Alumni
Alumni Events and Reunions
Alumnus takes the helm of the RE board of trustees
Ricky Stokes ’94, an alumnus with deep ties to Ransom Everglades, stepped into the role of Ransom Everglades Chair of the Board for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years on July 1. As a member of the RE Board of Trustees since 2017, he previously served as vice chair and chair of the advancement committee. Prior to joining the board, he spent two years as president of the RE Alumni Association.
The Stokes family legacy runs deep at the school; his late mother, Elaine, also served on the RE board, his eldest daughter, Ellie '26, is a recent graduate, and his son, Spencer '28, is a junior.
The Stokes family legacy runs deep at the school; his late mother, Elaine, also served on the RE board, his eldest daughter, Ellie '26, is a recent graduate, and his son, Spencer '28, is a junior.
"I am honored and excited to work with the Board of Trustees to continue to build upon RE's strong foundation and the momentum that has been created by [Head of School] Rachel Rodriguez, [COO] David Clark ’86 and their outstanding leadership team,” Stokes said. “Our focus will remain on continuous improvement of the student experience and support for our incredible faculty.”
Stokes is Managing Director and Head of Lower Middle Market Private Equity at H.I.G. Capital, a Miami-based private equity investment firm. Alongside Stokes, RE brought three accomplished new additions to the board of trustees on July 1: Snjeza Barrack, Katrin Fraser Katz and Derek McDowell.
“It is an honor to welcome three new members who bring a wealth of international experience and professional expertise to our board,” Rachel Rodriguez said. “I am also thrilled to introduce Ricky Stokes as our new chair. His love for this institution, keen intellect and deep understanding of Ransom Everglades will keep RE on a strong course.”
RE’s newest trustees bring diverse, global backgrounds to the school's leadership:
- Snjeza Barrack joins the board with a background in international humanitarian law. Born in Sarajevo, she attended high school in Serbia, earned dual bachelor's degrees in Sydney, Australia, and practiced law in London. Before moving to Miami with her family in 2025, she worked actively with Human Rights Watch and completed a master's degree at Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law.
- Katrin Fraser Katz is a professor of practice at the University of Miami and a non-resident adjunct fellow in the Office of the Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. She previously served on the staff of the White House National Security Council and worked with the Department of State and the CIA. She holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, Tufts University and Northwestern University (PhD).
- Derek McDowell is the founder of Miami-based private equity firm Boyne Capital Management. A graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Chicago (MBA), McDowell's industry expertise spans financial, healthcare and aerospace services. He and his wife are the parents of three RE graduates and are active supporters of Breakthrough Miami and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Highlighting a decade of dedicated service, Miguel Dueñas ’95 concluded his two-year term as chair of the board as the recipient of the Head of School’s Award for Distinguished Service to the School. The annual honor recognizes exceptional leadership, honor, attitude and dedication.
Rodriguez presented the award during an upper school awards ceremony in the spring, crediting Dueñas with embodying the values of the school's founder, Paul Ransom. Throughout his 10 years on the board, Dueñas served as treasurer, finance chair, vice chair, and, ultimately, chair. He helped spearhead major initiatives, including the reimagining of the college counseling office, the creation of a faculty cost-of-living (COLA) endowment, and the construction of the upcoming Sundheim Humanities Center.
“He has a strategic mindset and has been the driver for both student initiatives and faculty support,” Rodriguez said. “Mr. Miguel Dueñas is thoughtful and giving, and understands that preparing a school for the future takes commitment, time and talent.”
The RE board bade farewell to four departing members: former board chair Jeff Hicks ’84, Jon Madorsky ’91, Scott Srebnick ’83 and Chris Torto. Dueñas thanked each of them for their profound commitment and impactful contributions to the Ransom Everglades community.
Middle School
2045 South Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133Phone: 305 250 6850
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3575 Main Highway, Coconut Grove, FL 33133Phone: 305 460 8800
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Founded in 1903, Ransom Everglades School is a coeducational, college preparatory day school for grades 6 - 12 located on two campuses in Coconut Grove, Florida. It is rated the top private school in Miami and among the 10 private schools in North America. Ransom Everglades School produces graduates who "believe that they are in the world not so much for what they can get out of it as for what they can put into it." The school provides rigorous college preparation that promotes the student's sense of identity, community, personal integrity and values for a productive and satisfying life, and prepares the student to lead and to contribute to society.
Ransom Everglades School®, The RE Way®, RE Pathways® and Bowden Fellowships in the Humanities™ are trademarks of Ransom Everglades School.
Ransom Everglades School®, The RE Way®, RE Pathways® and Bowden Fellowships in the Humanities™ are trademarks of Ransom Everglades School.