Head Search
Head of School Search
Sonoma Academy has been and remains an educational institution built on the foundation of mutual respect, trust, cooperation and engagement with our community. These values will guide the Board of Trustees as we embark on what is one of the most important aspects of our role in supporting Sonoma Academy, the search and identification of a new Head of School.
The Board of Trustees has retained Resource Group 175 (RG175), a national education search firm that specializes in Head of School searches, to assist us in this critical search work.
RG 175 is confident that this work can be successfully completed within a timeline targeted to establish a new Head of School for the by the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
We are excited and committed to begin this process in close coordination and communication with you, our Sonoma Academy community.
About Resource Group 175
From its inception, Resource Group 175 has been committed to highly personalized leadership and governance consulting to schools, based on the values of integrity, inclusivity, knowledge, and flexibility. RG 175 creates partnerships with schools to identify, foster, and support exceptional leaders that will enable those schools and their students to thrive. They focus on creating a partnership with each school and tailoring every search to meet the needs of that school by listening carefully to gain a deep understanding of the school community. They prioritize recruiting a diverse pool of candidates and treat every school and candidate with respect.
Head of School Search Committee
Tim Shaw (Steven '26), Chair
Debbie Novograd (Avery '25, Sawyer '28), Co-Chair
Karen Meyer (Lex '24, Dana '27, Cooper '28)
Dan Hirsch (Claire '26)
John Lee (Archie '22)
Chris Hanna (Brian Whitley '20), Board Chair
Debbie Novograd (Avery '25, Sawyer '28), Co-Chair
Karen Meyer (Lex '24, Dana '27, Cooper '28)
Dan Hirsch (Claire '26)
John Lee (Archie '22)
Chris Hanna (Brian Whitley '20), Board Chair
Head of School Search Advisory Committee
Janine Extavour, Director of Teaching & Learning
Kelly Castañeda (Brodie '25), Dean of Global & Experiential Programs
Rolando Crisostomo, Director of College Counseling
Chris Ziemer (Sally '17, Gabby '20), Director of Athletics
Maitane Elorza, World Languages Department Chair & Teacher
Drew Gloger (Pamela '24, Iris '27), Humanities Department Chair & Teacher
Hillary Younglove, Arts Department Chair & Teacher
Lisa Zavieh (Azalea Martin '14, Ian Martin '16), STEM Department Chair & Teacher
Kelly Castañeda (Brodie '25), Dean of Global & Experiential Programs
Rolando Crisostomo, Director of College Counseling
Chris Ziemer (Sally '17, Gabby '20), Director of Athletics
Maitane Elorza, World Languages Department Chair & Teacher
Drew Gloger (Pamela '24, Iris '27), Humanities Department Chair & Teacher
Hillary Younglove, Arts Department Chair & Teacher
Lisa Zavieh (Azalea Martin '14, Ian Martin '16), STEM Department Chair & Teacher
Sonoma Academy Is...
...the only private, independent, college preparatory high school in Sonoma County. On our beautiful campus nestled at the base of Taylor Mountain in Southeastern Santa Rosa, our students are able to explore their interests and passions in a rigorous and inspiring environment that develops a lifelong love of learning and prepares them for college and beyond.
Sonoma Academy admits students of any race, color, religion, ethnicity or national origin, citizenship, gender or gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or disability, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity or national origin, citizenship, gender or gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and tuition assistance programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
