Cory Hardie Ritchie ‘92, P’20 Gives So CRMS Can Thrive

As a graduate, an alumni parent, and a trustee, Cory Hardie Ritchie has seen firsthand the impact CRMS’s people and programs have made on her and her daughter Fiona ‘20. “I gained a different perspective as a parent. Every time I visited I got a two-fer of nostalgia for my own experience and delight in seeing my daughter grow and thrive.”

Growing up in Sacramento, Cory learned philanthropy at home. She watched her mom volunteer at an orphanage and saw her family’s business support the local community. At CRMS she saw service in action with household jobs, work crews, and Scholarship Work Day. She learned how to pitch in and be a team player. While a student at CRMS, A.O. Forbes ‘69 also taught Cory how to see what was going on in the world and find a solution by taking action.

This foundation led Cory to a life-long pursuit to leave things better than she found them  through her sweat equity and financial support. In college, she volunteered with environmental organizations, was a youth mentor with Big Buddies, and was an officer of the UC Davis Ski Team while leading them to Nationals three times. As a parent, her philanthropy was more hands-on, coaching youth soccer Girls on the Run. 

Today, Cory is an active supporter of environmental causes, bilingual education, and equal access to youth sports at Lake Tahoe. She’s a non-profit entrepreneur of sorts, having been involved in the start-up of the local Spanish immersion school and creating the South Lake Tahoe chapter of Girls on the Run where she was twice volunteer of the year. She is a founding board member of the environmental nonprofit, the Tahoe Fund, and served as board chair. And speaking of sweat equity, Cory and her husband, Ryan, recently worked a day with Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers to help rehabilitate the Aspen Valley Land Trust’s Coffman Ranch.

When it comes to CRMS, Cory is a passionate advocate for the school and its programs.

“The CRMS experience is transformative. Every student who experiences CRMS leaves changed, but not molded. Students are given the opportunity, encouragement, and support to explore who they are and to become a better, more confident version of themselves.”

She adds, “From charting a course through the wilderness to exploring existentialism in the classroom, we CRMSers discovered we can succeed at new and hard things. I carried that into my family, my work, and my community. I give to CRMS out of gratitude for that experience.”

To that end, Cory has made significant philanthropic contributions to support key CRMS initiatives. She also volunteers her time as a CRMS trustee. In this role, she provides strategic guidance and oversight, always keeping the school’s long-term sustainability top of mind.

“Cory is the embodiment of a devoted alumna and parent,” says Head of School Jeff Leahy. “Her unwavering commitment to CRMS is truly inspirational. We are incredibly grateful for her steadfast support and vision for the school’s future.”

Indeed, Cory’s passion for CRMS is palpable. She speaks with pride about the school’s unique offerings, from its renowned Wilderness Program to its emphasis on environmental stewardship. She is excited about the school’s plans for the future, including facility upgrades and the expansion of key academic and extracurricular initiatives.