Maura Byrnes

Soo Brown

Executive Director of the Foundation for Eastern Christian School

EC Start Date: 2021

Education: B.A. Environmental Studies & Sociology, St. Lawrence University
M.P.A. Nonprofit Management (pending), New York University, Wagner School of Public Service

Soo and her husband Dave have two daughters, Elyse and Kaelyn, both attending the EC elementary school. She joined Eastern Christian as Executive Director of the Foundation after taking a break from her previous role as the Executive Director and Head of U.S. Philanthropy at Morgan Stanley. Soo also has served in a variety of volunteer roles including on the leadership team at the Center for Faith and Work at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, on the Board of Trustees at the Korean American Community Foundation, on the Board of Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals, and as Founder and Ministry Co-leader of the Morgan Stanley Christian Network. Soo grew up in Norwood and her family now resides in Hawthorne.

Jessica LagerveldEC Graduate 2002

Human Resource Specialist & Assistant Secretary to the Board of Directors

EC Start Date: 2021

Education: William Paterson University

Jess and her husband Steve live in North Haledon, NJ with their two daughters, Janna and Kenleigh. Jess and Steve are both proud EC alumni, and their daughters attend the elementary school.They Lagerveld family also has a black Labrador named Memphis. Jess is passionate about supporting the Human Resources role at EC to further support the mission of Christian education. The Lagerveld family attends Rockpoint Community Church.

Ben SpoelstraEC Graduate 2007

Director of Technology

EC Start Date: 2018

Education: B.A. - History, William Paterson University
M.I. - Library & Information Science, Rutgers University

Christin Reinmuth

Foundation Office – Events Coordinator

EC Start Date: 2018

Education: B.S. - Child & Family Services, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Christin grew up in Suffern, NY, the middle child of three girls. As a kid she was always outdoors hiking or playing sports. She played softball and tennis throughout high school, and pitched at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga.

Her greatest love from the time she was little was Jesus! God gave her the gift of a Christian mom and grandma, and they instilled that loving relationship in her since before she can remember. Her relationship with God shaped and sustained her in everything she did in school and in sports. It has continued to be her number one passion as she and her husband minister together at All Souls Community Church in Suffern.

She has been married for 19 years to her best friend, Will, and they have three fantastic kids, Eva, Liam, and Noah, who are thrilled to be part of the EC community!

Justin Van DykeEC Graduate 2007

Visual Communications Coordinator / Data & Strategy Analyst

EC Start Date: 2004

Education: B.A. - Communications, William Paterson University

Justin started at Eastern Christian school as a preschool student and has not left. After graduating high school, he joined the EC staff and attended William Paterson University. He received a degree in Communications and worked on various projects at EC while working for several professional video companies and photography studios. He provides photo, video, graphic, audio and marketing expertise for the school. Both Justin and his wife Sara have a heart for serving others and are members of Emergence Church. They recently had a daughter and she can’t wait to be an Eagle!

Jeff BotbylEC Graduate

Director of Operations & Security

EC Start Date: 2014

One year after graduating from Eastern Christian School, Jeff was hired by the Passaic County Sheriff’s Dept. He found his passion in riding motorcycles and was assigned to the motorcycle unit for the majority of his career. After 26 years of service he retired as a Lieutenant and Master Instructor for Police Motorcycle Operation. Over the years Jeff remained involved at Eastern Christian coaching Softball, Soccer and Baseball. After his career in Law Enforcement he came back to EC and is now the Director of Operations and School Security. A great haircut sparked an interest in a beautician named Leida and since then their children are alumni of Eastern Christian. Ganelle (‘01), Matthew (‘12), Alyssa (‘17). School is not a place for students to feel afraid. So come to EC and have fun while learning. We are working very hard to create a safe learning environment for students, staff and visitors.

Suzanne KraaiEC Graduate 2005

Director of Enrollment

EC Start Date: 2010

Education: B.A. - Theatre, Baylor University
M.S. - Educational Administration, The University of Scranton

Suzanne is an energetic, creative, and organized team member at ECSA. In addition to being an EC alum, she has served in a variety of roles in her career at EC, including Humanities and CP English teacher, HS Musical Theater and Choral Director. After 7 years in the classroom she moved into Administration, first in Extended Learning, involving programs such as Before and After School Care and Clubs Pk-6th grade, Service Learning Pk-12th grade, Camps Pk-8th grade, Early College program development, and several cultural exchange and short-term international programs. Now she serves as the Enrollment Director.  She and her husband own a small business in Warwick, NY, and are proud parents to a young ECES student and toddler.

Suzanne met her husband in the hallways of ECHS upon transferring mid-way through HS; her heart and passion for serving this transformative institution, most recently through sharing EC’s story, identity and mission with potential and current EC families, is deep-seeded. With a passion for community engagement, she’s grateful for the opportunity to continue learning and growing as a member of the EC family, no matter what hat she’s wearing!