The head of school is the most influential partner in an independent school’s advancement success. While the role spans every aspect of institutional leadership, a head’s effectiveness is directly tied to the strength of the school’s advancement efforts. The head sets direction, reinforces priorities, and participates strategically to ensure that marketing, admission, and development reinforce each other and remain mission-aligned. As the school’s chief storyteller, the head also shapes how the institution is understood by donors, prospective families, and the broader community. Leading advancement is therefore not optional; it is a core leadership responsibility, regardless of the head’s prior experience.

Join our panel of sitting heads of school as they explore the essential elements of the head’s role in advancement, from adopting a clear “advancement mindset” to executing high-leverage responsibilities that promote institutional alignment, credibility, and long-term enrollment and philanthropic success.