Meet our Teams

List of 8 members.

• 

  Christina Broderick 

  Head of School

  Bio

  As Head of The Riviera Ridge School and a native Californian, Chris brings 28 years of independent and private school experience to our community. She holds a BA in Psychology from Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles and a M.S. Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Scranton. She is also an alumna from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, where graduated from the Conservatory Program in Musical Theater Performance. She went on to serve as the Director of Performing Arts at Turning Point School in Culver City, California, designing and implementing a new performing arts curriculum and after-school programming.  Chris was later appointed the Assistant Head of Middle School and Dean of Students at Parish Episcopal School in Dallas, Texas in 2007, serving more than 400 middle school students, and selected to serve on both the Diversity & Inclusion and Strategic Planning Steering Committees. After completing the NAIS/EE Ford  Fellowship for Aspiring Heads in 2011, Chris was quickly recruited to her first Headship at Notre Dame de Sion School in Kansas City, MO where she served for six years.  Before her arrival to The Riviera Ridge School in the summer of 2018, Chris also studied independent school finance at the Kellogg Institute of Northwestern University. In 2019, Chris was one of twenty Heads of School, internationally, to be selected for the  Klingenstein Center Head of School Fellowship at Columbia University. She is the proud wife of John, and mother to Cassidy and Jack who both attend Bishop Diego High School.
• 

  Andrea Torchin 

  Associate Head of School

  Bio

  Andrea joined The Riviera Ridge School in 2015 and brings with her over 25 years of teaching and administrative experience in elementary education and college levels. Andrea has a Bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia in Biology and Economics; a Master’s of Science from the University of Oregon in Marine Biology; a MEd from the University of California in Teaching and Learning; and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from California State University.  Andrea also holds a California Professional Clear Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and a Preliminary Administrator’s Credential.
  
  

  Andrea taught Kindergarten, 1st and 4th grade in the Santa Barbara School District and 4th grade and Beginning Spanish (K-5th) at Balboa Academy, an international independent school in Panama. In her 4th year at Balboa Academy, Andrea became the Director of Teaching and Learning (Preschool - 12th) guiding curriculum alignment, professional development, and accreditation and the Preschool and Elementary Principal. Prior to moving to Panama, she worked as a lecturer and supervisor of student teachers at UCSB. Andrea enjoys spending time with her family: Mark who is a staff scientist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama and adjunct research biologist at UCSB, and Erik, student at the University of California, Santa Barbara and Alex, student at Santa Barbara City College. They enjoy traveling, hiking, biking, cooking, and spending time on the beach.

  
  
  
• 

  Molly Seguel 

  Director of Admission & High School Placement

  Bio

  Molly Seguel has worked in education for twenty years in California and abroad. She graduated from Georgetown University with a BA in psychology and played volleyball for the Hoyas. She has an active role in the Alumni Admissions Program and interviews local students applying to Georgetown. Molly has worked at the American School of Madrid and San Domenico in San Anselmo, CA, both K-12 independent schools.  In 2009, Molly returned to Santa Barbara with her Chilean husband, Hector, to be closer to family. Molly and Hector are proud to be raising two Marymount/The Riviera Ridge School 'lifers’.  Molly is an alum of the Katherine Harvey Fellows, and on the Board at Storyteller Children’s Center. 
• 

  Drea Dowdy 

  Director of Athletics, Operations & Auxiliary Programs

  Bio

  Drea Dowdy came to work at The Riviera Ridge School’s Middle School and Athletic department in the fall of 2017, and in 2018, Drea was named The Riviera Ridge School’s Athletic Director overseeing our 4th-8th grade athletic program. Originally from Santa Barbara, Drea received a BA in Philosophy from the University of Virginia while attending on a full volleyball scholarship. After graduation, Drea was the Associate Head Volleyball Coach at Division 1 University Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Drea then began her career in education teaching 3rd-8th grade Physical Education and overseeing the volleyball program at The Steward School, an independent school in Richmond, VA. While in Virginia, Drea also worked for the Richmond Volleyball Club overseeing all of their developmental youth and outreach programs with over 650 athletes. She enjoys spending time with her husband Brian, and two daughters, Ashton and Kendall. 
• 

  Jaime Nelson 

  Director of Communications and PR

  Bio

  Jaime leads The Riviera Ridge School’s communication department, managing our learning management systems, and overseeing the development of our brand and marketing initiatives.  With a BA in Organizational Communications, a minor in Human Resource Management and an MA in Education, Jaime began her career as a Marketing Specialist prior to her work in education. Over the past nine years, Jaime has served in many capacities within Admissions and Marketing at The Riviera Ridge School. Jaime is a skilled writer, copy editor and webmaster.  As a member of the Administrative team, she continues working side by side with the Admissions office as well as supporting our important PR initiatives. Jaime and her husband, Jason, have two children and enjoy spending time together outdoors in beautiful Santa Barbara.
• 

  Dr. Mario Bucio 

  Director of Student Wellness & DEI Programs

  Bio

  Dr. Bucio’s new role at The Riviera Ridge School has been created to further develop the SEL and Advisory student programs, and the professional development programs for our faculty to have the best opportunity for success in and out of the classroom. In his new role, he will serve on the Administrative team, supervise and train the newly hired counselor, develop and oversee parent education programs, and work closely with the Divisional leaders and Learning Specialist to develop and enhance the learning experience for every student. For the past decade, Dr. Bucio has been supporting and working with students across grade levels, from preschool to high school, throughout both public and private schools in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles Counties. He earned a BA in Psychology, Master’s degree in Social Work, and completed his Doctorate in Education at UCSB, where he specialized in applying evidence-based research for social skills and self-regulation with underserved minority communities.
• 

  Andrea McFarling 

  Director of Development

  Bio

  Since entering the field of fundraising as a student at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), Andrea McFarling has accumulated more than 25 years of experience in development. Armed with a B.A. in Social Science and a minor in Management from UCI, Andrea’s fundraising experience encompasses over 15 years in educational settings in addition to having worked with social services organizations and medical research foundations, as well as on political campaigns.  Prior to joining The Riviera Ridge School in 2005, Andrea spent more than 7 years as the Financial Development Director for the Santa Barbara Family YMCA. She is a Past President of the Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Andrea and her husband Doug are parents to two Marymount graduates, Drewes '15 and Kellmer '19.
• 

  Beth Brown 

  Director of Finance and Human Resources

  Bio

  Beth has served in the role of Business Manager of The Riviera Ridge School for over 10 years. With additional staff being added to her team over the past few years as well as serving a community of over 50 employees, Beth will continue to oversee the business and finance department as well as coordinating all human resources needs for The Riviera Ridge School. Beth has over 20 years’ experience working in finance and education combined and we are thrilled to see her be able to grow with our school.