Head of School Position Description
Lead, champion, inspire.
Board Appoints Next Head of School
On October 10, 2025, the Board of Trustees announced J. Michelle “Chelle” Wabrek as the next Head of School at Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School. Chelle will officially begin her tenure on July 1, 2026.
Current MICDS Head of School Jay Rainey announced in May of 2025 that he will leave his position at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. He will continue to serve as Head of School at MICDS through June 2026.
Search Team
- Head of School Search Committee
Search Committee Chair
Andy Condie ’82, Past Board Chair, parent of Caitlin ‘11, Ellie ‘12, Bridget ‘16, and Joe ‘20Search Committee Members
- Charmaine Ansari, Past Board Member, parent of Shaan ‘22 and Zoya ‘27
- Lisa Dennig Coulter ’75, Past Board Member, parent of Elizabeth ’03, Christopher ’05, Caroline ’08, and John ’13
- Jason Brauer ’94, Board Chair, parent of Ella ’24, Mia ’26, and Olivia ’28
- Jen Hogan, Board Member, President of Parents Association, parent of Sean ‘26 and Liam ‘28
- McKay Baur Mills ’92, Board Vice Chair, past President of Alumni Association, past President of Parents Association, parent of Graham, Jack ‘23 and Drew ‘28
- Daphné Morgan, Board Member, Chair of Collaboration and Inclusion Committee, past Head of School at Hawthorn Leadership School for Girls
- Terry Pflager III ’80, Past Board Chair, parent of Kate ‘11, Henry ‘13, Banks ‘16, and GeGe ’18
- Dave Steward II ’95, Board Member, Development Committee Chair, parent of Trey and Julian ‘34
- Brad Werner ’86, Board Member, parent of Ford ‘28 and Victoria ‘28
Recent Communications
- Recent Communications
- Email to MICDS community on October 10, 2025: Head of School Announcement
- Email to MICDS community on September 9, 2025: Head of School Search Update
- Email to MICDS community on July 9, 2025: Head of School Search Update: Position Description
- Email to MICDS community on June 20, 2025: Head of School Search Survey and Zoom Reminders
- Email to MICDS community on June 13, 2025: Head of School Search Firm & Feedback Announcement
- Email to MICDS community on May 23, 2025: Search Committee Announcement
- Email to MICDS community on May 9, 2025: Announcement from Jay Rainey and Statement from the MICDS Board of Trustees
Mission
Propelled by our Mission.
Thank you to all who were involved in this important search.