Our Board of Directors

David Hurwitt, Chairman. David has worked for over thirty years in multi-industry, multi-national (US, UK & France) marketing and management with General Foods and Flagstar, and for seven years as a business consultant. Currently he runs a Renaissance Executive Forum in South western CT. David serves on the boards of Shakespeare On The Sound in Rowayton, and the Institute for Global Ethics in the US and the UK.  His interests include golf, photography, running, and traveling.

Cherie Lyeth Burton - Cherie is both a long time fund raiser and business executive. She has had the privilege of working for The New York Botanical Garden, Albion College, the University of Michigan, The Michigan Historical Society, The Washington Performing Arts Society, Artrain, and a couple of Presidential campaigns.  In the non-profit sector she currently serves on the Boards of Adventure Unlimited and Shakespeare on the Sound. In the for profit sector, she is on the Darien-Rowayton Bank board and chairman of a group of family-held companies. She is a life time sailor and avid reader, which she enjoys with her family, husband Bruce and daughter Gwen.

Chris Filmer - Chris was born in South Africa and lived there and in England until 1977 when he moved to Darien  Connecticut where  he still lives with his wife Sandra.  Now retired, he worked in marketing and management during his business career, with companies that include Pepsi Cola and General Foods. Apart for a passion for land conservation (Chris is a Trustee of the Darien Land Trust), he is an enthusiastic sportsman, amateur historian and painter. 

Judy Kirst-Kolkman - Judy has spent the past 16 years of her career investing in emerging markets. She is a founding partner of Developing World Markets, a social investment bank located in Darien, CT which provides funding to microfinance institutions in the developing world.  She is currently Treasurer of her local branch church and is involved with P.E.O. a philanthropic educational organization which supports women’s continuing education. When not attending her daughters’ sporting events, she also enjoys travel and biking and she is learning bridge.

Sharon Lauer, School Head.  Sharon has worked for over twenty years in independent school teaching and leadership.  Currently, she is serving her fifth year as head of The Unquowa School in Fairfield, CT.  Sharon has served on the boards of Pittsburgh Filmmakers, The International Poetry Forum, and On the Wing Children’s Theatre.  Sharon currently serves on the board of The Connecticut Association of Independent Schools.  Her interests include writing, gardening, travel and golf.

Nancy Romberg - Nancy has worked in the financial services industry for 25 years.  Since 2004, she has been an assistant vice-president and branch manager at Fairfield County Bank. Nancy is a student in the Connecticut School of Finance and Management, run by the Connecticut Bankers Association.  She has previously served on the Board of the Silver Hill Hospital Auxiliary and the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra.  She is a runner, a cook, a theater go-er and a music lover.  Her primary interests revolve around family and community.

Susie Salomon – Susie is a resident of Rowayton, CT. Prior to moving to Rowayton, she was a resident of New Canaan, CT. Susie has been an avid supporter of the arts, education and children in both communities, having served on the Boards of the New Canaan Library and the Center for Contemporary Printmaking in Norwalk, CT. Currently, she serves as the Director of the Gallery at the New Canaan Library and works with printmaking programs for at-risk teens at the Center for Contemporary Printmaking. Susie also serves on the Norwalk Land Trust’s Campaign for Farm Creek Preserve.

Debbie Steckler – Debbie makes her home in Norwalk, CT where she is the wife of CC Executive Director, Alan, and the mother of two teenage kids.  Her board service has included her church, the Institute for Global Ethics, and The Long Ridge School.  She spent most of her professional career working in the U.S. Congress.  Debbie's interests include bike-touring with her family, travel, reading, cooking--and keeping her dogs entertained.

Alan Steckler – Alan is the Executive Director and CC founder. He taught in elementary and secondary schools, both in the U.S. and in England, planning and leading football (soccer) and study tours overseas. Alan sits of the boards of CORO, a New York City-based civic leadership organization and the summer camps his two children attend. He loves to travel with his family, ski, and experience Broadway theatre.