The Menaul School Board of Trustees announced on Tuesday that the school has chosen a new President and Head of School to begin this summer.
“We were blessed to have a difficult decision to make, with three excellent candidates among the final choices,” said Menaul Board Chair, Brooke Baker. “After much heartfelt deliberation, and hearing the comments, perspectives, and expectations from all of our participants in the interview process, we have chosen Julie Bean as the next President and Head of Menaul School!”
Julie is a vibrant, intelligent leader who has proven herself to be a champion of international boarding schools. Her tenure in multiple leadership positions at Wyoming Seminary, a boarding and day school in Pennsylvania affiliated with the United Methodist Church, allows Julie to have a broad depth and breadth of experience leading a community that has many of the same strengths and opportunities families experience at Menaul.
Her background in therapy informs the empathy and respect she has shown to those that were fortunate enough to get to know her through the interview process. Julie’s warm, engaging personality coupled with her financial prowess, educational background, leadership experience, and spiritual ethic made her standout among the very talented and qualified candidates Menaul School explored as possible leaders, and they are confident that she is the right person to both continue the deep and historic relationships Menaul has cultivated as well as forging new paths for success and partnership in what often feels like an ever-changing world.
“As the only full time, international boarding school in Albuquerque, representing over 20 different countries, Menaul is unique in its World Smart Education. At the same time, we’re firmly rooted in our unique New Mexico culture and traditions,” said Interim President and Head of School, David Breidenbach. “Finding the right fit in a dynamic leader that could merge into so
much positive restructuring at the school was a huge undertaking for the Search Committee. Julie Bean is an absolute standout and will lead Menaul far into the future.”
“I am proud and honored to be part of Menaul’s bright future and I am very humbled given Menaul’s rich and deep history. I have had the opportunity to meet outstanding students, proud parents, exceptional faculty and staff, accomplished alumni, and the committed greater community over the past few months. I can’t wait for us to all work together to continue Menaul’s mission”, Bean said.
Julie and her husband Mike have been married for 25 years and they have two children, Matthew (24) and Emma (21).
Menaul School is culturally diverse and often characterized as Albuquerque’s “best kept secret” as a place of learning, acceptance, spiritual growth, and college preparation that is focused on educating the world. The future looks bright for Menaul, especially as Julie Bean takes the helm, on June 1st.