Institute for Female Leaders in Education

 

For: Current and Aspiring Female-Identifying School Leaders 

*Thank you to our 2022 - 2023 cohort!  This program is offered in alternate years.  We look forward to our next experience with this Institute, beginning in the Fall of 2024.*
 

This institute serves to promote personal and professional growth for current and aspiring female-identifying school leaders.  The program will be reflective, collaborative, and connective, leveraging the strengths of each member of the cohort.  With facilitation by veteran school leaders, consultants, and other women in leadership, we will navigate topics that challenge women on a path to leadership roles in schools.  The program seeks to empower women at all stages of their professional journey and includes five synchronous sessions throughout the year-long experience with many other opportunities for connection.

 

Institute Faculty:

 

Julia de la Torre is the first female Head of School in Moorestown Friends School history. Previously, she was Head of Upper School at Greenhills School (MI). Prior to assuming these roles in school leadership, Julia was the Executive Director of Primary Source, a Boston-area non-profit that provides global learning opportunities and study travel for K-12 teachers on a variety of world regions and global issues. She also served as Program Director at Primary Source, where she developed and implemented professional development programs for teachers.  A graduate of Haverford College, Julia taught French and chaired the Foreign Language Department at Kent Denver School in Englewood, CO, before serving in the Peace Corps in Moldova. Subsequently, she completed a master’s degree at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in International Educational Policy and a certificate in Non-Profit Management and Leadership at the Boston University Questrom School of Business.  In her free time, Julia enjoys spending time with her husband and son. Julia and her family enjoy travel, cooking, and anything outdoors — hiking, cycling, and running to name a few.

 

Jennifer C. Galambos is Head of School at Kent Place School, an all-girls nonsectarian K - 12 school. She understands the need for an approachable, innovative, and creative leader who is dedicated to advancing Kent Place School’s mission and to preparing girls and young women for a global future. She earned her doctorate in education from Teachers College, Columbia University; her master’s degree in education with a concentration in private school leadership from Loyola University; and her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Franklin and Marshall College. Early in her independent school career, Jennifer was the Middle School principal at the Bullis School (MD); Director of Admission at Green Farms Academy (CT); Director of Admission and Financial Aid at Saddle River Day School (NJ); and a history teacher, dorm parent, and coach at the Perkiomen School (PA). More recently, she spent nine years at Bryn Mawr School, in Baltimore, as the Assistant Head of School and Upper School Director. Before that, she was its Middle School Director. In addition, Jennifer has served on numerous Boards, presented at annual conferences, and been a nationally ranked tennis player.

Amy Miles Ziebarth currently serves as Head of Far Brook School, a progressive co-ed Nursery-Eighth Grade school.  She presided over the largest capital campaign in Far Brook’s history. Funds raised built a state-of-the art Music  and Arts Building, Science and Environmental Center, and Woodshop, and added close to 13,000 sq.ft. of space to the campus.  Amy has led and championed a school-wide commitment to diversity and inclusion work. For the past four years, Far Brook has planned and hosted a NJ Independent School Diversity Conference attended by more than 200 members of the community.  Prior to Far Brook, Amy worked at NJ SEEDS for 15 years, 10 of those years as Executive Director, playing a pivotal role in expanding educational opportunities for young people in New Jersey.  In her tenure as Executive Director, Amy quadrupled the annual operating budget of NJ SEEDS, increased the number of students served, and moved the headquarters from Hightstown, NJ to the heart of downtown Newark so that students and their parents would have access via public transportation to consult with staff members or volunteer their time.  During her leadership, Amy launched the Young Scholars Program and the College Preparatory Program (CPP). She also led a successful $6 million capital campaign, earning SEEDS recognition from the Partnership in Philanthropy.  Amy holds a B.A. from Colgate University and a master’s degree from Drew University. She began her career in 1985 at Kent Place School in Summit, NJ, her alma mater. She taught Middle School history and then served as Director of Admissions and Financial Aid.  Ms. Ziebarth has written about the need for educational opportunities for disadvantaged students in the New York Times and has appeared on CNN and other news programs.  She lives with her husband and their three children.