Camp Onaway Leadership
Meet our Director
Barrie Pendergast is the Director of Camp Onaway. She found a home away from home as an Onaway camper during the summer of 1982 and returned for many summers as both a camper and counselor.
A graduate of Bates College and University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Barrie holds a B.A. and M.A. of Art History. Her time as an Onaway counselor paved the way for a career in education, both in teaching and administration. For seventeen years, Barrie worked at The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, PA where she started as a teacher of mathematics and art history. Barrie also served as Class Dean and Dean of Students, and in her last three years, she served as Upper School Academic Dean and Associate Head of Upper School.
Her love of Onaway and belief in the mission of the camp guide her in her role as Director. She is the proud mother of Abby, an Onaway camper, aide, and counselor, and William. When not at camp, she lives in Wyomissing, PA with her son, and goldendoodles, Georgie and Max!
KEVIN
MAX
Beth Beckman
Director of Admin and Operations
GEORGIE
Beth’s voice is probably the first you will hear when contacting Camp Onaway. Although her voice is small she’s in charge of big tasks at Onaway. She wears many hats, from camper registration, counselor human resources, bookkeeping, publications, and website upkeep.
Her home base is in Pennsylvania with her growing family, where she manages the Onaway office year-round, but you can also find Beth at camp during the summer, supporting the camp office and enjoying the girls. Her passion for health and wellness is rooted in her degree in kinesiology from Penn State University. She continues to practice wellness in her everyday life through exercise, healthy eating habits, and coaching gymnastics.
Alisha Saini
Assistant Camp Director
Dave Finnell
Onaway Property Manager
Mr. Dave joined the Onaway staff as Property Manager in 2023. Hailing from Atlanta, he began his career as an electrician and then a carpenter. He was a self-employed builder in the Newfound area for fifteen years before joining the Onaway team.
When he is not busy caring for Onaway’s infrastructure, 90 buildings, and fleets of boats and vehicles, Mr. Dave enjoys hiking, paddleboarding, rock climbing, ice fishing, and snowboarding.
Brooke Bulkeley Peterson
Director of Advancement
Alisha has been affiliated with Onaway since 2002, where she spent her first summer as a Birch! Since then, she continued to be a part of the Onaway community- finishing her camper summers in 2006, and then after being and Aide and Counselor, helped to run the OWLES Program from 2015-2018. In 2022, she returned to camp in a Mental Health Counselor position and since has served as the Assistant Director.
Alisha earned her LMHC in 2022, and in the off season, in addition to working for camp, works as a School Counselor for a Middle School in Chelsea, MA. Alisha lives in Boston, MA with her husband Brian and her dog, Kevin. They are expecting their first child in December and very excited for the upcoming adventure ahead!
Brooke is responsible for alumnae activities, communications, fundraising, and events. As the daughter of a former Onaway counselor and a Pasquaney long-time waterfront director, she grew up spending her summers on Newfound Lake before attending Onaway in the 1980s and 90s. Returning to camp in this new role in 2026 feels like a homecoming. Brooke's daughter Greta is an Ona Alumna and counselor, and her son Will was a Pasquaney camper.
In the off-season, she lives with her husband Erik in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She is a former English teacher, Middle School Head, and Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning in independent schools. And in her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, kayaking, and traveling to see her family. She is passionate about fighting food insecurity in her hometown.
Camp Onaway Counselors
“Someday I’ll be old enough to be a counselor too.” This refrain can be heard as the camp sings Manana, a favorite camp song. Many of our counselors are former campers, OWLES or aides from Onaway, adding strength and stability to the Camp. They have completed at least one year of college and received special training through various certification programs. Counselors are chosen for their mastery in certain areas and for their loyalty and belief in upholding the camp ideals.
-kristensycamorephotography_onaway202573-EditOnawayforMeg.jpg)
-kristensycamorephotography_ONAWAY202459-Edit.jpg)
Camp Onaway Board of Trustees
The board, comprised of dedicated alumnae, parents and past parents, are entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining the traditions and values of Onaway for generations to come. They do this by employing a director who is capable of such quality of leadership, providing for the financial security of the camp and the maintenance of the property. The Board meets three times annually including one meeting in August where they witness camp in action. They have a deep love of Onaway and enjoy their time working together, both at camp and from a distance.
Current Board of Trustee List
Cathy Sanford, Co-President
Tara Bahn, Co-President
Jenn Blessing Popp, Treasurer
Jen Smith Farb, Assistant Treasurer
Lisa White Pelikan, Secretary
Kathryn Sulloway Adams
Lou Berl
Lydia Romano Barhight
Sarah Crane
Edward Fierros
Ally Hurdman
Fred Jackson
Natacha Julien
Lucy Mahaffey
Sarah Mudge
Peter O’Reilly
Susan Dietz Ramquist
Koor0sh Talieh
Gillian Van Schaick
Sam Walsh
Special Trustees:
Mary Crane
Kay Francis Graff
Janes B. Vose
Our Vision
The Onaway Board of Trustees is committed to enabling each camper to develop her best self, individually and as part of the Onaway community, guided by Onaway’s values and traditions.
-
We are committed to sustaining a seven-week summer session for a diverse group of about 90 girls.
-
We are committed to a program that offers each girl challenging, creative, and fun opportunities to grow and explore.
-
We are committed to stewarding the treasure that is Onaway – its mission, foundation, supportive environment, natural surroundings, and simple structures.
-
We are committed, individually and collectively, to securing the financial resources to advance the mission and support the programs of Camp Onaway.
-
We are committed to helping our alumnae—Onaway’s living legacy in the world— to stay connected to each other and to camp. We will offer opportunities to give back in time, talent, and resources.
-
We are committed to supporting the Onaway Council before, during, and after their counselor experience through training, competitive salaries, mentoring, and networking.
-
We are committed to hiring, supporting, and empowering the Director to carry out the mission of the camp and to hire and retain staff and counselors who embody the spirit of Onaway.