The Vestry

Sarah Bayne (Senior Warden) After an extensive career in independent schools in which she served first as teacher and administrator, and then head of school in Silicon Valley, California for 15 years, Sarah became one of the five educator-founders of Avenues: The World School in New York City.  She holds a BA from Sarah Lawrence and MAs from Columbia in both history and education.

She is a lifelong Episcopalian. She became a member of St. Philip’s after settling in Garrison with her husband Gil Burke fourteen years ago. Her two sons live nearby. She currently also serves on the board of the Desmond Fish Library.  Sarah serves on the Executive Committee, the Music Committee, the Buildings and Grounds Committee, the Worship Committee, chairs the Nursery School Committee, and is a lay reader and chalicist. (Eligibility ends 2025)

warden@stphilipshighlands.org

Will Felder (Junior Warden) is a Director in the Leveraged Finance Origination Group at Credit Suisse, where he originates and structures corporate debt financings. Prior thereto, he was an infantry officer in the US Army in which he is still active as an officer in the Reserves. Will holds a BS from the US Military Academy at West Point and both an MBA and a JD from Emory University. He is a lifelong Episcopalian who has served on the Vestry at St. Alban's School in Washington as well as an acolyte, lector, usher and Sunday School teacher, among other things, at various churches throughout the years. Will and Kate have lived in Garrison for seven years and have been members of St. Philip's for five. Jane was the Rev. Geer's last baptism prior to his retirement. James will be baptized by the Rev. Eiman as soon as COVID protocols allow for an appropriately sized celebration of the occasion. He is the founder and Director of Tarjoman Relief, a non-profit focused on the evacuation and legal immigration to the U.S. of Afghan interpreters. He is a life member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the National Eagle Scout Association. He also mentors veterans transitioning from active duty to civilian life. (Eligibility ends 2028)

As someone passionate about building community, Kari Jo Cates has gravitated toward both professional and volunteer roles in which she can create environments for people to connect and grow together. Kari Jo holds a masters degree from City Seminary of New York. In her 26 years in NYC, she worked at Columbia University and Redeemer Presbyterian Church, most recently as the Director of Welcome and Engagement for Redeemer Downtown. She and her husband, Cory, raised their four children on the UWS and after a decade of vacationing in Garrison, moved part-time and then full-time to the Hudson Highlands. They have enjoyed becoming a part of the St. Phillip’s community, with Kari Jo serving with Children’s Chapel, Vacation Church Camp and serves on the board of the St. Philip’s Nursery School. (Eligibility ends 2028)

Jamie Copeland has served as the Clerk of the Vestry and most recently served as Co-Chair of the St. Philip’s Restoration Committee which completed upgrades to the Sanctuary, oversaw the installation of the new organ and the restoration of the Bell tower. Jamie currently rings the tower bells on Sunday mornings to remind us, especially in dark times, that Christ calls us to worship.

Other leadership roles have included: planning and construction supervision for a Hurricane relief project on the Island of Barbuda, a remote Health Clinic in the Andes Mountains of Bolivia and a High School in Malawi, Executive Committee Member for West Point Young Life, director of life planning retreats for high school freshman aboard the Lake Michigan Schooner INLAND SEAS and Trustee for the Garrison Yacht Club. Jamie is a member of the Garrison Volunteer Fire Department and has served as a Line Officer and three terms as their President. He is the Founder and current President at Hudson Design, Architecture & Construction Management DPC and enjoys mentoring young people in search of their God given gifts. (Eligibility ends 2030)

Charlie Dupree is a Vice Chairman of Investment Banking at J.P. Morgan. He graduated from Harvard University, where he was confirmed in the Episcopal Church, with a bachelor’s degree concentrating in American History and Literature and later the University of Virginia with an M.B.A. He served as a Line Officer in the U.S. Navy aboard a destroyer and a cruiser and served in the first Gulf War. He has lived in Garrison since 2001 and his three children who are now young adults attended the Garrison School. Charlie served as Treasurer of St. Philip’s Church from 2012 through 2018. (Eligibility ends 2030)

Margaret (Margy) Leahey-Gerber is a partner, with her husband Richard, in two rare and collectible books businesses. Originally from the Washington, DC area, Margy is a graduate of Trinity College in DC (A.B.),the University of Virginia (M.A.), and Johns Hopkins University (Ph.D.) She retired after a 25-year career in higher education. Margy’s two daughters and her granddaughter live in the Chicago area; her son lives in Charleston, SC.

In 1990, Margy was formally received into the Episcopal Church at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Burlington, VT, where she sang in the choir, was a subdeacon, and was elected to the Vestry. She also served on the boards of two diocesan-supported organizations. After her marriage to Richard, Margy moved to Lake Peekskill in 2007. She joined St. Philip’s, drawn by the church’s music, its welcoming community, and its history. A member of the Altar Guild, she has served as its head; she is also on the Worship & Music Committee. (Eligibility ends 2026)

Paul Kantor is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Fordham University. Since receiving his BA in Political Science and Economics at the University of Illinois and a Ph.D in Political Science at the University of Chicago, he has lectured, taught and conducted research on American and comparative politics at educational institutions here and abroad, and chaired the Political Science Department at Fordham University. He is author of many books and articles on the subject of urban policy and politics in North America and Western Europe. Paul served his discipline as John Marshall Distinguished Fulbright Professor, Fulbright Senior Specialist, President of the American Political Science Association’s Urban Politics section, and as member of many editorial boards.

Paul was born in Chicago and raised in the Roman Catholic faith. He began attending the Episcopal church when he settled in New York City. Paul married Anna Desmond in 1975, and they attended St. John’s Episcopal Church in Larchmont, New York for 35 years. They joined St. Philip’s Church in 2014 after moving to Cold Spring, and witnessed the baptism of their two granddaughters at St. Philip’s. (Eligibility ends 2025)

Frederick H. Osborn III grew up in Philadelphia, attended Princeton University but left in sophomore year and served an Army tour in Vietnam. Later he got a degree in economics at Colby College.

He worked in the Episcopal Church, administering Diocesan affairs for bishops in MA, ME, and CT. In 1985 he took a sabbatical and sailed with his wife Anne and their 3 children to Europe and back on their 44’ Sloop, “Easter.”  In 1987 they moved to the Osborn family estate, “Cat Rock,” in Garrison NY, from which Fred commuted to NY City, working at the National Episcopal Church in fundraising and investment management.  

Fred retired in 2006. In 2013 they sold the big house and moved to “The Cottage of Reduced Circumstances” on the grounds of the estate. He and Anne serve on several not-for-profit boards of directors. At St. Philip's, Fred serves on committees on Investment, Nursery School, Worship & Music, and Discernment. (Eligibility ends 2026)

Marilyn Bell Palefsky has been a resident of Garrison for 40+ years – where she and her husband, Jay, raised their two children, built their home, and started a family business.  Born and raised in Westchester, NY, Marilyn attended St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Peekskill, where her parents remained life-long members of the congregation.  After earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s in Education, Marilyn taught in the Lakeland School District for 22 years before leaving to complete her studies in administration and lead staff development in schools throughout Westchester and New York City. She joined her husband in launching his art business, opening Morphicism as their studio & shop in Beacon, NY.

Being an active member of the Garrison / Philipstown community is a key aspect of Marilyn's life. She served on the board of the Garrison Art Center, and co-chairs the Communications Committee and Strategic Planning Committee for the Philipstown Garden Club. Over the course of 38 years as a member of St. Philip's Church, Marilyn assisted in numerous Christmas pageants, became an active choir member, worked on the altar guild, and served on the vestry for 10 years, fulfilling the roles of Jr. Warden and Sr. Warden. After leaving her leadership position at St. Philip's, Marilyn served on the Garrison Union Free School Board for nine years. (Eligibility ends 2028)

Jennifer Sandlund has been a member of St. Philip's, along with her husband Chris, since 2001. Besides raising her two children, now college students, she has been a member of the altar guild for most of that time and has been a Sunday School teacher, and youth leader. Jennifer has a BFA in Communication Graphics from Texas Christian University and is a self-employed graphic designer and her graphic design services have been volunteered to various organizations in the community and to St. Philip's over the years. She is also a member of the advisory board for the Chapel Restoration in Cold Spring. (Eligibility ends 2024)

Charity Shumway St. Philip’s has been a warm and welcoming spiritual home for Charity, her husband Greg, and their three sons since they moved to Garrison full-time in 2020. Since becoming a parishioner, Charity has enjoyed singing with the choir and serving on the Worship & Music Committee. Outside of church, Charity also serves on the board of the Desmond Fish Public Library. She is the author of two novels, Bountiful (2020) and Ten Girls to Watch (2012), and has also worked in media and corporate giving, with stints at Glamour Magazine and the Goldman Sachs Foundation. She earned a BA in English from Harvard College and an MFA in creative writing from Oregon State University. A lover of gardens, Charity also earned a Certificate in Horticulture from the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. (Eligibility ends 2029)