Executive Leadership Team
Stephen Spahn, Chancellor
Celebrating more than 55 years in education, Chancellor of Dwight School Stephen Spahn is the longest-serving school leader in the United States. He has been at Dwight since 1967, igniting the spark of genius in every child, mentoring generations of students, and educating them to become innovative global leaders. In recognition of his outstanding commitment to youth and leadership in the field of education, Chancellor Spahn received the prestigious Louis Hine Award for Distinguished Service in 2011. He also received a 2013 Blackboard Award with a Special Citation for Community and Citizenship, in recognition of the innovative East Harlem community partnership he forged with the 1199 Housing Corporation to create the Dwight School Athletic Center.
Chancellor Spahn was one of the founders of the Anglo-American International School, which joined forces with Dwight School in 1993. A pioneer in international education, he was a founding member of the Guild of International Baccalaureate Schools of the Northeast, served on the International Baccalaureate Board of Governors, and established Dwight’s first campus abroad in London in 1972. Today, as Chancellor of The Dwight Schools, he spearheads the education of nearly 3,500 students through a global network of IB World Schools in New York, London, Seoul, Shanghai, Dubai, Hanoi (opening 2024), and through our online campus, Dwight Global Online School.
Under Chancellor Spahn’s leadership, Dwight became the first school in the Americas to offer all four IB programs for students from preschool-grade 12; and was selected from nearly 3,700 IB World Schools as one of six original Open World Schools to pilot IB courses online. Today, through Dwight Global Online School — ranked #2 best online high school by Newsweek — Dwight offers the same personalized educational journey to students around the world. Under Chancellor Spahn's leadership, Dwight launched Spark Tank, an incubator for K-12 students designed to nurture entrepreneurial, innovation, and leadership skills beyond the classroom. Spark Tank quickly became a signature Dwight program.
As an undergraduate at Dartmouth College, Chancellor Spahn was an All-American basketball player, member of Phi Beta Kappa, a Senior Fellow, and an intern at the United Nations under a 1926 Public Service Fellowship. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree, he attended Wadham College, Oxford University; and later completed coursework for a PhD at Columbia University, where he was an International Fellow and a Woodrow Wilson Scholar.
Our Dwight community is extremely fortunate to have unprecedented continuity of leadership under Chancellor Spahn, whose commitment to igniting the spark of genius in every child and cutting-edge education sets Dwight apart from all other schools.
Blake Spahn '89, Vice Chancellor
As Vice Chancellor, Blake Spahn ’89 has oversight of all Dwight School operations, extending across the Main Campus, Riverside Campus, 94th Street Campus, and the Dwight School Athletic Center. His strategic oversight ensures the efficient and effective management of all facilities, systems, and staff in support of Dwight's innovative world-class programs.
Dr. Spahn received his BA and MBA degrees from Columbia University, where he was Captain of their undefeated Men’s Tennis Ivy League championship team. He then went on to obtain Masters and Doctorate degrees in Comparative International Education from Oxford. Author of America and the International Baccalaureate, Dr. Spahn has taught English and philosophy in classrooms in the U.S., U.K., and Japan. In addition to founding Dwight’s Early Childhood Division, he has had oversight of our London campus for more than 20 years; and serves today as Vice Chancellor for all Dwight Schools in New York, London, Seoul, Shanghai, Dubai, Hanoi (opening 2024), and Dwight Global Online School.
In 2000, Dr. Spahn co-founded BOOST (Building Opportunities on Student Talent), a non-profit designed to advance prospects for university students in Southern Africa, enabling them to contribute to their own countries’ development. Dr. Spahn was also able to enhance his global vision as a Term Member at the Council on Foreign Relations, to which he was elected in 2005. He is very excited to have his wife, Maryll (Co-Director of Lower and Middle School Admissions), and children, Kyra ’23 and Ronin ’26, join him at Dwight.
Dr. Spahn was named a 2017 Distinguished Leader in Education at the 15th annual Education Update Outstanding Educators of the Year Awards Program.
Dianne Drew, Head of School and Global Education Director
Dianne Drew, an internationally acclaimed educator from Melbourne, Australia, has been at the forefront of innovative global education for over three decades. As Head of School at Dwight New York and Global Education Director for the Dwight Schools network, Ms. Drew has consistently demonstrated her commitment to fostering a world-class, internationally-minded learning environment.
With a career spanning continents, Ms. Drew has contributed her expertise to both public and private educational institutions in Australia, Asia, and the United States. Her leadership extends beyond Dwight's New York campus, as she oversees the academic needs of the global network of Dwight Schools, including schools in London, Seoul, Shanghai, Dubai, Hanoi, and the pioneering Dwight Global Online School.
Ms. Drew's impact on international education is far-reaching. She served as an elected member of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Global Heads Council from 2014 to 2021, including a term as Chair from 2018 to 2021. During this period, she was also a member of the IB Board of Governors, contributing to strategic leadership and advising on crucial educational issues. Additionally, she was an active IB workshop leader, site evaluator, and consultant, sharing her expertise with educators worldwide. Beyond her IB roles, Ms. Drew has served as Vice President for the Guild of IB Schools of the Northeast (GIBS), an organization comprising over 100 public, private, and parochial schools. In 2024 she was invited to join Columbia University's Pre-College Program Advisory Board. These positions further underscore her commitment to fostering collaboration and excellence in education across diverse institutions.
Ms. Drew is also the host of the acclaimed podcast, Sparking Genius, where she engages with education leaders and innovative thinkers to explore the future of education. This podcast has become a leading platform for discussing cutting-edge topics in education, from the integration of AI in classrooms to social-emotional learning and intergenerational collaboration. By hosting Sparking Genius, Ms. Drew extends her influence beyond the Dwight network, offering insights and perspectives that resonate with educators, parents, and anyone interested in shaping the future of education. Under her guidance, Dwight School has become a beacon of innovative education, implementing a holistic approach to nurture students' cognitive, physical, and emotional well-being. Ms. Drew empowers students and faculty to explore their interests through inquiry-based learning, fostering principled, open-minded risk-takers who are prepared for the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
With her vast experience, innovative approach, and unwavering dedication to global education, Dianne Drew continues to inspire and lead the international school community towards a future of boundless learning and cross-cultural understanding.
board of Governors
The Board of Governors of Dwight School has primary responsibility for overseeing the affairs of the School in accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. The Board focuses on the larger issues of institutional stability and growth, the School’s mission and vision, strategic planning, and at all times works to ensure that the School is operating in the best interests of the students.
- Stephen Spahn, Chancellor
- Blake Spahn '89, Vice Chancellor
- Constance Spahn, Board Member
Senior Leadership Team
The Senior Leadership Team is composed of Division Heads and Directors who meet on a weekly basis to discuss important issues related to school operations, culture, and plans for the community.
- Head of Upper School, Eric Dale
- Head of Middle School, Ron Posner
- Head of 94th Street, Steve Presti
- Head of Early Childhood Division, Chris Allen
- Associate Head of Middle School & Global Curriculum Director, Shelby Berry
- Associate Head of Lower School, Alex White
- Associate Head of Preschool at 94th Street, Lili Rodriguez
- Associate Head of Early Childhood Division, Colleen Brown
- Director of School Counseling, Michael Haber
- Global Communications Director, Allison Feldman
- Director of Global College Counseling, Shellee Hendricks
- Global Accounting Director, Carmen Hernandez
- Global Human Resources Director, Raphaelle Sondak