Head of School Search

We look forward to welcoming our three finalists to campus on the following dates:

• Finalist #1- January 9 and 10, 2025 (Thu-Fri)
• Finalist #2 - January 16 and 17, 2025 (Thu-Fri)
• Finalist #3 - January 21 and 22, 2025 (Tue-Wed)

There will be a parent coffee and conversation on the morning of day two (Jan 10, 17, 22) for each finalist at 8:30 am. 

Jan. 23 Update: Thanks to all who met with our Head of School finalists! Please reach out to a member of your constituency's Advisory Group (members listed below) if you would like to share your feedback.

As shared in the Dec. 13 email sent to the SSFS committee from Charlene Warren-Davis, the SSFS Head of School Search Committee is pleased to announce that they have selected three finalists to visit the SSFS campus in January. See the email for details.

The Search Committee met in November and provided the following updates:

• RG175 identified several strong candidates for the SSFS Board of Trustees search committee to consider.  
• The search committee met to conduct its initial review in mid-November and identify semi-finalists.  
• The semi-finalists will be narrowed down to the finalists.  
• Finalists will each be separately invited for a two-day campus visit to spend time engaging with the community.  
• In addition to meeting with senior leadership, there will be constituency-specific search advisory groups for faculty/staff, alumni, student, parent, and Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting representatives.  
• Each advisory group will have the opportunity to meet the finalists. The advisory group participants will individually provide feedback on the finalists that the search committee will consider as part of its deliberations.

The Search Committee met in October and provided the following updates:

• RG175 completed the position description, and received a strong group of applications for the SSFS Head of School position.  
• The consultants completed reviews of initial resumes, applications, and reference interviews.  

The Search Committee met in September and provided the following updates:

• RG175 team members Marcia Spiller and Tom Olverson met on Sept. 9th and 10th with administrative council, faculty, staff, and parents/guardians. 
• Additionally, an online survey was distributed to provide an opportunity for those who were unable to attend the in-person or virtual meetings.
• The survey closed Sep. 20th, and RG175 gathered the data to put together a position description for prospective candidates. 

• The SSFS Board of Trustees selected the Search Committee Members who would be leading the head search process.
• SSFS engaged RG175 to assist in the Head Search Process
• Dates and times set for an on-campus visit from RG175 team members Marcia Spiller and Tom Olverson to solicit feedback regarding the strengths of Sandy Spring Friends, the opportunities for growth and change, and the professional and personal qualities that community members feel are important for the next Head of School. 

• Robert Dockhorn
• Sally Eller
• Barbara Gibian
• Donna Hamilton
• Bob Hoch
• Heather Hoerle
• Eli Miles
• Sherry Ogg
• Vanessa Stiffler-Claus
• Charlene Warren-Davis

Faculty-Staff Advisory Group Members

Brenda Benjamin
Heather Carvell
Cory Cloud
Philip Mallari
Kristin McCarthy
Shannon Needham
Anthony Perdue
Eduardo Polon

Parent Advisory Group Members

Courtney Benson
Ivy Debrah
Allison Gilbert 
Sarah Henson-Darko
Tiffany Jones
Frank Saunders 
Jeremy Sommers
Rachel Winer Sticklin
Courtney Stopp

Alum Advisory Group Members

Lent Johnson '70
Ellen Prentiss Campbell '71
Josh Moffatt '02
Lauren Portee '13
Charles Lewis '20

Community Advisory Group (Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting) Members

Mochiko DeSilva
Gloria Victor Dorr
Jonathon Glass
Graham Johnson 
Tanya Lehky
Betsy Roush
Catherine Straton Treadway