Our Next Chapter of Leadership
Bennett Day School is thrilled to announce that Heidi Hutchison will join Bennett Day School as our next Head of School & Chief Operating Officer, beginning July 1, 2026.
Selecting a leader to shepherd the future continued growth of our community was a process we approached with dedication and intention. We sought a leader who embodies our future-focused mission, understands the entirety and complexity of the K-12 arc, and possesses the entrepreneurial spirit and experience required at Bennett as a school uniquely “Built for What’s Next.” Heidi is a leader deeply aligned with our rigorous learning standards and ready to move our strategic priorities forward.
Thank you to everyone in our community who engaged in this rigorous and important process, including the Search Advisory Committee, the Search Committee of our Board, our Family Association, and Bennett teachers, administration, and staff.
About Heidi Hutchison
Heidi joins us from the Friends School of Baltimore. Founded in 1784, Friends has operated for over 240 years as a prestigious, coeducational K-12 institution focused on cultivating critical thinking and real-world learning. Heidi has been an innovator at Friends, where she currently serves as the PK-8 Principal, leading a unified division of over 420 students and 90 faculty and staff. Her tenure there has been defined by transformative leadership and institutional growth, including:
- Institutional Alignment: Heidi successfully merged historically distinct divisions into a cohesive PK-8 program, aligning curriculum and leadership structures to enhance the student experience.
- Enrollment & Pipeline Development: She has been a primary architect of sustainable enrollment initiatives, integrating divisional programs to strengthen long-term student retention.
- Facilities & Strategic Planning: Heidi served as Co-Chair of the Board’s Innovation Task Force for facilities optimization.
- Lifelong Learning and Future-Ready: A pioneer in both professional development and the use of emerging technologies, Heidi has utilized AI-powered operational tools to streamline school workflows, allowing educators to focus more on student engagement and academic outcomes.
Heidi’s leadership is characterized by her genuine warmth, clear priorities, and a focus on the "joy of learning." Earlier in her career, she taught upper school project-based learning utilizing the “city as a classroom”. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education and School Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a Bachelor’s of Science in Education from the University of Delaware. Heidi is an avid reader, aspiring chef, dog lover, and nature enthusiast who enjoys pickleball and golf. She is already captivated by the energy and history around us in Chicago and our vibrant Fulton Market area.
A Global Search & Resounding Consensus
This appointment is the culmination of a rigorous global search facilitated by our partners at Carney, Sandoe & Associates. The process was comprehensive: more than 150 educational leaders engaged in the search, dozens of candidates were interviewed and thoroughly vetted before two finalists were invited to our campus. We are grateful that the culture and innovative approach at Bennett helped attract so many excellent candidates from around the world and across our entire country, too.
Feedback following Heidi’s visit provided an overwhelming consensus. Of the faculty, staff, and parents/guardians surveyed, 92% of respondents agreed that Heidi possesses the professional qualifications and leadership style to succeed at Bennett. Our partners at CS&A noted that such a high watermark of support is special and indicates a fantastic match between a leader and school.
Gratitude and Our Path Forward
Thank you to everyone in our community who engaged in this rigorous and important process, including the Search Advisory Committee, the Search Committee of our Board, our Family Association, and Bennett teachers, administration, and staff.
We continue to be deeply grateful for the ongoing engagement of Jackie Miller, who was instrumental in the search, interview, and selection process while she continues in her position as Head of School this school year. Jackie will work closely with Heidi as a Senior Advisor through the entirety of next school year to ensure a seamless transition and a successful hand-off to Heidi over the course of the summer.
Updates & Key Communications
On behalf of our Search Committee and Board, I am proud to announce that Heidi Hutchison will become our Head of School & Chief Operating Officer at Bennett Day School, starting July 1, 2026!
Selecting a leader to shepherd the future continued growth of our community was a process we approached with dedication and intention. We sought a leader who embodies our future-focused mission, understands the entirety and complexity of the K-12 arc, and possesses the entrepreneurial spirit and experience required at Bennett as a school uniquely “Built for What’s Next.” Heidi is a leader deeply aligned with our rigorous learning standards and ready to move our strategic priorities forward.
Read the full letter from Cameron Smith, Founder/CEO, and a message from Heidi Hutchison.