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Leadership Search

We Bring Precision and Expertise to Every Search

At Carney Sandoe, we specialize in connecting schools and organizations with transformational leaders. With decades of experience and a commitment to excellence, we ensure every search uncovers candidates who inspire progress and growth. 

Global Reach, Personal Touch: Trusted Leadership Search

With almost 50 years of experience in education leadership search, we offer our partners the best of both worlds: the personal attention and agility of a bespoke firm, paired with the resources, technology, and market insight of a globally-connected network. Our longstanding reputation has earned the trust and respect of education leaders, both current and future, as we guide them through their careers.

Leadership Consultant Specialties

Explore Our Practice Groups

OUR PROCESS

Our Executive Search Works

Customized Search Strategy

We collaborate closely with schools and educational organizations to understand their unique needs. Using a proven process, benchmarks, and powerful technology, we devise the most effective search strategy for each community, supported by proprietary research and market insights.

Candidate Identification & Evaluation

Our team rigorously identifies and evaluates candidates using a blend of proven methodologies, advanced tools, and industry expertise. We prioritize finding leaders whose skills and values align with your school’s mission.

Seamless Transition Support

We go beyond placement by offering comprehensive transition support, ensuring your new leader integrates smoothly and effectively into your school’s community and culture.

Find the Right Leader for Your School

Carney Sandoe specializes in connecting schools with exceptional leaders. From heads of school to senior administrators, our proven process ensures the best match for your unique needs.

Recent Appointment

Memphis University School logo with an eagle emblem and red shield featuring the words Veritas Honorque.
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School Name
Memphis University School
Appointee Name
Hartwell "Hart" Roper
Position
Headmaster
Location
Memphis, TN

Recent Appointment

Poly Prep Country Day School logo with blue hexagonal design and bold text.
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School Name
Poly Prep Country Day School
Appointee Name
Cyndy Jean
Position
Associate Head of School
Location
Brooklyn, NY

Recent Appointment

Mercy High School emblem featuring a book with Latin words "Virtus" and "Scientia", surrounded by a maroon and gold border.
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School Name
Mercy High School
Appointee Name
Julie Carver
Position
President
Location
Farmington Hills, MI

Recent Appointment

CAIS logo, California Association of Independent Schools, colorful overlapping squares with bold letters.
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School Name
California Association of Independent Schools
Appointee Name
Phil Gutierrez
Position
Executive Director
Location
Glendale, CA

Recent Appointment

Luanda International School logo featuring stylized tree designs and the abbreviation LIS.
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School Name
Luanda International School
Appointee Name
Kristine Adelsboell
Position
Deputy Director
Location
Luanda, Angola

Recent Appointment

Carolina Day School logo featuring a bell, located in Asheville, North Carolina.
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School Name
Carolina Day School
Appointee Name
Benjamin "Ben" Farrell
Position
Head of School
Location
Asheville, NC

Recent Appointment

Deerfield Academy logo featuring historical building design and the motto "Be Worthy of Your Heritage," founded 1797.
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School Name
Deerfield Academy
Appointee Name
Lee Greener
Position
Dean of Admission
Location
Deerfield, MA

Recent Appointment

Berkeley Carroll School logo featuring an open book with Latin words and the year 1886 in a circular emblem.
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School Name
Berkeley Carroll School
Appointee Name
Frances Lyons
Position
Athletic Director
Location
Brooklyn, NY

Our Team

Meet Our Leadership Search Specialists

As highly successful former heads of school and administrators, our consultants utilize their training and experience to help school leaders grow personally and professionally. They understand the intersection of leadership and strategy and bring an extra level of knowledge to ensure the success of each leadership search.

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Darryl J. Ford

Vice President, Education Leadership Services; Coach

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Sara Shulman

Practice Leader, Development & Communications, Finance & Operations; Senior Consultant

Kim Peeples

Senior Consultant

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Allison Gaines Pell

Senior Consultant, Coach

Meet the Rest of the TeamMeet the Rest of the Team

our insights

Thought Leadership from Our Experts

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Leveraging the Head of School Evaluation to Promote Trust, Growth, and Sustainability Within the School Community

Read Article
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Navigating New Beginnings: Two Models of Leadership Transition  

Read Article
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The Missing Thread: Why Schools Must Teach Both the Local and the Global

Read Article
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Contact Us to Begin Your Executive Search

Ready to find the perfect leader for your educational institution? Get in touch with us today. Our team is here to assist you in every step of the executive search process.

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Expertise You Can Trust

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Personalized Support

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Making the Match

Contact Us- school inquiring about a high-level search and/or consulting
Icon of three abstract human figures in a circle, symbolizing a group or community concept.

Expertise You Can Trust

Icon of two hands supporting a person symbol, representing care and support.

Personalized Support

Icon of a person inside a circle with two arrows forming a loop around it, symbolizing user interaction or feedback.

Making the Match