The CNS board is comprised of the following parent volunteers.
Kaki Johnston
Co-President
I was born and raised in Ithaca and attended CNS in the late 80's. Fast forward a couple decades... I graduated from Cornell, moved to Manhattan, and worked as the Director of High School Placement and Alumni Counselor at The East Harlem School at Exodus House. I also taught 7th and 8th grade math! In 2013, I moved back to Ithaca and spent six years working as a fundraiser for Cornell. I stepped away from my role at Cornell in 2019 to focus on my family but have continued to serve on several boards including The SPCA of Tompkins County, Ithaca Community Recovery, and The East Harlem School at Exodus House. I live with my husband, Neal, step-daughter, Madeline, and sons, Ira and Louis, in Trumansburg with our dog, Mabel, countless chickens and two miniature donkeys. I am thrilled to be a part of the CNS community again!
Tim Wells
Co-President
My son, Louis, will be moving from the Nest to the Nook next year. I grew up in Ithaca, graduated from Ithaca High School in 2000, and stayed local to attend & graduate from Cornell University. For the past decade I have lived at the base of the Teton mountain range in Victor, Idaho, where I owned a ski manufacturing business, and where I met my wife, Anna. Last summer we moved back to Ithaca to be closer to family. In March, we welcomed Margot Sloane Wells to the family. Along with our two dogs, Lenny and Poppy, our favorite family activity is going for a mountain bike ride. I have enjoyed getting to know and work with the CNS community this year on the fundraising committee and look forward to increasing my involvement next year.
Kate Forester
Treasurer
I grew up in Ithaca and moved back to town in 2020 after a time in Seattle and a decade in New York City. My five-year-old starts Kindergarten this Fall at Belle Sherman Elementary, taking nearly the same walk to school I did in the '80s. My rising two-year-old will be starting in the Nest this year. As a family we enjoy getting outdoors whenever possible. Ithaca is perfect for that!
Candice Reeves
Secretary
I’m mom to Olive (currently in the Nook) and Baker (future CNSer). I first came to Ithaca for grad school and stayed because of the incredible community that we’ve found. I have spent many years working in tech and also own and operate my own bath soak business. I’d love to be a part of the Board in order to play a bigger part in this vibrant and caring community. CNS is the first place where I dropped Olive off and left (perhaps you can relate!) and it holds a very special place in our hearts.
Emily D'Alessandro
VP of the Nest
I am originally from Lansing, NY and went to Cornell University where I met my husband, Tom. After about 7 years away, Tommy and I settled back in Ithaca with our two young boys Bennett and Auggie in 2021. Bennett was a student in the Nest and Nook this past year, and Auggie will be starting in the Nest this coming year (he is VERY excited). We love CNS for the strong community of teachers, staff, and parents. It is a place where we have felt comfortable that our child was truly cared for each day and our son Bennett has had an absolutely wonderful first school experience at CNS. We are grateful to be part of this supportive and nurturing community.
Kaille Grey
VP of the Nook
I am mom to Declan (former Roost), Delaney (Nook), and Abel. My husband, Mike, and I originally hail from the great state of New Jersey, but have since made Ithaca our home. Mike attended Cornell University and is currently the Head Wrestling Coach, and I have a background in law enforcement after receiving a bachelors in Criminal Justice from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.
When I’m not chauffeuring between activities, and depending on the time of year, I can be found cooking for my 40 adopted college age wrestlers, cheering VERY loudly at the Friedman Center, or very happy on a beach in NJ. We love CNS and are so grateful for the opportunity to transition into a different role in the community this year!
Josh Lambert
VP for Roost
My name is Josh Lambert. I am an Ithaca native, husband to Rachel Lambert, and father of two sons, Leon(4) and Lawrence(14 months). I’ve spent 20 years as a bar manager in local venues and restaurants. I’m currently a house spouse looking to get involved with my children’s early education. Leon will be attending the CNS Roost class in the fall of this year (2024). I hope that my people skills and communication can be of use in this position, and I look forward to meeting all of the teachers, parents, kids and community that led us to choose CNS for our family.
Norma Schwab
Community Member
I was born and raised mostly in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, ending up in Ithaca in 1983 with my husband Steward and two young children. Six more children, five grandchildren and almost thirty-nine years later we are still in Ithaca!
My children are all beneficiaries of the Ithaca City School system, and are all now grown. Several of them attended CNS in the 80’s and I spent my share of time helping out in the classroom and taking home laundry in addition to other chores. CNS was then and is now a wonderful place for children to grow and thrive.
I am a former nurse-turned-lawyer. My legal career has been varied, including stints as an Assistant District Attorney for Tompkins County, working in two private law firms (True Walsh & Miller, and Brock and Schwab), being the City Attorney for Ithaca, and lastly working at Cornell in the Office of University Counsel, retiring in June 2019.
My past board experience highlights include service on the boards of Visiting Nurse Service in Ithaca and Planned Parenthood, as well as too many PTAs to count!
My main interests include most any kind of exercise, reading, and in the times-before-Covid, travel.
Tessa
Staff Representative
Tessa has been a part of the CNS community for over 6 years, as a caregiver, substitute, and recently as a student teacher. She received her degree in Early Childhood Education and is excited to begin teaching in a formal setting. Tessa has over 12 years of childcare experience and loves to guide children as they grow and develop into their unique selves. She moved to the Fingerlakes from New Jersey 7 years ago, met her husband, and has settled down in Freeville. Tessa has a deep love and appreciation of nature, enjoys baking for everyone, and expressing her creativity through arts and crafts.