Head of School Search

As shared in his letter to the community, Father Dunnan has announced his plans to retire as Head of School on June 30, 2027, after 35 years of devoted service. At that time, he will be the second-longest-serving Head in the school’s history, having led Saint James through a period of extraordinary growth, academically, spiritually, and physically. His decision reflects a thoughtful desire to give the Board and School community ample time to plan for a smooth and successful transition, while continuing to lead the School with energy and purpose over the next two years.

The new Head of School is expected to take office on July 1, 2027.

A Search Committee appointed by the Board of Trustees will work with an external search consultant (The Education Group) to identify and recommend a new Head of School to the full Board for approval.

The committee is composed of the following Trustees:

• Tod Salisbury ’70 (Chair)
• George Wilson '71
• Kiki Karos ’82
• Osama Farooqi ’97
• John Hoke ’03
• Ann Davis
• Dona Young
• David Hein
   

After reviewing proposals from several nationally recognized search firms, the Search Committee has selected The Education Group (TEG) as our consultant to find a replacement for Father Dunnan.  Founded in 1988, TEG provides search and placement as well as executive coaching services to independent schools across the country. We were particularly impressed by TEG’s significant experience working with Episcopal schools and boarding schools, their knowledge of Saint James School and our region, and their commitment to placing seasoned consultants on our search.

Dennis Campbell and Katherine Moncure Stuart will assist the Search Committee’s work. Dennis served for seventeen years as Headmaster at Woodberry Forest School and is the former Dean of Duke University Divinity School. As a former board member of the Virginia Association of Independent Schools as well as The Board of The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS), he knows our school and leadership landscape well and has deep connections in the national boarding school community. Katherine, President of The Education Group brings deep institutional knowledge and has led numerous successful Head of School and senior administrative searches.

Dennis and Katherine visited campus in October to meet with the Board to plan the next steps in the search process. They also met with students, faculty, and staff. They will continue to gather input from all segments of the Saint James community.

The School’s Board of Trustees is committed to a thorough, transparent, and inclusive process. The Search Committee will post regular updates on the Head of School Search page of the website as soon as new developments occur.

Please view this detailed candidate profile outlining desired qualifications and characteristics.

Yes. Given the School’s strong community, enduring values, and excellent financial position, the Search Committee expects to attract a highly qualified slate of candidates. Saint James is well positioned to draw experienced and mission-aligned leaders who are excited about the opportunity to guide the School into its next chapter.

While the formal evaluation will be led by the Search Committee, community input will be essential. TEG, our search consultants, sent a questionnaire to students, parents, alumni, faculty, and staff to provide initial feedback. Katherine Stuart and Dennis Campbell of TEG were on campus in October and met with various constituent groups. More details on how the community can engage will be shared as the search progresses.

Leadership transitions naturally bring change, but Saint James has weathered change before, and emerged stronger each time. The School is built on a resilient foundation of mission, values, and community. While every Head brings a unique perspective, the core traditions and defining elements of Saint James, such as daily chapel, seated meals, required athletics, small class sizes, and academic excellence, will remain unchanged. The School will continue to adapt thoughtfully to new opportunities and challenges, as it always has.

Over the next two years, there will be many opportunities for the community to celebrate and thank Father Dunnan for his remarkable leadership. His impact on generations of students, families, faculty, and alumni is immeasurable. Plans are underway for one or more major events in the spring of 2027, and there will be additional moments throughout his final year to reflect on his legacy and express our gratitude. For those who wish to recognize his lasting contributions, consider supporting the Dunnan Endowment Fund.  It is a powerful way to help carry his vision forward, ensuring future students continue to benefit from the school he helped shape.

Ongoing updates will be shared via email and posted on this dedicated section of the School’s website, which will be updated to include the timeline, candidate profile, and announcements about key milestones.

You can access this page anytime by going to www.stjames.edu/search.