Leadership Transition

Montrose Celebrates Historic Transition

On Saturday, June 12, the Montrose community celebrated the visionary, transformative leadership of Karen E. Bohlin as she completed her 18-year tenure as Head of School. Chair of the Board of Trustees Bill Noonan reflected on Montrose's development and growth in Dr. Bohlin's tenure, as she leaves the School in a position of historic strength. "Montrose is in the business of crafting souls -- women with the courage and the competence to tackle the world’s complex problems," he noted. "Karen helped build a faculty of high-caliber scholar-educators who share a singular goal. In a world that would so often rather see them broken, these educators lift young women up. In turn, Montrose students become the kind of women who lift others up. The School has become a destination for educators and families alike, thanks to Karen’s commitment to these educators and the core academic program."

Bold leadership

Incoming Head of School Katie Elrod said of Dr. Bohlin’s achievements, “Drawing on her vast network, Karen brought colleagues from around the world to our students, faculty and parents. We are grateful for her countless contributions. Under her bold and visionary leadership, the Montrose academic program has grown in breadth, depth and interdisciplinary focus. Each department is anchored by educators who are passionate about their disciplines and outstanding mentors to young women leaders, fostering academic excellence through the formation of enduring habits—of heart, mind and character.”

Most recently, Dr. Bohlin founded the LifeCompass Institute (LCI), which provides practical wisdom to parents and educators. Before joining Montrose, Dr. Bohlin served as Assistant Professor of Education and Director of Boston University’s Center for Ethics and Character. She will return to her roots as a scholar-practitioner and plans to take the work of LCI to its purposeful evolution as an independent professional development center.

“She is inspirational,” Mrs. Elrod said. "I’ve seen her work here at Montrose and on the international stage engaging leaders in the most important questions. She is going to return to this intellectual work full time and collaborate in professional development on a global scale. She leaves us extremely well positioned.”

Strategic vision

Dr. Bohlin shared her gratitude with the school community saying, “The spirit of our students, faculty and families has never been more vibrant. It is truly a gift to be a part of this school community. The world needs more Montrose graduates, and the school will grow and thrive under Katie Elrod’s dynamic leadership.”

As Associate Head of School, Katie Elrod specialized in strategic visioning and leadership in every area of the independent school experience. Professionally, Mrs. Elrod has taught at every grade level, from elementary through college and has also served as an adjunct professor in the philosophy department at Boston College. She co-led the Abigail Adams Institute’s summer seminar “Divided We Stand: Pursuing the Common Good” in Cambridge, MA. Mrs. Elrod is a published author and a frequent presenter, having spoken at the University of Notre Dame, MIT and St. Joseph’s College, and the University of Navarra, Spain. A Lonergan Fellow, she received her BA and MA in philosophy from Boston College. She teaches Montrose School’s flagship Capstone course, “Embracing Big Questions and the Ethics of Human Flourishing.”