25 Independent School Leaders Across Metro Atlanta

*Last updated: 4 August 2026.*

Metro Atlanta’s independent schools are shaped by leaders who hold both the long view and the daily work of helping young people learn. This guide recognises 25 leaders working across the region’s independent-school communities.

The names here offer a way to learn more about the people helping guide school communities across Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, Marietta and Roswell.

1. David Abusch-Magder

Head of School, The Epstein School.

David Abusch-Magder is Head of School at The Epstein School in Sandy Springs. His school biography says he earned a PhD in Physics from MIT and holds ten United States and international patents.

2. Fred Assaf

Head of School, Pace Academy.

Fred Assaf is Head of School at Pace Academy in Atlanta. Pace’s leadership page describes more than two decades of leadership at the school.

3. Brad Brown

Upper Elementary Division Head, Trinity School.

Brad Brown is Upper Elementary Division Head at Trinity School in Atlanta. A Trinity transition update says he moved into the role after leading admissions and enrolment from 2016.

4. Martha Burdette

Head of School, Ben Franklin Academy.

Martha Burdette is Head of School at Ben Franklin Academy in Atlanta. The school also lists her as an academic advisor and English teacher.

5. Carl Carlson

Head of School, The Walker School.

Carl Carlson is Head of School at The Walker School in Marietta. His school biography notes that he previously served as Head of High School at Tampa Preparatory School.

6. Meredyth Cole

Head of School, The Lovett School.

Meredyth Cole is Head of School at The Lovett School in Atlanta. Lovett’s 2025 Opening Chapel update records her welcome to the school community as it began its 99th school year.

7. Matt Hajdun

Head of Primary School, Atlanta International School.

Matt Hajdun is Head of Primary School at Atlanta International School. The school’s leadership page records that he received the Milken Educator Award in 2012.

8. Kristy Lundstrom

Head of School and Chief Executive Officer, Mount Vernon School.

Kristy Lundstrom is Head of School and Chief Executive Officer at Mount Vernon School in Atlanta. Her school biography lists earlier leadership roles with the Viktor Rydberg Schools in Stockholm and the Scandinavian School of Brussels.

9. Elizabeth Miller

Head of School, The Children’s School.

Elizabeth Miller is Head of School at The Children’s School in Atlanta. Her biography says she was founding deputy head of school at GEMS Nations Academy in Dubai.

10. Maria Croley Madden

Head of School, St. Martin’s Episcopal School.

Maria Croley Madden is Head of School at St. Martin’s Episcopal School in Brookhaven. The Atlanta Area Association of Independent Schools records that she spent more than 13 years at Lovett in leadership, teaching and coaching roles.

11. Joe Marshall

Head of School, Trinity School.

Joe Marshall is Head of School at Trinity School in Atlanta. Trinity’s staff directory lists a master’s degree from Hofstra University among his qualifications.

12. Laura Magnanini

Assistant Head of School, The Paideia School.

Laura Magnanini is Assistant Head of School at The Paideia School in Atlanta. Paideia also lists her as a member of its strategic planning committee.

13. Chris Pomar

Head of School, Swift School.

Chris Pomar is Head of School at Swift School in Roswell. A Swift publication records his appointment as the school’s fourth Head of School in 2020.

14. Jay Rainey

President, The Westminster Schools.

Jay Rainey is President of The Westminster Schools in Atlanta. Westminster’s leadership page says he became President in July 2026 after previous Head of School roles at Randolph and MICDS.

15. Tom Taylor

Head of School, The Paideia School.

Tom Taylor is Head of School at The Paideia School in Atlanta. Paideia’s strategic planning material lists him as an educator and librarian.

16. Kevin Glass

Head of School, Atlanta International School.

Kevin Glass is Head of School at Atlanta International School. His school biography says he previously directed Tashkent International School.

17. Brooke Hight

Head of Lower School, Pace Academy.

Brooke Hight is Head of Lower School at Pace Academy in Atlanta. Her Pace biography says she joined in 2025 after 11 years at Westminster and five years at Lovett.

18. Trish Bogdanchik

Associate Head of School, Mount Vernon School.

Trish Bogdanchik is Associate Head of School at Mount Vernon School in Atlanta. The school’s leadership page records seven years of service at Mount Vernon.

19. Amy Shafron

Head of School, The Davis Academy.

Amy Shafron is Head of School at The Davis Academy in Atlanta. The school describes itself as the largest Reform Jewish day school in the country.

20. Doug McLane

Head of Upper School, The Lovett School.

Doug McLane is Head of Upper School at The Lovett School in Atlanta. Lovett says he joined the school after more than two decades in independent school leadership.

21. Jim Justice

Dean of Academics and Curriculum, The Westminster Schools.

Jim Justice is Dean of Academics and Curriculum at The Westminster Schools in Atlanta. The school lists earlier service as a teacher, coach, grade chair, Assistant Head and Interim Head.

22. Comer Yates

Head of School, Atlanta Speech School.

Comer Yates is Head of School at Atlanta Speech School in Atlanta. In the school’s careers material, he asks prospective teachers to describe a student who changed their life.

23. Amir Farokhi

Head of School, The Galloway School.

Amir Farokhi is Head of School at The Galloway School in Atlanta. Galloway says he was appointed in 2025 as the first alumnus to serve as the school’s head.

24. Drew Frank

Associate Head of School and Principal, The Davis Academy.

Drew Frank is Associate Head of School and Principal at The Davis Academy in Atlanta. In a Davis story, a faculty member credits him with encouraging her to share a classroom practice with colleagues.

25. Michael Arjona

Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs, The Walker School.

Michael Arjona is Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs at The Walker School in Marietta. A Walker profile says he returned to the school in 2002 and led its Upper School from 2016 to 2025.

What these leaders have in common

The people in this guide lead in different settings, but the profiles point to a shared kind of work. They are responsible for culture, learning, staff development, family trust and the long-term health of their schools.

Strong leadership is practical rather than motivational. It gives people something they can use on Monday morning, not a feeling that fades by Friday.

For related reading, see leadership development experts for schools and thought leaders in independent schooling.

Looking for practical leadership development?

Jonno White helps leaders build organisations people would move cities to work at. For a written proposal for a school leadership event or development program, use the contact path on Consult Clarity and share the outcome you want for your people.