RG175 is an expert in

"Every school is different, every head of school is different. We take the time to get to know what makes each school unique—and then personalize the process so candidates and schools find the right fit."

John Farber, Managing Partner of RG175

Mission & Core Values

Mission: We build partnerships with schools to identify, nurture, and support exceptional leaders who empower schools and their students to thrive.

Core Values: Drawing on our extensive experience as school leaders and search consultants, we are committed to:

Identifying, nurturing, and supporting exceptional school leaders to drive student success.
Upholding the highest ethical standards in all aspects of our work.
Prioritizing the recruitment of diverse candidates, grounded in the belief that inclusion strengthens communities.
Building tailored partnerships with each school to meet their unique needs.

Listening intently to gain a profound understanding of every school community.
Treating every school and candidate with respect and professionalism.
Embracing continuous learning and fostering innovation in our approach.
Facilitating smooth and successful leadership transitions.

RG175 is an expert in

"We do this work in the latter part of our careers because we believe the efforts we make today are for the sake of our children. Koto mono tamini — I work hard today for the sake of the children—resonates with all of us."

Doreen Oleson, Former RG175 Consultant

Cultivating & Supporting Leadership

Our commitment is cultivating and supporting leadership in independent and international schools. Our consultants mentor heads of school, guide boards of trustees on effective governance and strategic facilitation, and counsel aspiring leaders through presentations at national conferences. We take pride in dedicating time and expertise to these educational leaders, sharing valuable insights to promote impactful leadership. Our blog further exemplifies our dedication to fostering the next generation of independent school leaders.

"Although the conversations are difficult, I care deeply about talking to candidates who did not advance in a search. It gives me the opportunity to share with them my thoughts about their candidacy and what they might work on to better prepare themselves for a headship. It is one of the most satisfying parts of my work."

Deborah Reed, Consultant, RG175

RG175 has a real commitment to

"RG175 has a real commitment to diversity and a proven track record of identifying great leaders by building the relationships that matter most—between schools, trustees, and candidates."

Tony Featherston, RG175 Search Consultant

Our History

Resource Group 175 was founded in 2002 by Edes Gilbert and Clay Stites, both accomplished head search consultants with Independent Educational Services (IES), a premier non-profit organization that served independent schools nationwide for over three decades. From its inception, RG175 has been dedicated to providing highly personalized leadership and governance consulting, grounded in the core values of integrity, inclusivity, knowledge, and flexibility.

Today, RG175 comprises a team of 22 professionals conducting head of school and senior administrator searches and offering a range of services to independent schools across the country and international schools worldwide. Since our founding, we have remained committed to delivering personalized, reasonably priced leadership consulting tailored to the unique needs of each client school. Guided by our core values—integrity, inclusivity, knowledge, transparency, and flexibility—we strive to serve each school and its mission with excellence.

With deep expertise in recognizing, nurturing, and sustaining leadership at both executive and governance levels, we approach every consultation as a partnership. RG175 becomes not just a service provider but an advocate, fully invested in the success and future of each school we serve.