Mack Boulder Campus with the Boulder, Colorado Flatirons mountains in the background.

Head of School Search

Head of School Search – April 19, 2026

Dear Mack Boulder Community,

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are pleased to share that the Board has unanimously approved the Search Committee’s recommendation of Bo Adams as the next Head of School of Mackintosh Academy Boulder. Bo has enthusiastically accepted the position.

Bo brings more than three decades of experience in independent schools, with a strong focus on student-centered learning, curriculum innovation, and faculty development. Throughout the search process, he stood out for his thoughtful, collaborative leadership style and his alignment with Mackintosh’s mission and values.

We are grateful to all members of the Mack Boulder community who engaged in this process through forums, conversations, and surveys. Your insights were an important part of the committee’s work. We also extend our sincere thanks to the Search Committee for their dedication and care throughout this effort.

Bo will officially begin his role as Head of School on July 1, 2026. In the coming months, we will share opportunities for the community to get to know him and support a smooth transition.

We are excited for this next chapter at Mack Boulder and look forward to the leadership Bo will bring to our community.

Lauren Wilson, Board Chair, Mackintosh Academy Boulder, Board of Trustees

HOS Search Committee

Tiffany Tasset, Search Committee Chair, Board Treasurer and Rising Chair, MS Parent

Lauren Wilson, Board Chair, Alumni Parent

Daphanie Burnham, Board Vice Chair, LS Parent

Sarah Estrella, Board Trustee-elect, LS Parent

Nicole Coenen, LS Teacher

Jesse Carlucci, MS Teacher, MS Parent

MaryAnne Miner, K-8 Specialist Teacher, Alumni Parent


 

Head of School Search Update – April 10, 2026

Dear Mack Boulder Community,

Thank you for the warm and thoughtful welcome you extended to our finalist candidates. We are grateful for your engagement throughout the visit process and are pleased to share an update on next steps.

Next Steps

Guided by the Leadership Profile developed at the outset of the search, the Search Committee will consider all available information, including community feedback, candidate materials, reference conversations, and insights gathered throughout the interview process. From this, the committee will identify the candidate we believe is best positioned to lead Mack Boulder in the years ahead. This recommendation will then be presented to the Board of Trustees for final consideration and decision.

Thank you again for your meaningful engagement throughout the finalist visits. The warmth and authenticity of our community were clearly felt, and we can take great pride in the experience we offered our candidates.

We look forward to sharing additional updates in the coming weeks and deeply appreciate your continued support.

Warmly,

Tiffany Tasset

Search Committee Chair


March 13, 2026

Dear Mackintosh Boulder Community,

Following virtual interviews with six highly qualified Head of School candidates, the Search Committee is very excited to share that we have identified and invited two finalists to visit Mackintosh Boulder in the coming weeks. Each outstanding finalist will spend two days on campus, touring the school, visiting classrooms, and meeting with faculty, staff, parents, trustees, students, and members of the Search Committee. 

Meet the Candidates
We hope you will take the opportunity to engage in this important process—both to get to know our finalists and to help them experience the warmth and strength of the Mackintosh community.

Please mark your calendars for the finalist visits:

  • Candidate #1: April 1–2
    • Community/Parent Forum: Wednesday, April 1, 1:00–1:45 p.m. (Virtual)
    • Community/Parent Forum: Thursday, April 2, 8:30–9:15 a.m. (In-person)
  • Candidate #2: April 8–9
    • Community/Parent Forum: Wednesday, April 8, 1:00–1:45 p.m. (Virtual)
    • Community/Parent Forum: Thursday, April 9, 8:30–9:15 a.m. (In-person)

We encourage parents and community members to attend one forum for each candidate. If you are able, we strongly encourage in-person participation; a virtual option will be available for those who prefer to attend remotely. To ensure a consistent experience for all participants, we will have limited time for live questions during the forums. If there is a specific question you would like to ask of the candidates, please submit them via this Google Form.

We will share candidate biographies and additional information a day prior to each visit.

Share your Input
In addition to the parent forums, there will be opportunities for faculty, staff, students, and trustees to meet each candidate. Following each visit, you will be invited to share your feedback through an online survey, which will help inform the Search Committee’s deliberations. We encourage you to please meet both candidates and provide your valuable input. 

Throughout this process, we have been reminded of what makes Mack Boulder such a special place. We are grateful for the strong interest from talented educational leaders across the country, drawn by our mission, our program, and our community.

We look forward to introducing our finalists to you in the coming weeks.

Warmly,

Tiffany Tasset, Search Committee Chair

Lauren Wilson, Board Chair


 

Head of School Search — March 13, 2026

Dear Mack Boulder Community,

Earlier this week, the Search Committee met to review dossiers from a strong and diverse pool of candidates from both the local community and across the country. In total, more than three dozen individuals expressed interest in the role, and we received 17 applications for the Head of School position at Mackintosh Academy Boulder. From this group, the committee selected seven candidates to move forward to initial interviews, which will take place during the week of March 23.

Our assessment of candidates continues to be guided by the conversations our search consultant held with members of the school’s leadership team and the Board in February, as well as by the Leadership Profile developed for this search. We are encouraged by the number of highly qualified educators who have expressed interest in leading Mack Boulder. It is a meaningful reflection of the strength of our program and our remarkable community.

From the semifinalist interviews, the search committee will select up to three finalists. As a reminder, the search process remains confidential until finalists are selected. Finalists will each spend two days on campus. These visits are tentatively scheduled for:

  • April 1-2
  • April 6-7
  • April 9-10

During these visits, there will be opportunities for members of our community to meet the candidates in various forums and provide feedback. We will share more details later this month and invite you to mark your calendars.

This is an exciting time for Mack Boulder, and we are grateful for your continued engagement and support. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. We look forward to sharing more updates soon.

Warmly,

Tiffany Tasset, Search Committee Chair

Lauren Wilson, Board Chair


 

Head of School Search — March 2, 2026

Dear Mackintosh Community,

As we look toward the 2026/27 school year, we want to share an important update about our search for Mackintosh Boulder’s next Head of School. This is an exciting moment for our community, and we’re approaching it with the care, rigor, and thoughtfulness it deserves.

Our Partnership and Process
We have partnered with Tracy Bennett from Educators Collaborative, a recruiting firm that specializes in independent schools. Tracy brings invaluable experience as a former Head of School, trustee, and advisor to schools like ours.

She has immersed herself in understanding what makes Mackintosh special, especially our commitment to developing keen minds and compassionate hearts, our culture of innovation and belonging, and the aspirations you hold for your children’s experience here.

These conversations have shaped a comprehensive leadership profile that captures both who we are and who we aspire to be.

A Committee That Reflects Our Community
We’ve formed a Search Committee that brings together diverse perspectives. It includes trustees who steward our mission, parents who live the daily life of our school, and faculty who know our students deeply:

  • Tiffany Tasset, Search Committee Chair, Board Treasurer and Rising Chair, MS Parent
  • Lauren Wilson, Board Chair, Alumni Parent
  • Daphanie Burnham, Board Vice Chair, LS Parent
  • Sarah Estrella, Board Trustee-elect, LS Parent
  • Nicole Coenen, LS Teacher
  • Jesse Carlucci, MS Teacher, MS Parent
  • MaryAnne Miner, K-8 Specialist Teacher, Alumni Parent

This committee will manage every aspect of the search: reviewing applications, vetting candidates, conducting interviews, hosting campus visits with finalists, and gathering input from across our community before making their recommendation to the Board of Trustees.

Our Path Forward
Our priority is the long-term health and success of Mackintosh. To ensure we find the right leader, we are leaving the option open for either a permanent or interim candidate for the 2026/27 school year. Rather than constraining our options prematurely, we believe the wisest approach is to engage with exceptional candidates and let those conversations inform our decision.

We will begin reviewing and interviewing candidates this month, and we’re energized by the interest our search is already generating.

Your Voice Matters
As our search progresses, we will create opportunities for community participation and input. We’ll share updates on these opportunities and on our progress in the coming weeks and months. This is your school, and your perspective matters deeply in shaping our future.

Thank you for the confidence you place in Mackintosh every day and for the partnership that makes our community strong. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions as we move through this important process together.

We’re excited about this next chapter for Mackintosh as we continue to nurture the keen minds and compassionate hearts of our students.

Thank you,

Lauren Wilson, Board Chair

Tiffany Tasset, Search Committee Chair


 

HOS Search —
Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of the Board of Trustees in the Head of School search process?
It is the responsibility of the Board to hire, support, and evaluate its sole employee, the Head of School. The Board will meet with finalists and review, then act on, the recommendation from the Search Committee. The Board’s primary role is to advance the mission of Mack Boulder and ensure the long-term viability and health of the school.

Is the school seeking an interim or long-term leader?
Our priority is the long-term health and success of Mackintosh. To ensure we find the right leader, we are leaving the option open for either a permanent or interim candidate for the 2026/27 school year. Rather than constraining our options prematurely, we believe the wisest approach is to engage with exceptional candidates and let those conversations inform our decision.

What is the role of the Search Committee?
The Search Committee will review candidate files, make reference calls, select and interview semifinalists and finalists, and recommend to the Board of Trustees the candidate they believe should be hired as the next Head of School.

How are people chosen for the Search Committee?
To ensure there is broad engagement and input from the entire Mack Boulder community, we selected individuals with a breadth and depth of relationships with the school, including trustees, parents, alumni parents, and faculty. Members are charged with holding the future of the school and its mission at the forefront, and it is our hope that collectively a wide range of perspectives and experiences will inform our discussions.

Will people other than the search committee get to meet the candidates?
Absolutely! Community input in this process is very important. The search committee will vet the initial pool of candidates and identify a group of semifinalists who will be interviewed in a confidential setting. This is done primarily to ensure that those potential candidates who have not yet informed their current schools of their possible interest in a career move will not be compromised by expressing interest in this position. The finalists—usually 2-3—will be invited to campus and have an opportunity to meet with members of the Mack community through a variety of venues and forums.

What are the criteria for making a decision about selecting the right person?
We have developed a position statement (Information for Candidates) that articulates the opportunities and challenges that await the new Head of School as well as the professional skills and personal characteristics we believe are most desirable and relevant to successfully lead Mack Boulder. These will include demonstrated leadership experience, excellent communication skills, proven abilities in financial management and fundraising, and a passion for the Mack mission.

There are great people already working at Mack Boulder—wouldn’t it be easier to choose someone here?
We are fortunate to have such a capable and committed group of professionals working at the school. We will encourage individuals who have an interest in the Head’s role to apply for the position. All candidates will be considered and reviewed in the same manner—this is crucial to the integrity of the process and to ensure we select the individual we believe to be best suited to be the next leader of our school.

How long will this process take?
We are engaging in a thoughtful, well-planned search and transition process, with an appropriate sense of urgency given the timing. We anticipate the following timeline:

  • Position posted: February
  • Semifinalist interviews: Mid-March
  • Finalist visits: Early April
  • Appointment: May
  • Start date: July 1, 2026

What if I know someone who may be interested?
Interested candidates should contact Tracy Bennett (tbennett@educatorscollaborative.com) of Educators Collaborative directly. They will maintain confidentiality for all recommended candidates. We also invite members of the community to make referrals of appropriate candidates. Please contact Tracy to share names and contact information of potential candidates, and she will reach out directly to them.