The Highfield Hall Staff
Tara Burke
Co-Executive Director | Chief Operating Officer
Tel: 508-495-1878 ext. 306
Tara had worked for many years in the Trade Show Industry, and comes to Highfield Hall & Gardens through corporate channels, having honed her skills in sales, project management, marketing, and operational tactics. She is moved by the simplicity, and beauty of Highfield, and looking forward to continued growth for this town treasure.
Lisa Walker
Co-Executive Director | Chief Development Officer
Tel: 508-495-1878 ext. 311
Lisa has over 25 years of experience in fundraising and non-profit management. She began her career at the Brookline Arts Center. She then travelled west where she worked as Associate Director of Development for the Humanities Division at UCLA and then Director of Development at Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego. Eventually home beckoned, and Lisa made her way back to the Cape where she has return to her roots in the arts at Highfield Hall & Gardens. She lives in Sandwich with her husband, two kids, and three dogs.
Gail Blakely has been teaching cooking and writing about food for over 35 years. She is best known as the longtime food writer for The Enterprise newspapers, where her column, Gourmets and Good Eaters, is published weekly. She currently hosts “Falmouth is Cooking” on local television. Gail is an enthusiastic home cook and baker who is passionate about sharing her knowledge regarding all things culinary with others in the Highfield kitchen.
Camille Romano
Finance Manager
Tel: 508-495-1878 ext. 308
Camille is the newest member of our team and has recently retired from a 30 year career in non-profit finance at the Woodwell Climate Research Center. She has B.S. in Wildlife Biology from UMASS-Amherst, and M.S. in Accounting from Northeastern University, and is a licensed CPA. Camille has worked in public accounting for 5 years prior to moving to the Cape where she has been active on the Boards of several non-profit organizations. Camille lives in E. Falmouth with her husband, their son and their cat Sylvester.
George Chapman
George has worked in horticulture for 50 years and is an avid home gardener. George loves working with Highfiels Hall & Garden volunteers resorting and maintaining the grounds of this historic Falmouth gem.
Cedith Copenhaver
Program Director
Tel: 508-495-1878 ext. 303
Three years ago, Cedith moved to Woods Hole from California where she managed the Docent Program at the Oakland Museum of California, in conjunction with Education and Programs. Previously, she had worked in the Research and Evaluation department at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. Although she began her career as a research scientist, she found that her passion lay in museum work after years of volunteering at several institutions. She is delighted to continue and expand upon the variety, diversity and depth of programming at Highfield Hall, thereby enriching the wider community.
Kim Courchesne
Membership Director
Tel: 508-495-1878 ext. 310
Kim Courchesne comes to Highfield Hall & Gardens with 25 years of experience in the Sales & Marketing arena. Her management expertise in the book publishing industry and her proven track record of partnering with independent businesses throughout the world gives her a unique approach to the position of Membership Manager at Highfield Hall. “I love the combination of art and nature that Highfield Hall & Gardens offers my family.”
Joanne Ingersoll
Director of Exhibitions & Interpretation
Tel: 508-495-1878 ext. 316
Joanne comes from a museum background with expertise in textiles, decorative arts, and fashion history. She holds a B.A. in the History of Art from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and M.A. degrees from the State University of New York, in Museum Studies and in History of Textiles. She has held curatorial positions at several museums including the Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 years as Curator of Textiles at The Museum at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology), and 5 years as Department Head and Curator of Costume and Textiles at The Museum of Art, at RISD. She lives with her family on a 5th generation organic farm in Bourne.
Larry Silva
Facilities/Maintenance Manager
Sally Byrne
House Manager
Sally started here as the volunteer manager and is now a house manager. She earned her MBA degree at Simmons College and spent most of her career in the Leadership and Organizational Development field. Sally most enjoys supporting the initiatives that closely connect the community with this historic landmark, thus ensuring a sustainable future for Highfield Hall & Gardens.
Sandra Hadley
House Manager
Sandra joined Highfield’s Visitor Services staff in 2016. A Boston University graduate and accomplished artist, she shares Highfield’s commitment to art, architecture, cooking, history, preservation, gardening and music — a few of her favorite things!
Marilyn Prindle
House Manager
Marilyn graduated from Vermont College and attended University of Hartford. She taught school in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Owned Harbor Casuals for several years at Kingman Marina.Having lived on the Cape for over 50 years with an educational and retail background Marilyn found that Highfield Hall & Gardens fulfilled her retirement with a worthwhile passion for preservation and history. She also enjoys being a part of the popular Gift Gallery during the holidays.
Jean Wentzell
House Manager
Jean is a graduate of Boston University and Cambridge College, and held a variety of management positions throughout her working career. She eventually became a special education teacher for the Marblehead Public Schools before retiring. Jean loves being surrounded by beautiful art and enjoys meeting the fascinating people who come to Highfield Hall & Gardens.
Janet Chakarian
House Manager