Meet The Advancement team

Caitlin Forsthoefel‘s path to advancement began at Bloomberg, where she realized she wanted her work to be more closely connected to mission and impact. That led her to philanthropy and CCS Fundraising, where she partnered with non-profit organizations on fundraising strategy and campaign initiatives. After gaining additional experience in project management consulting, she joined Miami Country Day School as Director of Philanthropy Operations and later served as Interim Director of Advancement. Caitlin currently serves as the Associate Director of Advancement. She helps lead the School’s fundraising efforts while providing strategic and operational direction across the Advancement program. Caitlin has a knack for bringing structure to complex initiatives and turning ideas into action. Her approach combines thoughtful relationship building, collaboration, and a clear focus on achieving ambitious goals.

Guillermo Arribas joined the Miami Country Day School community in 2025. He brings six years of experience supporting over $25 million in charitable donations across 8 nonprofits. He is responsible for the management and organization of major fundraising activities and hopes to apply his skills to support more sustainable, collective, and equitable practices. He is a graduate of New York University (BA Economics & BFA Drama) and is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Joury Bell’s fundraising career has centered on major gifts, donor cultivation, and relationship management. Before joining Miami Country Day School in 2026, he held fundraising roles at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Postal Museum and CCS Fundraising. In these roles, he supported multimillion-dollar capital campaigns and helped organizations strengthen donor engagement and philanthropic support. Originally from Colombia, Maryland, Joury earned both a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Maryland, College Park. His graduate studies focused on nonprofit management and leadership, international security, and economic policy.

Christine Chancy began her MCDS journey as a student in 2003 and is a proud Spartan alumna from the Class of 2008. After graduating from Mount Holyoke College in 2012, she returned to MCDS in 2014, where she served as Director of Alumni for 10 years. In 2024, Christine took on a new role of Philanthropic Engagement Officer and later Leadership Gifts Officer. She now serves as the school’s Alumni Giving Manager and focuses on building meaningful relationships with alumni and current families in support of Miami Country Day School’s capital campaign and leadership giving initiatives.

Rachel Culley has been a member of the Miami Country Day School community since 2023. She is also a proud MCDS parent. She has worked in independent schools for the last 16 years in numerous areas, including academic, college counseling, student life, and advancement. As the Advancement Services Coordinator, Rachel’s work includes gift processing and data management, and collaboration with colleagues across advancement and business operations. She brings a thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to her work, with a focus on accuracy, effective processes, and supporting positive donor relationships.

Nora Pardave, as Alumni Engagement Manager, is dedicated to helping MCDS alumni reconnect with the school and one another in meaningful ways. With more than 20 years of experience in education and philanthropy, she brings a passion for building lasting relationships and strengthening the MCDS alumni community. Nora holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science from Barry University. She and her husband are proud parents of a Middle School student at MCDS.

Sheryl Piper first served as Communications Director when she joined the original Development Office established in 1985. She has directed publications, marketing, and Annual Giving. Two years ago, her title and the name of the office transitioned to reflect the school’s Culture of Philanthropy. As Director of Philanthropy, Sheryl oversees all aspects of the Office of Philanthropy to maintain that the purpose and focus of philanthropy is to secure financial resources to fulfill the mission of the school and to fund the goals of the school’s strategic plan. Most recently that included support the Head of School and Board of Trustees in completing the school’s largest capital campaign in its history, the Campaign for the Arts. Thanks to many people, the goal of $16.5 million was realized and today students, teachers and the greater community, enjoy the gifts from many donors who made it possible. There are still opportunities to be a part of the Award Winning Center for the Arts by purchasing a seat in the John Davies Theater. For more information email or call Sheryl at pipers@miamicountryday.org or 305-779-7273. Sheryl is from Lubbock, Texas and graduated with a BS in Journalism from West Texas A&M University in 1983. She served on the Board for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, is a member of Miami Shores Rotary and the Women’s Relief Association. Sheryl is married to Mark, who works with Northwestern Mutual Finance Network. She enjoys yoga, tennis, reading, and writing. As an alumni parent of two daughters who attended Country Day for 13 years each, Sheryl has watched Miami Country Day transform into the community it is today.

Jada Samuel joins Miami Country Day School with nearly a decade of experience in independent school education. As a founding team member of two schools in New York City, she discovered a passion for the behind-the-scenes work that helps create meaningful experiences for students and families. She holds a Bachelors in Health Sciences from the University of Hartford and a Masters from Relay Graduate School of Education. She is excited to support the MCDS community and contribute to the work that helps the school and its students thrive.