Rebecca Upham
Each month RG175 does a "deeper dive" to get to know one of our Independent School colleagues. This month we are spotlighting one of our own, Rebecca Upham. Rebecca has 38 years working in independent schools with leadership roles in PreK-12, girls, and co-ed schools. To read more about Rebecca, visit her website page here.
Why did you choose RG175?
RG 175 has a very strong commitment to understanding the culture of a school. This is very important for the long-term success of the search process. I was also drawn to the caliber of people in the firm: the depth and breadth of experience is impressive.
What are you looking forward to most about being a consultant in a search?
I most look forward to helping boards and schools with one of the most important decisions they will make: that of finding their next leader. Additionally, it’s a personal and professional treat to get to know well different schools and what makes each special and unique.
What is most rewarding about serving as a mentor to a school head?
In my 24 years as a Head, I’ve been privileged to lead two institutions. I think my most significant accomplishments fall into one of two categories: culture formation and strategic positioning. Promoting a positive, affirming culture for students and faculty is at the center of happy, well-performing schools. I’m proud to say that kindness as a core value was practiced in ways large and small. While culture formation changes the daily experience of school life, strategic positioning impacts its future. At both schools I’ve served, we established a future-oriented perspective, a clear direction for initiatives, and galvanized capital support for mission-critical projects. The impact of those measures continues decades past my tenure as Head.
What are some of your former achievements when you were a head of school?
Understanding a school’s culture and community, needs and aspirations are crucial. A successful search results in the long-term stability of the Head and leadership team.
What are your thoughts on the search process?
Finding and developing great talent is something I enjoy—and something that will be increasingly important to schools as they look to expand their candidate pools.
Why are you doing this? Concerned with leadership in independent schools?
We are living in a challenging time for schools, school leaders, and for school searches. For the next several years, NAIS is predicting high turnover in school leadership positions. Helping schools and individuals navigate the realities of this new market while finding inspirational alignment of vision, skill and aspiration is important for the future of our schools and the educational outcomes of students. I look forward to playing a part in the future of our profession.