Do you want a #HeyBearcat feature on Instagram? The new communications director, Ms. Hope Cobera ’88 P’24, might be able to help. 

Last March, the school appointed Ms. Cobera as the new Chief Communications Officer. Her primary role is to facilitate official communication from the school with students, parents, faculty, staff, and alumni. She works on many outlets, including The Hotchkiss Magazine, the official school website, and school-affiliated social media platforms. Ms. Cobera succeeds Ms. Danielle Sinclair, the current Associate Director of Communications and former interim director of communications from 2018 to 2020.

The Communications department has become crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic because it handles all the information sent to parents and alumni. Ms. Cobera has been working on consistent update messages for the extended community. 

The school will also continue expanding upon live streaming sports and other important events once they resume. Ms. Cobera noted that she wanted to highlight the gems of daily life at school, in order to tell its complete story. She said, “Communications related to operating during the pandemic will be important, but we are also focused on ramping-up our presence on social media, developing a thoughtful content strategy, partnering with Admissions and Alumni & Development, and supporting the School’s strategic work in important areas, including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.”

Ms. Cobera also arrived eager to expand the Communications department and to partner with student clubs and organizations to help support students. She said, “I look forward to engaging with journalists from The Record and other student publications on [student] stories and seeking student input in certain areas. I think the student body could have an extremely helpful voice as we continue to develop and enhance our social media strategy.”

Prior to coming to the school, Ms. Cobera worked in corporate communications for over 20 years for companies such as Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA). She said, “[In my previous jobs,] I learned how to tell stories. I am excited to apply my skills in a different way [here] and take a turn in my career.”  

Ms. Cobera did not always imagine returning to the school. But ultimately, the opportunity to immerse herself with students, staff, and the school’s mission won her over. She said, “The opportunity to come back to Lakeville and re-experience Hotchkiss so many years after I graduated was significant for me. This is particularly true with respect to the culture, which I find to be very warm and encouraging. I think it’s important to remember that time spent here is not to be taken for granted.”

Dr. Merrilee Mardon, associate head of school and dean of faculty, said, “Ms. Cobera is a warm, hard working, and deeply talented leader of the communications team. She’s come to the school at a complex time, and she’s taken on every challenge with grace.”

Ms. Cobera is always open for suggestions and feedback at [email protected].