Passing The Torch

Megan Toohey Scremin ’00 will follow Lisa LeFort as chair of the Emma Willard Board of Trustees, officially assuming the role this July. A standing member of the Board and chair of the Advancement Committee, Megan is also the president and CEO of Special Olympics Colorado and brings a great deal of personal and professional experience to her new role as board chair. Megan is a member of one of Emma Willard’s many legacy families—her mother Linda Glazer Toohey ’66 and sister Elizabeth Toohey Garden ’03 both maintain close ties to the school— and continues the long-standing tradition of so many alumnae who have come back to serve their alma mater.

Why is it meaningful to you to return to Emma Willard in a leadership role? Emma Willard is a special place that has given me more than I will ever be able to repay.

It is the place that helped shape the person that I am today. The place where I formed my closest friendships, and a place that gave me the tools and confidence to become a leader that not only passionately advocates for what I believe is right but also understands the value and importance of hearing and learning from all perspectives.

Additionally, the school is in a phenomenal place. A place of growth and innovation. The school has lofty goals, including being in the midst of the largest campaign in girls’ school history, all of which I believe will further cement its place in the history of women’s empowerment and education. So, having the opportunity to serve in this role means the world to me because I get to be part of that history while actively working to advance our mission. It’s an honor to work with and learn from Jenny Rao and to serve on behalf of the incredible students, faculty, and staff.

What are you most excited about working on in your first year as Board Chair? The creation of the school’s vision, strategic plan, and initiatives to achieve that vision for the school was an incredibly collaborative process that was led by Lisa and Jenny and set an excellent foundation upon which the school is continuing to grow and thrive. So, I am excited about the direction the school is heading and eager to be a partner in both removing roadblocks wherever possible and also helping to think outside the box in terms of how we overcome hurdles or shift our strategy in response to the inevitable challenges that will come.

In my experience, that type of work is best accomplished by bringing people together and working collaboratively. In my “day job” at Special Olympics, we have an expression: “Nothing About Us Without Us.” I think that applies here because we really want to make sure we engage all stakeholders that make up the Emma Willard community—certainly students and faculty, but also parents, alumnae, community members, and so on.

And I am certainly excited to see the completion of the Alice Dodge Wallace ’38 Center for the Performing Arts and all of the opportunity for artistic creativity and connection it will bring.

How do you believe that Emma Willard has changed since your time as a student, and in what ways has it remained the same? In the most obvious sense, the world is very different now (20 years later) and I would imagine it will feel markedly different for today’s students two decades from now, too. The world is a hard place for young people these days and the pressures to feel like you need to “be the best and do the best” are real. Additionally, I think there is an even more heightened need for the empowerment of girls and women today, which makes our mission that much more vital. However, while the world continues to evolve, I think Emma Willard School has remained a constant in several ways including through not only the pursuit of academic excellence, but also instilling a love of learning and curiosity in each student that passes through the halls. The faculty have been and continue to be the best of the best. The inclusivity on campus is palpable and the students of today know the type of world they want to live in and are working to create that through their words and actions.

The school continues to be a place for students to learn skills such as how to be a good friend, how to be a good citizen of the world, the value of creating a sense of belonging for those around you, and the importance of “serving and shaping your world.”

Lisa LeFort has been the board chair throughout your time as a trustee; what reflections do you have as she completes her tenure? Lisa has spent decades working tirelessly to ensure that the students of yesterday, today, and tomorrow have every opportunity to thrive at Emma and beyond. It has been one of my greatest privileges in life to watch and learn from Lisa’s leadership. She is a selfless leader who works to incorporate all viewpoints and perspectives, asks thought-provoking questions, and cares deeply about all members of the Emma community. She has been indispensable in making herself available to me during this transition process and I (as well as the entire Emma community) owe her a huge debt of gratitude.

What is something that most people don’t know about you? I am a busybody, regularly moving between my job, volunteer work, and chasing around our two young kids, ages 4 and 7. I am an avid reader and love to travel. Thus far I have visited all 50 states and 50 countries... and counting! My favorite place in the U.S. is Aspen, Colorado, but my favorite country to visit is either South Africa or Italy.