I launched this company in 1986 with the goal of making a contribution to the independent school world. As the son of the 34-year Headmaster of Tabor Academy, I came by this interest naturally. During my years as Dean of Admission at Princeton University, I continued to broaden my knowledge through visits to hundreds of independent schools.
Now in our third decade of service to independent schools, Wickenden Associates today is an experienced team of talented and knowledgeable professionals — each of whom brings an extensive and varied range of skills and all of whom share my goal of helping independent schools thrive in challenging times. Together, we have consulted with nearly 500 independent schools throughout the nation and abroad.
—Jim Wickenden
We are Wickenden Associates:
Vice President
Years on staff: 21
As Jim Wickenden's wife and business partner, Martha is actively involved in all aspects of our Head search practice. Tenacious and persuasive in her outreach to prospective candidates, she serves our client schools with energy, warmth, and wisdom. A graduate of Smith College (with a master's degree in psychology from Rowan University), Martha has a particular interest in promoting the advancement of women in senior leadership positions. She also guides search committees through the important tasks of communicating with their school communities throughout the search process and planning for a successful transition to new leadership. Martha is a former 10-year independent school trustee.
Recent search assignments:
- Head of School, Phoenix Country Day School (Phoenix, AZ)
- Head of School, Charlotte Country Day School (Charlotte, NC)
- Head of School, Princeton Day School (Princeton, NJ)
- Head of School, Seven Hills School (Cincinnati, OH)
- Head of School, St. Catherine's School (Richmond, VA)
- Head of School, Canterbury School (Ft. Myers, FL)
President
Having traveled the globe serving independent schools of all types, Jim has developed a deep appreciation for their extraordinary variety and unique characteristics. He is committed to serving schools well, deliberately maintaining a flexibility and openness that allows us to respond to the individual needs and concerns of schools and their leaders.
Jim's extensive network of contacts serves our clients well in searches and other consulting assignments. He maintains active relationships with hundreds of Heads and other senior administrators in schools across the country. Each year, he interviews scores of aspiring school leaders in our office and in the field, continually growing and refreshing our expansive database.
Having served on eight Boards of independent schools with a wide range of missions and resource levels, Jim also knows firsthand the responsibilities shouldered by today's trustees.
A graduate of Tabor Academy and Princeton University, Jim holds a master's degree in Counselor Education from Rutgers University, a master's degree in the General Purposes of Education from Harvard University, and a doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Boston University.
Senior Search Consultant
Years on staff: 22
In addition to her work as a lead or co-consultant in Head of School searches, Linda oversees our searches for other key senior administrators. A former admissions officer at Pine Manor College and Princeton University, Linda has a particularly strong network of contacts within the independent school college counseling field. A 1977 graduate of Princeton University, Linda is a former Chair of the Alumni Council and President of the Alumni Association. She is an independent school graduate and parent.
Recent search assignments:
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Head of School, Temple Beth Am Day School (Miami, FL)
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Director of College Guidance, Collegiate School (New York City)
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Head of School, Fairfield Country Day School (Fairfield, CT)
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Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, Hun School of Princeton (Princeton, NJ)
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Director of Admission, Director of College Counseling, Upper School Assistant Director, Middle School Assistant Director; Lakeside School (Seattle, WA)
- Head of School, Upland Country Day School (Kennett Square, PA)
Director of Publications
& Research
Years on staff: 24
A former newspaper reporter and editor, Alison oversees our website and the many publications that support our work, including Opportunity Statements and our search manual. She is the author and/or editor of articles in our Leadership Library, including several national surveys of Heads of School. She also works on special projects and surveys related to strategic planning, governance, and school operations. Alison is a former independent school parent and was a 13-year trustee at Chapin School in Princeton.
Recent assignments:
- Head compensation study
- Strategic planning, Greenwich Academy (Greenwich, CT)
- Consulting on governance and dashboard development, Montclair Kimberley Academy (Montclair, NJ)
- Young alumni survey and college counseling research, The Dalton School (New York, NY)
- College counseling research, Gilman School (Baltimore, MD)
- Constituent survey, The Blake School (Minneapolis, MN)
Senior Search Consultant
Years on staff: 5
Jo is a graduate of Indiana University Kelley School of Business and holds an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management. She worked previously for Salomon Brothers and at the Chicago Board of Trade. She is a former independent school parent and trustee as well as an active community volunteer. Jo serves as a consultant or co-consultant on Head of School and other senior searches.
Recent assignments:
- Head of Upper School search, Charlotte Country Day School (Charlotte, NC)
- Head of School search, Russell Byers Charter School (Philadelphia, PA)
- Head of School search, Park Tudor School (Indianapolis, IN)
- Head of Middle School search, Charlotte Country Day School (Charlotte, NC)
- Presidential search, Xavier High School (New York, NY)
- Head of School search, Princeton Charter School (Princeton, NJ)
- College counseling research project, The Dalton School (New York, NY)
- College counseling research project, Gilman School (Baltimore, MD)
Senior Search Consultant & Reference Director
Years on staff: 15
Sue conducts Head of School and other senior administrator searches while also coordinating reference-checking and outreach to prospective candidates. A graduate of Union College with an MBA from Tuck School at Dartmouth, Sue worked for 15 years as a Certified Public Accountant with Ernst & Whinney. She is now overseeing the expansion of our services into CFO and Business Manager searches. Sue is a graduate of an independent girls boarding school and a former independent school parent.
Recent search assignments:
- Assistant Head and Upper School Principal, The Buckley School (Sherman Oaks, CA)
- Head of School, The Walker School (Marietta, GA)
- Head of School, Vermont Academy (Saxtons River, VT)
- Director, Chinquapin School (Highlands, TX)
- Head of School and Lower School Head, Claremont Preparatory School (New York City)
- Head of School, Barstow School (Kansas City, MO)
- Head of School and Middle/Upper School Head, York Country Day School (York, PA)
Search Consultant & Research Associate
Years on staff: 10
Linda supports our searches in numerous ways, including her thorough, professional handling of reference interviews and her participation in the writing and editing of Opportunity Statements. In keeping with our commitment to continuous improvement, she also oversees our 360-degree feedback initiatives, including follow-up surveys and interviews with previous clients and candidates who have participated in our searches.
Recent search assignments:
- Presidential search, Valley Forge Military Academy & College (Wayne, PA)
- Presidential search, Williamson Free School of the Mechanical Trades (Media, PA)
- Head of School search, Indian Springs School (Birmingham, AL)
- Head of School search, Iona Preparatory School (New Rochelle, NY)
- Lower School Head search, Hammond School (Columbia, SC)
Search Consultant & Research Associate
Years on staff: 1
Zachary is a graduate of The University of Chicago and holds a
master's degree in Environmental Design from the Yale School of
Architecture. Before joining us, he worked as an Assistant
Admissions Director at the Yale School of Management and as a
Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at The University of
Chicago. In addition to Head of School and other searches,
Zachary consults on the design and execution of research
projects.
Recent search assignments:
- Head of School, Hilltop Country Day School (Sparta, NJ)
- Head of Middle School, Summit Country Day School (Cincinnati, OH)
Search Coordinator
Years on staff: 16
As our air traffic controller, Monica coordinates much of the administrative work associated with our searches, including maintenance of our database and files, communication with candidates, and scheduling of semifinalist interviews. She works closely with candidates and search committee chairs to ensure the high level of service and responsiveness that is a distinguishing feature of our approach to consulting. She can always be counted upon to be a cheerful and reliable source of information.
The Headmaster of The Hun School of Princeton in Princeton, NJ, from 1994 to 2009, Jim Byer joined Wickenden Associates in 2010. He is available to provide a range of services to newly appointed Heads of School and their Boards to ensure a smooth and successful transition to new leadership. Dr. Byer holds a bachelor's degree from Marietta College, a master's degree in guidance and counseling from Rider University, and a doctoral degree in educational administration from Nova University. In 2007, Rider University awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree. Prior to becoming the Headmaster of The Hun School, from which he also graduated, Jim was for six years the Headmaster of The University School of Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL.