Spencer Stuart Seeking New Leader for Brunswick School
March 4, 2026 – Brunswick School recently retained Spencer Stuart to lead in its search for a new head of school. Mary Gorman, a partner in the firm’s education and social impact practice, and consultant Michele Haertel, are leading the assignment. Tom Philip has informed the Board of Trustees of his plans to retire in June 2027, at the close of the 2026–2027 school year.
“In collaboration with our search partners from Spencer Stuart, we’ve conducted in-person meetings on campus and shared an online survey with the extended Brunswick community,” said Will Cook and Gil Klemann, co-chairs, Brunswick School head of school search committee. “Your valuable feedback has been an important guide for our next step: The search committee and Spencer Stuart worked together to prepare a comprehensive opportunity statement that reflects your input and aspirations for Brunswick’s next head of school. The search committee is excited to begin to engage with potential candidates in the coming months.
The next leader will inherit a school with strong momentum, a deeply engaged community, and a reputation for excellence in academics, athletics, and character formation. Key priorities for the next Head of School include sustaining Brunswick’s tradition of educational excellence, guiding the institution through the next phase of strategic growth, strengthening faculty development, and continuing to enhance the student experience across academics, arts, athletics, and leadership opportunities. The role also calls for a visible and collaborative leader who can engage effectively with students, parents, alumni, faculty, and trustees while preserving the school’s distinctive culture.
The successful candidate will demonstrate a deep commitment to boys’ education, a passion for developing young men of character, and the strategic vision needed to lead a top independent school in a rapidly evolving educational landscape. Strong communication skills, the ability to build community, and a clear understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing independent schools will be essential.
Related: Spencer Stuart Places President for Davidson College
Brunswick School, founded in 1902 and located in Greenwich, Connecticut, is a leading independent college-preparatory day school for boys in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12. With a mission centered on developing the “whole boy,” the school combines rigorous academics, competitive athletics, vibrant arts programs, and a strong commitment to character development and community engagement.
A Team of Search Professionals
Privately held since 1956, Spencer Stuart focuses on delivering knowledge, insight, and results through the collaborative efforts of a team of search professionals — now spanning 56 offices, 30 countries, and more than 50 practice specialties. The firm helps boards and leaders address their leadership needs in areas such as senior-level executive search, board recruitment, board effectiveness, succession planning, in-depth senior management assessment and many other facets of organizational effectiveness.
The Select Guide to America’s Top 250 Executive Search Firms
Hunt Scanlon Media proudly presents the Select Guide to America’s Top 250 Executive Search Firms.
This comprehensive online directory is your definitive resource for finding the best executive search firms to serve your talent needs.
Our guide is meticulously curated to connect you with leading firms that specialize in various industries and functions, ensuring you find the perfect match for your executive recruitment needs.
Spencer Stuart’s education practice works with research universities, liberal arts colleges, graduate and professional schools, independent schools, research centers and institutes, and early and secondary education organizations. It has conducted more than 300 senior-level executive and board searches over the past five years. Ninety-six percent of the firm’s executive search placements in academia and research in the past five years are still in their roles today, said Spencer Stuart.
Ms. Gorman, who works in Spencer Stuart’s Boston office, is a member of the education, non-profit and government practice. Her work encompasses liberal arts colleges, research universities, independent schools and large, mission-driven non-profit organizations, as well as functional roles such as chief financial officers and chief operating officers.
Ms. Haertel’s search efforts focus on leadership positions in research universities, liberal arts colleges, independent schools and non-profit organizations. She has a wealth of non-profit and corporate experience and has served on multiple non-profit boards and advisory committees.
Related: Spencer Stuart Recruits 16th President for the University of Michigan
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
