Welcoming Brenda Leaks as our Next Head of School

We are delighted to announce that Brenda Leaks will be joining the Friends community this summer as our next Head of School. Brenda is a seasoned school leader known for her deep commitment to teaching and learning, and her thoughtful leadership of mission-driven independent schools. Brenda currently serves as Head of School at Seattle Girls’ School, a grades 5-8 independent school for girls and gender expansive students in Seattle, a role she has held since 2016. Read more from our Board Co-Clerks in the following letter to our SFFS community.

 

Friends,

We are pleased to share that the Board of Trustees has reached unity in appointing Brenda Leaks, as our next Head of San Francisco Friends School, effective July 1, 2026. 

When the Search Committee began its work, we invited our San Francisco Friends community into a process of reflection—seeking to understand what makes our school unique, where we are called to grow, and the qualities most needed in our next Head of School. One of the most striking outcomes of this listening was the deep alignment across our community. Students, parents, faculty, staff, alumnae, and trustees spoke with a shared voice.

You lifted up the importance of a leader who is grounded in vision and purpose, who will sustain and nurture our SPICES, and who will tend to the inner light of our school. You spoke of the need for a communicator who can inspire and connect, and for a leader who can steward the school’s future with care, clarity, and integrity. These shared insights helped guide the work of the Search Committee and our partners at RG175 throughout this process.

Through a careful process of discernment, we have come to believe that Brenda is well-suited to this calling. Her experience, presence, and sense of purpose resonate strongly with the hopes and needs expressed by our community.

Many of you had the opportunity to meet Brenda and to share your reflections. We are grateful for the thoughtful and heartfelt feedback offered, which affirmed a strong sense of alignment and possibility.

Brenda has shared the following greeting with our community:

I am deeply honored and beyond excited to join the Friends community as your next Head of School. Throughout the search process, I was struck by the power and the clarity of the SFFS mission - both the intention behind the words and the strength of their implementation. I heard stories of how community members from across the school are known and held, and I saw it firsthand as I walked the hallways, witnessed the energy and joy in classrooms, and had thoughtful conversations with students, faculty, staff, parents, and trustees. I can't wait to get started, and I look forward to being with you all soon!

With Pankti’s support, Brenda will work closely with the Leadership Team and the Board in the months ahead to ensure a thoughtful and steady transition as she prepares to join the community in July 2026. We look forward to welcoming Brenda to San Francisco Friends School with upcoming visits.

We would like to express our deep gratitude and acknowledgement for the dedicated work of the Search Committee, stewarded by Gaby Mishev and Seth Brenzel as the Co-Clerks, and Chrysty Esperanza, Elizabeth Longstreth, Neil Wadhawan, Rubbee Myggen, Tal Mor, Amabelle Sze, Luis Hernandez, Patrice Wakeley, Sara Melman, and Yvonne Neira-Perez—whose commitment and discernment have guided us to this moment. 

And finally, we are deeply grateful for the care, engagement, and participation of the entire SFFS community throughout this process. Thank you for the many ways that you make SFFS a special place. 

With gratitude and in community,

Ben Tranel and Yvonne Neira-Perez
Co-Clerks, Board of Trustees