Head of School Kathleen Devaney

When she was named the School’s Head of School in July 2023, Kathleen arrived at The Hill with more than three decades of experience in boarding schools

Under Kathleen’s leadership, The Hill adopted a new Strategic Plan: The People, The Place, and The Journey, which focuses on investing in exceptional students and educators, inspiring spaces, and transformative experiences that prepare students for lives of purpose and impact. She also guided the development of a comprehensive Campus Master Plan that aligns with the Strategic Plan’s goals and honors our history while preparing for the future. Looking ahead, she’s leading the charge in planning a memorable year-long celebration of The Hill’s 175th Anniversary, which kicked-off in May and will culminate with a gala at next year’s Reunion Weekend, June 4-6.

Prior to Hill, Kathleen spent 25 years at the Westminster School in Connecticut as a teacher, coach, and administrator, where she was also the founding Executive Director of Horizons at Westminster, a program she led from 2018 until her appointment at Hill.

She is a graduate of Bowdoin College and holds a master’s degree from Dartmouth. Her husband, Mark de Kanter, is also a member of the Hill faculty and serves as a science teacher, adviser, squash and track coach, and was recently appointed Director of Faculty Development, a role he will assume for the 2026-27 school year. They have two grown children, Emmett and Samantha, Westminster school alums, and graduates of Harvard University and Boston College, respectively.