About

Head of School and Leadership

Dr. Laura Leathers

The Hockaday Board of Trustees named Dr. Laura Leathers as the  Eugene McDermott Head of School, effective January 1, 2023.   
 
Dr. Leathers served as the Interim Eugene McDermott Head of School from July 2022 - December 2022, and previously served as the Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs since 2020. She was responsible for supporting the Division Heads and the Dean of Studies, in addition to faculty-led initiatives, committees, and workgroups. Prior to joining Hockaday, she spent 16 years at St. Mary’s Episcopal School in Memphis, Tennessee as the Assistant Head of School. Laura and her husband Kevin are the parents of five children, including Ella (Hockaday Class of 2023). 

Dr. Leathers earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry and French from Lafayette College and studied abroad at the Université de Grenoble. After graduating, she earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology degree from the University of Vermont and conducted her postdoctoral work as a Research Fellow at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
 
Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to research and has authored numerous scientific publications, presented at STEM and other education conferences, and actively participates in leadership seminars focused on best practices in girls’ education. Dr. Leathers treasures working with students and being in the classroom. She has taught science courses including biology, chemistry, and AP chemistry, and continues to teach a section of chemistry at Hockaday. 




Dr. Laura Leathers

"I am a passionate believer in educating girls and young women to be capable, confident contributors to their communities and the world. And true to Ela Hockaday’s vision, I believe there is no better place to do this than at The Hockaday School."

Leadership Team

List of 7 members.

  • Photo of Laura Leathers

    Laura Leathers 

    Eugene McDermott Head of School
  • Photo of Nicole Escudero Christenson

    Nicole Escudero Christenson 

    Head of Middle School
  • Photo of Lisa Culbertson '96

    Lisa Culbertson '96 

    Head of Upper School
  • Photo of Laura Day

    Laura Day 

    Director of Innovation and Collaboration
  • Photo of Jessica Epperson '96

    Jessica Epperson '96 

    Director of Development and Strategic Initiatives
  • Photo of Barbara Fishel

    Barbara Fishel 

    Dean of Studies; Science - Upper School
  • Photo of Michelle Goldsmith

    Michelle Goldsmith 

    Head of Lower School

List of 7 members.

  • Photo of Joan Guzman

    Joan Guzman 

    Chief Operations Officer
  • Photo of Jennifer Johnson

    Jennifer Johnson 

    Interim Director of Athletics
  • Photo of Katie Leto

    Katie Leto 

    Chief Financial Officer
  • Photo of Cyndi Lewis

    Cyndi Lewis 

    Director of Enrollment Management
  • Photo of Randal Rhodus '97

    Randal Rhodus '97 

    Assistant Head of School
  • Photo of Sara Stoltz

    Sara Stoltz 

    Director of Communications
  • Photo of Tracey Tevis

    Tracey Tevis 

    Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Within the private school community, The Hockaday School is an independent college-preparatory day school for girls from grades PK–12 located in Dallas, Texas. Students realize their limitless potential through challenging academic curricula, arts, athletics, and extracurricular programs so that they are inspired to lead lives of purpose and impact.

The Hockaday School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational, admissions, financial aid, athletic, and other policies and programs.