Meet Our Team

Head of Admission & College Counseling

maude_bond@cate.org / 805-684-4127 x235

BA, Sarah Lawrence
MFA, The New School
Appointed: 2020

Territories: Main travel and territory strategist, Asia

Maude Bond serves as Cate’s Head of Admission and College Counseling, leading both admission strategy and college counseling efforts to create a seamless, student-centered experience from first inquiry through Commencement.

As Head of Admission, Maude guides the Admission Office’s work and enrollment strategy and serves as the team’s primary travel and territory strategist. She leads Cate’s international admission efforts, with a particular focus on building relationships across Asia, and works closely with the team to thoughtfully expand Cate’s reach and connect with students and families around the world.

Before assuming this role, Maude built Cate’s nationally recognized College Counseling program, known for its personalized, data-driven approach and its emphasis on helping each student highlight their distinct strengths. She brings a deep knowledge of Cate’s culture and mission, as well as a nuanced understanding of admissions from her previous work as Director of Multicultural Recruitment at Columbia University.

Born in rural West Tennessee, Maude studied African-American literature, theater, and writing at Sarah Lawrence College, spending a year in Madrid, Spain, where she became fluent in Spanish. She later earned an MFA in creative writing from The New School.

Her career spans AmeriCorps service supporting refugee children, admissions roles at Sarah Lawrence College, The New School, and Columbia University. She also served as an associate director of college counseling at the United Nations International School and as an upper school dean at Harvard-Westlake School. Her commitment to student success has earned her numerous honors, including the Excellence in Service Award from The New School, Excellence in Programming from Columbia University, and the Centennial Fellowship from Cate School.

An expert in international education, essay writing, and public speaking, Maude empowers students to tell their stories with clarity and confidence. Maude serves as an advisor, dorm parent, and faculty advisor to the Women of Color at Cate affinity organization and the Muslim Students Association. An avid presenter, Maude has presented at several conferences, including CIS, NACAC, ACCIS, WACAC, and NAIS. Maude lives on the Mesa with her husband, Richard McDonald, who teaches technical theatre in Cate’s performing arts program.

Director of Enrollment Operations and Financial Assistance

vanessa_cruzsantana@cate.org / (805) 684-4127 x 261

BS, Hamilton College
MSEd, University of Pennsylvania
Appointed: 2018

Territories: Santa Barbara & Ventura Counties

Vanessa Cruz Santana first arrived at Cate as a 9th-grade student from Santa Ana, California, through the A Better Chance program. A 2006 Cate graduate, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College and her master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania.

Vanessa began her career in admission at Cate in 2010 before moving to New York City to work in kindergarten-through-middle-school admission. She returned to Cate in 2018 and now serves as Director of Enrollment Operations and Financial Assistance, overseeing enrollment, re-enrollment, and financial assistance. Drawing on both her experience as a Cate student and her years in admission, Vanessa brings a thoughtful, student-centered perspective to helping families navigate the admission and enrollment process.

Vanessa values Cate’s commitment to holistic education and its vibrant community. She is a dorm parent, student advisor, and avid sports fan, especially baseball and football. She lives on the Mesa with her family.

Director of Admission

kyle_mason@cate.org / 805-684-4127 x331

BA, Boston College
Appointed: 2008

Territories: NC, SC, GA, KY, AL, TN, TX, OH, AZ, NV, NJ, Africa; CBO partnerships

Kyle Mason joined the Cate community in 2008. He graduated from Blair Academy, a boarding school in New Jersey, and went on to earn a degree in Communications and Education Policy from Boston College. His work in education and service has taken him around the world, with teaching experiences ranging from Newark, New Jersey, to communities in Africa and Asia. These experiences have shaped his perspective and continue to inform his work with students and families at Cate.

As Director of Admission, Kyle works with prospective students and families throughout the admission process and helps guide the Admission Office’s outreach and relationships with schools and communities. He also serves as an advisor and head coach of Cate’s track and field program.

Kyle’s commitment to independent school education extends beyond Cate. He serves as a trustee for Blair Academy and as a board member of the Western Boarding Schools Association Advisory Board and Gateway to Prep Schools.

Kyle lives on the Mesa with his wife, Carla, and their son, Cayey. Outside of school, he enjoys cars, gardening, grilling, water sports, and music.

Senior Associate Director of Admission
Director of Recruitment Strategy

tim_weir@cate.org / 805-684-4127 x218

BA, Montclair State University
Appointed: 2023

Territories: Bay Area/Northern California, Pacific Northwest, CO, UT, MT, ID, NE, New England (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT); Junior Boarding Schools

Tim Weir has been a dedicated educator since 1990, spending the past 27 years in boarding schools after a decade in day schools. He has served as Dean of Residence, Athletic Director, and Admission Director at schools on the East Coast, internationally, and on the West Coast. A passionate coach and educator, Tim is a two-time NEPSTA Coach of the Year and has coached multiple New England and CIF-SS track champions.

As Director of Recruitment Strategy, Tim helps shape where and how Cate connects with prospective families. He travels extensively throughout the year, builds relationships with school placement directors and educational consultants, and keeps a close eye on national trends. He uses enrollment and yield data to evaluate recruitment efforts and help determine where the Admission Team can build meaningful new connections.

Tim’s professional development includes programs at the Gardner Carney Leadership Institute, Stanley King Counseling Institute, and the Voyageur Outward Bound School. He has also presented on topics such as character education and progressive education at national conferences, including TABS, AISAP, and IECA.

Tim lives on the Mesa with his wife, Christina, who also works at Cate, and their chocolate lab. They’ve raised three boys on boarding school campuses, with their youngest graduating from Cate in 2025.

Associate Director of Admission
Director of Access and Engagement

joseph_cordero@cate.org / 805-684-4127

BA, San Diego State University
MA, San Diego State University
Appointed: 2022

Territories: NY, DC, MD, VA, San Diego, Orange County; Junior Boarding Schools; Community-Based Organizations

Joe Cordero brings more than a decade of experience in education to Cate, where he serves as Associate Director of Admission and Assistant Coach for the Boys Varsity Basketball team. Before joining Cate, Joe held a variety of student-centered roles, including Coordinator of Student Activities, Student Outreach Specialist, and Director of Enrollment and Retention, with a focus on supporting first-generation college students.

At Cate, Joe leads the Admission Office’s work with Community-Based Organizations, developing relationships with organizations that connect Cate with students who may not otherwise have access to independent school opportunities. He also brings his experience in outreach, mentorship, recruiting, and student support to the broader admission process, helping students see themselves as part of a community like Cate.

A longtime basketball coach, Joe has spent nearly a decade coaching at Cate and enjoys mentoring students on and off the court.

Born and raised in Santa Barbara, Joe lives in Ventura with his wife and children. In his free time, he enjoys public speaking, mentoring, and spending time with family.

Associate Director of Admission
Director of Events and Communications

carter_ford@cate.org / 805-684-4127

BFA, Savannah College of Art and Design
Appointed: 2022

Territories: Los Angeles region, Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Inland Empire, Malibu, Pasadena

Carter Ford joined the Cate community in 2022 and brings more than a decade of experience working in boarding schools. A boarding school graduate herself, Carter attended Blair Academy in New Jersey before earning a BFA in Advertising Design from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2013, with a focus on advertising, photography, social media, and communications.

At Cate, Carter leads communications and marketing for the Admission Office, shaping how Cate is introduced to prospective students and families across digital and print platforms. She manages the office’s online presence, develops outreach and promotional materials, and leads the planning and execution of admission events throughout the year. Carter also helps lead the campus visit program, creating opportunities for families to experience the Mesa and get a feel for the community firsthand.

Carter is also a Public Service Night leader and lives in 25 House, Cate’s ninth-grade female-identifying dorm, where she enjoys getting to know and supporting Cate’s newest boarding students. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her Bernese Mountain Dog, Darby, and her three cats, Juniper, Piggy, and Primrose.

Director of Admission Operations

lynn_dinning@cate.org / 805-684-4127 x217

Appointed: 2001

Lynn grew up in Carpinteria, where she attended Carpinteria High School, just down the road from Cate. She lived in Louisiana for a short time before returning to Carpinteria, where she raised her two sons, Ryder ’17 and Gage. On the weekends, you can find Lynn on the pickleball court.

Lynn manages the day-to-day operations that keep the Admission Office moving, from interview assignments and campus visits to admission events, receptions, and enrollment and re-enrollment contracts. She maintains Cate’s admissions database and statistics and is often one of the first people that prospective students and families connect with as they begin navigating the admissions process. Lynn also serves as Cate’s Principal Designated School Official (PDSO), overseeing I-20s for international students, and works with the Director of Financial Assistance and Enrollment on financial aid contracts.

Admission and Visit Program Coordinator

hayley_aguilar@cate.org / 805-684-4127 ext. 292

BA, Antioch University

Appointed: 2022

Hayley grew up in Carpinteria and graduated from Antioch University with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts. Hayley is often the first person to speak with prospective students and their families as she sets up campus visits and interviews and assists families through the application process.

Hayley leads Cate’s Campus Visit Program, helping create a welcoming and thoughtful introduction to life on the Mesa. She also coordinates the Rambassador Program, connecting visiting students with current Cate student ambassadors who can share an authentic perspective on the student experience—from classes and activities to the rhythms of everyday life in the community.

Hayley lives in Carpinteria with her husband, Joe, and their three children. They can be found on the weekends enjoying the waves at Rincon Beach.