Staff of the Week: Lori Novell

             No one embodies Exeter’s non sibi spirit like Disbursement Manager Lori Novell. Her compassion and kindness shines through all of her contributions to our community, from organizing the Academy’s various payroll and account systems to advising aspiring lawyers and judges in the Academy’s Mock Trial team.

             Prior to working at Exeter, Novell worked for Cambridge Health Alliance as the Director of Disbursements. She balanced several responsibilities, including overseeing various union contracts, the payroll and accounts payable departments, and ensuring that vendors were paid correctly. 

             Eventually, Novell found her way to working at Exeter, after the Chief Financial Officer at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, whom she had previously worked with, introduced her to an open position at the Academy. Novell explained, “I knew it was time for a change and work closer to home, and that’s how I got to the Academy.” 

             Here at the Academy, Novell is the current Disbursement Manager. “I am responsible for all the time management systems, payroll systems, and accounts payable department,” Novell explained. When updated systems are implemented or upgraded, she collaborates with the Human Resources and Information Technology teams “to make sure that all these systems are set up correctly, to make changes as needed, and just make sure everybody gets paid correctly.”

             Novell’s role on campus is instrumental to ensuring that everything at the Academy is going smoothly. Novell is always prepared to help, whether it be someone within her department or another. Dining Services Director Melinda Leonard commented, “Mrs. Novell is extremely knowledgeable and supportive of all the departments. She’s the ‘go-to person’ in supporting the Dining Services management team with payroll system training and the general management process.” 

             Accounts Payable Coordinator Kim Wilson agreed. “Mrs. Novell blends her expertise with a caring and compassionate attitude. The backbone of her work is not numbers, but people and their livelihoods. She has given 100% to the department and the Academy as a whole,” Wilson said.

             “Her team has a heavy responsibility, but they do it well, ensuring that people get paid properly and on time.” Project Management Office Manager Julia Looi added. “She has often given up vacation time to ensure that things go smoothly in her department.”

             “One of my favorite things about Mrs. Novell is her sense of humor and honesty...She is very fun to work with,” Music Program Administrator Barbara Darby said. 

Beyond her role as Disbursements Manager, Novell also serves as the club adviser to the PEA Mock Trial team. She’s the team’s greatest advocate, ensuring every competition is a positive experience; she never fails to calm students’ nerves and provide them with her most sincere words of encouragement. Even at 6 A.M, when the team has to board the buses to travel to a tournament, Novell is always there to restore students’ confidence and energy by bringing them hot chocolate and her warm smile. 

             “My favorite thing about Exeter is working with the students. These kids are so amazing, and it’s so rewarding to see that the work they put in to compete pays off. There’s just so much excitement to see them grow. I’ve built and maintained really strong relationships with both past and current co-heads, and watching them and the other kids on the team continue to grow is just so amazing,” Novell remarked. 

             Mock Trial co-head and senior Beatrice Burack shared her gratitude for Novell’s contributions to the club. “Mrs. Novell goes above and beyond what is expected of an advisor and puts in so much work behind the scenes to help everything run smoothly. She truly believes in our ability to excel and is just endlessly supportive.”

             Senior Maggie Wainwright explained Novell’s dedication to the club. “She joined the New Hampshire Mock Trial Board to advocate on our behalf...She really wants to help students do their absolute best.”

             Wainwright also described Novell as “the best advisor I have out of all my clubs” and an “incredibly generous, kind, and selfless person.” She recalled “free pizza dinners” and memories of  Novell’s compassion: “[Once] I wasn’t feeling well during a competition, and she dashed to the CVS and got me medicine and lunch. She sat with me and we talked...I really miss my mom at Exeter, and teachers who fill that role are the most special.”

             Senior May Chen highlights the exceptional role that Novell has played in her experience with Mock Trial. “She makes the club feel homey, and Exeter on-large as well. Mock Trial has been a big part of my life at Exeter and Ms. Novelle has been a major contributor in making that so enjoyable and wonderful.” 

             Under Novell’s guidance, the Academy’s three Mock Trial teams placed first, second, and third overall in the state of New Hampshire, and the A Team will be representing the state at the National High School Mock Trial Tournament later in the spring. 

             Novell also extends her caring and dedicated spirit beyond campus, having served for six years as an advocate and volunteer for HAVEN, a support service for victims of domestic and sexual abuse. “I ran support groups for women who've gone through domestic violence,” she explained. “I got very close to some of the families and I try to mentor some of the kids that lived through that. I just try to help guide them to make good decisions." In 2013, Novell was given the “Distinguished Volunteer Services Award” for her compassion for others and dedication to HAVEN and the women she advocated for.

             As the grandmother of seven, Novell knows the importance of family, and her love for them is not lost on the people around her. “My favorite thing about her is her love for her family and her unwavering loyalty to the people and causes she cares about,” Wilson said. 

             Novell’s commitment to her job, Mock Trial, and her family shows how dedicated she is to ensuring that her community flourishes. As Wainwright said, “What really sets somebody apart is ultimately the attitude with which they approach dealing with students, and I think that Ms. Novell is incredibly patient, involved, friendly, calm, and very organized. I think her warm comforting presence and love are one of a kind.” Through her determined and non sibi spirit, Novell supports Exeter with unique care.