Sarah serves as President of The Depot’s Board of Directors, providing strategic leadership and working closely with the Executive Director to advance the organization’s mission, priorities, and long-term goals. She also brings extensive experience in marketing and communications, helping guide The Depot’s branding, community outreach, and engagement efforts. Prior to this role, Sarah served on the Marketing Committee overseeing The Depot’s social media. With a strong understanding of digital media and audience development, Sarah used thoughtful storytelling and strategic messaging to strengthen The Depot’s visibility and expand its reach throughout Darien.

Beyond The Depot, Sarah serves on the Board of the Darien Junior Football League. She is the mother of three children, including a student at Middlesex Middle School and two in elementary school, and is deeply committed to strengthening opportunities for Darien’s youth.

As Vice President of The Depot’s Board of Directors, Byrne provides strategic leadership and works closely with the Executive Director to support organizational growth, long-term planning, and mission alignment. She helps establish board priorities, strengthen governance practices, advance fundraising initiatives, and cultivate community partnerships that sustain and expand The Depot’s impact. Byrne served as The Depot’s Board President from July 2024 to June 2026. 

Byrne is deeply engaged in the Darien community. She has held leadership roles with the Darien Advocates for Education of the Gifted, Council of Darien School Parents, and Tokeneke School PTO. She also serves on the Executive Boards of the Middlesex Parent Association and the Tokeneke Club, and is a former Board member of the Darien Foundation. As the parent of a high school student and a middle school student, Byrne is personally invested in creating safe, meaningful opportunities for Darien’s youth.

As Treasurer of The Depot’s Board of Directors, Sara oversees the organization’s budgeting, financial reporting, and fiscal accountability. She works closely with the Executive Director and staff to monitor financial performance, guide annual budget development, and ensure the responsible stewardship of The Depot’s resources.

Sara is President of SNG Consulting, a customer experience consultancy she founded in 2005, where she has spent 20+ years helping global brands make smarter, more customer-centric decisions. A committed civic leader, she serves on the boards of The Woodhall School and the Penn Club of Fairfield County, and has also served as Budget Chair for the Council of Darien School Parents, Treasurer of the Middlesex Parent Association, and chaired the Tokeneke Pumpkin Carnival multiple times. Sara is the mother of four children and is deeply committed to creating safe and meaningful opportunities for Darien’s youth.

As Secretary of The Depot’s Board of Directors, Eliza helps ensure strong governance, transparency, and organizational accountability. She oversees board documentation, meeting minutes, and compliance records while supporting effective communication among board members and organizational leadership. Eliza also contributes thoughtfully to strategic planning and board discussions as The Depot continues to grow its impact.

Professionally, Eliza serves as President, North America, for De’Longhi America, where she leads regional strategy, operations, and brand growth for one of the world’s leading small-appliance companies. As the parent of a college student and a middle school student, Eliza is deeply invested in creating safe, engaging, and meaningful opportunities for Darien’s teens and tweens.

Akshay serves on The Depot’s Finance Committee, where he helps strengthen budgeting, financial forecasting, and data-driven decision-making. He played an instrumental role in designing and structuring The Depot’s endowment framework, contributing analytical insight and long-term planning expertise to support financial stability and disciplined growth. His ability to assess risk, evaluate trends, and think strategically strengthens the organization’s long-term sustainability.

Professionally, Akshay is a Managing Director and Head of U.S. Cross-Asset Derivatives Trading within Global Wealth Management at J.P. Morgan. He brings extensive experience in financial markets, risk assessment, and strategic capital management. Akshay has also been active in the Darien community, including serving on the Board of Darien Little League. As a local parent, he is committed to strengthening programs that provide meaningful opportunities for youth and families.

Kate serves on The Depot’s Programming Committee, where she helps shape and evaluate youth initiatives to ensure they reflect the evolving needs and interests of Darien’s teens and tweens. She works with staff to review participation trends, assess program impact, and identify opportunities to expand relevant and engaging offerings. Kate brings a thoughtful and strategic perspective to programming discussions, helping The Depot remain responsive and innovative.

Kate also serves as Programming Chair of the Middlesex Parent Association, where she develops educational programs and speaker events for parents and students. She is a Board Member of A Better Chance in Darien and serves as a host parent for one of its students. Professionally, Kate is Senior Director of Corporate Relations at NYU Stern School of Business, where she leads strategic partnerships and corporate engagement initiatives. As the parent of a high school student and a middle school student, she is deeply committed to supporting enriching experiences for Darien’s youth.

Armel leads The Depot’s Culture & Climate efforts, helping foster an inclusive and welcoming environment in which all young people feel respected, supported, and connected. She contributes to initiatives that promote belonging, empathy, positive peer culture, and respectful dialogue, helping ensure that The Depot remains a safe and affirming space for teens and tweens from all backgrounds.

Armel is a founding member of the Coalition of Families for Inclusion (COFFI), an organization dedicated to supporting families and advancing inclusion within the Darien community. She also serves on the Board of Darien Pride, further reflecting her commitment to equity and representation. Professionally, Armel is an attorney with Spears Manning & Martini, where her practice emphasizes thoughtful advocacy and client service. As the parent of two elementary-aged children, she is deeply invested in strengthening inclusive spaces for the next generation.

Stefanie serves on The Depot’s Fundraising Committee, helping create engaging community events that generate important support for The Depot’s programs through event planning, fundraising strategy, and auction coordination.

Stefanie is the founder and owner of The Realistic Organizer, a Darien-based home organization business she launched after becoming a mother and recognizing the challenges families face in maintaining functional homes through life’s transitions. Earlier in her career, she worked in social services, with a focus on foster care, domestic violence, and addiction recovery. Stefanie holds a Master of Social Work from NYU’s Silver School of Social Work and a bachelor’s degree from Miami University. She also serves as an Elder at Noroton Presbyterian Church and on the Nominating Committee of the Darien Community Association. Stefanie and her husband, Simon, are raising four sons and have called Darien home for nearly a decade.

Sarah serves on The Depot’s Fundraising Committee and is a dedicated community leader, event organizer, and advocate for Darien’s youth and families. For the past two years, she has served as Chair of The Depot’s Overstuffed Turkey Trot, bringing strong organizational skills, creativity, and a collaborative approach to one of the town’s most popular annual fundraisers.

Professionally, Sarah has more than 20 years of experience in asset and wealth management. She is also actively involved with the Darien Action Education Group, where she supports local educational priorities and strong school-community partnerships. As the parent of a daughter at Darien High School, Sarah is passionate about creating positive experiences for young people and families throughout Darien.

Darleen serves on The Depot’s Fundraising Committee and brings extensive community connections, event leadership, and enthusiasm to the organization’s fundraising efforts. She has served as Chair of the Darien House Tour, a community tradition that showcases the town’s architecture and interior design while raising essential funds for The Depot’s youth programs.

Professionally, Darleen is a licensed Realtor with Houlihan Lawrence. Her work and volunteer involvement reflect a deep connection to the Darien community and a commitment to helping make it a vibrant place to live, work, and raise a family. Darleen and her family have four children.

Betsy serves on The Depot’s Development Committee, bringing decades of philanthropic leadership and institutional development experience to the organization. She advises on donor engagement, community partnerships, and strategic fundraising initiatives, helping strengthen The Depot’s culture of philanthropy and long-term sustainability.

From 1990 to 2012, Betsy served as President of the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers, now the Maryland Philanthropy Network, leading the organization to regional and national prominence within the philanthropic sector. Her expertise includes cross-sector collaboration, nonprofit governance, family philanthropy, and fundraising strategy. Since moving to Darien in 2023 to be closer to her seven grandchildren, Betsy has remained actively engaged in community philanthropy. She serves as a Community Grant volunteer for The Community Fund of Darien and participated in the New Canaan Community Foundation’s 2024 grant review process. Her previous nonprofit leadership includes serving as Board Chair of the Fund for Educational Excellence and on the boards of numerous other organizations.

Kevin serves on The Depot’s Governance and Nominating Committee, where he helps strengthen board effectiveness, leadership development, and succession planning. Drawing on his extensive experience advising executive teams and independent boards, Kevin supports best practices in governance, committee structure, organizational performance, and leadership alignment.

Professionally, Kevin is a strategic human resources executive with more than 20 years of experience designing and leading global rewards programs across the insurance, financial services, technology, consumer products, and healthcare industries. A Darien resident since 2013, Kevin and his wife, Cami, have two children in Darien Public Schools. He has also coached Darien Little League and remains actively involved in supporting his children’s activities.

Christine serves on The Depot’s Marketing Committee, bringing extensive expertise in marketing, communications, brand strategy, and thought leadership. Her professional experience helps support The Depot’s efforts to strengthen its messaging, elevate its community presence, and communicate the organization’s impact to families, donors, and community partners.

Professionally, Christine is Vice President of Marketing and Communications at IBM, where she leads the company’s eminence program. In this role, she amplifies IBM’s expert perspectives, elevates its thought leadership, and brings client and partner stories to life in ways that address important business challenges. Christine has lived in Darien for 13 years with her husband and their three children. She is actively involved in the community, coaching youth field hockey and lacrosse and volunteering at local events, including The Depot’s Overstuffed Turkey Trot.

Kate serves on The Depot’s Development Committee, where she plays a key role in strengthening the Annual Appeal and advancing long-term donor engagement strategies. She brings extensive expertise in development planning, stakeholder engagement, case writing, and institutional grantmaking, helping The Depot refine its messaging, broaden its base of support, and build sustainable fundraising systems.

Professionally, Kate is a Senior Managing Director in the nonprofit division of Changing Our World, where she has advised mission-driven organizations for more than two decades. She has led comprehensive development planning initiatives, strengthened major-donor programs, secured programmatic and capital grants, and helped organizations professionalize special events. Born and raised in Darien, Kate returned to the community in 2015. She and her husband have three children in Darien Public Schools, and she remains an active volunteer in town.