Head of School Search

Greenwich Academy is pleased to announce Margaret Hazlett as the next head of school. She will begin July 1, 2023.

Dear Greenwich Academy Community,

We are delighted to announce that Greenwich Academy’s board of trustees voted unanimously to appoint Margaret Hazlett as GA’s next head of school. Margaret will join the GA community on July 1, 2023 succeeding Molly H. King, our current head of school.

Margaret is an exceptional leader, community builder, and problem solver with a diverse and distinguished career in education spanning both universities and independent schools. Indeed the breadth of her roles reflect the breadth of her capabilities. A hallmark of Margaret’s career has been developing the “whole student” with an emphasis on academic success and growth, leadership development, and wellness. She understands the immeasurable value of a rigorous independent preparatory education, and appreciates the accompanying legacy of community and tradition. She has articulated to us her belief that working with girls from an early age to find their voices, develop their sense of self, embolden their confidence, and stretch their intellect serves to launch them as leaders. Her interest in GA is tied directly to its mission of educating girls and young women with a focus on academic excellence in the context of a character-based education, and we are confident that she will maintain a steadfast commitment to this mission.

Margaret is currently the vice president and dean of student affairs at Franklin and Marshall College. In this role she is responsible for full oversight of student life, including but not limited to academic advising, community engagement, athletics, health and wellness, and leadership development. Prior to joining F&M, Margaret worked at Bowdoin College where she served in a variety of roles including dean of first year students and senior associate dean of student affairs. She began her career in education as a teacher at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School in Alexandria, VA.

Margaret has a Master’s in education from Harvard, as well as a BA in art history from Princeton. She is the product of an independent school herself, Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh, PA. Margaret is mother to Sarah and Cameron, and outside of work and family, she is a triathlete and fan of her hometown Pittsburgh Steelers.

In our search for GA’s next head, we were fortunate to have been presented with a deep pool of candidates interested in the role, a reflection of GA’s prominence on the national stage. We were thorough and uncompromising in our vetting process, and have found in Margaret a unique combination of talents, expertise, and experience that make her ideally suited to lead Greenwich Academy into its next century.

We want to thank the entire GA community for your trust in the search committee, the faith you put in the process, and your engagement over the course of the last several months. Your care and efforts were no doubt a reflection of your love for GA and the GA girls, and our common desire to see our school continue to grow, innovate, and educate the women leaders of tomorrow.

Later this summer the board of trustees will announce the formation of a committee to ensure a thoughtful and seamless transition. We are fortunate that Margaret will have a full year to learn more about, and engage with, our community as she prepares to take the helm of our 195-year-old school. We look forward to welcoming Margaret into our GA family.

Sincerely,

Andra Winokur Newman ’95, P ’28, ’32
Greenwich Academy Board Chair

Kheri Tillman P ’20, ’24
Co-Chair, Board Search Committee

Tim van Biesen P ’19, ’21, ’27
Co-Chair, Board Search Committee

A Video Message from Margaret Hazlett

A Video Message from Margaret Hazlett

Announcements & Process

Head Search Progress Update (4/29/22)

From the Search Co-Chairs

Dear GA Community,

With spring in full swing and graduation around the corner, we wanted to provide an update on the head search process and upcoming activities relating to the search.

The search committee has been working with RG175 to identify the head of school candidate who will ensure that GA remains a national leader in the education of girls and young women. A nine person faculty/staff advisory committee has also been assembled to aid in the process. The search is going well and the great news is there has been tremendous interest in the position. We’ve conducted a thorough review of a large pool of candidates which we have narrowed down to a strong group of 17 candidates. The committee is now doing a deep dive into candidate files and will conduct interviews of the most qualified candidates, speak with references, and select the top few candidates who will visit the campus in the next 2-3 weeks.

A very important part of the process is for the GA community to meet the candidates and for the candidates to meet all of you. Spring is a busy time at GA, so we wanted to let you know now that we are planning to bring the finalists to campus beginning May 10. Next week you will receive more information about the campus visits and how you can engage with the candidates.

As mentioned in previous communications, following the campus visits, the search committee will make a candidate recommendation to GA’s board of trustees, the body that ultimately bears responsibility for appointing the head of school. We are on track to announce the appointment of the new head in the early summer.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Kheri Tillman and Tim van Biesen
Search Committee Co-Chairs

Head Search Progress Update (2/28/22)

From the Search Co-Chairs

Dear GA Community,

With spring break around the corner, we wanted to provide an update on the head search process and what to expect in the coming weeks.

First and foremost, thank you for your participation in the survey administered by search consultants RG175. The GA community always steps up and this was no different—we received more than 500 responses providing thoughtful feedback and insight about Greenwich Academy and aspirations for our next leader. Specifically, there is broad agreement about GA's many strengths—academic excellence, visionary leadership, outstanding faculty, and superb facilities to name a few—and the desire for a new head of school who will ensure that GA remains a national leader in the education of girls and young women.

RG175 has begun the active recruitment of candidates, a process that is necessarily confidential. Over the next few weeks, the search committee will work closely with them to review candidate files, interview the most viable candidates, speak with references, and select candidates who will visit the campus and meet with community members including the Faculty Advisory Committee. Following campus visits in the spring, the search committee will make a candidate recommendation to GA’s board of trustees, the body that ultimately bears responsibility for appointing the head of school. We are currently planning to announce the appointment of a new head early in the summer of 2022.

As a reminder, all public information regarding the search, including a position statement, are available on the head of school search webpage. We’ve recently added an FAQ to this page that you may also find useful.

Thank you for your continued engagement in this important process. Please expect to hear from us again in the spring.

Sincerely,

Kheri Tillman and Tim van Biesen
Search Committee Co-Chairs

Parent Focus Groups & Survey

From the Search Co-Chairs

February 3, 2022

Dear Greenwich Academy Families,

We are beginning the head search process with the most critical step of engaging the Greenwich Academy community. Through the discovery phase of the search, the RG175 team is seeking to learn as much as possible about our school so they can serve as effective recruiters and advocates.

The team invites you to join division-specific Zoom meetings as detailed below so you can share your perspectives on GA’s strengths and opportunities for growth, and provide input on the professional and personal qualities you feel are important in GA’s next head of school.

Lower School Parent Meeting
Thursday, February 10, 8:15 - 9:00 AM
Zoom Link: https://greenwichacademy.zoom.us/j/86715051259

Middle School Parent Meeting
Thursday, February 10, 9:15 - 10:00 AM
Zoom Link: https://greenwichacademy.zoom.us/j/86715051259

Upper School Parent Meeting
Friday, February 11, 8:30 - 9:15 AM
Zoom Link: https://greenwichacademy.zoom.us/j/86715051259

Please note that on Tuesday, February 8, we will send a link to a survey and encourage everyone to provide their input. The survey is administered by RG175 and all responses are confidential and anonymous (unless you choose to share your name) and submitted directly to RG175. The firm will not share any identifiable attributions when reporting the results to the search committee.

Thank you for your support and participation,

Kheri Tillman and Tim van Biesen
Search Committee Co-Chairs

GA Search Process Update

From the Search Co-Chairs

Dear GA Community,

We are pleased to share news of the formation of our head of school search committee. This team will engage in a thoughtful, thorough process to identify potential candidates to lead Greenwich Academy into the future:

Kheri Tillman - Co-Chair, Trustee, Parent ’20, ’24
Tim van Biesen - Co-Chair, Trustee, Parent ’19, ’21, ’27
Andra Winokur Newman ’95 - Board Chair, Parent ’28, ’32
Suhas Daftuar - Trustee, Parent ’28, ’31, ’32
Heather Johnson Sargent ’92 - Trustee, Parent ’21, ’32
Alex Steel Scott ’00 - Trustee, Parent ’34
Valerie Wayne - Trustee, Parent ’24, ’26
Jen Hyde - GAPA President, Parent ’21, ’26
Mark Feiner - Associate Head of School, Parent ’22, ’25

The head of school search process begins with the most important step of connecting with you, the GA community. Next week we will send out a survey to seek your perspectives on the school's many strengths and the opportunities for even greater success going forward. In addition, our search consultants from RG175 will be on campus February 9-11 to conduct interviews with faculty, administrators, trustees, parents, alumnae, and students, the results of which will provide valuable information used to write a position statement. This statement will be shared with the independent school community globally and is the initial step in the recruitment stage of the search.

Thank you to all who have expressed a desire to be a part of this process. We appreciate your valuable input and will continue to share updates on an ongoing basis. On behalf of the search committee, we encourage everyone to engage with this process at this significant time in Greenwich Academy's history.

Thanks again for your commitment to GA. For more information on our head of school search as it becomes available, visit our website.

Sincerely,

Kheri Tillman and Tim van Biesen
Search Committee Co-Chairs

Research Group 175 Selected for Head Search

From the Chair of the Board of Trustees

January 25, 2022

Dear GA Families,

With Molly King’s recent announcement that she will be stepping down as Greenwich Academy’s head of school at the conclusion of the 2022-23 academic year, the Board of Trustees has begun the process of selecting our school’s next head. To that end, and after extensive research and due diligence, we have chosen to engage with Resource Group 175 (RG175) to help us find Molly’s successor.

As a consultancy focused exclusively on leadership and governance at independent and international schools, in the past five years alone, RG175 has completed more than 120 leadership searches for schools such as Lake Forest Country Day School (IL), Shady Hill School (MA), Shipley School (PA), St. Luke’s School (CT), St. Mark’s School (TX), University School of Nashville (TN), American International School of Johannesburg, and American School of Dubai. RG175 consultants Tony Featherston, Bob Henderson, Debbie Reed, and Rebecca Upham will help guide our process, serve as coaches to our search committee, and recruit qualified candidates. Reflecting their standing as experienced, highly regarded independent school heads, we have been impressed by their early insights and their understanding and respect for the GA community.

Additionally, I am pleased to announce that trustees Kheri Tillman P ’20, ’24 and Tim van Biesen P ’19, ’21, ’27 have agreed to serve as the chairs of our head of school search committee. It is the GA way to be thorough, thoughtful, and inclusive in our process—this search will be no exception. In partnership with RG175, Kheri and Tim will assemble a committee representing the interests of all community members while also seeking input from the broader community. With the support of our dedicated students, parents, alumnae, faculty, staff, and administrative team, we are confident of a successful search and a smooth transition.

As the search progresses, Kheri and Tim will share next steps and key developments. You can also find all updates on our website at greenwichacademy.org/headsearch.

Best regards,

Andra Winokur Newman ’95, P ’28, ’32
Greenwich Academy Board Chair

From Molly H. King & Andra Winokur Newman ’95

MOLLY H. KING
ANDRA WINOKUR NEWMAN ’95

MOLLY H. KING

From the Head of School

December 7, 2021

Dear Greenwich Academy Community,

Serving as your head of school has meant everything to me. GA is a community of joyous, earnest achievers giving their absolute all in the pursuit of excellence and your commitment to lead purposeful lives is equal in measure with your desire to be good people. Sharing these fundamental values and working, learning, and growing together over the past 18 years has been the realization of my life’s dream.

It is now time for GA and for me to embrace the next chapter. The 2022-23 school year will be my last as head. GA is in an exceptional position of strength and has established itself as a national leader in terms of academic rigor and programmatic innovation. Our achievements even in just the past three years have been extraordinary. Together, we have transformed the campus and managed to navigate a pandemic keeping the girls learning and thriving on campus. Most importantly, and aligned with our motto, Toward the Building of Character, we have committed ourselves to ensuring that every single member of our community feels a true sense of belonging. Our team of faculty, staff, and administrative leadership is simply superb and we can all be assured of a seamless transition to the next head of school.

When I reflect on the many gifts afforded me by my position, perhaps the greatest has been the opportunity to see in the face of each GA girl, all her potential and promise before she might even see it in herself. I was reminded of this in the last few days as I logged into my email and the face of a former advisee popped up on her LinkedIn profile, sharing her most recent professional accomplishments. She is one of hundreds and hundreds of kilted wonders who inspire me every day.

Between now and June 2023, we will continue to undertake important work and we are fortunate to have Andra Winokur Newman ’95, P ’28, ’32, WCK P ’25 at the helm as our board chair. Andra’s dedication to advancing GA’s priorities makes her the ideal person to lead this transition. She also shares my supreme confidence that Greenwich Academy will continue to pioneer a path as one of the top independent schools in the country. Why? Because GA’s faculty, staff, and administrators are superstars whose brilliance shines well beyond this campus. They are teaching today’s GA students to be the capable, smart, empathetic leaders of tomorrow who will make a positive impact on their families, their communities, and the world.

In the summer of 2004, my husband, K.C., and I arrived here with our two teenagers, Sally and Josh, new to Greenwich Academy. You welcomed us into your lives and hearts and along the way, you cheered on every family milestone, from graduations to weddings to the birth of each one of our four grandchildren. I am so profoundly grateful for the love, friendship, laughter, and close relationships that we have formed here and which I know will last a lifetime. GA is core to my identity and woven into the fabric of my being.

Today Greenwich Academy is thriving, and there will be many opportunities to thank all of you whose support and partnership have made this possible—parents who care so deeply for their daughters, amazing alumnae from all over the world, dedicated trustees, tireless GAPA volunteers, and loyal friends of the school. Please know how deeply appreciative I am of each one of you for making my journey as head of school the defining, most beloved chapter of my life.

With a heart full of gratitude—onward.

Molly H. King

ANDRA WINOKUR NEWMAN ’95

From the Chair of the Board of Trustees

December 7, 2021

Dear Greenwich Academy Community,

As a GA alumna, I have always been incredibly proud of my school. Though it wasn’t until I returned to the community in 2014 as a parent and as the Alumnae Association Board President that I had the great fortune to get to know Molly and to see up close the incredible achievements of her first decade as head. Since then, and in my additional roles as Leading the Way Campaign co-chair and, beginning this year, as board chair, I have come to consider Molly a friend, and my admiration for her has grown exponentially. And so, when she shared with me her plans to make the 2022-23 academic year her last as our head of school, I was saddened at the prospect of her departure but also reflective about her tenure here and awed by everything she has accomplished.

Molly has led Greenwich Academy for 18 years, and the school's growth and success over that period are simply extraordinary. She has been a visionary leader, catapulting GA to national prominence in so many areas, while at the same time remaining accessible, grounded, and unerringly focused on the daily experience of each GA student. Her ambition on behalf of the school is boundless, and her desire for every student and every family to feel known, valued, and loved has been her guiding light since she first stepped on our campus. She is the ultimate role model for the GA girls—bold, brilliant, tenacious, resilient, collaborative, compassionate, and humble. Her legacy at Greenwich Academy will last forever in the unparalleled education and opportunity provided for every GA student.

Under Molly’s leadership, GA’s program has grown in so many directions, changing the lives of countless students and inspiring similar programs to spring up at independent schools around the country. Our multifaceted STEM program, including our longstanding robotics program, the engineering and design curriculum and computer science program spanning all divisions, and the GAINS Network, has resulted in unprecedented growth in the rate of GA alumnae pursuing STEM-related studies and careers. The Center for Public Purpose, developed to introduce students to careers in public service, has similarly informed the college and career choices of many GA students. Professional partnerships, including several with the University of Pennsylvania, have afforded our students college-level opportunities. Molly has also worked to enhance and sustain our Coordinate Program with Brunswick, ensuring a bright future for this integral component of life in Upper School.

And her efforts on behalf of GA students do not end at graduation. Molly has made women’s leadership and career opportunity a priority; she has worked tirelessly to ensure that GA students and alumnae have the skills, confidence, and opportunity to live a life without limits. Through the Career Resource Center, GA students and alumnae have sought career counseling, found mentors, discovered new interests, secured internships and full-time jobs, and then gone on to become mentors themselves.

Simultaneously, Molly has been focused on those areas of the GA experience that impact the well-being of our students, specifically our efforts to generate and sustain a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive community, and more broadly, their physical, psychological, and social-emotional well-being. This was never more evident than in Molly’s deft management of our response to the pandemic, as GA was recognized nationally for our leadership in keeping our students safely learning on campus.

Ultimately, it is our faculty and staff that drive GA’s programs and Molly’s commitment to them has been unwavering. Whether it’s her focus on recruitment and retention or growth in GA’s professional development program, she has supported the faculty and staff so that they can best teach and support the girls.

While Molly’s primary focus has been on the people and programs that make GA so exceptional, she has also devoted tremendous energy to the capital projects that have transformed all corners of the campus, benefitting the day-to-day of every GA student. The strategic and campus master planning efforts that preceded the Leading the Way Campaign ensured thoughtful spaces that would elevate the academic experience of our students and enhance community engagement. The results have been nothing short of spectacular—a new PC building, a renovated CC building, a new Lower School, David W. Wallace Library, and Young Auditorium, a Middle School addition, an expanded Engineering and Design Lab and dedicated Robotics Lab, a new Visual Arts Center, Dance Studio, and Arts Atrium, a new Culinary Lab, additional Upper School labs and classroom spaces, renovated Dining Commons, new community courtyards, and a new playground. Capital construction projects prior to the Leading the Way Campaign include the creation of the first independent school E&D Lab in the Fairchester area; renovation of our turf fields; and the addition of a partial track, spectator viewing area, a fitness center, and dedicated spaces for erging, spinning, and yoga. Molly has also made investing in faculty housing a strategic priority and key acquisitions and new construction have more than doubled the number of employees in GA-owned housing since 2004.

In order to accomplish all this, Molly has partnered with the Board of Trustees to provide incredible stewardship of the school’s financial resources. Since 2004, GA’s gross endowment has grown 115%. In combination with a 60% reduction in debt, GA’s net endowment has grown elevenfold. Similarly, our financial aid program has increased by 30%, providing so many young women the benefit of a GA education. Molly has led four successful campaigns: Essential Connections ($30M); Campaign for the Future ($66M); the Community Turf Project ($4.7M); and the Leading the Way Campaign, which has just surpassed $81M—the largest campaign and building project in the school’s history. Equally important, she has overseen three strategic planning processes and two glowing NEASC re-accreditations. It almost goes without saying that as we move forward, we do so from a position of great strength.

The timing of Molly’s announcement allows the school to conduct a broad and comprehensive search for our next head of school. The Board and I will begin by forming a search committee reflecting our community’s diverse perspectives and talents, and we will be back in touch with details in the new year. We will of course provide opportunities for members of the community—parents, alumnae, students, faculty, and staff—to participate in the process and will keep you updated every step of the way. While we will continue to have the benefit of Molly’s leadership through June 2023, her accomplished and committed administrative team and the entire GA faculty and staff also give us great confidence in a smooth transition.

Molly has given enormously of herself, and the entire King family—husband K.C., daughter Sally and son Josh, and their spouses and children—will remain beloved members of the GA family. We look forward to many opportunities to celebrate Molly’s tenure over the coming 18 months. Until then, please join me in sharing profound appreciation for Molly’s innumerable contributions to our community and most especially for her grace, intelligence, hard work, and commitment to GA.

Sincerely,

Andra Winokur Newman ’95, P ’28, ’32, WCK P ’25

FAQ

What is the role of the Board of Trustees in the search?

What is the role of the Search Committee?

The Search Committee is a sub-committee of the Board of Trustees and is charged with engaging and learning from all constituents to define the qualities required of the next Head of School. The Search Committee will review candidate files, interview the most viable candidates, speak with multiple references, and make a final recommendation to the Board of Trustees. GA’s Board of Trustees ultimately bears responsibility for appointing the Head of School.

How were search committee members selected?

Search Committee members were selected by the Board Chair and the Committee Chairs, and approved by the Board Executive Committee. Search Committee members share a deep appreciation for Greenwich Academy’s history and mission. They include individuals who offer a diverse set of experiences and points of view as well as a strong degree of commitment to, and involvement in, the school community.

What is the role of the search firm Research Group 175 (RG175) and how were they selected?

After evaluating the experience and proposals of a number of qualified search firms specializing in the independent school arena, the Board has engaged Resource Group 175 (RG175) to assist the Search Committee. As a consultancy focused exclusively on leadership and governance at independent and international schools, in the past five years alone, RG175 has completed more than 120 leadership searches for schools such as Lake Forest Country Day School (IL), Shady Hill School (MA), Shipley School (PA), St. Luke’s School (CT), St. Mark’s School (TX), and American International School of Johannesburg. RG175 consultants Tony Featherston, Bob Henderson, Debbie Reed, and Rebecca Upham will help guide our process, serve as coaches to our search committee, and recruit qualified candidates.

What is the scope of the search?

The search for the new Head of School is international in scope. A primary goal is to make the search process as transparent as possible, with opportunities for community updates and feedback along the way. Confidentiality about individual candidates, however, remains a critical component for success. Some potential candidates may not be actively looking for a new position, and others may not want it known at their current institution that they are pursuing an interest in Greenwich Academy. As such, the Search Committee will not comment on candidates participating (or not participating) in the search until finalists visit campus.

How will candidates be evaluated?

What is the general timeline for the Head of School search?

What is the role of the Faculty Advisory Committee?

A Faculty Advisory Committee is being established to provide additional support at critical junctures in the search. Committee responsibilities include outlining the key attributes necessary in our school’s next leader; providing input on finalists selected by the Search Committee; and meeting with the finalists to share insights on GA’s strengths and opportunities for growth. Though atypical of traditional search processes, our Search Committee also includes a teaching member of the administrative team.

How can I help during the search?

Broad community input will be critical to effectively defining the leadership, professional, and personal qualities required in the new head of school. Thus far, we have provided forums for faculty, staff, and parents to meet with our consultants, and community members have had an opportunity to complete an online survey. Finalists for the GA’s head of school position will also participate in open sessions with parents, faculty, staff, and students.

GA Position Statement
—
Head of School

Search Committee Chairs

Kheri Holland Tillman

Tim van Biesen

Frequently Asked Questions

I Want To...

For Alumnae

In this section

Head of School Search

A Video Message from Margaret Hazlett

Announcements & Process

Head Search Progress Update (4/29/22)

From the Search Co-Chairs

Head Search Progress Update (2/28/22)

From the Search Co-Chairs

Parent Focus Groups & Survey

From the Search Co-Chairs

GA Search Process Update

From the Search Co-Chairs

Research Group 175 Selected for Head Search

From the Chair of the Board of Trustees

From Molly H. King & Andra Winokur Newman ’95

MOLLY H. KING

From the Head of School

ANDRA WINOKUR NEWMAN ’95

From the Chair of the Board of Trustees

FAQ

What is the role of the Board of Trustees in the search?

What is the role of the Search Committee?

How were search committee members selected?

What is the role of the search firm Research Group 175 (RG175) and how were they selected?

What is the scope of the search?

How will candidates be evaluated?

What is the general timeline for the Head of School search?

What is the role of the Faculty Advisory Committee?

How can I help during the search?

Search Committee Chairs

Useful Links