A bit about me….
Having lived in our turbulent and fascinating nation’s capital since 1968, I’ve witnessed a good deal of history in the making. Washington is also a city of vibrant neighborhoods, including mine, Dupont Circle. Ten blocks from the White House, my late husband and I raised our three sons – now grown with children of their own -- in a house he redesigned inside to feel like a Colorado cabin. The vicissitudes of life have brought me the enlightened pleasure of exploring cultures here and abroad, including living for a formative year in Hong Kong.
Sudden widowhood in 2003 was a crucible moment. It allowed me to assess what matters, find inner resources and go forward with purpose and intention. After heading a progressive independent school for 19 extraordinary years, I stepped down and rewired my life by investing a year in 2008-09 to become a certified leadership coach. It’s a practice that suits, excites and fulfills me – and brings me hope for the future.
Rounding out my full life are two opinionated cats, a half dozen grandchildren who keep me on my toes, a couple of bee hives on my roof garden, a partner who also enjoys singing in a chorale, many Zoom activities and a bevy of friends, colleagues and neighbors.
My distinctive house, which serves as my office, is an inviting and safe place for the exploration of ideas and solutions.
Collective Experience
My educational background has allowed me to play many different roles including teacher, administrator, trustee, mentor, accrediting team chair, program director and professor
Head of School:
During my 19 year tenure as Head of Lowell School in Washington, DC, serving Pre-K and Elementary students, we bought and retrofitted a college campus, added three grades and significantly expanded its enrollment, program, culture and reputation.
Middle Management:
Assistant Head of Lower School for a decade at Georgetown Day School, DC
Elementary Teacher:
7 years in the elementary grades of independent schools in Boston, MA and Washington, DC and in public schools in Portola Valley, CA and Washington, DC.
Equity/Inclusion:
There has never been a more important time for advancing and deepening this work. It’s an area I have been passionate about and involved in for many years:
Member of the Call to Action planning committee for NAIS’ PoCC (People of Color Conference) for several years.
Served on the committee which rewrote the initial AIM (Assessment of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism) for NAIS schools.
Served on the AIMS (Association of Independent Maryland Schools) Sexual Orientation Committee
Co-Chaired the Equity/Inclusion Board Committee for Edmund Burke School
Created a SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) program at Lowell School and a Lecture Series that addressed diversity topics, attended by hundreds of parents and educators over many years.
Diversity Coach for two DCPS principals (2015-2017)
Led two sessions on Leadership for AISNE’s AOC (Administrators of Color) on Sharpening the Tools of Leadership in Creating Transformative Conversations.
Continue to work with all clients on advancing equity and inclusion in their schools.
National Organization/University Work
NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools): Co-presented with Michael Thompson at the 2006 Annual Conference on What Schools and Teachers Need to Know About Adopted Children; led a session on The Language of Leadership Coaching at the 2016 Annual Conference.
AISGW (Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington): Redesigned and directed the Teacher/Mentor Leadership Institute for three years, with four day-long sessions using leaders in the Washington area schools as instructors.
AIMS (Association of Independent Maryland Schools) 2012 Annual Head’s Conference keynote speaker: Fierce Leadership, One Conversation at a Time.
Johns Hopkins University, adjunct professor: taught “Supervision and Professional Development” for four years to aspiring heads of independent schools, 2007-11.
NBOA (National Business Officers Association) 2020 Annual Conference presenter: The Anatomy and Choreography of Collaborative Leadership
Folio Collaborative. Since its founding a decade ago, I have presented at every Summer Institute on various aspects of leadership conversations. I also facilitated two Mastermind Groups during the 2019-20 school year.
Education:
iPEC (Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching) Certification degree;
Certified Fierce trainer;
Certified Leadership Agility 360;
Smith College, B.A.;
George Washington University, M.A. in Special Education.
Client schools and organizations
Below is a partial list of client schools and organizations I’ve worked with.
Aidan Montessori School, DC; AIMS (Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools); AISGW; Beauvoir School, DC; Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart, FL; Concord Hill School, MD; Children’s School, GA; Friends’ School, CO; Journeys School, WY; Kent Denver School, CO; Madeira School, VA; McLean School, MD; McDonogh School, MD; NAIS; NBOA; NCRC (National Child Research Center), DC; Pace Academy, GA; Rabat American School, Morocco; Sacramento Country Day School, CA; St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, MD; St. Mark’s School, MA; Sheridan School, DC; Sidwell Friends School, DC; Tower School, MA; Trevor School, NYC; UCDS (University Child Development School), WA; Winchester-Thurston School, PA.
“The time is always right to do what is right”
Martin Luther King.
