Lois Mufuka Martin

Managing Director

Lois Mufuka Martin is a Managing Director in the firm’s Education Practice. Having been active in Independent School search since 2017, she previously served as Vice President of Search & Consulting Services at CalWest Educators Placement—a California-based search firm focused on fostering equitable and inclusive hiring practices.

At CalWest Lois was responsible for overseeing all searches while also leading a portfolio of senior administrative and leadership searches.  Lois also developed a consulting and coaching practice that focuses on the intersections between culture reflection, equity, belonging, and hiring and retention practices in independent schools. In addition, she has served as a workshop facilitator and panelist at regional and national conferences that serve independent schools.

Lois is a current board member of Education Matters Africa, a foundation that supports the USAP Community School in Zimbabwe, a boarding school for high achieving, low-income 11th and 12th graders who are preparing to be matched with top-tier colleges and universities throughout the world, on full four-year scholarships.

She spent two decades in key nonprofit leadership roles including as Chief Volunteer Engagement Officer for the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, as CEO of the Pittsburgh-based Bethlehem Haven, a homeless services and housing organization for women, and as Community Fund Director at The United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County in Asheville, NC. She began her career as a social worker, children’s advocate, and as a community college transfer counselor for first-generation students.

Lois, a native of Zimbabwe, considers herself a lifelong learner.  She has a BA in History from Lander University, an M.Ed. in Counseling from Clemson University and a Certificate in Leading Innovation from The Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University.  She is an avid reader.  Lois and her husband. Derek A. Martin, are the proud parents of two young adult independent school graduates.