The Executive Education Team

Rebecca Coyne is the Assistant Dean for Executive Education at Harvard Law School, where she works with faculty and an administrative team to develop leadership programs that serve law firm managing partners, emerging law firm leaders, and General Counsel from across the globe.

Originally from upstate New York, Rebecca spent a year after college working and traveling abroad and then moved to Boston where she began a career in executive education. Prior to joining Harvard Law School, she spent 10 years at Harvard Kennedy School, most recently as the Executive Director of Program and Technology for Executive Education. In addition, she has worked at numerous educational institutions including Harvard Business School, The Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), and Suffolk University.

Rebecca graduated from University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH with a dual degree in English and International Affairs. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, hiking, and reading.

Femke Vernooij is Associate Director of Program Development for Harvard Law School Executive Education (HLSEE). She joined HLSEE in May 2011 and has since supported the design and facilitation of custom leadership programs for law firm partners, in-house counsel, and associates, including the multi-module Milbank associates program.

Her career has taken her from the Netherlands to China and eventually to the US. Femke holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Behavior from the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam the Netherlands where she was born and raised. She has worked for consulting firms and as in-house specialist focusing on organizational and professional development, change management, and cross-cultural challenges. At HLSEE she has the perfect platform to continue to consult and support global clients and impact participants’ personal and professional growth by working with and learning from renowned Harvard faculty.

In her spare time, she enjoys going for bike rides with her family on her traditional Dutch balancing one child sitting on the front, another on the back and her cargo bags filled with essentials.

Jenna Clarke is the Assistant Director of Operations for Executive Education at Harvard Law School, where she works with the administrative team and program coordinators to ensure seamless delivery of both open enrollment and custom programs, crafting outstanding learning experiences for legal professionals globally.

Originally from Florida, Jenna’s career began in Boston after earning a BFA in Stage & Production Management from Emerson College. She quickly transitioned into operations and management roles at tech-driven start-ups and hospitality businesses. These experiences included spa and fitness outlets in 5-star hotels with Fairmont and Loews in Los Angeles, multi-unit commercial and residential hospitality in Boston’s Seaport and Financial District, as well as opening new spaces with both The Wing (a women’s co-working and community space) in Boston’s Back Bay and Aeronaut Brewing Company in Somerville. She uses this multi-faceted experience to optimize operations, enhance participant experiences and continuously improve our programs.

In her spare time, Jenna enjoys spending time with her partner watching Red Sox games at home with their cat or enjoying the outdoors. She also can be found meeting with her Brunch Club or hosting bar trivia around town.

Stephanie Gordon is the Assistant Director of Marketing for Executive Education where she is responsible for generating awareness of Harvard Law School Executive Education in the law community and driving enrollment to the programs.

Prior to joining HLS Executive Education, Stephanie spent 5 years as a marketing manager at Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education. Subsequently, she took a position at her alma mater, Babson College, where she worked in several marketing roles focused on undergraduate and graduate enrollment marketing.

Rachel Gordon is a Research Associate for Harvard Law School Executive Education (HLSEE). Prior to joining HLSEE in April 2017, Rachel spent over 10 years writing and developing curricular materials for the Harvard Business School (HBS) and the Global Health Education Learning Incubator (GHELI) at Harvard.

While at HBS Rachel worked with a variety of professors with a focus on healthcare and entrepreneurship. At GHELI she created classroom materials that explored and highlighted the impact of social determinants on health at both the individual and population levels. Before coming to Harvard University, Rachel worked in healthcare organizations that served the local Boston community as well as the international global community. She also spent a happy year at an award winning local cookie company helping companies send happiness through their corporate gifts.

Rachel has a B.A. from Brown University and an MBA from Simmons College School of Business. She shares her life with her husband, three boys, and a dog.

Over the past five years, Drew has been working as a Salesforce administrator and data analyst. He has previously worked for Belo Business Intel in Dallas and Thrive Scholar in Boston in those roles. Before transitioning into a focus on data management, Drew worked on a research project with the American Bar Association in Chicago analyzing the diversity within the American judicial system.

He is a proud Seton Hall and Loyola Chicago alumni, and proud New York Knicks fan.

Kara Atkinson is a Program Coordinator at Harvard Law School Executive Education where she works as part of a team planning and coordinating a variety of executive education programs.

Prior to joining HLSEE, Kara was a Senior Program Coordinator at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts and a Paralegal at the Law Offices of Iannella & Mummolo. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth with a BS in Crime & Justice Studies. As a Boston native, Kara has always been passionate about engaging in public service opportunities and following a career path in philanthropy.

She enjoys traveling, art, fashion, food, and being the creative designer and owner of a women’s luxury handbag brand in her free time.

Ian Davis is the Program Technology Specialist at Harvard Law School Executive Education. Ian is responsible for managing 150 Microsoft devices and integrating the technology into HLSEE’s open enrollment and custom programs. Outside of program technology, Ian utilizes the many Microsoft products to advance the program impact on participants as well as the office production.

Kenna is the Team Assistant for Harvard Law School Executive Education (HLSEE), where she supports the efforts of Program Coordinators and acts as a liaison between Scott Westfahl, the Director of Executive Education, and the EE team.

Wonderly Peralta is a Program Coordinator for Harvard Law School Executive Education (HLSEE) where she collaborates with her Program Coordinator colleagues to give exceptional program experiences to participants.

Prior to joining HLSEE, Wonderly spent more than 10 years in education as a middle school math teacher in rural and urban areas in California. At the end of May 2022, Wonderly graduated from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. While at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Wonderly served as Programming and Events Senator on the HGSE Student Council, facilitating live and virtual events for students and alumni. Wonderly is passionate about learning, technology, and event planning. Wonderly has an Ed. M in Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential from Fresno Pacific University, and a BS in Mathematics from Saint Mary’s College of California.

Wonderly enjoys being with friends and family, skateboarding, hot yoga, hot Pilates, traveling, and watching football, baseball, and basketball.

Melissa Robinson is the Financial Associate with Harvard Law School Executive Education. Melissa joined Executive Education in October 2010 to support financial management and program preparation and delivery.

Melissa also served as Administrative Coordinator with Harvard Law School’s Clinical Program from 1998-2004. Prior to joining Executive Education, Melissa held positions in the financial services area with M&T Bank, M&T Securities, HSBC Bank, and Fidelity Investments. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Niagara University in French Language and Literature, a Master of Arts degree in English from Harvard University’s Division of Continuing Education, and a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Accounting from Suffolk University’s Sawyer Business School.

Melissa is fluent in French. She is a Shakespeare enthusiast, having lived in Stratford-upon-Avon, England to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Shakespeare Studies at the Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham. Melissa continued her classical acting training with the Royal Shakespeare Company.  She loves the performing arts, running, and traveling to warm, sunny destinations.