multifaceted experience in educational leadership to advance the success of Harrow International School New York, and directly assist the team in achieving its vision to inspire students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens.

Click here to watch a video featuring Mr. Sipple as he describes the value of an international education.