Lisa Kaenzig Appointed 11th Head of Foxcroft School

Following a comprehensive, nationwide search in partnership with Carney, Sandoe & Associates, the Board endorsed the unanimous recommendation of the Search Committee. Kaenzig will be the 11th Head of School at Foxcroft.

A graduate of The College of William & Mary with a Ph.D. in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership, Kaenzig currently serves as the Dean of Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation & Director of the Centennial Center at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Through her professional experience and career path, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to educating young women. Over her distinguished 21-year career at William Smith College, the women’s college within Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS), she spent 14 years as the dean of first year women and seven years as the Dean of the College, where she demonstrated a lifelong commitment to fostering community and supporting students’ academic and personal growth.

“Dr. Kaenzig brings a wealth of experience and passion for advancing educational excellence, inclusion, and opportunities for young women,” shared Board of Trustees Chair Natalie Wiltshire ’95, “and we are confident that her vision and dedication will usher Foxcroft into an exciting new era.”

In addition to her doctorate, Kaenzig holds a master’s degree in Human Resource Development from The George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Rutgers University.

Throughout her career, Kaenzig has actively promoted women’s participation in politics and government service, including serving as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN), a national organization in Washington, D.C. dedicated to encouraging young women to engage in the public policy process. She has dedicated her research to understanding the needs of K–12 gifted students, particularly girls, and advancing women in STEM fields. Her work has consistently aligned with this mission and underscores her dedication to providing an inclusive and empowering environment for young women.

“My career has been devoted to the advancement of educational and leadership experiences for girls and young women,” shared Kaenzig, “and I look forward to this next chapter at Foxcroft. I am excited to join a talented team and a devoted community of alumnae, Board of Trustee members, and Foxcroft families, as we strive to advance the impactful experience of a Foxcroft education for the girls of today and those who will join us in the future.”

This announcement follows a thoughtful, thorough, and rigorous search process. In May 2024, the Board of Trustees announced the retirement of current Head of School Cathy McGehee at the end of the 2024-25 school year, as well as the formation of the Head of School Search Committee. The committee — co-chaired by Board of Trustees Chair Natalie Wiltshire ’95 and Vice Chair Elizabeth Lester ’88, and composed of five other trustees and one faculty member, representing current and past parents as well — was supported by Carney, Sandoe & Associates, an educational recruitment, search, and strategic consulting firm with a depth of experience in assisting independent schools with leadership searches since 1977.

In partnership with Carney, Sandoe & Associates, the committee was charged with identifying a group of candidates whose strengths and passions align with Foxcroft’s mission and strategic trajectory. A national search was initiated, which drew interest from a large pool of highly qualified candidates.

As part of a long-term succession plan, Head of School Cathy McGehee will work closely with Kaenzig and the Board of Trustees to ensure a smooth transition. A transition committee comprised of trustees, administrators, faculty, and staff will also support Kaenzig as she steps into this leadership position at Foxcroft. She will officially begin her new role as Head of School on July 1.

Kaenzig is married to Dr. Christine de Denus, Department Chair and Associate Professor of Chemistry at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Together, they have raised two adult daughters, Morgan and Madison, and are excited to call Foxcroft home.

In a letter to the community, Kaenzig acknowledged the special place that is Foxcroft:

“Foxcroft’s mission to ‘help every girl explore her unique voice and to develop the skills, confidence, and courage to share it with the world’ was embedded in every one of my [on campus] conversations,” she wrote. “Miss Charlotte’s original goal to educate the whole student in a community of kindness is clearly alive and well at the Foxcroft of today, more than 110 years later. I am very excited to continue that important mission at Foxcroft in the years ahead.”