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Pine Crest School Receives Seven-Figure Gift to Expand Entrepreneurship Programming
March 5th 2026
Pine Crest School is proud to announce that Gisela and Emiliano Fernandez Balagué have made a seven-figure leadership gift to advance entrepreneurship education across the School.
This significant investment will support the continued growth of Pine Crest’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, which empowers students from Lower School through Upper School to think creatively, develop real-world solutions and transform ideas into action. Through hands-on learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and venture-based experiences, students gain the skills and confidence to lead in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
The Fernandez Balagué family’s decision to support entrepreneurship is deeply personal. As an international family with a global perspective shaped by diverse experiences, they have spoken openly about the profound impact Pine Crest has had on their family.
“For our family, Pine Crest represents an environment of care, values and opportunities that many of us did not have growing up,” they shared. “It truly moves us to know that our children, and so many others, have the chance to learn and grow in a place where they are supported, heard, and encouraged to become the best version of themselves.”
They recall their first visit to campus as an emotional moment and describe the warmth of their welcome as transformative in its own right. During those early months, when language and adaptation can present challenges, they felt supported, included and genuinely embraced by the Pine Crest community.
“It is a pleasure for our family to give back to the Pine Crest community a little of what it provides us with every day,” they added.
Their gift reflects a belief that education should not only prepare students for college but also equip them to create opportunities for themselves and others. As Pine Crest continues to expand access to entrepreneurship experiences across divisions, this support will strengthen curricular resources, broaden experiential learning opportunities and help shape future spaces and programs designed to foster innovation, collaboration and venture creation.
“This investment affirms the power of an entrepreneurial mindset as a vehicle for leadership and global impact,” said Pine Crest School President, Dr. Dana Markham ’18H. “We are deeply grateful to the Fernandez Balagué family for their partnership as we continue building opportunities that inspire students to imagine boldly and act with purpose.”
The Fernandez Balagué family hopes their gift will encourage others to contribute in meaningful ways, reinforcing the culture of generosity that strengthens the Pine Crest community.
Through this leadership commitment, Pine Crest advances its mission to cultivate scholars, creators, innovators and principled leaders who are prepared to shape what’s next.
