Board Chair Elizabeth Lester ’88

Installation Remarks: The Charge

September 19, 2025

When beginning the search for Foxcroft School’s next Head of School, the community was asked to provide its thoughts about the qualifications and requirements the next Head should possess. The community asked for someone who had strong leadership skills and experience, someone who would be honest, transparent, and approachable, someone who would embrace our history and traditions and someone who would continue to build our sense of community…..all while recruiting, retaining, and supporting a strong faculty and staff, nurturing the journeys of our students, and maintaining a strong program for academics and residential life. No small ask, but very typical of the Foxcroft community and any Foxcroft girl.

Recently, when I asked the Search Committee to recall the reasons they thought Dr. Kaenzig would be the right fit for Foxcroft, they mentioned her extensive career in educating women and her lifelong commitment to empowering girls in leadership while furthering their education. Her warmth and approachability made it easy to get to know her and picture how Dr. Kaenzig and her family would meld seamlessly into the fabric of Foxcroft. During her interview, Lisa herself said she feels that “everyone is an educator”, a belief that is most important here where “everything we do is curriculum”. The Search Committee unanimously highlighted Lisa’s ENERGY, a trait she will need to fulfill all the responsibilities the Foxcroft community requested.  

In the time that I have worked closely with Dr. Kaenzig, I have witnessed her passion for getting to know our students. Her excitement was palpable as the end of August was approaching and the employees were readying campus for the girls’ arrival. I have seen her supporting the faculty and staff through connection and by highlighting their skills and strengths, and I have heard her enthusiasm as she has begun to meet the alumnae of this great School. I’m reminded of Miss Charlotte’s words: “Let us devote our lives to worthwhile actions and feelings, to great thoughts, real affection, and enduring undertakings. Life is too short to be little.” 

And now, Dr. Kaenzig, would you please join me at the podium? 

Dr. Kaenzig, by the authority of the Board of Trustees, I install you as 11th Head of Foxcroft School and charge you to lead with worthwhile action and feeling, to think great thoughts and share your affection for this place and these people. I charge you to devote yourself to Foxcroft School, an undertaking that endures today because of the support and care given back to the School by its community. I charge you to uphold the School’s mission and dream big dreams for the girls of Foxcroft and to always keep them at the heart of all you do. 

It gives me great pleasure to present you with a Foxcroft ring which serves as a symbol of our School and a reminder of this worthy charge.