Board of Directors

List of 8 members.

• 

  Ana Buraglia 

  Fernandez Pave the Way Foundation

  Executive Director non-profit

  Bio

  Born and raised in Miami, FL, I have spent summers on our family farm in Hendersonville since I was 10. In 2020, we decided to quarantine with our family in NC, and it quickly became clear that this was the place for us. We have loved living here and getting to know the Western North Carolina community. 
  
  

  Since 2006, I have served as the Executive Director of a non-profit Foundation, running daily operations and overseeing grant-making each year. Our mission is to help people create sustainable lives, with education at the heart of what we do. Personally and professionally, I am deeply committed to increasing equity in education. My work in the nonprofit sector has given me access to amazing people doing vital work in our communities, and it is an honor to support their efforts. 
  
  

  I look forward to participating on the Board at Hanger Hall, working together to achieve our collective goals in education as well as being a strong community partner. 
• 

  Katie Conner 

  Head of School
• 

  Ricardo Martinez 

  Bio

  Ricardo is originally from Spain and has lived in Asheville since 1996.
  
  

  He likes to travel, bike and camp; he and his wife have undertaken several home remodeling projects in the past years in their off time.
  
  

  Ricardo has served as an Asheville police officer for the past 25 years, and is currently a sergeant over the recruitment unit.
  
  

  His career in law enforcement has equipped him with a deep understanding of community service and public safety, which he hopes to bring forward as a member of the board of directors.  
  
  

  Ricardo is the father of a Hanger Hall student and wants to make a positive impact on our school by supporting the education and development of all of our students.

   
• 

  Hallie Veteto 

  Bio

  Wherever Hallies goes, she aim to optimize the systems around her and make things easier for those she works with. She is deeply invested in whatever environment she finds herself in, giving her full self to every task. Hallie thrives when trusted with responsibilities such as managing a team or communicating effectively with others.
  
  Hallie currently serves as a Sales and Marketing Associate for Bozzuto in Washington DC and is an alumna of Hanger Hall School.
• 

  Katie Langwell 

  French & Drama Teacher

  Bio

  Katie Langwell has been teaching drama and French at Hanger Hall since 2007 has one of the best jobs in the world.  

  
  

  Katie grew up in Atlanta and went to University of Richmond, VA where she double-majored in French and Theatre.  After working for a theatre company in Richmond, freelancing as script supervisor in film production, and sneaking off to France whenever she could, she decided to hop a train and head to New York City.  While there, Katie helped run a theatre company, worked for HBO, and performed in many plays.  She also directed, wrote and performed for an all-women sketch comedy group.

  
  

  In Katie’s French classes, students perform skits, sing songs, create magazines, go on strike, belt out the national anthem, taste new foods, create weather reports, hold fashion shows, and play games!  Katie believes that the more fun her students have, the more they will learn.  The material becomes more challenging as students progress and by the time they leave Hanger Hall, most are able to start in French 2 in high school.

  
  

  In Drama, Katie’s classes are great for unleashing energy.  Through games, skits and improvisation, Katie works with the girls on becoming more comfortable in front of a group.  The girls all have a chance to “perform” in class every week and there is usually a lot of laughter.

  
  

  Many years, Katie also directs a school play and everyone is invited to participate.  Rather than focusing on a show that may feature one or two students, Katie tries to create shows where everyone has a chance to shine, and students are introduced to the idea of working together to create a fun evening of theater.  
• 

  Derek Hoffman 

  Bio

  I'm a father, husband, and entrepreneur with over 17 years living in Asheville, NC. I'm a co-founder of a successful digital publishing venture, achieving top 50 website traffic rank honors in the U.S. Currently, I'm investing in innovative tech startups.

   

  Dedicated to community service, I've spent the past decade mentoring student-athletes through the UNC Asheville Leaders for Leaders program. I've also co-founded a non-profit supporting families of pediatric cancer patients and served on its board. I am also certified as a 200-hour yoga teacher, passionate about holistic well-being and personal growth.

   

  I hold a BA from the University of Michigan and have studied abroad at the University of Melbourne, Australia. I love spending time with my family, cooking, watching basketball, walking my dog, enjoying live music and traveling the world whenever possible
• 

  Sallie L Porter 

  Mission Community Anesthesia

  Nurse Anesthetist

  Bio

  Sallie joins the Hanger Hall Board of Directors as her youngest daughter, Anna, begins 6th grade at Hanger Hall. Her older daughter, Emily, is a Hanger Hall Alumna.

  
  

  Sallie recently served on the Hanger Hall Head of School Search Committee and has become increasingly interested in the benefits of single-gender education. She previously served as Vice President for the East Asheville Recreation Club during a period of great transition.

  
  

  Professionally, Sallie works as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist at Providence Anesthesia. She also serves on national anesthesia certification committees. 

  
  

  In her free time, she enjoys adventuring around the Asheville area with her family and dog Gus. Sallie also loves any opportunity to see live theater.

  
  

  As a member of the Hanger Hall Board of Directors, Sallie hopes to promote inclusivity, intellectual curiosity and social-emotional learning within the school community.

• Joel Puryear 

  Bio

  Joel moved to Asheville with his family in 2014 and has practiced psychiatric medicine here since then, working with clients ranging in age from 15 to 95.

   

  Outside of work, Joel enjoys cycling, camping, catching live theater with his family, and drumming, including playing in a local musical comedy improv group.

   

  Joel is the father of a Hanger Hall student and previously served on the board of Our Voice. He hopes to bring his clinical background and community experience to supporting the growth and wellbeing of every Hanger Hall student.