The Board of Trustees has always been an elusive group of adults that have only ever been talked about in whispers. For years, they have been covered by a shroud of mystery: no one knows who they are or what they do. The Fourcast set out to find out what exactly the board does through in-depth interview with three members. Here is what we found out:

Mandy Ginsberg

What does the Board of Trustees do?

The primary responsibility for the Board of Trustees is really to help support the Head of School, so it’s all about hiring the Head of School (we’re in the process of hiring a new Head of School) and then doing everything we can to really support the school. Overall, it’s just to make sure that everyone on the board has the school’s best interest at heart. It’s really about guiding the school, and particularly working with the Head of School.

How do you come up with decisions on the board? How does the process work?

What really happens on the board is that we have small working groups, so we’ve got a finance group that really looks at the financials for the school, we’ve got a strategic committee. All these committees, they are much more of the nitty-gritty of the working of the board. For example, the strategic committee will come up with this strategic platform for the next three years, and then they would bring it to the rest of the board and present it to the board, and the board would approve it. Really where the rubber hits the road while the work happens is in these committees. That’s where for example where the investment committee looks at where do we invest our money in the endowment to make sure we continue to make money for the school long-term. When you end up bringing a proposal together, then the board can vote on it. A lot of the working and the decision-making happens in those smaller groups, in those smaller committees.

What is your role on the board?

I am part of the strategic committee, and I’m also part of student life. Where I have been really passionate is areas around college counseling, strategic platform, that’s where I particularly am interested. Everyone’s role is different in the board. Usually where most of the work and most of the actual congregations happen is in your committees. For example, someone who’s on the investment committee might have 30 years of experience in massive investments, and so they bring a lot of their skill set and expertise to the particular area they’re focused on. For me, I went to Hockaday. I have girls at Hockaday. I really believe in the school and the school’s future, and so I wanted to focus on the strategic committee as it really talks about the long-term strategy of the school. Each committee has a different calendar. The committees meet, and then we meet together on the board throughout the year. Big board meetings tend to be 2-4 hours, and sometimes longer, and then we’ve got the individual committees that meet periodically. It sort of depends. The strategic committee, when they launched the 3-year strategic plan, it was very clear what they needed to do and what the charter was. Each one of the committees has very different timelines and very different tracks, but sometimes it’s more updates and sometimes it’s different things we might bring to the entire board to make decisions on. Other times it’s more about updates and where we’re heading. The school is through the accreditation program, which happens every few years, and so there’s lot of involvement from the board in terms of supporting the administration and figuring out if there’s any decisions we needed to make as part of that process too.

What’s your favorite thing about being on the board?

I’ve been on the board for a year and a half now maybe two years. What I’ve been really pretty amazed at is the level of commitment, ethics, integrity, passion the people have for the school. It’s pretty unanimous. Everyone who is in that room truly wants to see the school be really successful and figure out how they can help and whatever capacity and whatever skills they bring. Also, when I first came in, I was pretty amazed at how efficient and how well-run the board is. Hockaday, since it’s been around for such a long time, it runs like a clock works. I’ve acted on other not-for-profit or other boards, and I see the level of efficiency that it runs at, and how focused we are is probably more the not-the-norm. Very, very well-run board. Having Liza Lee come back has been really fun this year, because she’s got strong opinions and great point of view. She’s just a very seasoned Head of School, so it’s been great to have her partner with us this past year. I loved it. I love the school so much, and I think that being able to contribute and also seeing how many people are so passionate about the school’s been probably one of the most rewarding experiences.

How did you get on the board? Why did you join?

They had a selection committee, so I’m not even sure how. For me, it was a unique situation because I was an alumn. I have 2 daughters that go there. I’m passionate about the school. I believe in single-sex education for girls. I run one of the largest internet companies in the US. I think for me they were looking at the fact that people have all sorts of passions for the school as well as a specific skill set that they bring to the table. In my case obviously it was not only am I in Dallas and I work in Dallas but the fact that I run a huge Internet company and there’s a big focus on technology and technology education, and that’s one of the areas that I think that Hockaday would love to have more people of that skill set and that perspective. For me, I do believe that Hockaday provides a very incredible environment that truly empowers girls and really helps them excel at their potential. I see it through my friends. I see it through my daughter’s friends. All you guys. I see what the future you have in front of each other and the sort of conviction and the belief in yourself that Hockaday fosters, and it’s not only such a great education foundation, but a level of confidence that you’re going to take with you throughout your life, and I believe that for every girl there. To me, it’s probably been the best decision as a mother. I believe that I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for at least Hockaday. This is my time to give back. I wouldn’t be the CEO of the one of the largest Internet companies in the US without Hockaday being the foundation. I really believe that. I feel like now’s the time for me to be able to support and give back to the place that made me who I am.

Suzanne Kim

What does the Board of Trustees do?

We are entrusted with formulating, establishing and reviewing strategies and policies for the Head of School to implement. Our goal is to preserve our Mission Statement and Philosophy and Purpose of the School and also to ensure that the school is financially healthy by monitoring, overseeing and providing financial resources. We employ, evaluate and discharge (if necessary) the Head of School.

How does the board come up with decisions? How does the process work?

The Board is assisted in its task by a number of committees to fulfill the overall objective and purpose. There are standing committees who work on an ongoing basis and from time to time, ad hoc committees are created to perform temporary tasks. Each Committees’ scope of responsibility and activity are specific to certain aspects of the school’s operation and are detail-oriented. Each committee reports to the Board regularly and makes recommendations which is then put to discussion and vote. It is a very deliberate and thoughtful process. 

What is your role on the board?

I serve on the Education and Student Life Committee. We monitor student and faculty life and academic matters to ensure that they are consistent with our Mission Statement and Philosophy and Purpose of the School.

What’s your favorite thing about being on the board?

I love meeting parents, faculty, students and alum through my role who are very passionate about Hockaday and the Hockadaisies. Sharing that common passion and commitment forms a camaraderie and bond which I would not have experienced otherwise.  I also love the positive energy with which every task and topic is tackled in our meetings. 

How did you get on the board? Why did you join?

The Board and School renewed its commitment to the Residence Program around the time of the Centennial. Along with rebuilding the Residence buildings, they recruited Residence parent Trustees to represent parents who live overseas or out of state. I was one of them. I accepted their invitation to apply because I wanted to be a conduit between the school and the many overseas parents (mainly Asian) who don’t feel as connected to our community because of distance, language barrier, etc. I hope I am an effective voice for them.  

Herb Buford, Jr

What does the Board of Trustees do?

The Board of Trustee is responsible for the well-being of Hockaday. We are charged to look after the financial stability, the strategic planning, and to ensure the school obeys all laws and regulations to which it is subject. The ultimate goal is to secure the future of Hockaday. We are not responsible for the day to day functions of the School.

How does the board come up with decisions? How does the process work?

The decisions of the board of trustees are made through discussions and voting. The board is made of a diverse group of people with different expertise and backgrounds. The input of each member is held with equal respect. There is discussion regarding the decision that has to be made. Once the discussion is over a motion is made then voted on.

What is your role on the board?

My role on the board consists of serving on three different committees.

These committees include:

• Audit and Ethics
• Strategic Planning
• Education and Student Life

What’s your favorite thing about being on the board?

My favorite thing about being on the board is knowing I am helping secure the future of Hockaday. Hockaday has been around for a century, and I want to make sure it’s around and thriving for another 100 years.

How did you get on the board? Why did you join?

From my understanding my name was given to the Board of Trustees because of my involvement and interest as a parent with my daughters’ education at Hockaday. At the time I had a daughter in each school (lower, middle, and upper). I was very honored to be asked to sit on such a prestigious board. I wanted to be a part of this board to understand the inner workings of Hockaday. I also wanted to give back to the Hockaday community and be a contributor to the school’s future success.