Head of School Search

List of 5 items.

• What is the anticipated timeline for the search?

  The Board anticipates naming Doug's successor by late Fall 2027, with a start date of Summer 2028. The Board is giving careful thought to transition planning and onboarding, and there will be ample time to celebrate Doug and welcome the new head of school following the conclusion of the search.

• Which search firm has Severn chosen as its partner?

  Last spring, the Board established a Search Committee of experienced trustees to lead the search process. Following a careful evaluation of several highly qualified firms, the Search Committee selected Isaacson, Miller (IM) to advise and assist the Board with the search. IM is one of the nation's leading executive search firms and a highly respected advisor to independent schools and educational institutions. The search will be led by Katie Rockman and Berkley Braden at IM.

• Who is on the search committee?

  The Board has established a Head of School Search Committee composed of 7 current trustees. This committee will conduct an inclusive and comprehensive national search and will make a candidate recommendation to the full Board for consideration and approval.

   

  Matt Alsted, Co-Chair (AP)

  Ed Coleman, Co Chair (AP)

  Gina DeStefano, ’82 (P, AP)

  Michael Clark, (P, AP)

  Cathie Herrick ’86 (AP)

  Stephanie Jacobs, (P, AP)

  Nels Olson, (P, AP)

• What role will the community play in the search process?

  The Board is deeply committed to transparency and thoughtful engagement with the Severn community throughout this process. Isaacson, Miller will come to campus on Monday, October 19 and Tuesday, October 20 for a series of listening sessions with internal constituents to begin to get a better understanding of our community and develop the position statement for prospective candidates.

   

  Isaacson, Miller will also circulate a feedback survey so that you can share thoughts about our next Head of School in writing with IM.  The survey will be posted on the Head of School search webpage soon.

• How will the community be informed about the progress of the search?

  The Board of Trustees will continue to provide regular updates to the Severn community as the Search Committee's work progresses, both through periodic emails to the community and updates posted to this page.

   

  IM has also set up a dedicated page on its own website where members of the Severn community and anyone interested in the role can share feedback, submit candidate nominations, or apply for the position.