Leadership

MR. THOMAS E. ODEN

Interim Head of School

During the 2026–2027 school year, Tom Oden will serve as Interim Head of School.

Mr. Oden joined Awty in 2018 as Dean of Faculty and most recently served as Head of Secondary (grades 6/6e–12/TLE). He helped guide the school through the pandemic and the construction of the Campus Center, and he is known for being student-centered, approachable, and deeply present in the life of the school.

Mr. Oden studied at Cornell University, where he swam and played water polo. He has spent his entire career in education, beginning as a high school English teacher at Phillips Andover and moving through a series of administrative roles including Principal and Head of School. Much of that work has been within the American international school network, in places as far-flung as São Paulo, Aberdeen, Buenos Aires, Johannesburg, Muscat, Beirut, and Montevideo, as well as leadership roles at UWC-USA and UWC Maastricht.

Outside of school, Mr. Oden keeps a regular yoga practice and is a passionate supporter of Atlético Madrid.

HEAD OF SCHOOL'S EXECUTIVE TEAM

SCOTT BENSON
Executive Director of Facilities & Construction

EGMOND BOON
Chief Innovation and Engagement Officer

GWEN CARIO
Senior Creative Director and Executive Assistant to the Head of School

PATRICK MILLER-PEÑA
Interim Chief Academic Officer & Director of the Spanish Program

JOHN MURPHY
Chief Financial Officer

CHANTEL OLUFSEN
Executive Director of Advancement

ADMINISTRATION

ERIKA BENAVENTE
Director of Enrollment

KATIE FREDERICK
Director of Communications

KATHRYN GARCIA
Interim Head of Secondary

LILIAN HABIB-SHENODA
Director of Human Resources

SÉVERINE IRELAND
Proviseure

LAUREN LINN
Director of Development

TIM LONG
Head of Lower School

JONATHAN PENHOLLOW
Head of Early Learning

CHRIS WOZNIAK
Director of IT and Information Systems

LINDSAY YOUNGDAHL
Director of Athletics