Three in four senior enrollment leadership roles across independent schools are held by women. According to The 2023 State of the Independent School Enrollment Industry Report, also known as the SOTI, the numbers are a sign of progress. But, while the number of female leaders has increased by 9 percent since 2016, the leadership playing field isn’t always equal in the independent school community.

This year’s SOTI research shows that men in enrollment leadership positions experience differences within power structures inside of schools. For instance, they are more likely to attend board meetings regularly and earn higher salaries than their female counterparts. Many factors—including the number of students, the size of the enrollment team, and school location—come into play when considering leadership in enrollment management. These nuances can’t always be attributed to gender.

Still, EMA sat down for a candid discussion with eight female leaders in enrollment management to learn more about their leadership journeys and the barriers that can get in the way of progress and to hear their advice for others seeking higher leadership opportunities.

‍The Value of Women in Leadership‍

Having women in leadership roles is about more than just representation within the enrollment management field. Research finds that women bring a unique perspective to discussion and decision-making, especially in terms of organizational transformation and collaboration.

AMANDA BOHNSACK, Director of Admission, Deerfield Academy (MA): “It’s important for girls to see women in leadership roles. I’ve worked in three different schools and never worked for a female head. So, it’s important that we’re in front of our student bodies and seen as having a voice in the decisions and direction of the institution.”

NANCY CLEARY, Director of Admission and Financial Aid, The Loomis Chaffee School (CT): “And we’re not just modeling leadership for our students. We’re also modeling leadership within our professional industry. The nature of our work can be 24/7, so seeing women who balance it and figure out ways to stay—and progress—in our industry is so important.”

JILL THOMPSON, Director of Admission, Andover (MA): “Intentionally making space for women’s participation in leadership in our industry broadens our thinking overall, especially in a field—like boarding schools—where women have been historically underrepresented in leadership positions. It pushes us to think beyond gender to other identities, too.”

DANA BROWN, Director of Admission, The Lawrenceville School (NJ): “As women, I think we’re in tune with the points of intersection in a discussion. Whether it’s home, family, life, race, or gender, a little bit more patience and understanding comes with having women in the room when making major decisions. I would say women leaders have an ability to see things from multiple perspectives and draw that into conversations and decisions.”

Leadership Styles Are Highly Personal—And Always Evolving

Every leader cultivates their leadership style based on their background and experiences. While there’s no single formula for success, our leaders share a few common traits.

EMILY MOIR, VP of Enrollment Management, Upper Canada College (ON): “As women, especially early in our professions, we can think we need to be quite male or outwardly strong in our presentation of leadership. Now, for me, it’s about focusing on the purpose of my work. As a leader, when I’m my most authentic self, I’m focused on making sure my team feels their contribution is visible in the work that we’re doing.”

AMY THOMPSON, Dean of Enrollment, The Loomis Chaffee School (CT): “Working in admissions, we have to have thick skins. As women in these roles, I often think we have to have even thicker skin. I’m no longer the people-pleaser that I used to be 20 years ago. I’m a lot less concerned about what other people think of me and a lot more concerned about the agenda that’s right for me, my team, my institution, and the industry.”

LYNNE MACZIEWSKI, Head of School, The Baldwin School (PA): “I’m the cliché of the older you get, the less you know. My leadership style has evolved. I focus on getting to know people, listening, asking questions, and gathering as much information as possible before making any decisions. I have come to be okay with my decisions, knowing they are in the school’s best interest. I want people to know that their voice is important and that even if they don’t agree with a decision, they know they were heard.”

‍Read the full article in EMA's The Yield magazine fall 2023 issue.