Adrianne Finley Odell
Each month RG175 does a "deeper dive" to get to know one of our Independent School colleagues. This month we are spotlighting Adrianne Finley Odell. Adrianne’s first professional position was working for the state of Hawaii as an economic development specialist at a unique facility on the Big Island of Hawaii—The Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii, which she parlayed into nonprofit work. A few years later she was hired as one of the original employees of the USS Missouri Memorial Association that worked with the U.S. Navy to relocate the Battleship Missouri to Pearl Harbor and turn it into a memorial-museum. Adrianne relocated to Washington, D.C. to serve as the Vice President for Development of The Worldwatch Institute, a global think-tank that focuses on environmental sustainability. It was while she was at Worldwatch that she enrolled her daughter for kindergarten at an independent school in southern Maryland, The Calverton School. Before her daughter even began school, she received a call from the Head of School who convinced her to come work for the school. Soon realizing that this was her “calling,” she took on every opportunity she could to learn about the work of schools. She participated in the NAIS Fellowship for Aspiring Heads and accepted a variety of leadership roles at the school. Her move to Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Petersburg, FL in 2010 provided many opportunities to continue to learn and grow, preparing her to become the Head at Roycemore School, in Evanston, IL in 2017. Over a five year period with enrollment increasing by 17%, doubling annual giving fundraising, reducing debt by $5.69 million, and launching a number of innovative academic initiatives, Adrianne felt the call to make a bigger impact. That led her to Moravian Academy in Bethlehem, PA where she has served as Head of School since 2022.
What’s your connection to RG175?
I worked with a number of RG175 consultants over the years both in my search for Head of School positions as well as to fill senior administrative positions at Moravian Academy.
Can you summarize your experience working with RG175?
Every single individual I worked with at RG175 has been terrific. One of the things I noticed that sets RG175 apart is the level of care and support they provide—both to candidates and to the schools for whom they are conducting the search. As a candidate, each consultant was careful to ensure I had all of my questions addressed and they took time with me in advance of my interviews to ensure I was well prepared. They were also honest when I inquired about an opportunity and wasn’t sure about the fit. They got to know me as a candidate and understand my aspirations. They went above and beyond to help direct me toward opportunities that they sensed aligned with my goals and experience.
As a client, I worked with John Green on multiple searches. John was a true professional and always available to me as questions arose. I expect that is true of all of the consultants at RG175. They take time to really get to know the school and its needs and collaborate with the school in a beautiful way from the development of the position profile through helping to secure your first choice candidate.
If you had one thing to recommend to other candidates, what would it be?
Take time to really understand yourself before pursuing a position that you think might be interesting. You will be most successful and most fulfilled if you are at a school that aligns with your goals and values. While it might be tempting to take the first opportunity that is offered to you, be careful accepting that opportunity if you are concerned about whether it is the best fit for you, otherwise your tenure will likely be short. Once you are offered the position, be sure your questions about the school and position are addressed to your satisfaction and be willing to walk away if it doesn’t feel right. That is certainly a very difficult decision, however, it is worse if you begin the position and it results in a short tenure (which doesn’t bode well for you in pursuing other opportunities). For headship positions, if you are not committed to at least five years in the role, I would encourage you to reconsider whether it is the right one for you. Such short tenures are typically not helpful to schools that thrive on stability in leadership.
What do you enjoy most about your job as it pertains to Independent Schools?
It is an incredible privilege to serve as a Head of School during a time of such complexity and exponential change. My massive transformative purpose is to inspire youth to master their limitless potential to create a just, sustainable, and creative world. When I see young people take advantage of the opportunities that have been afforded to them at my school and shine in any variety of ways, or when I witness a student overcoming significant obstacles, it reaffirms for me why I put in the countless hours that a headship requires. I can’t imagine a greater opportunity to make a difference.