New Head of School Search

Marin Horizon School has selected Dr. Laura Konigsberg as Head of School

Today we’re excited to share news we have been working toward for several months. After a thorough and inclusive search process, the Board of Trustees has unanimously selected Dr. Laura Konigsberg as Marin Horizon’s seventh Head of School.

This decision reflects a true community collaboration to shape Marin Horizon’s future. We are profoundly grateful to the parents and guardians, faculty and staff, students, alumni, and trustees who engaged so thoughtfully in the search process through surveys, meetings, interviews, and many, many conversations. Across every group, Laura was affirmed as a leader whose experience, vision, and values align with Marin Horizon.

Laura will join our school after 11 years as Head of School at Turning Point School in Culver City, California, a Preschool-Grade 8 independent school that shares similarities with Marin Horizon in mission, culture, and opportunity. Prior to that, Laura served at Bentley School in the East Bay, where she held a range of leadership roles spanning academic, counseling, and operational functions, including Associate Head of School, overseeing the K–8 campus, and Dean of Teaching and Learning. Laura holds a PhD and MA in English from UC Davis, an MA in Counseling Psychology from The Wright Institute, and a BA, Phi Beta Kappa, from Trinity College. Her rare combination of scholarly rigor and deep grounding in student wellness shapes the empathetic, mission-driven leadership style she will bring to Marin Horizon. Laura’s message to the Marin Horizon community can be found below, and you can read her full bio here.

Laura will begin as Head of School in July of 2027, giving us the opportunity for an intentional transition and introduction to our community. Throughout the transition period, Interim Head of School Andy Davies will continue her excellent work leading Marin Horizon. Laura will visit our campus this spring, work closely with Andy throughout 2026-2027, and build relationships with faculty, families, and students. When she officially steps into this role, she will be well prepared.

This is a significant moment for our students, faculty, families, and for the school's future. We’re eager to welcome Laura, with her depth of experience and strong desire to steward our mission, as she gets to know our community. We look forward to shaping this next chapter of Marin Horizon together.

With gratitude,

The Marin Horizon Board of Trustees

Message from Laura Konigsberg

Dear Marin Horizon Community,

I write with gratitude and excitement as I prepare to join Marin Horizon as the next Head of School. Throughout the search process, I was continually struck by the warmth, thoughtfulness, and spirit of this community, and my time on campus only strengthened my sense of the purpose and possibility that define MHS.

What stands out is the clarity and authenticity of the school’s culture: one in which students are truly known, relationships are foundational, and kindness is lived as both a value and a daily practice. I am impressed by MHS’ academic strength and connection to the natural world, and how this integration nurtures students who are both capable and grounded.

As a parent, choosing a school is an act of trust, care, and hope for your child’s growth and future. It’s clear to me that MHS is a community where children are both challenged and supported as they grow into thoughtful, confident, and compassionate people. I feel energized by the opportunity to join a school that values genuine human connection and intellectual engagement.

I’m eager to get to know you and your families: to hear your stories, understand your hopes for your children, and attend to what matters most to this community.

As we look to 2027, I am excited to begin to build relationships across the community and to learn more about the people, traditions, and aspirations that make Marin Horizon special. This coming year, I look forward to spending time on campus, to getting to know you more personally, and to working closely with Andy Davies to support a thoughtful and smooth transition.

Thank you for the open-hearted welcome I felt during my time on campus. It has been a privilege to meet you, and I look to the future with optimism and purpose.

Warmly,
Laura

Position Statement

The next head of school at Marin Horizon will be a visionary and inclusive leader who believes in the power of whole child education and leads with clarity and heart.

View/Download the Position Statement

Community Updates

Search Committee Announcement (December 1)

Survey & Update (December 4)

Search Committee Update (January 20)

Search Committee Update (March 13)

Search Committee Update (March 26)

Search Committee Update (April 3)

Decision Updates

Search Committee Update (April 23)

Timeline

EARLY Fall 2025

Head of School departure announced
Search committee formed
Faculty and Staff Advisory Committee formed

Fall 2025

Community Meetings held for current parents/guardians, alumni, staff, former trustees, and students
Position Statement posted
Candidate communication and recruitment by RG175

Winter 2025/2026

Candidate application deadline, semifinalists selected
Semifinalist interviews by Search Committee and FSAC

SPRING 2026

Finalists visit Marin Horizon for interviews and to meet the community (see "Upcoming Community Meetings")
Search Committee recommends candidate for Board of Trustees approval
New Head of School announced to the community

July 1, 2026 or 2027

New Head of School begins tenure

Please note: The Search Committee understands that unanticipated issues may arise and is prepared to adjust the above timeline and process if necessary.

Committees & Consultants

Search Committee

The search committee will review candidate resumes, interview leading candidates, speak to references, select finalists, and recommend the next Head of School for the Board to hire, consistent with Marin Horizon's mission and values.

Members of the Search Committee:

Elisabeth Thurston Fraser - Committee Co-Chair, Trustee, Parent (Claire ‘23, Jack ‘25, and Lindy ‘28)
Kathryn Cahill Thompson - Committee Co-Chair, Trustee, Parent (Avery ‘26, Scotland ‘28, Cormac ‘31)
Peter E. Bryan - Board Chair, Parent (Eleanor ‘28)
Kristin Lunny - Former Community Association President, Parent (Shae ‘28, Quinn ‘33)
Julia Ripperton, Faculty Representative, Associate Director of Lower School
Nicole Rothschild, Faculty Representative, Middle School Science Teacher
Paul Vronsky - Trustee, Parent (Anastasia ‘34, Penelope ‘37)

searchcommittee@marinhorizon.org

FACULTY & STAFF ADVISORS

Feedback from our faculty and staff is essential to making the best and most informed choice for a new Head of School. As part of the search process, all faculty and staff will be invited to participate through surveys and on-campus listening sessions. In addition, the Search Committee is forming an advisory committee of the faculty and administrative staff in order to afford additional representation at key points in the process, and a unique perspective. The FSAC will provide important feedback throughout the process.

Members of the Faculty & Staff Advisory Committee:

Ryan Chung, 1st Grade Lead Teacher
Sean How, 6th-8th Grade Math Teacher, 7th Grade Advisor
Malini Mahajan, Financial Controller
Jesse Pearson, 7th/8th Grade Language Arts Teacher, 8th Grade Advisor, and MHS Alum
Eva Saull, Toddler Garden Lead Teacher
Carla Wilkins, 7th/8th Grade Student Support Teacher

Search Consultants

Our two search consultants from the firm RG175 are Bay-Area based. They both have extensive experience in K-8 Head of School searches, worldwide educational contacts, and preexisting knowledge of Marin Horizon.

Coreen Hester (Read Bio)
Jeremy Moore (Read Bio)

FAQs

What are the roles of the Board of Trustees and the Search Committee?

The Board of Trustees holds the ultimate responsibility for selecting the next Marin Horizon Head of School; this is one of its most fundamental duties. The Board will contribute to shaping the desired candidate profile, meet with all finalists, and, based on the Search Committee’s recommendation, approve the appointment of the new Head of School.

To lead this process, the Board has established a Search Committee to manage the search on its behalf. The Committee will be led by two co-chairs: trustees Elisabeth Thurston Fraser and Kathryn Cahill Thompson. The committee is responsible for overseeing each phase of the process and will gather input from all constituents of the Marin Horizon community, including students, faculty and staff, parents, alumni, former parents, and trustees. In partnership with our search consultants at RG175, the Committee will coordinate and execute the logistics of the entire search effort.

Both the Board and the Search Committee are dedicated to keeping the Marin Horizon community informed and engaged as the process unfolds.

What is the role of faculty and staff?

The Marin Horizon Board, the Search Committee, and our consultants are committed to an open search and value the perspectives and input of our faculty and staff. Two members of the Marin Horizon faculty have been selected by their peers to represent the faculty and staff on the Search Committee: Julia Ripperton and Nicole Rothschild.

Recognizing the invaluable perspective and essential feedback that faculty and staff bring to the process, broad faculty and staff input will be solicited through the process, with key opportunities including:

Participation in a community survey in Fall 2025
Opportunity to meet with and provide feedback on the three finalists in Winter 2026

In addition, all faculty and staff are encouraged to share their thoughts with the search consultants, Coreen Hester and Jeremy Moore, by emailing searchcommittee@marinhorizon.org.

Finally, the Search Committee will also form a Faculty and Staff Advisory Committee (FSAC). The FSAC will offer another opportunity to represent the faculty and staff perspective at key points in the process, helping ensure that the lived experience and perspectives of our educators and staff inform this important decision. Additional details on the formation of this committee will be shared in the coming weeks.

What is the role of current parents/guardians?

The Marin Horizon Board, the Search Committee, and our consultants are committed to an open search and value the perspectives and input of all members of the Marin Horizon community, including parents and guardians. Community input will be solicited through the process, with key opportunities including:

Participation in a community survey in Fall 2025
In-person meetings with RG175 in Fall 2025
Opportunity to meet with and provide feedback on the three finalists in Winter 2026

In addition, parents and guardians are encouraged to share their thoughts with the search consultants, Coreen Hester and Jeremy Moore, by emailing searchcommittee@marinhorizon.org.

Who are the search consultants and what is their role?

Marin Horizon School is partnering with the leading national executive search firm, RG175 and two of their Bay Area-based consultants, Coreen Hester and Jeremy Moore. Together with the Search Committee, they will be committed to a thoughtful, transparent, and inclusive process.

RG175 is providing advice to the Search Committee concerning format, logistics, procedure, and best practices throughout the search process. In particular, key roles include:

Providing advice regarding the search process and timeline
Preparing a Position Statement that summarizes the Marin Horizon Head of School opportunity and the qualities and characteristics of ideal candidates
Sourcing candidates nationally and internationally
Conducting reference checks
Supporting the Search Committee in evaluating candidates
Providing advice to ensure a successful transition

How will the community be informed regarding progress on the search?

The Search Committee is committed to an open and transparent search process. The Search Committee will keep the Marin Horizon community informed of our progress through announcements on ParentSquare, our school’s communication platform, and postings on the Marin Horizon Search webpage. The Search Committee will balance our commitment to make this process inclusive and transparent with the need to respect the confidentiality of the candidate recruitment process.