Dan Brenner, Executive Director

Dan Brenner, PhD, earned a Bachelor's Degree in psychology from Tufts University and a Master's Degree and Ph.D. in School/Clinical Psychology from Hofstra University. Dan's career started first as a school psychologist and   then principal in the Great Neck, New York Public Schools. He later became the high school principal in Yorktown,   New York, and an Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology in the Roslyn, New York   Public Schools. Dan spent 8 years as the Superintendent of Schools in Roslyn and moved on to become the   Superintendent of Schools in Darien, Connecticut in 2015.

The driving force in his career is his philosophy of putting the needs of students first. Dan's belief system is that   schools should be rigorous places of learning that inspire curiosity among its students never losing sight of the   simple fact that rigor and fun can coexist as partners in the learning process.

Michael Feeney, Chief Financial Officer

Michael Feeney holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Maine, a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Western Kentucky University and is certified by the State of Connecticut in School Business Management.

Michael brings to the position more than 21 years’ experience managing diverse municipalities and operations of public boards of education in Fairfield County Connecticut.   Prior to being named Chief Financial Officer for UNIS in 2019, Michael was the Director of Finance and Operations for the Darien Public School System in Darien, Connecticut, responsible for finances, information technology, food service, facilities and transportation. 

He began his career serving the Town of Stratford Connecticut as the Town Manager.  In 2007, Michael served as the Chief Administrative Officer and later Chief Financial Officer for Bridgeport, Connecticut, the State’s largest municipality, fifth largest in New England.   In that capacity he oversaw more than 1,300 employees and 1 billion dollars in operating, capital and pension assets.  After, he returned to the Town of Stratford as the Chief Operating Officer for the Board of Education.  

Jennifer Amos, Chief Academic Officer

 Jennifer Amos joins the UNIS team with a heart for helping students to develop as critical and creative thinkers who set and achieve     high goals.  She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Administration with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction from the State   University of New York at Buffalo. She also holds degrees from Houghton College (B.A.) and New York State University at Albany   (M.S.)  A certified Reading teacher, she began her career as an English teacher and has extensive administrative experience in primary,   secondary, and higher education.

 Previous to joining the UNIS team, Jennifer served as High School Principal in the South Orangetown Central School District at   Tappan Zee High School and as a PreK-12 Curriculum Coordinator and Middle/High School Principal in western New York.  In these   capacities, Jennifer has led strong instructional teams that work from a core value of doing what is best for students.  Through this   lens, she has been a part of shaping sustainable systems that resulted in steering students toward setting and achieving high goals in   their academic pursuits and beyond.

Debora Belfield, Director of Human Resources

Debora Belfield holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from William Paterson University, a Master of Arts Degree from Caldwell University in Educational Leadership and is currently enrolled in a doctorate program at Nebraska Methodist College for Educational Leadership and Healthcare.

Debora brings to the position more than 22 years of experience managing the multifaceted functions of human resources in an educational environment. Her administrative experience consists of a variety of Human Resources skills giving her a diverse background in both urban and suburban public school districts. Debora started her career in education taking on many roles within the Business Department for public schools before moving into her career as an HR professional. She started as an Assistant Director of Human Resources and later became Director of Human Resources/Affirmative Action Officer; a role she held in New Jersey public schools for the past 15 years.

Debora takes pride in her humanistic approach to the profession of human resources and is most fulfilled by helping others be the best version of themselves. Through caring collaboration and open communications, Debora believes that we can shape a better world!

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