Josh LeRoy
Each month RG175 does a "deeper dive" to get to know one of our Independent School colleagues. This month we are spotlighting Josh LeRoy. Josh currently serves as the Head of Upper School at Nichols School in Buffalo, NY. Before joining Nichols, Josh worked at Cardigan Mountain School in Canaan, NH, where he began his tenure as Senior Assistant Director of Admission and then Director of Student Life before assuming his most recent role as Associate Head of School and Dean of Students. Prior to that, Josh served in multiple roles at Northwood School in Lake Placid, NY – mathematics faculty, dorm parent, advisor, coach, and director of athletics. He received his bachelor’s in mathematics and his master’s in education from St. Lawrence University.
What’s your connection to RG175?
I was fortunate enough to be introduced to RG175 by a close friend who had been a Head of School and had gone through searches with various consultants, including RG175. His experience and recommendation of RG175 were spot on in emphasizing that the team members prioritized their clients, keeping honest and open lines of communication, and most importantly, finding the right fit.
From that recommendation, my first contact at RG175 was with John Green. John’s ability to make me feel extremely comfortable with the search process and show a willingness to get to know me beyond just a resume was very reassuring. It was easy to connect with John, we shared many similar stories and had many mutual acquaintances. Throughout the search, John was always available to talk if I had questions and always provided honest feedback, which I greatly appreciated…and still do! Every time I speak with John, I feel like we have known each other for many years, and he always wants to know how I am doing and if he can help me in any way.
If you had one thing to recommend to other candidates, what would it be?
Be patient and trust the process.You will find a school where your beliefs and values align with the mission. You invest so much energy and time into each search that it can be exhaustive and overwhelming. No matter the wanted outcome, the position and school you are looking for is out there, and each search you invest in builds your foundation and ultimately prepares you to become an even better candidate the next time around.
Can you summarize your experience working with RG175?
The connections I created with RG175 greatly impacted my approach to the search process. Each member of the RG175 team had unique and beneficial advice for me each step of the way and took the time to help shape the way I carried myself through the search. It was clear to me that the members of RG175 were not only looking out for the best fit for the schools, but they wanted to find the best fit for me. After each conversation that I had with John Green, Bob Henderson, John Farber, or Adam Peichert, I knew they were working hard to select the best candidate for their school, but they also wanted to know me, my vision, my background and wanted to set me up for success in my next steps in the independent school world. These are all highly professional individuals who I know I will remain in contact with for years to come.
What do you enjoy most about your job as it pertains to Independent Schools?
Without a doubt, the ability to have a positive, long-lasting impact on students, faculty/staff, parents, alums, and the greater community of a school – it drives me daily. Each day in the life of an independent school educator is different, and what I love is that I have so many various opportunities, whether in the classroom, on the playing field, in a Parent Council coffee meeting, or meeting alums at Homecoming, where I can connect with people, listen to their story, and find ways to enhance the overall experience for each member of our community.