Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees comprises The Birches Academy parents and community members. The Board of Trustees is responsible for ensuring that the academic program of The Birches Academy is successful, that the school’s program and operation are faithful to its charter, and that The Birches Academy is a viable, long-term, sustainable charter school. The Board meets monthly at the school; the public is always welcome. Additional information is available in The Board of Trustees Bylaws.
If you want to become a member of the Board of Trustees, read the Board Nomination Policy or email trustees@birchesacademy.org.
Members
Christie Storniolo (Founder) was raised in Windham, NH. She attended Pinkerton Academy and is a graduate of Merrimack College in North Andover, MA, with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management. Christie is Team Lead for ADP Retirement Services in Salem, NH working with companies across the United States. She has been engaged in 401(k) administration since 1992. Christie founded The Birches Academy, served as Board Chair in the inauguration year, and now serves on the Finance Committee. Christie lives in Atkinson, NH, with her husband, Frank and three children.
Mike Gendreau grew up in Dracut, MA, married his wife in 1997 and moved to Pelham, NH, in 2000. He attended Mass Bay CC, receiving an associate’s degree in automotive science. Mike has been working in residential lending for over 20 years. He is a father of 4 boys who have attended or is still attending The Birches Academy since the 2nd year of the school's second opening. Besides being on the Governing Board and its Finance Committee, Mike is very involved with Birch’s fundraising and family activities. He is also on the Pelham Conservation Commission, was the Pelham Border Riders snowmobile club secretary, and coached his sons in football and baseball. One of the areas he is most interested in is assisting The Birches Academy in finding a new school location and the financing that goes along with it.
Becca Allan (Chair) grew up in Needham, MA, and attended Boston University, where she graduated with a Bachelor's in Elementary Education. She moved to Pelham, NH, with her husband in the spring of 2014. Before having children, Becca worked in special education with students in grades K-5, and she’s—currently a stay-at-home mom to two daughters. Since the spring of 2020, Becca has served as a member of the Windham Cooperative Kindergarten’s executive board, where both of her children have attended preschool. She’s also worked as a substitute teacher at the Windham Cooperative throughout the 2021-2022 school year.
Alexis Goldsack (Secretary) is a Southern New Hampshire native, born and raised in Hudson, she brings deep knowledge of the region’s schools, youth programs, and local businesses. She began teaching early childhood education at Little Broncos at Alvirne High School and later joined the Montessori school in Londonderry as an aftercare teacher. In 2016, she became familiar with The Birches Academy and was drawn to its mission and model. After working in office management, she transitioned into real estate in 2020, applying her business and organizational skills in a new way. Her dedication to education and community engagement make her a valued member of the Board of Trustees.
Samantha Moulton is a native of Somerville, MA, moving to Stoneham, MA in later years. Sam earned an Associates degree in Business Management and has worked as a Senior Revenue Integrity Analyst at a large hospital for 18 years. She's an active volunteer, working with many different children's fundraisers including Leukemia Light the Night Walk, Why Me ride for children with cancer, Boston Children’s Hospital NSTAR Walk, Cradles to Crayons and Lahey Hospital Cancer Walk to name just a few. Samantha served on the Salem Youth Soccer committee board as coordinator for the TOTS and U6 groups, as well as the organization's Fundraising Chair. Since 2021, she has lived in Salem, NH, with her husband, three children, and two dogs. As a proud Birches Academy parent, two of her children currently attend the school.
Michael LeBlond was raised in Boxford, Massachusetts and attended Bates College in Lewiston,ME graduating with a B.S. in Biology. Michael worked for over 20 years as an information technology professional at Lawrence General Hospital, most recently as Chief Information Officer. Since 2022, he has served as Vice President/Chief Technology Officer for Martin’s Point Health Care, in Portland, ME. Michael’s daughter was part of the first class to enroll in kindergarten and graduate 8th grade at the Birches and his wife is currently a teaching assistant in the kindergarten. He and his family have resided in Windham, NH for the last 15 years.
Dani Richards (Treasurer) was born in Wales, UK and moved to the USA in July of 2013. A graduate of the University College of Wales, UK, with a Bachelor of arts in Education. Dani gained her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction in May of 2020 and has created and implemented curriculums for public and private schools in the UK and US. She currently works at Relay, a Medicaid Billing Software for Schools as the Associate Director of Client Success where she supports over 800 school districts across 23 states. Dani lives in Londonderry, NH with her wife and two children who attend the Birches Academy.