Meet Our Team

A Durham Academy graduate herself, Katie Ryan Amick-Kantz is thrilled to be back on campus as the director of DA Summer. She holds a B.A. from UNC-Chapel Hill, as well as a master’s degree in Social Foundations of Education from the University of Virginia. All of her experiences — including 19 years in both U.S. and international schools — have provided her with the necessary skills to manage successful on- and off-campus initiatives, sports activities and summer programs. Outside of camp, Katie loves exploring the outdoors, learning new skills and supporting local sports teams. Katie is excited for the great summer to come!

Contact info: 919-489-3400 ext 6114, email

Read more about Katie Kantz

Nigel Cabral is a Southern California native who moved to Durham in 2020. For the past 15 years, Nigel has served the youth in his community through initiatives in the nonprofit sector. Specifically, he has reached out to these communities through athletic programs such as the Boys & Girls Club and multiple head coaching sports positions across the country. Nigel is currently the head coach for the Durham Academy women’s varsity basketball team and is excited to ensure all campers have a happy and productive summer!

Amber McCray received her B.A. in Accounting from Ashworth University and has also worked in multiple human resources positions in the manufacturing sector. She is overjoyed to join DA for another summer!

Kaitlyn Kushner is a 2022 graduate of Durham Academy currently studying Television, Radio, and Film at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. Kaitlyn has attended DA Summer as a camper, counselor, and now as a member of the administration team. She is so excited for the great summer ahead!

Ashleigh Wilson served as an athletics intern at Durham Academy in 2022–2023 and is a recent graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts in Sport Administration and Advertising/Public Relations. In the fall of 2023, Ashleigh will be attending Virginia Commonwealth University to work on a master's degree in Sport Leadership. Ashleigh is eager to see what the summer holds!

When not teaching math at Durham Academy Upper School, Jarrod Jenzano is the IT Coordinator and Registrar for DA Summer. He graduated from N.C. State University with an M.S. in Engineering and a B.S. in Physics from Carnegie Mellon University. Jarrod is eager for another season of camp at DA Summer.

Jay Dillon, originally from Maryland, is an athletic trainer at Durham Academy Upper School. He received his B.S. in Athletic Training from Towson University and an M.S. in Applied Health Physiology from Salisbury University. Jay is excited to ensure that this year at DA Summer is a fun and safe one!

Pat Ben-Israel teaches the CPR/AED Red Cross and Babysitting courses at DA Summer. She is originally from Greensboro, and this will be her third year working at DA Summer. She holds a bachelor's degree in Interpersonal Communication and a master's in Physiology from N.C. State University. She is thrilled to help facilitate safe and enriching experiences for campers this summer!

Libby Lang is delighted to return to DA Summer in the Camp Consult role. After graduating from Durham Academy, Libby received her B.A. from Elon University and her M.Ed. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During the academic year, Libby teaches at Durham Academy Lower School. Libby cannot wait to welcome campers to DA Summer!

A Charlotte Latin School graduate, Erika Kim is excited to join the Durham Academy Summer team for another summer! Erika graduated from Elon University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Education. During the school year, she works as a full-time Teaching Assistant at Durham Academy Lower School. Erika is excited for the fun to be had this summer!

A Durham Academy graduate himself, Costen Irons is thrilled to return to DA Summer as the Camp Evergreen Athletics Coordinator. After attending DA, Costen attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After receiving his B.A., he attended the University of North Carolina at Pembroke where he received his M.A.T. Costen can not wait for another summer of fun and outdoors!

Joanne Andrews and Glenn Green are eager to return to camp for this summer. Joanne previously taught art at DA Lower School, and she currently works on art projects in the Durham area. Joanne developed the art curriculum for DA Summer with a renewed focus on sustainability in our world.

Glenn, a DA alum, is studying at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is excited to put the art schedule in motion this summer as he oversees the program. Joanne and Glenn can not wait for the summer ahead!

When not teaching fourth grade at Durham Academy Lower School, Chris Mason enjoys spending time with the campers at Camp Evergreen. This summer, he is returning as both the Camp Evergreen Morning Coordinator and Wellness Coordinator. Chris earned his bachelor’s degree in U.S. History from Elon University and his master’s degree in literacy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Chris can not wait for a fun and mindful summer!

Tracy Riddle is thrilled to be joining DA Summer in both the Camp Evergreen Afternoon Coordinator and Sustainability Coordinator roles. Tracy received both her B.A. and M.Ed. from the University of Virginia. During the academic year, she teaches second-graders at the Durham Academy Lower School. Tracy can’t wait for a great summer!

A native of Tennessee, Makenzie (Mak) Pendergrass moved to Durham in October of 2022 to assist the Durham Academy varsity girls basketball team. In the 2022–2023 school year, Mak dove into many different roles at DA, including assisting the varsity softball team, subbing at Extended Day, and now joining the summer team as the Summits & Institutes Coordinator. Mak is excited to begin her new role as a part of the DA Summer Team in 2023!

Zoe Sinclair and Sassan Fahim are ecstatic to return to both Durham Academy and DA Summer this year. Both 2022 DA graduates, Zoe and Sassan are now coordinating the Fellow and CIT program at DA Summer. Zoe is studying at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Sassan is studying at the University of Richmond. Zoe and Sassan are so excited for the summer to come!

Diego is thrilled to return to DA Summer as Director of the Camp Store. After graduating from the Durham Academy Upper School in 2022, Diego joined the men’s soccer team at Vassar College in New York. This summer, Diego will oversee the hot lunch program and manage the camp store. Diego is so excited for the summer to begin!