Friday, February 19, 2021
Dear Parents League Community:
I write to tell you that I have made the difficult decision to retire as executive director of the Parents League, and will officially say goodbye at the end of June 2021.
I have no grand plans as I enter the next phase of my life except to spend more time with my large and cherished family. (I’ve promised not to forward articles and annoying memes to them now that I’ll have more time on my hands, but I did assure them they’d get a little bit more of me and my home-cooked meals.)
I have a confession to make. Although I raised my children—all of whom attended independent schools—in New York City, and worked as an admissions officer in an independent school, I never got around to joining the Parents League. I’m not sure why. But once I became part of this special community, I realized just how much I had missed and how much my family and I would have benefitted from being a part of it.
So, in my time at the Parents League, first as director of school advisory services and then as executive director, I devoted myself to spreading the word about this venerable New York institution. I made it my mission to make sure every parent could become aware of the Parents League and what it has to offer. None of this would have been possible without the dedication and support of first-rate staff, board members and volunteers.
Looking back at our time together, there is so much to celebrate, including the launch of a new website, logo and branding; richer programming and more school fairs; increased support for families applying for financial aid; the professionalization and growth of our school advisory team; stronger relationships with current member schools and new relationships with schools and organizations; and board expansion and engagement.
The COVID pandemic has tested us and continues to do so. Our team’s remarkable ability to quickly adapt all of our programs, especially our signature school fairs, to a virtual platform leaves no doubt in my mind about the strength of this organization and its ongoing success. But the challenge is not over. I assure you our work will continue in the coming months. I am committed to leaving my successor with a Parents League that is healthy, vibrant and well-prepared for what lies ahead.
There are few achievements in my life about which I am prouder than those we have accomplished together. At the end of this year, I will have spent 12 years at this remarkable institution. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to be granted the honor to eventually lead the Parents League when I rang the doorbell of the office a dozen years ago. That fortuitous moment changed my life. You all have changed my life. I am forever grateful for our time together and will dearly miss all of you—our incredible staff, our talented and dedicated board and advisory board, our school members and families, our volunteers, and the entire Parents League community.
With heartfelt appreciation and gratitude,
