Proposed New Directors Bios:
AMANDA MCQUAID
Amanda McQuaid (PhD ‘19UNH, she/her) is a State Specialist in Water Quality and Ecotoxicology for Cooperative Extension, Director of the Lakes Lay Monitoring Program, (Extension Associate) Professor of Limnology, and Joint Faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of New Hampshire. Amanda also manages the Center for Freshwater Biology; a participatory science and research-based collaboration in support of freshwater research, toxic cyanobacteria and water quality of lakes. Amanda has focused research on the bioaccumulation of toxins in the aquatic environment, specifically how cyanotoxins transfer through water, air and food webs.
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R. PHILLIP PECK
R. Phillip Peck, Retired Head of School, Holderness School. Phil graduated from Dartmouth College in 1978 with citations in History and Russian Literature. At Dartmouth he was on an NCAA-champion ski team, and won Dartmouth’s Robert C. Gebhardt Award for high achievement in academics, athletics, and the life of the school. After Dartmouth, Phil competed on the national circuit in skiing for several years before being named the assistant coach to the US Nordic Ski Team on the World Cup and at the Olympic Games in Sarajevo. Following the 1984 Olympics Mr. Peck joined the faculty of Holderness School, where he has taught history; coached cross-country running, nordic skiing, and cycling. He served as the Dean of Faculty and Director of DEIJ before being named Head of School in 2001. As Head he has led the School through five strategic planning processes, implemented a comprehensive professional development program for faculty, increased the school’s levels of financial aid, and oversaw a remarkable increase in endowment. Phil Klingenstein Fellow at Columbia University’s Teachers College, and he earned his Master’s in educational leadership there, and has subsequently taught in several Klingenstein programs. Phil retired in 2022 after 38 years at Holderness.
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ESTHER DAIGNEAULT
I was born and raised in Silver Spring Maryland. I have a Bachelors of Science in Marine Science/Biology from the University of Miami and a Masters of Science in Biological Oceanography from Old Dominion University. After 20 years as a military family crisscrossing the country a few times Matt and our four kids landed in Holderness in August 2020. I have spent over 20 years in the environmental consulting field currently working as an environmental planner for a consulting company out of San Diego. When you don't find me at the marina, I am off cheering on my kids and spending time with my family. I have always loved being near the water and environmental conservation holds a special place in my heart. Squam Lake is a beautiful place to call home.
