BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rebecca (Becky) Phillips, Board Chair
Becky joined the First State Montessori Academy Board of Directors in 2019. Her involvement with FSMA began on the planning committee for the school’s five-year celebration fundraiser, and she has since become an active advocate and proud parent of two FSMA students. Prior to her board service at FSMA, Becky spent five years on the Board of Directors for the Cancer Support Community of Delaware (CSCDE).
With more than a decade of experience in nonprofit business development, Becky’s passion for philanthropy influences both her professional pursuits and personal commitments. She is driven by the opportunity to build meaningful relationships and make a lasting impact in her community.
A Delaware native, Becky lives in Wilmington with her husband, their two children, and their dog, Clarke. Outside of her fundraising work, she enjoys trips to the shore, biking with her kids, and hosting gatherings for friends and family.
Matthew Bender, Vice Chair
Matthew Bender joined the FSMA Board in August 2023. During his career, Matthew has held leadership roles in financial services focusing on management, marketing, planning, and strategy. He also has extensive experience mobilizing corporate volunteer groups and leading charitable fundraising and outreach activities.
Matthew graduated cum laude with a BA degree in Economics and German from the University of New Hampshire. He also earned an MBA degree in Marketing and International Management from the William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Rochester.
Originally from New England, Matthew lived in several regions of the United States and overseas before relocating to Wilmington in 1999. Since his arrival, he has established roots in the community and embraces it as his adopted hometown. He and his wife are believers in the benefits of a Montessori education, and they are delighted their son – and the Wilmington community – can enjoy them at FSMA.
Lindsay Abraham
Lindsay was elected to the Board of Directors of First State Montessori Academy in December 2023. As a lifelong Delawarean, she was excited when FSMA opened, blending an authentic Montessori education into a public-school atmosphere in Wilmington. She was thrilled when her first child entered FSMA as a kindergartener in 2017.
Lindsay has a background in clinical laboratory science and received her Bachelor of Science from University of Delaware. She worked in clinical chemistry, hematology, and microbiology labs for Christiana Care, St Francis Hospital, and Astra Zeneca prior to supporting the NanoDrop product line for Thermo Fisher Scientific since 2011.
Lindsay lives in Wilmington with her husband and their three kids. She is a passionate community member serving on committees for her neighborhood, swim team, Delaware Art Museum, the North Brandywine Swim League, and FSMA PTO. She also volunteers on deck as a certified Stroke & Turn Official for USA Swimming. In her spare time, she enjoys being outside hiking, running, swimming with her kids, and reading on the beach.
Ryan Bucari
Ryan Bucari was elected to First State Montessori Academy Board in September of 2025, bringing a wealth of leadership and operational expertise to the board. With over a decade of experience in client services, strategic operations, and business analysis, Ryan enjoys leveraging that experience to help improve people, organizations and business processes.
Ryan’s career and devotion to places like CSC, Leadership Delaware, First State Montessori and Junior Achievement of Delaware allows him to help guide organizations through complex issues with solutions that focus on delivering exceptional experiences.
Whether it is in an office, a board room, a classroom or on the football field, Ryan believes in fostering environments where all people and children can thrive through curiosity, independence, and respect—values that align closely with the Montessori philosophy.
Outside of “work” Ryan enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 amazing kids. He loves cooking, Philly sports, politics, house projects, and anything outside.
Emily Burton
Bio coming soon.
Kristen Gideon
Kris is a passionate social good entrepreneur based in Wilmington, DE, holds a solid educational background in Biology. With expertise spanning entrepreneurship, nonprofit co-founding, and leadership encompassing workforce development, human resources, and strategic planning, Kristen has over seven years of experience in founding a local startup that has had a significant statewide community impact. Her extensive study of various learning styles fuels her enthusiasm for the Montessori approach. Serving as a board member, she aims to leverage her entrepreneurial experience to introduce fresh ideas and support the existing strategic plan.
Originally from New York, Kristen is proud to call Delaware home. She resides in Wilmington, DE, with her husband and two wonderful little boys, Malachi and Noah. Kristen enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. She and her husband share a true passion for traveling and believe it’s the best form of learning. They have made it a priority to travel to several new countries a year, and their two children have experienced world traveling since they were babies.
Aysha Gregory, Esq.
Aysha Gregory is a dedicated attorney and accomplished former Division I athlete whose career reflects exceptional discipline, leadership, and public service. She currently serves as a Senior Assistant County Attorney for New Castle County.
Born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware, Aysha is a proud graduate of Brandywine High School, where she excelled both academically and athletically. In recognition of her outstanding athletic achievements and contributions to the sport, Aysha was inducted into the Brandywine High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2023 and the Delaware Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2024.
Aysha is admitted to practice law in New Jersey, Delaware, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.
Beyond her legal work, Aysha is deeply involved in her community and professional organizations. She has served on the Board of Student Disabilities Advocate, Inc., and previously served as a Board Member of the Limen House, co-chairing the organization’s 2nd Annual Amethyst Ball Fundraiser. She was also a long-time volunteer with the Relay for Life of Wilmington, American Cancer Society, where she has held multiple leadership roles, including Sponsorship Chair and On-Site Activities Chair. Additionally, Aysha has been an active member of the Multicultural Lawyers and Judges Section of the Delaware State Bar Association, serving as Vice-Chair of Public Relations and Secretary.
Outside of her professional and community commitments, Aysha enjoys spending time with her family and friends, creating lasting memories together.
Karlin Larkin
Karlin Larkin joined the First State Montessori Academy Board of Directors in 2025, bringing a career that spans early childhood education, K–12 instruction, and large-scale organizational change. She is the Founder and Principal Consultant of Udall Consulting Services, where she partners with executives across healthcare, education, technology, and the public sector to translate complex data into clear stories, build leadership capability, and lead agile, people-centered transformations.
Karlin began her career supporting Early Head Start programs in the U.S. Virgin Islands before moving into the classroom as an educator in Baltimore City Public Schools. She later served in school and nonprofit administration and coaching roles, working alongside principals, instructional leaders, and cross-functional teams to strengthen teaching practice and organizational culture. These experiences shaped her humanistic approach to growing people, centering relationships, dignity, and voice, which now anchors her change management work and informs how she designs sustainable systems that help both adults and children thrive.
Beyond her professional work, Karlin is deeply engaged in community leadership. She is a member of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated, and has spent more than a decade volunteering with Braven as a leadership coach and mentor for emerging young professionals. Across these roles, she focuses on expanding opportunity, access, and belonging—seeing inclusion not just as a principle, but as the foundation for sustainable impact. A proud FSMA parent, Karlin enjoys live music, traveling, and celebrating her Caribbean heritage with her husband and their two children.
AliShah Watson
AliShah is a passionate advocate dedicated to the empowerment of underserved communities particularly in black and brown neighborhoods that are culturally deficient. She is the founder of Culture Restoration Project, Inc., a nonprofit based in Wilmington, Delaware that serves nearly 400 youth per year with in-school and out-of-school enrichment. AliShah has served as Executive Director since its inception and built an organization that is committed to providing culturally competent educational and arts-based programs and services to the community.
In addition to her work with Culture Restoration Project, AliShah is also the co-founder of Asaawa Consulting, LLC, a Wilmington-based company specializing in community-based cultural consulting and education. Leveraging her educational background in Africana Studies and Ethnic and Cultural Studies, she brings a wealth of knowledge to support community engagement and advocacy.
AliShah’s commitment to community service extends beyond her organizations. She previously served as an Advisory Board member for community outreach and engagement at the University of Delaware’s Africana Studies Department. Her expertise has been instrumental in developing curriculums and youth enrichment programs that prioritize self-understanding and healthy cultural norms as essential components of building thriving communities.
As a devoted wife and mother to two remarkable daughters, 6-year-old Orisha and 1-year-old Oyana, AliShah embodies family and community values. Her role as an educator, curriculum writer, and advocate reflects her unwavering dedication to cultural and social development.