McGehee Forward is a community-wide initiative to shape a clear vision for the future of Louise S. McGehee School. Rooted in our mission to educate girls in mind, body, and spirit, this initiative seeks to honor McGehee’s proud traditions while charting a bold path forward. Through reflection, collaboration, and shared purpose, we will strengthen our foundation and define the priorities that will guide McGehee’s next era of leadership.
Shaping the Next Chapter of McGehee
McGehee has embarked on an important and forward-looking initiative, McGehee Forward, the first phase of a process that will shape the school’s next chapter. McGehee Forward encompasses both our Strategic Design and Head of School Search, two interconnected efforts shaping our future. Through this Strategic Design process, we are defining a bold vision for McGehee’s future, grounded in our traditions, inspired by our mission, and propelled by our collective vision to develop confident, independent, and self-directed young women ready to lead in the modern world. Over the past several months, this work has been guided by thoughtful collaboration across many facets of our community. On January 27th, the Board of Trustees formally adopted the mission, vision, core values, and strategic commitments that emerged from the Strategic Design process, marking an important milestone in this collective effort. Our vision calls us to prepare purposeful women who lead with clarity, courage, and conviction. At McGehee, we envision a world shaped by purposeful women who lead with clarity, courage, and conviction. Each student is empowered, developing her unique strengths and aspirations from Pre-K through 12th grade.
We have committed to a mission to challenge each girl to discover her strengths and reach her full potential as an independent learner, critical thinker, and confident leader.
We will be guided by values of excellence, empowering leadership, honorable action, independent thought, and joyful engagement in learning and life at school.
We are defining a bold vision for McGehee’s future, grounded in our traditions, inspired by our mission, and propelled by our collective vision to develop confident, independent, and self-directed young women ready to lead in the modern world.
Strategic Design Group
The Strategic Design Group represents the breadth and strength of the McGehee community. Together, this group is leading the work of envisioning our future with courage, clarity, and care.
Co-Leads:
- Amy Argenti, Director of Admissions and Parent '29
- Jen Kitner, Trustee, Educator, and Parent '29 & '32
Members:
Trustees:
- Kate Balart, Parent '33
- Ayame Dinkler, Parent '35
- Dr. Sal Suau, Parent '28 & '29
- Charlee Williamson, Parent '28
Faculty and Staff:
- Natalie Derham, Upper School Science Teacher
- Caroline Eagan '07, Alumnae Affairs Coordinator, and Parent '38 & '41
- Erin Fallon, Upper School English and History Teacher and Academic Dean
- Kristen Gallagher, First Grade Teacher, and Parent '36
- Alexie Gaddis Langham, Middle School Math Teacher, Director of Instructional Support, and Parent '37
- Sarah Noland, Little Gate Pedagogical Mentor
Ex-Officio Members: Ben Dupuy, Board Chair; Hannah Dietsch, Interim Head of School; and Lauren Southern, Chief of Staff
Parent Advisory Committee: Ivy Barney, Parent '33 and '36 ; Jen Bernard, Parent '30; Brad Leckert, Parent '28 and '33; Garrison Neill, Parent '35 and '38; Laurel Roberts, Parent '32; and Kyle Siegel, Parent '37
This collaborative group includes committed community members who bring a diverse range of perspective and expertise. Their dedication defines McGehee.
Why McGehee Forward?
McGehee Forward is more than a planning process; it is a community-wide effort to affirm who we are, what we value most, and how we will continue to empower girls to lead with purpose. Our Strategic Design has provided clarity around McGehee’s priorities and a shared framework to guide our student program in the years ahead, ensuring coherence, intention, and care across divisions. This work also laid the foundation for another important milestone in our forward path: the search for McGehee’s next Head of School. By clarifying our shared vision, values, and strategic commitments, we ensure that our leadership transition is guided by the collective wisdom and aspirations of our community. The insights gained through this process are helping us attract a leader whose vision and values align with McGehee’s mission and future direction.
A Collaborative Design for the Future
Launched in September 2025, the Strategic Design process brings together voices from across McGehee, including trustees, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumnae to articulate our mission, values, and vision for the years ahead.
This collaborative effort resulted in the adoption of a clear set of strategic commitments that will guide our student program moving forward. From a programmatic perspective, these commitments focus on:
- Advancing and elevating McGehee’s individualized approach to excellence in girls’ education that allows for acceleration and choice and centers on close relationships with faculty and community
- Strengthening and clarifying each division’s role in preparing students for the next stage of learning and leadership, including what expect for every student in each division;
- Ensuring strong, intentional transitions from one division to the next;
- Creating opportunities for students to learn where we are, with and from our community; and
- An ongoing and deep focus on the advantages of an all-girls education in the modern world.
As we move into implementation, the Board of Trustees will provide support and oversight, while research, design, and day-to-day work will be led by our Interim Head of School and division heads in close partnership with faculty and staff.
Building Momentum, Together
The Strategic Design Team’s work has provided a strong foundation and shared sense of purpose for McGehee Forward. The Board is excited about the course we have charted and has full confidence in the leadership and expertise that will bring these commitments to life. Every voice matters. Every perspective helps shape our collective vision for the future.
Head of School Search
In November, the Board of Trustees publicly launched the search for McGehee’s next Head of School, a leader who will build upon our strong foundation and carry our mission into the future. Our goal is to name the next Head of School by early summer 2026, with the new leader beginning in July 2027. As with all leadership searches, timelines remain fluid to ensure a strong and competitive candidate pool.
Head of School Search Committee and Advisory and Support Committee
A Head of School Search Committee will identify, recruit, and recommend a candidate to the Board of Trustees who embodies McGehee’s enduring values and forward-looking vision. The Search Committee brings together trustees and community members committed to McGehee’s mission and future: Kate Balart (Co-Chair) • Elise Lapeyre Merlin '87 (Co-Chair) • Ben Dupuy (Board Chair) • Ayame Dinkler • Lauren Doussan • Jen Kitner • Jimmy Kock • Marie “ Miggy ” Shannon Monroe '73 • Carter Jahncke Perrilliat '98 An Advisory & Support Committee, co-chaired by Amy Argenti, Mathilde Villere Currence '89, and Krystle Duplessis, includes representatives from alumnae, faculty and administration, and parents. Together, they will provide support and perspective and guidance throughout the search.
Search Advisory & Support Committee Mathilde Villere Currence '89, Alumnae Co-Chair Amy Argenti, Faculty and Staff Co-Chair Krystle Duplessis, Parents Co-Chair Alumnae Ann Ellinghausen Ecuyer '87 Carlotta "Kit" Baker Fritchie '75 Taylor Schmidt Pospisil '02 Mary Hassinger Schmidt '88 Dr. Melanie Sheen '02 Faculty, Staff, Administration Margaret Strahan Kelly Alexie Gaddis Langham Caroline Pixberg Melissa Toups Parents Dr. Roneisha McLendon Loren Marino Dr. Jane Martin Maarten Poort
The Head of School Search and Selection Process Update
Since September, the search has been well underway. Our consultants, Katherine Stuart and Laura Fuller of The Education Group (TEG), spent time on campus in November engaging with parents, students, faculty, administrators, alumnae, and Board leadership. These conversations helped refine priorities, sharpen the focus of the search, and inform the community survey. In December and January, the finalized Head of School profile was published and circulated widely across local and national networks and professional associations. The publication of this profile marked the transition to an active recruitment phase, as our consultants began interviewing prospective candidates and building a strong, diverse pool aligned with McGehee’s needs and aspirations. We recognize that this phase may feel quieter as diligence continues and the pool is thoughtfully refined. As the search progresses, interest in the position has been impressive, reflecting the strength of McGehee. Finalist candidates will visit campus later this spring, and the community will be invited to meet them and share feedback. Save-the-date information will be shared as soon as possible to allow for maximum participation. We remain grateful for the partnership, trust, and engagement of our community throughout this important work. .
Join Us on the Journey
We invite every member of the McGehee community – students, parents, alumnae, administration, faculty, and staff – to stay engaged in this important work.
Please share your thoughts and ideas at forward@mcgeheeschool.com.
Visit this site for ongoing updates on both the Strategic Design Process and the Head of School Search, including survey links, committee updates, and timeline milestones.