Presidential Search

September 5, 2025

Dear The Catholic High School of Baltimore Community,

I write to share an important update on our search for the next President of The Catholic High School of Baltimore. This is a significant moment in the life of our school, and I want to assure you that the process is being carried out with close care, professionalism, and prayerful discernment.

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Kristen Vojik Bates ‘88, Board of Trustees Vice Chair, as Chair of the Presidential Search Committee. To help us attract the most talented candidates from across the nation, we have engaged the services of Partners in Mission School Leadership Search Solutions, a nationally recognized consulting firm dedicated exclusively to Catholic school leadership, advancement, and enrollment management. Kyle Pietrantonio, Senior Partner, will serve as our lead consultant, with support from Madeline Conover, Associate. Together, they will guide us through a comprehensive and mission-driven search process.

On September 15 & 16, Kyle will be on campus for an enrichment visit, meeting with focus groups of students, parents, faculty, staff, board members, alumnae, and other stakeholders. In addition, we will distribute a community-wide survey to ensure that every member of the Catholic High family has the opportunity to provide input. These conversations and insights will inform the development of a detailed Search Prospectus, highlighting Catholic High’s rich history, our Franciscan mission, and this exciting leadership opportunity.

As the search unfolds, Partners in Mission will draw upon their broad national network of Catholic educational leaders, while giving special attention to candidates who understand and embrace the Franciscan charism that defines our community. Their outreach will generate a carefully vetted pool of highly qualified candidates. From there, our Search Committee will review and interview semifinalists, with confidentiality guiding the process at every stage.

Finalists will be invited to campus this winter for day-long visits, providing meaningful opportunities for engagement between candidates and our community. Following these visits and with community input, the Search Committee will make recommendations with the goal of naming our next President by early 2026. The chosen leader will begin their service in the summer of 2026.

Throughout this transition, the heart of Catholic High—our Franciscan faith tradition, our academic excellence, our co-curricular opportunities, and the vibrant spirit of sisterhood and service—remains as strong as ever. Our faculty, staff, and administration remain dedicated to ensuring that our students thrive each day.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I extend my gratitude for your support, feedback, and prayers during this important process. Together, we will welcome a President who will uphold and advance the traditions of excellence that define The Catholic High School of Baltimore.

With gratitude,

Sister Anne Hefner, OSF '66
Chair of the Board of Trustees
The Catholic High School of Baltimore

Who is Leading the Search Process?

Partners in Mission School Leadership Search Solutions is the retained search division of Partners in Mission, the nation’s leading full-service consulting firm focused exclusively on developing excellence in Catholic school advancement and leadership. As partners among themselves and with their clients’ missions, they value, understand, and embrace the importance of Catholic education in their personal and professional lives — and remain committed to ensuring its strength and vitality for years to come. Engaged by religious and school communities, boards and dioceses, their team of dedicated search consultants have identified and secured mission-driven professionals to serve in a myriad of diverse Catholic school and diocesan leadership positions from Massachusetts to Hawaii.

What is the role of the Search Committee?

The Search Committee is responsible for leading the search for Catholic High’s next President with guidance and support from Partners in Mission search firm.

The Search Committee will review candidate applications vetted by Partners in Mission and conduct interviews with semi-finalists and finalists. The Search Committee will coordinate opportunities for the community to meet the leading candidates and then review feedback, references, and background checks before submitting a recommendation for the role to the Board of Trustees.

The Committee will ensure that the search process is thorough, fair, transparent, and inclusive. A key role of the Search Committee is to keep Catholic High’s community informed and engaged throughout the search process while respecting the confidentiality of the candidate recruitment process.

How can Catholic High’s community participate in the search process?

Our Catholic High community is being invited to participate in a survey designed by Partners in Mission. The survey will allow all constituents to share input about Catholic High and the search process. In addition, Partners in Mission will schedule in-person meetings with the various members of our community including parents, students, and alumnae.

The community is encouraged to stay engaged in the process by following updates sent from the Search Committee and posted on this webpage. Once the finalists have been announced, faculty, students, parents/guardians, and alumnae will be invited to open meetings with each of the candidates. Feedback following these open meetings will be used to inform the Search Committee.

Kyle Pietrantonio

Partner
Partners in Mission School Leadership Search Solutions, LLC
kpietrantonio@partnersinmission.com
202-390-0230