As an Excelle Mentor Coach, Clair Ward believes in the transformative impact of mentorship and is ready to share her considerable knowledge, skills and experiences to support the learning and development of a new head. Clair is an inaugural member of Excelle's Executive Cohort in 2021, and she is presently a member of Excelle Collective. Clair speaks passionately about how Excelle has strengthened how she navigates leadership, particularly with regard to seeking authentic connection and support.

Clair Ward recently completed her fifteenth year as the Head of School at two well-known independent schools. She is currently training as a Leadership and Performance Coach through Brown University. Clair has worked in independent schools from California to Maine, holding lead administrative positions for more than 23 years. Originally trained as a Latin teacher, Clair values all of the lessons she has learned from her experiences. With her passion for equity and inclusion work, she is always looking for ways to address the organizational systems that lead to success. Clair sits on the Membership Committee of AISNE and the Board of Directors for the Fayerweather Street School in Cambridge, MA. Clair holds an M.Ed. from Boston College and a B.A. in English and Classics from Hamilton College.