The Will J. Hancock Unsung Hero Award is given to business officers who have made extraordinary contributions to their schools and exemplify exceptional integrity, knowledge and motivation. At the end of each school year, new Unsung Heroes receive their award from their head of school, often at a significant school occasion such as a board meeting or an all-school ceremony. What makes these Unsung Heroes so special? The highlights below come straight from their colleagues' nominations.
See a full list of the 2025 recipients. Stay tuned throughout the summer for additional profiles.
Title: Assistant Head of School for Operations & CFO
School: Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts
Superpower: Policy Pro: Alonso collaborated with the finance committee to develop and secure approval for a new endowment payout policy. Andover now has a fully updated, disciplined and strategic approach to determining annual endowment spending. This milestone followed a year of rigorous analysis and deliberation — work that “would not have been possible without Alonso’s full engagement in the process,” said nominator Diane Domenech-Burgos, assistant head for strategic planning.
Project visionary: Alonso was part of the committee responsible for the school’s latest building project, the Falls Music Center, from “inception to planning to completion.” His financial expertise and project management skills ensure the construction came in on budget at a time of escalating construction costs.
No-How: Part of every business officer’s job is knowing how to say “no” to non-mission aligned initiatives in a way that builds understanding, and Alonso excels in this area. “He is always a good listener and a thoughtful partner … remaining respectful, honest and empathetic” during difficult conversations, said Domenech-Burgos.
Both Sides Now: Alonso brings both objectivity and empathy to the work. “He is analytical, logical and a whiz at numbers. He is also caring, respectful, honest, empathetic and completes his work with integrity,” wrote his nominator. He has also worked on both the academic and operations sides of the school. He previously served as a mathematics teacher, house counselor and programs leader. Currently, in addition to overseeing finances, he oversees operations, which include facilities, technology and safety and security.
