The Search for Windward's Next Leader

Dear Windward Community,

For a century, Windward has been a leader in educating students with language-based learning disabilities. Our evidence-based instructional model has transformed the lives of generations of students, helping them develop the skills and confidence to succeed in school and beyond. Today, that impact extends across our three campuses and through the Windward Institute, which advances research, teacher training, and educational practice beyond our classrooms.

As we look to Windward’s next chapter, the Board of Trustees aims to build on this foundation and expand the School’s educational impact. We are writing to share an important evolution in Windward’s leadership structure and an update on our search for the School’s next leader.

Click here for a video announcement from Board President Maria Reed and Search Committee Chair Denis O’Leary III ’06.

An Evolved Leadership Structure 

Windward will be led by a president and head of school, working in close partnership with distinct but complementary responsibilities. We believe this structure reflects the breadth of Windward’s work and the opportunities ahead.

President. This new role will provide strategic leadership for Windward as an institution, with a focus on its long-term direction, organizational strength, and opportunities to expand its impact. As Windward’s chief executive, the president will oversee strategy, finances and operations, fundraising, external partnerships, and the growth and reach of the Windward Institute. The president will report to the board of trustees.

Head of School. This role will evolve to provide dedicated leadership of Windward’s educational program across all three campuses. As the School’s chief academic leader, the head of school will oversee campus leadership, curriculum, instruction, faculty development, and student experience. The head will also guide the academic work of the Windward Institute, ensuring a strong connection between research and classroom practice. The head of school will report to and work closely with the president.

Together, these leaders will ensure that Windward’s educational mission remains at the center of our strategic direction. We believe this structure will strengthen the School’s ability to deliver an exceptional education for every student while expanding the reach of our work.

Announcing Our Head of School 

We are proud to announce that the board of trustees has appointed Alexis Pochna to serve as Windward’s head of school.

Alexis has served Windward for more than 20 years, beginning as a classroom teacher and subsequently holding a range of important leadership positions. She has served as campus head of Westchester Lower School, director of the Windward Institute, and associate head of school for academic programs. Most recently, she has led Windward as interim head of school.

Throughout her tenure, Alexis has developed a deep understanding of Windward’s educational approach and strong relationships with the students, faculty, and families who make up our community. Her experience spans classroom instruction, campus leadership, curriculum development, and the advancement of our educational methods beyond Windward.

Alexis shared her excitement with us, stating:

“I am thrilled and honored to be stepping into the newly designed role for the Windward head of school. This role speaks to my heart and my deepest sense of purpose: partnering with Windward students, families and educators to deliver a truly transformational education. I am grateful to the board for working with me to design this new role, which allows me to focus even more deeply on fulfilling our mission, advancing our instructional program, and enriching the student experience. I also look forward to partnering with a president; together we will expand our capacity for growth and impact as we lead Windward into the future”

In defining the head of school role, the board placed particular importance on finding a leader with deep expertise in Windward’s instructional model, a strong connection to our community, and a demonstrated commitment to our mission. Alexis brings all of these qualities. Her leadership during this interim period has further strengthened the board’s confidence in her ability to guide Windward’s academic program and ensure that the quality of a Windward education remains at the center of the School’s future.

The Search for Windward’s First President 

With Alexis’s appointment, the search committee, working with Russell Reynolds Associates, is focused on identifying Windward’s first president through a national search.

We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and mission-centered leader who can build on Windward’s strengths, guide its long-term development, and expand its educational impact. The successful candidate will bring strong organizational leadership, sound judgment, and a clear appreciation for Windward’s distinctive educational approach. The ability to work in close partnership with Alexis and the School’s academic leadership will be central to the role.

Community engagement will remain an important part of the search. We will soon share a survey inviting faculty, staff, families, alumni, and other members of the Windward community to provide their perspectives on the School’s priorities and the qualities we should seek in our first president. Your input will help shape the leadership profile and guide the search committee’s work as we identify and assess candidates.

We will continue to provide updates as the search progresses. Additional information is available on the School’s leadership search page.

Windward’s success has been built on the dedication of generations of faculty, school leaders, families, alumni, and supporters. As we celebrate Windward’s centennial, we have an opportunity to build on that legacy, strengthen the education we provide to our students, and extend the reach of Windward’s expertise to more children and educators. We look forward to working with the entire Windward community as we take these next steps.

Sincerely,

Maria Reed
Board President

Denis O’Leary III ’06
Search Committee Chair

Dear Windward Community,

I am writing to share an important update on our search for Windward’s next leader. Following a thorough process in which we considered several leading search firms, the search committee has selected Russell Reynolds Associates as our search partner.

Russell Reynolds stood out for the strength of its team, its experience across education, nonprofit, and corporate leadership searches, and its understanding of Windward’s mission and needs. We also valued the firm’s thoughtful strategy for engaging the Windward community and its commitment to building a broad and diverse pool of candidates. We believe Russell Reynolds will be a strong partner in this important work. You can learn more about the firm here, and click these links to meet consultants Anne Coyle and Claire Godwin who will be leading the process at Russell Reynolds.

Russell Reynolds will visit each of our campuses and hold listening sessions across the Windward community. These conversations will give our faculty and staff, families, alumni, and supporters an opportunity to share what they value most about Windward, their perspectives on its future, and the qualities they believe are most important in our next leader. You will receive further information regarding these visits soon.

As we shared when we announced the Search Committee, we have a clear mandate: to identify a leader who is committed to Windward’s mission, can build on the School’s nearly 100-year record of educational impact, and can set its strategic direction in collaboration with the board for the years ahead.

We will continue to share updates on the search timeline and key milestones as the process moves forward. You can find these on a dedicated page on the School’s website in the coming days.

If you have questions about the search, please contact the Search Committee at SearchCommittee@thewindwardschool.org. If you would like to nominate a candidate for Windward’s next leader, please contact Russell Reynolds at windward@russellreynolds.com.

Throughout this process, Windward’s mission and the impact we have on our students will remain at the center of our work. We understand the importance of this responsibility and are grateful for the community’s engagement and support as we take this next step together.

Sincerely,

Denis O’Leary, III ’06
Search Committee Chair