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.

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 admission 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. 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. She lives on the Mesa with her husband, Richard McDonald, and is an avid reader, writer, and traveler.

Director of 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 admissions at Cate in 2010, then moved to New York City to work in kindergarten through middle school admissions before returning to Cate as Director of Financial Assistance in 2018. She values Cate’s commitment to holistic education and its vibrant community.

Vanessa is a dorm parent, student advisor, and avid sports fan, especially baseball and football. She lives on the Mesa with her family.

Director of Strategic Partnerships

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 and brings extensive experience in independent school admissions, along with a deep commitment to education and student development. A graduate of an East Coast boarding school, he went on to earn a degree in communications and education policy from Boston College. His passion for service and learning has taken him around the world, with teaching and educational experiences spanning from Newark, New Jersey, to communities in Africa and Thailand. Kyle’s global perspective, infectious enthusiasm, and unwavering positivity enrich the Cate community every day.

In addition to his work in admissions, Kyle is deeply engaged in campus life as an advisor and head coach of Cate’s track and field program. He also serves as a trustee for Blair Academy and as a board member for 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

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; Junior Boarding Schools

Tim Weir has been a dedicated educator since 1990, spending the past 25 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.

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

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; CBO partnerships

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 manages relationships with Community-Based Organizations and draws on his expertise in outreach, mentorship, recruiting, and student support. He is passionate about helping students discover opportunities, build confidence, and thrive both academically and personally. 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 children, Mila and Luca. In his free time, he enjoys public speaking, mentoring, and spending time with family.

 Associate Director of Admission, Admission 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 brings more than a decade of experience in admissions and marketing at boarding schools throughout New England to her work at Cate. 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, where she focused on social media strategy, photography, advertising, and communications.

At Cate, Carter serves as Associate Director of Admission, helping families navigate the admission process from inquiry through enrollment. She also coaches the JV Boys’ Tennis team and serves as dorm head in the 9th-grade female-identifying dorm. With a strong background in the boarding school world, she brings both expertise and genuine enthusiasm for building connections with students and families.

Originally from Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Carter has a soft spot for Chesapeake Bay blue crabs and Old Bay seasoning. She lives on the Mesa with her Bernese Mountain Dog, Darby, and three cats: Juniper, Piggy, and Primrose Everdeen.

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.

Lynn manages daily operations and maintains the admission database. Oftentimes, she is the first person from Cate to speak with prospective students and their families as she sets up campus visits or clarifies the application process. In addition, she supports enrollment and re-enrollment efforts. Lynn works in conjunction with the Director of Financial Assistance and Enrollment and the Director of Admission.

Assistant Office Associate

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

BA, Antioch University

Appointed: 2022

Hayley grew up in Carpinteria and went on to graduate 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 & interviews, and assists families through the application process. In addition, she supports Cate’s Tour Guide Program and Admission Events.

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