Yaël van Hulst & Tim Brown

For Yaël van Hulst and her late husband, Tim Brown, education has always been a priority. When choosing a school for their sons, Dalton '24 and Payton ‘27, “education came first, and Country Day was really the only school we needed to look at in Savannah.” From their early days of involvement to their transformative leadership gift, they consistently championed Country Day as an environment that fosters growth and opportunity both inside and outside the classroom.

Yaël emphasized that the true measure of a school’s success lies in its students’ development, explaining, “It can’t just be physical, it has to be holistic, and I think the administration does a great job at seeing where we can grow.” Their contribution embodies this belief, ensuring that all students benefit from state-of-the-art facilities supporting both athletic and academic pursuits.

“I would hope that as families continue to contribute, they see it’s not about giving a huge amount, but about giving something.”

Her commitment is also deeply rooted in the legacy of her late husband, Tim. “He was really passionate about baseball, and the batting cages were his first thing, but as he got sicker, I decided the T. Brown Field was something I wanted to make happen for him.” Inspired by her family’s love for baseball, Yaël continued investing in athletics, ensuring the campus reflected the respect and pride Tim had for Country Day, and inspiring others to do the same. “I would hope that as families continue to contribute, they see it’s not about giving a huge amount, but about giving something.” Her belief that every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference highlights the teamwork that resonates with so many Hornet families.

Yaël and Tim’s unwavering commitment to the school leaves a lasting legacy, forever illustrating that Country Day is a school built by its community.