A TRIBUTE HONORING BOARD CHAIR MARY SPEISER P’20 ’22

Ensuring a Bright and Equal Future

A TRIBUTE TO BOARD CHAIR MARY SPEISER P’20 ’22

At critical moments in Castilleja’s history, Board Chairs have stepped up to the challenges of the times, always with an eye toward ensuring a robust future for the school. Mary Speiser P’20 ’22, who began as a Trustee in 2016 and became Board Chair in 2019, will certainly be remembered as someone who led the Board of Trustees through a pivotal moment in time. Deeply dedicated to the mission of the school, Mary has remained focused on how Castilleja can help create the brightest future possible for women and girls.

Soon after joining the Board, Mary partnered with Associate Head of School for Finance and Operations Kathy Layendecker to engage with the Castilleja and Palo Alto communities in meaningful ways, seeking their support for our Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application. Mary worked with different constituents to pursue further collaboration and cooperation, in order to bring our hopes of updating campus closer and closer to becoming a reality.

Meanwhile, Mary also rose into the role of Vice Chair and began to think about the future of the school on yet another level as she co-chaired the strategic planning process with fellow Trustee Jim Bean P’21. Many schools hire outside consultants to oversee the strategic planning process. However, Mary and Jim developed a thoughtful approach that made that step unnecessary. After participating in countless meetings with different community members to hear their input, they helped to chart a map to reach critical goals around diversity and inclusion, interdisciplinary learning, and stewardship of resources for the next generation of women leaders. THE FOUNDATION FOR CHANGE

While Mary was the Board Chair in the City Council chambers when our proposal was approved, it is important to recognize two other Board Chairs who laid the foundation for this moment.

During her final month as Board Chair, Mary realized another important goal when the City of Palo Alto voted to approve Castilleja’s plans to modernize campus, enroll more students, and improve conditions in the neighborhood. She had been a steadfast observer of city hearings for years, and at the final meeting, it is no surprise that she rose to the podium to speak out about her responsibility to ensure Castilleja’s future.

It is important, as well, to recognize that Mary’s term as Board Chair encompassed one of the most challenging in recent history, as the school leadership worked tirelessly to make sound and safe decisions during a global pandemic. From the first moment Mary became a Trustee, she has bravely tackled every challenge, and in her final message as Board Chair, she urged everyone in the Castilleja community to look toward “the bright—and equal—future of Women Learning, Women Leading.” Without a doubt, Mary herself has played a lasting role in that promise for the future. Barb Rosston P’12 ’16, Chair from 2011 to 2015 • Initiated this vision for the future of

Castilleja and began outreach to the

City of Palo Alto • Along with fellow Trustee

Joe Martignetti P’07 ’10, regularly met with a group of neighbors to engage in formative conversations that shaped the CUP application • Developed the framework for the successful new Master Plan • As a graduate of a girls’ school, she understood the lifelong lessons and power of this educational opportunity

Ken Hirsch P’17 ’19 ’26, Chair from 2015 to 2019 • Initiated the Board resolution to officially file the CUP application • Moved Castilleja from Master

Planning stage to the architectural design phase • Guided the process through City staff and Environmental Impact Review • Launched the Capital Campaign and continues to Co-Chair the Capital

Campaign Committee with fellow Trustee Cindy Goldberg P’17