MEET OUR TEAM

ELIZABETH HOFREUTER
Executive Director
610-755-1038
lhofreuter@paispa.org
Elizabeth “Liz” Hofreuter has spent more than 35 years in independent education. When asked about her leadership, she will tell you, “It was a seven-year-old who taught me how to lead a school. On my first day as Head of School, he looked up at me with wide eyes, slid his fingers into mine, and asked, "What do we do now?" I knelt down, looked him in the eye and answered simply and quietly, "Go learn something new." It was a lightning bolt and a catalyst for everything that followed. I approach every situation as an opportunity to learn something - to expand and clarify our collective thinking - to build trust.

Years later another wide-eyed boy walked into my life and told me he couldn't learn at his old school. He couldn’t read. He spent his days in trouble. Everything changed. Seeing the learning differences in every child was a paradigm shift in my educational philosophy. From a school's leader to its youngest child, each person must push out of a comfort zone to reach and uplift our potential. That's the lightning in a bottle - every individual as a learner, as a risk taker with a mission to leave something better than we found it.”

Liz’s journey began with degrees from Princeton and Harvard, where she cultivated a passion for education that emphasizes process over outcomes. Her 15 year tenure as a Head was marked by enrollment growth, faculty stability, curricular innovation and community partnerships. She brings association leadership experience from her time as President and Acting Executive Director of the Elementary School Heads Association (ESHA), and she served nearly a decade on the ISACS Accreditation Review Committee. Liz also founded Edge Fearless Learning and GEN-Ed, two ventures focused on learning differences and cross-sector collaboration, reflecting her belief in responsive, future-focused education.

She brings to this role a deep respect for the collaborative culture that already exists within PAIS, and an eagerness to amplify the voices and practices that make our schools exceptional.

CHARLENE BARWIS
Business & Office Manager
267-980-3196
[email protected]
Charlene joined PAIS as an Office Manager in September 2022.  Charlene brings 16 years of experience in education and administrative duties to PAIS.  Charlene is a lifelong learner and has a passion for both being involved in administration, as well as being an integral part of education.  She graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science in Business, and shortly thereafter received her Master of Education from Holy Family University.  She currently resides in Hatfield, Pennsylvania with her husband and three teenage daughters.

DEB BORDEN
Director of Programs & Research
610-405-8711
[email protected]
Deb Borden joined PAIS in February 2021 after extensive experience in independent schools as a Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School teacher of math and science, Middle School Director, Associate Head of School, and Director of Service Learning. Throughout her career, she was also involved in diversity work, professional development, performing arts, swim coaching, and admissions work. The majority of her school experience was at The Shipley School and she also spent time at The Delbarton School in New Jersey, Holy Child School at Rosemont, Agnes Irwin School, and most recently, Revolution School. She also is a founding member of the nonprofit, The Impact Center. Deb has a Bachelor's in Biology from the University of Notre Dame and a Masters in Education from Cabrini University. She lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania with her husband Barry. She is the mother of three grown children and the grandmother of two.

JAY HARVEY
Director of Accreditation
570-592-2282
[email protected]
An independent school graduate himself, Jay brings to PAIS a 37 year history of teaching and administrative experience at Wyoming Seminary. At Wyoming Seminary, he served as a math and history teacher, Activities Director, Class Dean, Academic Dean and Upper School Division Head. He also was a dorm parent for eight years. Jay holds a B.S. in Mathematics from the Pennsylvania State University and an M.S. in Education from Wilkes University. For seven years Jay served on the PAIS Commission for Accreditation and over the past 12 years he has served on more than 20 different accreditation teams across the state, often as the Chair or Vice Chair. Now in his 4th year as Director, Jay leverages that experience to grow and strengthen the accreditation process for schools in the Association. Jay lives in Luzerne County with his wife Judy. He is the parent of three Wyoming Seminary graduates, Bryn, Zac and Tyler. His daughter Bryn taught for seven years at Berkeley Prep in Tampa, and son Tyler works in the Upper School music department at Wyoming Seminary. 

MARY MCANDREW
Director of Communications
610-420-5167
[email protected]
Mary McAndrew joined PAIS in March 2020 as Director of Communications. She spent majority of her career in corporate communications and marketing and brings 15 years of experience to her role at PAIS. Mary earned her bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York. She is a native of the Philadelphia area and currently lives in Wayne, Pennsylvania with her husband and two children.