Open House & Winter Market

Rob O’Dwyer heads the admissions and financial aid team for the 9 career training programs at NBSS. Stewardship of the reputation of the school through recruitment, honoring the mission, and connecting individuals and organizations with training and scholarship are primary responsibilities. Identifying potential, working with faculty and other stakeholders, and witnessing transformation are the rewards in the work. Work in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion as well as with military veterans has been especially rewarding. Rob has been at NBSS for 11 years, and the team has achieved record enrollments. Rob has a BA in History from SUNY Potsdam, and an MA in Teaching from Emmanuel College.

Sharon, born and raised in Bucks County, PA, came to NBSS in 2013 with more than 20 years of experience in independent school admissions at George School. She has also worked in fine craft and studio art at Sylvia Nicolas Stained Glass Studio in Mont Vernon, NH; Miler Lagos in Toronto; and New York and Oldham Porcelains in Lansdowne, PA. Sharon facilitates not only the admission process, but more importantly the drive, commitment, and mature readiness that candidates bring to their training at NBSS. She is passionate about helping initiate the pathway for students to become masters of their chosen craft and trade, in the spirit of the School’s founder Pauline Agassiz Shaw. Sharon received her BA in Fine Art from The University of Pennsylvania, with a focus on hand-built fine porcelain.

Jamie has helmed the Financial Aid Office since he joined NBSS in 2010. The intervening years have witnessed a growth in annual NBSS scholarship giving from nascent levels of less than $100,000 per year to nearly $1,000,000 per year today. Jamie has led the implementation of innovative financial aid programs at NBSS, including NBSS Pell Yes! and NBSS Yellow Ribbon scholarships. Additionally, in his roles as school SCO and SEVIS officer, Jamie provides crucial support to student veterans and international students respectively. He takes pride in providing personal attention to all students. Outside of work, Jamie makes pure Massachusetts maple syrup at his small maple farm in Chelmsford, MA.

Brittany brings more than 15 years of experience in arts education and arts administration, working with communities across schools, nonprofits, museums, and local government. She grew up in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and has also spent significant time living and working in New York City and Durham, North Carolina.

She holds a BFA in Photography from the School of Visual Arts and began her career as a teaching artist with the International Center of Photography, the Joan Mitchell Foundation, and the Dedalus Foundation. Her arts administration experience includes previous roles with the Nasher Museum of Art, Artspace, and Pullen Arts Center.

As Director of Community Education at North Bennet Street School, Brittany leads the development and delivery of a diverse range of Community Education classes and programs for adults, teens, and community partners. She is passionate about collaboration, hands-on experiential learning, and creating welcoming opportunities for people to explore new skills, build community, and discover the crafts and trades that make North Bennet Street School so special.

Bob is the Community Education Shop Manager, he provides technical and operational support for all Community Education programming. Bob is a 2011 graduate of the NBSS Cabinet & Furniture Making program. After graduation, Bob began working as an independent furniture maker. He returned to NBSS one day per week in 2014 as the Community Education Shop Technician. His position has grown alongside CE programming into his current full time role as Community Education Shop Manager. 

In addition to his work at NBSS, Bob also manages the Charlestown Furniture Makers, a community woodshop where 19 tenants share space and equipment. He also continues to work as a toolmaker and custom woodworker specializing in custom workbenches for private and institutional clients under Mass Woodworks.

Barbara has been with NBSS since 2017, and in 2026 moved to the Community Education department after 9 years on the Marketing team. She has a B.A. in Mass Communication and an M.A. in Museum Studies & Education, and has previously worked for museums, nonprofit organizations, design studios, camps, and outdoor education centers across the country. She heads up the Teen Craft & Trade Intensives and provides customer service and administrative support for adult classes, youth/teen/family experiences, and community partnerships.