Welcome one and all!

JUSTIN BRANDON - George School (PA), Head of School
Justin is a veteran independent school leader. Most recently, he was the Associate Head of School at Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he also served as Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs. Previously, Justin served as Head of Upper School at Francis W. Parker School in Chicago, Illinois, and Director of Upper School at Moorestown Friends School (NJ).

Justin’s extensive experience in discerning and leading strategic initiatives, unifying school constituencies through change as well as attracting and retaining talented educational professionals will serve him well in the opportunities that lay ahead. His personal and professional values clearly resonate with Quaker faith and practice. He is committed to building community and uses a collaborative and inclusive approach to decision-making to meaningfully connect with and unify others.

Justin holds a Master of Arts in Educational Policy and Administration from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and African-American Studies from Macalester College, and a graduate of Friends Council’s Institute for Engaging Leadership. Justin will be George School’s tenth head and the first Black head of school in its history.

BECKY DIMICK EASTMAN - Richmond Friends School (IN), Head of School
Becky has been a professional educator for more than 25 years. Early in her career, Becky taught high school biology and math. She later became a teacher educator, teaching and coaching student teachers as well as experienced educators. Becky’s research interests include gender equity, school athletics, and rural schools. As a faculty member at Ball State University, she has taught Foundations of Education and Reading for Diverse Learners. Becky was the Director of Graduate Programs in Education at Earlham College for three years after serving as Assistant Director for ten years.

Becky’s leadership style is based in care ethics and servant leadership. She strives to empower faculty, staff, and students to recognize their inner teacher and use that to engage in high-level learning. Becky’s two sons are both Richmond Friends School alumni. Becky is a Quaker and a member of West Richmond Friends Meeting.

Becky earned her Bachelor of Arts from Earlham College, her Master of Arts in Science Education from Brown University, and her PhD in Educational Studies from Ball State University. 

KATIE GIBSON - School for Friends (DC), Head of School
Katie’s varied experience in education spans more than two decades. She began her career as an early childhood creative movement teacher. Over the years, she has worked with every age from two years old to adult learners. She has held leadership positions at a number of schools, including High School Principal at Georgetown Day School in Washington DC. Since leaving there in 2022, Katie has been working as a consultant, supporting schools and organizations to become more equitable and inclusive communities.

Through her roles as teacher, diversity practitioner, dean, house parent, advisor, and division head Katie has repeatedly found that community is at the heart of a great school. She exudes warmth and energy. Her extensive leadership experience, clear communication style, commitment to equity and inclusivity, and demonstrated dedication to building connections and community will support her strong vision and leadership.

Katie earned a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University after earning a Bachelor of Science in Dance Education at New York University.

NICOLE HOOD - Abington Friends School (PA), Head of School 
Nicole comes to Abington Friends School from The Bryn Mawr School as the Upper School Director. Previously, she served as Director of All-School Programs & Partnerships at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools and has taught at the secondary and university levels. Nicole began her career in independent schools at St. Catherine’s School in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia, where she also previously served as the Interim Executive Director of the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia.

Nicole is a warm, authentic, and deeply spiritual person and exhibits a profound commitment to equity and social justice. She will connect with all aspects of the Abington Friends school community – students, parents, faculty, staff, and the School Committee – through careful listening, clear communication, and an open heart.

Nicole earned her Bachelor of Arts in City/Urban Community & Regional Planning from the University of Virginia, and her Master of Arts and PhD in art history from the University of Michigan. Nicole’s appointment makes her the first Black head of school in Abington Friends’ history and she is the first woman to serve as head of school in a non-interim capacity.

ROBERT KELLEY - High Point Friends School (NC), Head of School
Rob’s 38-year career in education has garnered a depth and breadth of experience and knowledge of independent schools. Early in his career, he was a middle school teacher at Nichols School in Buffalo, New York. For three years, he served as Middle School Dean of Students at Nichols. Rob spent 12 years at The Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, MA where he was Faculty Development Coordinator, Dean on Duty, and Middle School Director (while also teaching history and coaching).

Prior to his last position as Interim Head of St. Mary’s Episcopal School in Edmond, Oklahoma, Rob spent 18 years as Head of School for The Pennfield School in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

During his tenure at Pennfield, Rob successfully created programs that built community and sustainable enrollment, and raised significant funds to support its strategic mission. Rob’s leadership philosophy is aligned with High Point Friends’ ethos.

Rob attained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Tufts University and continued his studies at Tufts to earn his Master of Arts in Teaching.

CHRISTINE LEWIS - Sandy Spring Friends School (MD), Interim Head of School
After a year as Assistant Head, Christine has been appointed to serve as interim Head of School. With extensive experience as a classroom teacher of students from elementary through high school as well as training teachers, she is passionate about Preschool to Grade 12 education.

Christine worked at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School for 16 years, with many as a primary classroom teacher. Starting in 2013, she worked with St. Andrew’s Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning, as their Lower School Head of Research. In this role, Christine led projects that helped educators translate research into practice, learn how the brain works, and how emotions are interwoven into intellectual processes.

Christine grew up in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. She earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Waikato. Following coursework in anthropology at Auckland University, she spent a year at the Auckland Teacher's Training College. After moving to the United States in 2003, she earned a Master of Science in instruction from Drexel University.

KATHERINE “KATIE” MARION - Cambridge Friends School (MA), Head of School & Director of Secondary School Placement
After serving in an interim capacity for a year, Katie has been appointed Head of School. She brings multiple perspectives and 25 years of experience at Cambridge Friends to the role. This includes serving as a classroom teacher, cluster coordinator, Lower School Head, committee member, parent, school board member, and clerk for the school’s AISNE reaccreditation. 
 
Katie’s transition from classroom teacher to administrator demonstrates her intrepid leadership, which helps shape the day-to-day running of the school and informs the longer-term trajectory set by the board of trustees. Her nuanced understanding of how to build curriculum that fosters critical thinking and deep learning, how Quaker values are woven into the activity of the classroom, and how essential teachers are in this work is vital to achieving the mission. 
 
Katie holds a BA in history from Trinity Washington University and an MAT in elementary education from Simmons College. She is also a graduate of Friends Council's Institute for Engaging Leadership and completed a Certificate in School Management and Leadership through Harvard Graduate School of Education. Katie's children are alumni of Cambridge Friends School. 

TIM NOONAN - Friends Western School (CA), Interim Head of School
Tim has been with Friends Western School since 2011, where he has taught second through sixth grade. Since 2019, Tim also served as the school’s Director of Outdoor Education. Prior to Friends Western, Tim taught second grade for four years at J. Erik Jonsson Community School (now the Momentous Institute) in Dallas, Texas. There he focused on employing research-based, brain-compatible teaching and learning practices while building relationships with children and families. 

Tim appreciates a school community where each individual’s uniqueness is noticed and celebrated. He strives to infuse character development, service learning, and vocational training into the children’s daily practices. For example, his students run their own class business, using the funds to purchase classroom supplies and gym equipment as well as to make charitable donations. Weekly trips engage the students in exploring the local community through hikes and service projects. 

Originally from Massachusetts, Tim earned his Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and English from Boston College. 

SASHA SIEGELBAUM - Chappaqua Friends Nursery School (NY), Director 
Sasha has worked as an educator for the past 18 years as both a classroom teacher and administrator. She worked for several years as an Assistant Director of the Brooklyn Free School, a democratic free school with a mission for social justice. As a teacher, she has worked in independent schools around New York, teaching children ages 4 to 12, in progressive and child-centered settings. This includes Alamander Camp in Brooklyn, New York.

Sasha’s commitment to young children and their most important jobs of playing, creating, and exploring is fueled by her background as an artist and her generosity of spirit. As a school leader, she strives to foster an equitable community where children with disabilities are valued for their individuality and have the chance to be themselves. Sasha’s commitment to inclusion and anti-ableism stems from her experience as a mother of a child with multiple disabilities and a neurotypical child.

Sasha holds a Master of Science in Early Childhood and Childhood Education from Bank Street College and a Bachelor of Arts in Art and Art History from Barnard College.