HEAD OF SCHOOL PRESENTS AT NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
Last week, our Head of School, Elaine Christensen, presented at the National Association of Independent Schools Conference on strengthening the leadership pipeline for women in independent schools.
She joined Briel Schmitz (Spruce Street School), Sunita Pailoor (Woodinville Montessori), Joan Beauregard (Educators Collaborative), and Liz Swift (Holy Names Academy) to share insights from Pathways to Leadership, a cohort program developed through the Northwest Association of Independent Schools.
The program addresses systemic barriers women face in pursuing headship and provides structured mentorship, cohort learning, and practical leadership development. Of its 64 graduates, 40% have gone on to serve as heads of school.
We see the impact here at Open Window. Our Director of Lower School, Kerrin Scott, and Director of Middle School, Erin Wallace, are both Pathways graduates. Their leadership strengthens our school every day.
Developing strong, diverse leaders is essential work for independent schools. We are proud to be part of a model that is making a measurable difference.