Time for Transition: A Look Back at a Leadership Journey

An item from a US-based K-12 blended learning organization.

Dana Borrelli-Murray stepping down as Executive Director after nine years

No images? Click here

Join the conversation as we partner with communities to design and implement school-based change.

Time for Transition: A Look Back at a Leadership Journey

You may be reading this because you’ve attended a free webinar, received coaching in your classroom, or partnered with Highlander Institute on national initiatives. As the Board of Directors, we’re extremely proud of how this team has supported the mission – creating more equitable, relevant, and effective schools – through a pandemic and beyond. We thank you for your continued partnership!

It is with great appreciation and anticipation that we share this news. After nine years as Highlander Institute’s Executive Director, Dana Borrelli-Murray is stepping down. She is ready to embrace new adventures and to spread her wings.

Under Dana’s leadership, Highlander Institute has grown from a program of the Highlander Charter School in Rhode Island to an impactful, national organization. The Institute has also refined its strategy and worked closely with its partners to increase the positive impact on students. Even through the pandemic, the Institute continued to work to improve student outcomes and to ensure the financial strength of the organization.

Dana’s energy, enthusiasm, and general positivity for the work has helped to forge new partnerships while creating a culture of continuous improvement. In her own words, she has never settled for good enough, and believes deeply in the mindset of running a ‘learning organization’ that is always looking to iterate and grow.

(To hear directly from Dana regarding this transition, check out her blog post by clicking here)

This news also leads us to a big announcement regarding the Institute’s future. Beginning June 1, Shawn Rubin transitioned from Chief Education Officer to Interim Executive Director of Highlander Institute. Shawn is a visionary, exceptionally talented at creating systems for educational change, and is a renowned national thought leader. After years of collaborating and co-leading the Institute with Dana, it is a natural fit for him to assume the Interim Executive Director role.

Please join us in congratulating both of these exceptional talents. We wish Dana the very best on her new adventures, and look forward to Shawn’s leadership as the Institute heads into a new chapter.

John Muggeridge, Board Chair

Read Dana’s Blog Post