About

Head of School Search

With the planned departure of Head of School Laura Danforth at the end of the 2026-2027 school year, The Masters School is beginning its search for its next head of school. As we navigate this transition, we invite you to stay informed and engaged by accessing updates and opportunities for community involvement here on this site.

The Masters School has partnered with Resource Group 175 (RG175) to assist in the important search for the next head of school. RG175 is a highly regarded consulting firm specializing in head of school searches. They bring 22 years of experience, a vast network of potential candidates and extensive knowledge about independent schools. Molly King will be leading the search team from RG175.

Please see the Position Statement here.

Meet Our Search Consultants

List of 3 items.

  • Molly King

    Molly King has been an independent school leader for more than 30 years. Most recently, she served as head of school at Greenwich Academy (GA) in Greenwich, Connecticut. Over her 19-year tenure, she led transformative programmatic advancements, including the nationally recognized Girls Advancing in STEM network and the launch of GA’s Center for Public Purpose. Click here for more.

  • Tony Featherston 

    As a longtime faculty member for the NAIS Diversity Leadership Institute, Tony Featherston has extensive experience cultivating leaders in schools. His leadership in the area of diversity and inclusion informs his work in schools, with school leadership, and boards of trustees. Since joining RG175 in 2018, Tony has completed head of school searches in New York City, New England, the South and on the West Coast. Click here for more.

  • John Green

    John Green worked for more than 30 years at a number of independent boarding schools, including Fessenden School, Western Reserve Academy and St. Paul's School where he served as a teacher, basketball coach, dormitory supervisor, history department chair, director of college counseling, director of admissions and dean of faculty. Click here for more.

The Search Committee

Co-Chairs
William Roberts and Jodi Innerfield '05
Trustees 

Committee Members
Beth Nolan '69
Chair, Board of Trustees 

Sara Barek P'27, '29
Trustee 

Tokumbo Bodunde
Upper School English Teacher 

Andrea Fischer '02
Director of Enrollment Management 

Stephen Hildreth
Middle School Humanities Teacher 

Christina Masters Jones
Trustee 

Dana Oliver P'22, '25
Trustee 

Tracy Tang '80, P'18
Honorary Trustee

Recent Communications

Timeline

This timeline is a guideline, not an absolute. The goal is to find the right candidate, regardless of deadlines. Dates could change depending on the state of the process. The following dates and corresponding action steps are reflective of what a typical search process entails.

List of 8 items.

  • June 10, 2025

    An announcement for The Masters School community

  • September 2025

    Campus Visit

    RG175 consultants will conduct a site visit at the School in late September.

  • October 2025-February 2026

    Position Statement

    RG175 and the Search Committee publish a position statement to recruit potential candidates. Click image below to read the position statement.

    Masters Head of School Position Statement

    Application Period

    RG175 recruits and cultivates promising candidates based on the criteria of the position statement. At this stage and through the semi-finalist round, the candidate pool remains confidential.

  • April 2026

    Semi-Finalist Pool

    RG175 leads the Search Committee in the review of written application materials from leading candidates and selection of semi-finalists. With RG175, the Search Committee selects and interviews semi-finalist candidates and convenes to identify its preferred finalists to invite to campus.

  • May 2026

    Finalist Visits

    Each finalist is invited to campus for a 2.5-day visit.

  • June 2026

    The Board elects the new head of school. 

  • July 2026-July 2027

    Head of School Transition Period

    Laura Danforth continues to serve as head of school. The incoming head of school prepares to transition into the role.

  • July 1, 2027

    Proposed Start Date for the New Head of School

    Following an intentional transition period, the incoming head of school assumes the role.
Please reach out to HoSsearch@mastersny.org with any questions.

The Masters School

49 Clinton Avenue, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
Tel. 914-479-6400