Sunset on Campus for Under the Lights photo taken by Julia Lehman Photography

Leadership at SCH Academy

Every day, our dedicated educators meet students where they are—guiding them academically, artistically, athletically, and ethically. As a premier independent school, SCH’s academic leadership ensures students learn to think critically, ask powerful questions, and confidently navigate an ever-changing world. Leveraging our state-of-the-art campus and deep citywide connections, our school administrators serve as stewards of this mission, safeguarding our core values while innovating for what’s next in holistic education.

Head of School

head of school, Dr. Steve druggan

Dr. Druggan returns to SCH following a three-year headship at the American School of Dubai, having most recently taught Leadership & Team Dynamics in Lisbon. With earlier roles in Jakarta, Munich, and Milan, he brings a rare combination of global perspective and deep institutional knowledge, rooted in SCH’s history and aligned with its bold vision for the future. As the former head of SCH, Druggan finalized the post-merger integration of Springside School and Chestnut Hill Academy, establishing a unified mission and consistent values through a collaborative visioning process. Dr. Druggan also oversaw a $34 million capital campaign for the McCausland Lower School & Commons and skillfully navigated the school through the pandemic, ensuring academic integrity and in-person learning. During his tenure, SCH opened its highly successful Early Childhood Center, launched the Horizons summer program (now in its fifth year), joined the Independent School Teaching Fellows program, and achieved significant milestones in Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL).

Known for his active and approachable leadership style, Dr. Druggan has long demonstrated deep care for students and strong partnerships with faculty, staff, alumni, and families—relationships that define his commitment to the SCH community.

Superintendent, American School of Dubai (2022-2025)
Head of School, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (2016-2022)
Deputy Head of School, Jakarta Intercultural School (2011-2016)
Deputy Head of School, Munich International School (2005-2011)
Director of Educational Assessments, American School of Milan (1995-2005)

Recent Articles on Dr. Steve Druggan:

Table of Experts: The Future of Private Schools, Interview with the Philadelphia Business Journal | March 2026
Stephen Druggan, Head of School, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, Interview with Invest | January 12, 2026
Dr. Steve Druggan Returns as SCH Head, Chestnut Hill Local | August 14, 2025
Springside Chestnut Hill head of school returns to shepherd campus renovations, student growth, Philadelphia Business Journal | September 1, 2025
Dr. Druggan, Head of School, Begins Second Tenure at SCH, SCH Academy News | July 1, 2025
Dr. Druggan Returns to SCH, Campus Lantern | June 9, 2025

Leadership Team

Dr. Steve Druggan, Head of School
Frank Aloise, Chief Financial Officer
Pete DiDonato, Chief Innovation Officer
Liane Faermann, Director of Human Resources
Katy Friedland, Director of Admissions & Enrollment Management
Becca Main, Director of Athletics
Dr. Megan Monaghan, Director of The Arts
Ed Glassman, Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership

Jenny McHugh, Director of Major Gifts
Kristin Norton, Director of Development
Matt Norcini, Head of Upper School
Meadow Pepino, Head of Middle School

Maxime Sinal, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
Laura Richards, Director of Communications
Douglas Wainwright, Head of Lower School

DIVISION HEADS

JANET Giovinazzo

EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER
DIRECTOR

jgiovinazzo@sch.org

DOUGLAS WAINWRIGHT

HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL

dwainwright@sch.org

MEADOW PEPINO

HEAD of Middle School

mpepino@sch.org

Matt norcini

HEAD of UPPER School

mnorcini@sch.org

Board of Trustees

Board of Trustees 2026–2027

Annabelle Canning
Vanessa Z. Chan
Brooke DiMarco
William C. Donato Jr.
William M. Doran, Honorary Trustee
William F. Dunbar
Steve Druggan, Head of School
Brendan K. Flatow '94
Sarah E. Fuld
Alexander C. Goldsmith
Anuj Goswami
Thomas Shaw Greenwood III ’01
David Hayne
Richard A. Hayne, Honorary Trustee
Maria Sordoni Hudacek ’02
Timothy W. Levin
Patrick S. G. Lindsay, Board of Trustees Chair
Peter S. Longstreth ’62, Honorary Trustee
Nicole Manns Mayo
Edward J. McDevitt III '93
Ellin Dixon Miller '75
Essex D. Mitchell
Rebecca Morley '00
Janie B. Parker, Honorary Trustee
Edward C. Rorer ’61, Honorary Trustee
Elizabeth M. Salata ’02
Mary Shaifer '87
Kevin S. Shmelzer
Nadine Badger Stevenson ’90
John Talbot '90
Andrew C. Topping
Thomas Watkins Jr. '78
Mims Maynard Zabriskie
John "Ed" Zimmermann IV

Representatives to the Board of Trustees

Frank V. Aloise Jr., Chief Financial Officer
Yolanda Banks, President, Parents Association
Kelly Scollon-Grieve, Vice President, Parents Association
Jennifer James McHugh ’84, Major Gifts Officer
Kristin Norton, Director of Development
Katy Friedland, Director of Admissions & Enrollment Management
Josh Atkins '92, President, SCH Alumni Association

SCH Board of Trustees processing for graduation 2025