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. With the Strategic Design adopted in January 2026 and Dr. Catherine “Cathy” Atwell appointed as McGehee’s next Head of School beginning July 1, 2027, McGehee Forward reflects both the work completed and the momentum ahead.
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
The Head of School Search has concluded, and McGehee is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Catherine “Cathy” Atwell as the school’s fourteenth Head of School since 1912. Dr. Atwell will officially begin her tenure on July 1, 2027. Dr. Atwell was selected following a thoughtful, inclusive national search shaped by broad community engagement and guided by McGehee’s mission, values, and future direction. Following finalist campus visits in April, the Search Committee unanimously recommended Dr. Atwell, and the Board of Trustees unanimously approved her appointment.
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
The search began in 2025 with the support of The Education Group, a nationally respected independent school search firm. Consultants Katherine Stuart and Laura Fuller worked closely with McGehee’s Search Committee and gathered input from parents, alumnae, faculty, staff, students, and trustees. This community feedback helped shape the School and Position Profile and guided the national recruitment process. After a highly competitive search and finalist campus visits in spring 2026, the Search Committee unanimously recommended Dr. Catherine “Cathy” Atwell as McGehee’s next Head of School. The Board of Trustees unanimously approved the recommendation, affirming shared confidence in her leadership, experience, and vision for McGehee’s future.
Moving Forward Together
With the Strategic Design adopted by the Board of Trustees and Dr. Atwell appointed as McGehee’s next Head of School, McGehee Forward now moves from planning into implementation. Together, these efforts provide a clear path for the future—one grounded in McGehee’s mission, shaped by community voice, and focused on preparing purposeful young women who lead with clarity, courage, and conviction.