Ellen M. Yarborough
Director of Academics

Before joining the Institute, Ellen taught high school level Social Studies in schools in Pennsylvania, Colorado, and Idaho for nine years, taught Economics at the college level for two years, and served as an Academic Dean at a private school for three years.

Ellen earned both a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Science in Education from the University of Pennsylvania. She has completed additional coursework at the University of Colorado and Harvard University.

Katie Jochum
Executive Director of SFYI-USA

Katie’s communication skills, exuberant personality and commitment to the work we do with children ideally suit her for this role. Her experience owning her own marketing agency to serving families and children in a variety of boarding schools gives her a unique perspective from which to serve families. Katie holds a degree in Business/Marketing from Idaho State University.

Nicole Fons, Psy.D., MFT
Founder and Executive Director of SFYI-France

Born and raised in the South of France, Nicole graduated from the University of Aix en Provence with a degree in Economics. She holds both a Masters Degree and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University and Ryokan College respectively. Her dissertation was a study on loss, grief and bereavement with adolescents who had lost a parent during childhood.

Prior to starting SFYI, Nicole worked for more than ten years as a therapist in private practice and in conjunction with six boarding schools in Southern California. Her passions for young people and for cross-cultural learning led to the creation of this remarkable program.

In addition to nurturing SFYI in a very hands-on manner, Nicole has also nurtured her own sons to healthy, confident young-adulthood. She is also passionate about hiking, running, film, and yoga—passions she loves to share with interested SFYI students.