October 29, 2023

Dear Mirman Community,

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are thrilled to announce that Dr. Marina Kheel, Ed.D. will be our next Head of School. Marina comes to us from Campbell Hall, in Studio City, where she has served as their Associate Head of Teaching and Learning for the past three years and before that, served as the Middle School Principal since 2012.

Dr. Kheel is an innovative and strategic educational leader with a strong commitment to highly gifted education and inclusivity. Marina's expertise extends to using data to improve student and faculty engagement, connection, and well-being. Collaborating with the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice teams, she has spearheaded curriculum reviews and policy changes to foster inclusivity and equity within the school.

Additionally, her warmth, knowledge of Los Angeles independent schools, and her commitment to highly gifted education impressed the Head of School Search Committee, the Board of Trustees, and our broader community. While we were lucky to have four excellent finalists, Marina felt like a Mustang from the start. 

At this time, we also want to pause and extend heartfelt gratitude to our community. A Head of School transition can be challenging, so it has been inspiring to see our community come together and show up to support Mirman’s future. Thank you for reading through extra emails, attending various panels, filling out surveys, and most of all, for continuing to entrust your children to our wonderful faculty and staff. We want to express tremendous gratitude to our fellow Head of School Search Committee members, and fellow Trustees for their collective time and devotion to Mirman and, of course, to Claudiette Wright-Bey and Grace Kelly for their coordination during all of the HOS finalist visits. Last, but certainly not least, many thanks to Dan Vorenberg who has guided Mirman for eleven highly successful years. Dan’s impact on our community is immeasurable and enduring, and we are grateful for his leadership. We are confident that Marina has what it takes to start this exciting new chapter and build on the considerable achievements and legacy that Dan Vorenberg leaves us.  

On behalf of the Search Committee and Board of Trustees, we want to express our profound optimism and excitement about Mirman School’s future under Marina’s leadership. Between now and when she officially joins us on July 1, 2024, Marina will be in contact at various times with the Mirman community to pave the way for the smoothest possible transition and prepare to build on Mirman’s many strengths. To get a better sense of her enthusiasm for her new role, please see Marina’s letter below. Welcome Marina!
 

With Gratitude,

Akihiko (Kiko) Washington
Chair, Board of Trustees

Jackie Hayes
Co-Chair, Head of School Search Committee

Heidi Hendrix
Co-Chair, Head of School Search Committee