Principal Search – St. Clement's

Welcome to the Principal Search page, which provides the St. Clement’s School community with information and updates regarding the search for the next Principal at SCS.

A message from the Chair of the Board of Governors

Dear SCS Community,

After more than 15 years of dedicated service to St. Clement’s School as Principal, Martha Perry has shared her intention to retire in July 2027 with the Board of Governors. As Board Chair and a past SCS parent, I am deeply grateful that Martha has provided the School ample time to ensure continuity, stability, and a smooth transition to the next Principal.

Martha’s impact on SCS has been profound. During her tenure as Principal, she led SCS through three strategic plans to build the capabilities and strengths required to deliver on the School’s mission of developing curious, courageous, and compassionate young women. Martha’s openness to innovative ideas, her “student for life” mindset, and genuine love of SCS has enabled it to advance yet maintain its unique culture as a Grades 1-12 school under one roof where every girl is known and valued. She has attracted and retained a highly skilled faculty and staff, evolved the LINCWell approach, and fostered an environment that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. This work remains a cornerstone of SCS’s vision for the future. Martha leaves the School in an excellent position, having recently completed major transformational investments including the purchase of the Eglinton Orange Lodge and Side Yard, and construction of the 38,000 square foot addition thanks to the very successful Trailblazer Campaign.

Martha has been widely applauded as an educator with a significant impact across Canada. She has supported and sponsored women interested in leadership over the years, having, at one time, led the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS) Women in Leadership module. After joining the Board of Trustees for the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools (ICGS) she was appointed President of the Board in 2016 and continues to regularly provide input and support to new and aspiring heads around the world. Martha was the recipient of the Ransome Prize in 2022 acknowledging her outstanding contributions to girls’ education. She has made it a priority to cultivate long-standing and valued connections in our full school community.

While her professional accolades are numerous, it is the daily living of SCS values that create the “magic in the halls” that makes this school community so unique – starting with Martha’s daily greetings at the front door each morning that exude joy, excitement, and make SCS a welcoming place for all.

On behalf of the Board of Governors, I want to express our sincere appreciation for Martha’s leadership, steady guidance, and deep commitment to St. Clement’s School. We look forward to recognizing and celebrating her in the months ahead, which also coincides with the School’s 125th anniversary. In the coming weeks, the Board will share details on the search process we will undertake to identify the next Principal, including the formation of a Search Committee. Martha will work closely with the Board and the Leadership Team throughout the transition and our SCS community can be confident that the process ahead will be well supported and thoughtfully led.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support and partnership.

Warm regards,

Karen McKay
Chair, Board of Governors

Search Committee

Karen McKay is an experienced Human Resources professional with a career spanning over 30 years with Lilly Canada, the Canadian affiliate of a multinational pharmaceutical company. Karen is Chair of the Board for St. Clement’s School in Toronto, a Board member of SHN (Scarborough Health Network) and Board member of C4K (Capitalize for Kids) where she heads the Human Resources Committee. As a Board member, Karen is interested in education and health care, particularly children/youth mental health. Karen has an MBA from Ivey Business School and BBA from University of New Brunswick.

Caitlin MacNamara is a Senior Partner at Russell Reynolds Associates and past leader of the North America Omnichannel Retail & Luxury Practice. In this role, she advises retail and consumer brands on executive talent acquisition, board governance, and talent development. Previously, she was a Principal at Kearney, a global management consultancy, with a focus on business strategy within the North American Consumer and Retail Practice. She began her career in Economic Research at BMO Nesbitt Burns.

Caitlin received a Bachelor of Arts in economics and political science from St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto, and a Master of Business Administration from the Joseph L. Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. Caitlin and her husband Paul Hooper are parents to two Clementines.

Frank DeLuca is a partner in the Corporate Group of Reconstruct LLP, a premier commercial restructuring, litigation and business law boutique. Frank has been regularly recognized as a leading lawyer in Canada in a number of business law-related areas and is frequently sought out for his knowledge on corporate law and corporate governance. He is a trusted advisor to management teams, boards of directors, special committees, and financial stakeholders.

Prior to joining Reconstruct, Frank was the chief legal officer of a premier mid-market private equity firm and prior to that was a partner at leading national and regional law firms.

Frank has a B.A. from Western University (formerly The University of Western Ontario) and a J.D. from the University of Toronto. Frank is called to the bar in Ontario. Frank and his wife Lisa Damiani are the proud parents of two Clementines.

Michael Botha is an Operating Partner at Brookfield Asset Management. In this role, he oversees operations, risk management and a variety of asset management activities for Brookfield’s open-ended core infrastructure fund and its portfolio companies.

Prior to joining Brookfield in 2001, Michael worked in the audit practice of a Big Four accounting firm.

Michael holds a Bachelor’s degree from Queen’s University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.

Zahra Jamani is a Partner in the Mergers & Acquisitions practice at Ernst & Young LLP (EY), where she leads the firm’s Canadian Consumer M&A practice. With more than 15 years of experience, Zahra has advised a diverse range of private companies across multiple industries on transaction strategy, execution, negotiation, and closing of mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. A passionate advocate for entrepreneurs, Zahra brings a hands-on approach to helping business owners navigate complex strategic decisions and achieve successful outcomes.

She began her career in EY’s Banking & Capital Markets audit group before transitioning into M&A. Zahra holds an Honours Business Administration degree from the Ivey Business School at Western University and is both a CPA, CA and CFA charter holder. She previously served on the Finance Committee of the Toronto Cricket, Skating & Curling Club and is a proud SCS alum.

Amy Paradine is the Head of Middle School at St. Clement’s School. With over 25 years in education, she has held teaching and administrative roles in both the public and independent school systems. Prior to joining SCS in 2017, Amy spent seven years working closely with faculty both inside and outside the classroom as the Director of Academic Programs/Head of Academics at the University of Toronto Schools (UTS)—a role she took on after five years of
teaching Computer Studies, Computer Science, and Mathematics there. Her extensive teaching experience also includes time at Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute, Earl Haig Secondary School, and Westview Centennial Collegiate Institute.

Amy holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Queen’s University, a Bachelor of Education from Western University, and a Master of Education — Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto.

As Director of Human Resources at St. Clement’s School since 2018, Marci oversees all aspects of human resources strategy and operations. Her work includes talent management and hiring, supporting staff growth and development, and the implementation of HR policies and procedures that respond to changing organizational needs and legislative requirements.

Marci holds the Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designation and a Bachelor of Arts in Media, Information and Techno Culture from Western University, along with postgraduate studies in Human Resources Management and Corporate Communications. She brings more than 20 years of experience working in human resources across independent education, global market research, and the not-for-profit sector.

For over 30 years at St. Clement’s School, Christine Castelli shaped the educational journeys of countless students and contributed to the growth and success of her colleagues before retiring in June 2025. Having initially joined SCS as a Science and Geography teacher in 1993, Christine took on various roles over the years, including as Teacher of Biology and Science Curriculum and Department Leader, where she supported her department in fostering growth and innovation while modeling the implementation of various pedagogies and learning strategies for students. Beyond the classroom, Christine has coached many SCS athletics teams and served as a trip leader for international science-based excursions.

Christine holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from McGill University, as well as a Bachelor of Education in Secondary Education – Physical Education and Biology from McGill University.

Principal Search Updates

Read the Job Posting

May 7, 2026

After 16 years of outstanding leadership, St. Clement’s School’s well-respected and much-loved Principal is retiring in the summer of 2027, prompting the school to seek its next leader.

Celebrating 125 years of educational excellence, St. Clement’s School (SCS) is a leading independent girls’ school in Toronto, known for its academic rigour and small, nurturing environment. SCS is a close‑knit community that treasures creativity, diversity, and innovation, where students from Grades 1 to 12 live, learn, and grow together under one roof. At SCS, every student is personally known and supported. Guided by its mission to develop outstanding women who are intellectually curious, courageous, and compassionate, the school’s approach emphasizes community, wellbeing, and empowerment. The goal is for each of the 480 students to embrace the journey of learning, not just the destination.

The Principal is accountable to the Board of Governors and will have overall responsibility for the leadership of the school, both academic and administrative. Building on a strong foundation and working in close partnership with the Board, the Principal will advance the academic program through the implementation of updated pedagogy, sharpen the articulation of SCS’s unique brand, refine the school’s approach to advancement, continue to deepen relationships with all constituents, and lead the renewal of the school’s strategic plan. The Principal fosters a warm, dynamic, and healthy school community while serving as a visible, trusted, and relational presence in the daily life of the school.

The ideal candidate will bring significant leadership and administrative experience, ideally gained in an independent school, with strong business and financial acumen, and the ability and willingness to lead the school’s philanthropic efforts. With a passion for girls’ education, they will be a curious, reflective, and strategic leader who understands how to evolve and advance pedagogy, including the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies. The Principal will be an exceptional relationship builder and communicator and will demonstrate how they have actively engaged members of their school community.

St. Clement’s School is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. SCS values each community member’s identity and wellbeing. The SCS community learns and grows by embracing multiple perspectives, experiences, and cultures. St. Clement’s is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates. Accommodations will be provided upon request to support applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.

Applications are encouraged immediately and should be submitted online at here. The search committee’s consideration of candidates will commence in late June and continue over the summer. The successful candidate is expected to be announced in the fall of 2026, and the new Principal will assume the position in the summer of 2027. Inquiries and accommodation requests should be directed to Julia Robarts and Cora Hui of Odgers at scsprincipal@odgers.com

Search Committee and Community Engagement Process Announced

April 9, 2026

Dear Members of the St. Clement’s School Community, I am writing to update you on the process that the Board of Governors has undertaken to identify St. Clement’s School’s next Principal. As we have previously shared, Martha Perry has made the decision to retire in July 2027 at the end of the 2026-2027 academic year. Since her announcement, the Board has begun working diligently through a search process. Following a thorough review of possible partners, I am pleased to share that the Board will be working with Odgers, a leading Canadian executive search firm with extensive experience in independent school leadership searches.

We have also established a Principal Search Committee, whose members are as follows:

Karen McKay – Chair, SCS Board of Governors and Chair, Principal Search Committee

Caitlin MacNamara – Vice Chair, SCS Board of Governors

Frank DeLuca – Chair, Governance and Nomination Committee, SCS Board of Governors

Michael Botha, Chair, Investment Sub-Committee, SCS Board of Governors

Zahra Jamani ’07 – Chair, Finance Committee, SCS Board of Governors

Amy Paradine – Head, SCS Middle School

Christine Castelli – Former SCS Faculty Member (retired June 2025)

Committee Support:
Marci Morgans ’99 – Director of Human Resources, SCS

Community Survey

A key next step in the search process is hearing from you, our SCS community. We are asking you to share your thoughts and suggestions for the next Principal and, in partnership with Odgers, we have developed a short survey to capture your input. The Principal Search Committee asks that you take a few moments to provide your thoughts using this survey link. Please note that all responses are anonymous and will be collected and analyzed by Odgers in support of prioritizing key issues and areas of focus for our search. The survey will remain open for two weeks only; please provide your feedback by Friday, April 24.

The Search Committee anticipates identifying SCS’s next Principal by late fall 2026, allowing ample time for a careful and comprehensive process to find the individual who best aligns with the School’s mission and future direction. You can expect updates throughout the process as we work to keep you informed of major milestones and outcomes.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement as we move through this important transition. If you have any questions about the process, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.

Warm regards,

Karen McKay
Board Chair, St. Clement’s School