Meet the Development Office

Will Layman
Director of Development

Ali Bratun
Assistant Director of Development

Kristina Ottomanelli
Development Associate

The WES Development Office is a bee hive of activity, 12 months of the year. The capstones of our mission are the Annual Fund Campaign in the fall and the Auction Gala in early spring, each one raising funds that are critical to the WES mission each year. In addition, the team fosters community in many ways:

• Coordinating events such as the Welcome Back Party and the Auction Gala
• Fostering relationships with WES alumni and past faculty through reunions and virtual outreach
• Fostering relationships with our wonderful WES grandparents, including coordinating our Grandparents and Special Friends Day
• Working closely with the Parents Association
• Publishing The WES Magazine and our annual report on philanthropy
• Running the Dragon’s Den, our school store

Will is new in 2021, coming to WES from the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and two decades of experience at The Field School in education, advancement, and administration. Ali joined the WES staff in 2007, is a proud parent of two WES graduates (2009 and 2010), and held volunteer leadership positions at WES. Kristina is a native Washingtonian and has two young boys. Together, their creativity and experience intersect to guide the WES community though an exciting school year.