Vision & Legacy: Canterbury Strengthens Its Leadership with Four New Trustees

Canterbury has welcomed four accomplished alumni to its Board of Trustees, whose expertise and vision will help shape the future of the School for generations of Saints to come. Peter D. Kiernan III ’71, Neil Pryor ’85, William “Bill” Steers ’75, P ’04, ’09, ’24, ’27, and T. Alex Vetter Jr. ’89, P ’22 bring not only exceptional professional experience across business and nonprofit governance, but a deep understanding of Canterbury’s community, culture, and legacy.

Peter D. Kiernan III ’71

Peter is an award-winning, New York Times best-selling author with decades of leadership experience in business, higher education, and nonprofit governance. After a multi-decade career on Wall Street—including 18 years at Goldman Sachs—he transitioned to venture capital, entrepreneurship, and public service. A graduate of Williams College with an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, Peter has served on the boards of numerous colleges, universities, hospitals, and charitable organizations, including the Robin Hood Foundation and the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. As a Trustee, he says that his extensive experience in governance and long-range institutional planning will inform his approach in navigating the School’s future.

Neil Pryor ’85

Neil joins the Board of Trustees after having spent 23 years at PepsiCo, where he built and led teams throughout North America, Turkey, and Mexico. He is currently a venture partner leading the consumer platform at DUX Capital, an early-stage VC in Austin, Texas, and a member of the Commercial Advisory Board of Vorto.ai, an autonomous logistics provider. Neil earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Tufts University, a Juris Doctorate from Brooklyn Law School, and a Master of Arts in International Affairs from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. He brings a global perspective to the Board, along with extensive experience leading diverse teams and working across a wide range of cultures, perspectives, and constituencies.

William “Bill” Steers ’75, P ’04, ’09, ’24, ’27

A prominent figure in the insurance brokerage industry with more than 30 years of experience, Bill serves as a Managing Principal and National Financial Institutions Practice Leader at EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants. Under his leadership, EPIC’s Financial Services division has flourished, offering comprehensive insurance brokerage services catered to clients’ diverse needs. Beyond the office, he also serves as an Assistant Women’s Hockey Coach at Manhattanville University, mentoring the Division III players and seeking to foster a deep sense of camaraderie on the team. He is a second-generation alumnus and four-time Canterbury parent—three of his children are graduates and his youngest is a member of the Class of 2027—which offers him both a long-term and contemporary view of the needs and potential of the School.

T. Alex Vetter Jr. ’89, P ’22

From 2014 until earlier this year, Alex served as CEO of Cars Commerce (formerly Cars.com), one of the nation's leading automotive technology companies. One of the original members of Cars.com, he was pivotal in its growth and expansion, transforming Cars Commerce into a vertical SaaS platform and guiding the company through strategic acquisitions. Alex, a graduate of Providence College, is currently focused on investing in emerging technology companies and serving on corporate and nonprofit boards. As a Canterbury Trustee, he is passionate about helping future generations of students discover the same life-changing opportunities both he and his son found on the hilltop, particularly through faculty support and development.

Canterbury is delighted to welcome these seasoned leaders. "Our Board plays an essential role in stewarding Canterbury's mission and vision," said Head of School Caroline Blatti. "Already, our newest members have demonstrated the innovation, enthusiasm, generosity, and foresight necessary to guide the School into its next chapter."