The National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES) announced two significant changes in leadership to take place over the next two years. NAES Executive Director, The Rev. Daniel R. Heischman, D.D., has shared his decision with the NAES Governing Board to retire, effective July 1, 2022. NAES Associate Director, Ann Mellow, has also announced her intention to retire in the summer of 2021.

The NAES Governing Board, alongside executive staff, has developed a transition plan to ensure a strong and stable future for the association. In coming months, the NAES Governing Board will embark upon a search for a new executive director. A new executive director will be appointed for July, 2021, in order for that person to undertake a year of transition alongside the current director.

Mr. Heischman will be retiring after 15 years of service to NAES, having served as Executive Director since 2007. During his time at NAES, Dan has overseen years of fruitful growth and development of the association, including recently the establishment of a new diversity conference and a professional network for diversity practitioners. A recipient of NAES’ John D. Verdery Award for outstanding service to Episcopal schools and the association, Mr. Heischman previously served as a member (1995-2001) and treasurer (1996-2001) of the NAES Governing Board. Mr. Heischman is also the author of numerous publications, notably during his time at NAES two volumes of Weekly Meditations.

Ms. Mellow has been in her position with the association since 2008, during which time she has overseen notable developments in a number of key areas—not least of which being the curation of the NAES webinar series and a mentoring program for new chaplains. “Her wisdom, experience, boundless energy, and extent of knowledge about Episcopal schools is unrivaled” said NAES Executive Director, Dan Heischman, in a recent letter to membership. “She is truly the ‘go to person’ when schools contact us, seeking much needed advice and perspective on problems related to governance, church-school relations, and school operations.”

The NAES Governing Board is grateful for the years of exemplary service from both Mr. Heischman and Ms. Mellow. “Each has contributed much on behalf of the association while leading with integrity, honor, and grace” writes NAES Governing Board President, Edward Kim. Though the task of replacing these two highly valued members of the staff is no small one, the NAES Governing Board is “confident that NAES will attract another extraordinary executive director to lead us to continued growth and influence,” Kim concludes.

More information about the search process will become available later this year. The Governing Board will develop a timeline for the search following an upcoming meeting in January, 2020. Updates will be posted to the NAES website at www.episcopalschools.org and on the NAES Career Center.

The National Association of Episcopal Schools (NAES) is an independent 501(c)(3), voluntary membership organization that supports, serves, and advocates for the vital work and ministry of those who serve nearly 1,200 Episcopal schools, early childhood education programs, and school establishment efforts throughout The Episcopal Church. Chartered in 1965, with historic roots dating to the 1930s, NAES is the only pre-collegiate educational association that is both national in scope and Episcopal in character. The association advances Episcopal education and strengthens Episcopal schools through essential services, resources, conferences, and networking opportunities on Episcopal school identity, leadership, and governance, and on the spiritual and professional development of school leaders.