Dynamic female leaders bring mission-driven perspectives for young women’s mental health 

In honor of Women’s History Month, The Charlton School is proud to announce the appointment of four visionary leaders to our Board of Trustees, marking a significant milestone in its mission to empower and support the mental health of young women. These dynamic professionals join TCS at a critical juncture, bringing a wealth of expertise in clinical education, public health advocacy, finance, and community-centered leadership. 

Dr. Jill Ensminger, PhD, RN

Jill Ensminger brings over two decades of clinical, administrative, and academic excellence to the Board of Trustees. Currently serving as the Director of the Master of Science in Nursing Education Program at Niagara University, Dr. Ensminger is a recognized leader in nursing pedagogy and curriculum alignment with national accreditation standards.

Her extensive leadership background includes serving as the Nursing Program Director at Siena College and as an Outpatient Clinical Educator for St. Peter’s Health Partners, where she has championed evidence-based practice and community health initiatives.

A dedicated scholar and community advocate, she holds a PhD in Public Health from Walden University and has been actively involved in numerous boards and volunteer organizations, including BirthNet, the Maternal and Early Childhood Foundation, and now, The Charlton School. Her deep expertise in healthcare education and her commitment to fostering inclusive, student-centered learning environments will be invaluable assets to The Charlton School’s strategic governance.

Lindsey Haraden, Mohawk Honda

Lindsey Haraden is the General Sales Manager at Mohawk Honda with nearly 13 years in the automotive industry. A Capital Region native and SUNY Oswego graduate, she began her career in hospitality before unexpectedly finding her passion in the car business.

Haraden is also a strong advocate for mental health and actively serves her community through organizations that uplift women and families. As an avid supporter of the Suicide Prevention Foundation and organizations that support Veterans and animals, she is known for rallying friends, family and co-workers around causes that get people involved and making a difference.

Lindsey is enthusiastic about supporting the mission and the students of The Charlton School and is eager to jump in and make connections to bring people to events on campus, as well as offering her unique insight and modern perspective for engaging a younger generation in philanthropy.    

Brandee Nelson, PE, LEED AP

Brandee Nelson brings over 25 years of civil and environmental engineering expertise to the Board of Trustees, specializing in sustainable infrastructure and community-centered design. As the leader of Tighe & Bond’s Land Use Business Line, she works with communities, organizations, and businesses to solve complex challenges in infrastructure and development, ranging from enhanced ADA accessibility to green infrastructure.

Nelson’s extensive professional portfolio includes the design and construction of parks and recreational facilities, municipal facilities, and public and private developments. Beyond her technical career, Brandee is a dedicated civic leader, having served for seven years as the Chair of the Town of Great Barrington Planning Board and contributing her expertise to the Lake Mansfield Improvement Task Force. Her proven ability to balance infrastructure needs with community wellness and environmental stewardship makes her a vital addition to The Charlton School’s Board as they expand support for young women through the implementation of its campus master plan. 

Margaret (Peg) Trench, Principal, Turning Point Solutions 

Margaret (Peg) Trench brings more than 25 years of senior-level expertise in risk management, regulatory compliance, and portfolio management to the Board of Trustees. As the Principal of Turning Point Solutions, an advisory practice focused on managing systemic risk, she leverages a career defined by leadership at the intersection of economics and finance. Recently retired as the Global Head of Scenario Analytics for Morgan Stanley, Peg was responsible for the firm’s macroeconomic stress tests and economic outlook. Her distinguished background includes senior roles with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and various major financial institutions, where she introduced groundbreaking innovations in portfolio risk management, macroeconomic scenario analysis, and climate risk. Peg’s deep understanding of complex systems and strategic risk will provide a steadying hand as we grow our programs and ensure a secure future for the young women we serve.

As an organization dedicated to fostering resilience and wellness, The Charlton School is thrilled to integrate the diverse perspectives of these four women—ranging from doctoral-level research in health services to hands-on experience in nursing and inclusive program development. Their collective commitment to service and excellence will strengthen the therapeutic learning community’s ability to provide a grounded, supportive environment for the next generation of women as they navigate their mental health journeys.

About The Charlton School
The Charlton School serves young women in grades 8-12, who are struggling with complex mental health challenges. We provide a highly structured approach to therapeutic services and campus life, while also offering students a hands-on, experiential New York State High School Curriculum. Our goal is to bolster their intellectual, social, and emotional well-being in a place where they feel seen and heard, while empowering them to become vibrant members of society.