Heidi Hutchison

Heidi Hutchison serves as Head of School and Chief Operating Officer at Bennett Day School, where she leads with a deep commitment to joyful learning, progressive education, and preparing students for a rapidly changing world. She brings more than two decades of experience as an educator and school leader, with expertise in curriculum innovation, organizational leadership, and building school communities where students and educators thrive.

Prior to joining Bennett, Heidi served as PK–8 Principal at Friends School of Baltimore, where she led a unified division of more than 420 students and 90 faculty and staff. During her tenure, she successfully merged historically distinct divisions into a cohesive PK–8 program, aligned curriculum and leadership structures to strengthen the student experience, and advanced initiatives that supported enrollment, long-term student retention, and strategic planning. A champion of lifelong learning, Heidi also led the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies and AI-powered operational tools to streamline school workflows, enabling educators to dedicate more time to teaching, learning, and meaningful student engagement.

Earlier in her career, Heidi taught upper school students through project-based learning, embracing the philosophy of using the city as a classroom to connect academic learning with authentic, real-world experiences. That commitment to experiential learning continues to shape her leadership and aligns closely with Bennett’s mission of empowering curious, capable, and compassionate learners.

Heidi holds a Master of Science in Education and School Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Delaware. She is an avid reader, aspiring chef, dog lover, and nature enthusiast who enjoys pickleball and golf. Since arriving in Chicago, Heidi has embraced the energy, creativity, and rich history of the Fulton Market neighborhood and is excited to lead Bennett into its next chapter.