Mary Seppala

Partner

Sought after for her capacity to listen deeply, understand culture quickly, and navigate complexity with warmth and candor, Mary is known for forming relationships that last well beyond a placement.

About Mary

Mary Seppala is one of those rare educational leaders who has truly seen the field from every angle. Beginning her career in public education, Mary served as a teacher, district administrator, and superintendent before becoming not only the first American, but the first woman, to lead Munich International School. She later became the head at Agnes Irwin School.

Mary has dedicated her career to expansiveness: expanding opportunities for students, perspectives for teachers, pathways for leaders, and possibilities for boards. Today, she is one of Educators Collaborative’s most senior partners, bringing more than a decade of search leadership to deeply impactful, mission-aligned work.

Sought after for her capacity to listen deeply, understand culture quickly, and navigate complexity with warmth and candor, Mary is known for forming relationships that last well beyond a placement. Because she invests in the long arc of leadership and the people who shape it, schools and candidates return to her again and again. Mary doesn’t merely place leaders; she walks with them, and with the schools they serve, for the journey ahead.

Professional Experience

Educators Collaborative, Partner, 2014-Present
The Agnes Irwin School, Bryn Mawr, PA, Head of School, 2009-2014
Munich International School, Munich, Germany, Head of School, 2005-2009
Lee-Tyringham School District, Lee, MA, Superintendent of Schools, 2002-2005
Amherst-Pelham Regional School District, Amherst, MA, 1980-2002, District Special Education Administrator 1985-2002, High School Counselor, 1980-1985
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, Instructor, School of Education, 1996-2000
Department of Defense Overseas Schools, Germany, Turkey, Greece, Administrator, Teacher, 1974-1978
Central Berkshire Regional School District, Dalton, MA, Teacher, Counselor, 1971-1974

Education

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, B.S. Education
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, M.A. Counseling
University of Massachusetts, Ed.D., Student Development

Professional Affiliations

The 1911 Group, 2009-2014
The Heads Network, 2009-Present
International Coalition of Girls’ Schools, 2009-Present
Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools, 2009-2014
IBO Regional Advisory Board Member for Europe, Africa and the Middle East, 2005-2009
NEASC Commission for International Education, 2010-2014
Association for the Advancement of International Schools, 2005-2009
Association of German International Schools, Board Member, 2005-2009
The Education Alliance, Brown University, 2002-2005
SOLA (School of Leadership Afghanistan) Board Member, 2024-present

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