In girls’ organizations worldwide, effective leadership is vital to unlocking the full potential of the next generation of trailblazers. As global experts with a storied history specializing in girls’ education and empowerment, our approach to leadership recognizes the distinctive dynamics that shape girls’ organizations. It empowers leaders to cultivate spaces where young women thrive—communities built on inclusion, collaboration, and innovation.
By addressing the challenges and opportunities unique to girls’ organizations, this leadership framework equips you to empower the next generation of confident, compassionate leaders.
By addressing the challenges and opportunities unique to girls’ organizations, this leadership framework equips you to empower the next generation of confident, compassionate leaders.
Leadership skills are essential for everyone, regardless of role or title—because in girls’ organizations, every voice matters, and everyone has the potential to lead. This program is for anyone around the globe who is committed to empowering the next generation of confident, compassionate leaders.
What You’ll Do
Engage in tailored pre-conference workshops at the ICGS Conference in June 2026- Participate in 6-8 virtual sessions throughout the year with a global cohort and faculty
- Engage with an experienced leader within a 3-5 person mentoring group
- Work on a directly applicable project with support and feedback from your mentor and your cohort
- Meet and hear from leaders and experts on girls from around the world
- Wrap-up at the ICGS Conference in June 2027 and celebrate your leadership journey
Engage in tailored pre-conference workshops at the ICGS Conference in June 2026Sessions are designed to be interactive and practical, ensuring that you leave with a deeper understanding of effective leadership and the confidence to apply these skills in real-world situations. Join us to learn from the best and elevate your leadership capabilities.
Program Mentors 2025-26
The Program Mentors are experts and leaders from girls’ organizations around the world who have contributed to the Leadership Institute’s design and structure. They serve as lead mentors for the small coaching cohorts, facilitating conversations around session topics and providing feedback and support as participants practice their leadership.
Danielle Heard
Danielle Heard serves as the head of school at Nashoba Brooks School, in Concord, MA. Prior to Nashoba Brooks, Danielle worked as a teacher, coach, dorm parent, and administrator in independent schools and subsequently as the Executive Vice President of Programs and Operations for The Steppingstone Foundation. Danielle graduated from Williams College and holds an M.Ed. from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. She was a Klingenstein Institute Fellow at Columbia University Teachers College, and completed the Program for Leadership Development at the Harvard Business School. Danielle has enjoyed working in three ICGS member schools, and has served as head of Nashoba Brooks School since 2012. As a volunteer, Danielle has enjoyed serving as a Trustee of the Association of Independent Schools of New England, Belmont Hill School, advisor to The Chewonki Foundation, and a member of the founding Board for Bridge Boston Charter School.
Fiona Johnston
Fiona commenced as the thirteenth Principal of St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls in 2019. She champions St Hilda’s as a place of modern, innovative, educational excellence, where girls and young women excel, grow in character, develop lasting friendships and exceed their expectations. Fiona believes that promoting clear alignment, transparency, trust, and respectful relationships is key to growing and nurturing learning communities. She is passionate about fostering personal growth opportunities for all students, young women and staff at St Hilda’s, ensuring that students are prepared to lead in the transitions and challenges that lie ahead.
Fiona’s passion is developing creative, independent, resilient, and socially adept young people. As the leader of St Hilda’s, she encourages students to “lean in” to their potential and future careers through personal agency, preparedness, and a commitment to fulfilling their potential.
Fiona is committed to sustainable improvement, providing students with access to innovation that prepares them for an ever-changing landscape and further promoting St Hilda’s unique position as the leading school in Perth that’s not afraid to disrupt the status quo.
Fiona’s passion is developing creative, independent, resilient, and socially adept young people. As the leader of St Hilda’s, she encourages students to “lean in” to their potential and future careers through personal agency, preparedness, and a commitment to fulfilling their potential.
Fiona is committed to sustainable improvement, providing students with access to innovation that prepares them for an ever-changing landscape and further promoting St Hilda’s unique position as the leading school in Perth that’s not afraid to disrupt the status quo.
Martha Perry
Martha Perry is a dedicated leader in girls’ education and has served as Principal of St. Clement’s School (SCS) in Toronto since 2010. With a focus on honoring the school’s rich 125-year history while fostering innovation, Martha champions a mission to develop curious, courageous, and compassionate young women. Her leadership has driven key initiatives in equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring every student is known and valued.
Martha brings extensive experience in independent schools, having held roles such as Assistant Head of Academics at Pickering College and Director of Admissions at SCS. She also served in academic and advisory leadership at Trinity College School and began her career in special education. A graduate of the CAIS Leadership Institute, Martha has mentored aspiring leaders, facilitated CAIS modules, and co-led national leadership retreats. She served as Board President of the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools and remains a committed advocate for women in leadership.
Martha brings extensive experience in independent schools, having held roles such as Assistant Head of Academics at Pickering College and Director of Admissions at SCS. She also served in academic and advisory leadership at Trinity College School and began her career in special education. A graduate of the CAIS Leadership Institute, Martha has mentored aspiring leaders, facilitated CAIS modules, and co-led national leadership retreats. She served as Board President of the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools and remains a committed advocate for women in leadership.
Diana Vernon
Diana has enjoyed a fulfilling career in education over the past 40 years. Her commitment commenced as a volunteer governor for an inner London state sector secondary school, which prompted her to train as a teacher and leave the world of publishing and PR. She has led four different schools within the UK, Australia and Hong Kong; single sex girls, coed, boarding, day, academically selective and open entry. Having retired from full-time headship, she is currently a part-time Member Support Officer for HMC (the Heads’ Conference), member association for Heads in the UK and internationally.
Program Facilitators
Nicky Bright, Bright Lead Consulting, formerly Headmistress, Bruton School for Girls
Karen Edge, Reader, UCL Institute of Education & former Pro Vice Provost (International) at University College London
Shauna Carter, Head of School, Linden Hall School, Lititz, PA, USA
Anne DePrez, Retired Partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP, Indianapolis, IN, USA; former Board Chair, Emma Willard School, Troy, NY, USA
Karen Spiller, OAM CF, Director, Sacred Advent Schools Trust for St. Margarets and St. Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ Schools; Director and Secretary, ICGS Australia Commission
Brenda Leaks, Head of School, Seattle Girls’ School
Bee Hughes, Senior Lecturer in Education at The University of Manchester, Deputy Programme Director of the MA in Educational Leadership in Practice; formerly Headteacher, The Maynard School, Exeter, UK
Application Process & Timeline
Application Process & TimelineBefore you apply:
- Confirm you can attend pre-conference workshops on June 23-26, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, CAN.
- Confirm you can attend pre-conference workshops in late June in Brisbane, Australia
- Make sure you can participate in 6-8 one-hour virtual sessions, held every 4-6 weeks*
- Get a letter of recommendation from a leader in your school or a board member if you are a head/principal
- Review the online application
We accept 15-30 participants each year. Whether you are leading a school or a department, managing a team, or guiding a classroom, you will build essential leadership skills through this program.
Together, we will cultivate a community of forward-thinking leaders, ready to make a lasting impact for girls around the world. Join us in this transformative journey and help take your leadership potential to new heights.
Program total fees: $3400 USD
- $1,750 USD in program fees due upon program enrollment (by January 1, 2026)
- $825 USD conference registration fee due March 2026
- $825 USD conference registration fee due March 2027
*Note: Scheduling of virtual sessions will be designed to accommodate participants in various time zones. Whether you’re in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere, we encourage you to apply, as we are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible experience for all.
rolling applications until cohort filled
Toronto, Ontario, CAN
June 22, 2027 - Graduation @ ICGS Conference
Brisbane, Australia