This is a continuation of the story Women Among Boys.
Through their teaching, mentorship and guidance, the women of 10600 cultivate an environment
where students learn to engage with diverse perspectives, respect different experiences and develop into well-rounded individuals, preparing young men for a future of leadership. Former Board of Trustees President Kathy Crow shares her thoughts on how female leaders impact the school.
Q: What drew you to not just being involved at St. Mark’s, but to take on a major leadership role as Board of Trustees President?
Kathy Crow: What drew me to St. Mark’s wasn’t just its reputation for academic excellence, but the depth of its mission—the idea that education here is about so much more than just knowledge. It’s about character. It’s about leadership. It’s about shaping young men into not just scholars, but ethical leaders who will go on to make a real difference in the world. That’s something I took to heart as a young mother wanting to support my two sons here.
For me, getting involved wasn’t just an opportunity—it felt like a responsibility. As a parent, I’ve seen firsthand how St. Mark’s transforms boys into Marksmen—young men who think critically, act with integrity, and understand the value of service. The school’s commitment to academic rigor, personal growth, and a strong sense of community makes it a place where lifelong values are formed. Every parent feels gratitude to this community that supports the values and ideals you want your children exposed to outside the walls of your home.
Taking on a leadership role with the Board of Trustees was a way for me to give back to a school that has given so much to its students, its faculty, the larger community….and to our family personally. I wanted to be part of the team that ensures St. Mark’s remains this place of “Courage, Honor, Discipline, and Responsibility”— for today’s students, and for years to come.
Being a part of the school’s leadership isn’t just about managing the school with strong governance; it’s about the strategic stewardship that is invested in preserving and enhancing a place that is so much more than a school. It’s a home, a foundation, and a launching pad for young men to lead lives of meaning, purpose, and impact. That’s a mission worth serving.
Q: What was your experience being a female leader here at an all-boys school?
KC: Walking onto the campus of an all-boys school as a female leader, you might expect to feel like an outsider. But what strikes me most is not the difference in gender but rather the shared commitment to something bigger and much more important—championing intellectually-curious, principled, and caring young men.One of my favorite moments was during a leadership meeting when a student approached me after a discussion rose about integrity and resilience. He admitted he often thinks about leadership within a narrow view and realized that leadership isn’t confined to a singular mold but is something that evolves and takes many forms. But I truly believe that at St. Mark’s the ideals around leadership, first and foremost, are consistently and unwaveringly rooted in integrity at all levels, and focused on impact rather than around identity. That could mean that leadership is about showing young men that strength is not just about tough decisiveness but also about listening, empathy, and adaptability. I would rather focus on imparting ideas that leadership isn’t about being a man or a woman; it’s about the values you bring, the decisions you make, and the way you empower others to grow.
At St. Mark’s, my role has never been about being a female leader at an all-boys school—it’s been about being a leader, period. The work of the Board of Trustees is about stewardship, vision, and ensuring that the school continues to thrive for generations to come. That responsibility isn’t defined by gender but by a commitment to excellence, ethics, and service.
What I love about St. Mark’s is that the students, faculty, and community recognize leadership in its truest form—not in titles or appearances, but in the way people show up, make decisions, and guide others. The young men here are learning that leadership is about character, resilience, and the ability to navigate complex challenges with thoughtfulness and purpose. I’ve seen firsthand how they embrace this broader definition of leadership, whether in the classroom, on the field, or in their service to others.
And in all honesty, I’ve learned so much from being here and watching the examples of all Marksmen. The students I’ve worked with are eager, curious, and deeply committed to growth. They want to lead with character, and they want to be challenged to see the world in new ways. I’ve never seen my role as being “a female leader at an all-boys school.” I see myself as part of a team dedicated to shaping young men into leaders who will go into the world with open minds, strong hearts, and the ability to see leadership in all its forms.
I always want to be a reminder that when leadership is rooted in good values and decency, it transcends gender—it’s about impact, integrity, and the willingness to guide others toward their best selves. And I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.
Q: How important is it for young men at the school to have positive female influences?
KC: It’s incredibly important for young men at St. Mark’s to have positive female influences because leadership, wisdom, and strength come in many forms. The world they will step into after St. Mark’s is diverse and interconnected, and the ability to engage with and learn from a wide range of perspectives is crucial for their growth as well-rounded leaders. I have no doubt that the female faculty and administrators as well as the many hundreds of moms who volunteer at the school and the female leader role models who come to present and speak to the students at St. Mark’s present amazing role models for the young men here.
The many female influences that impact 10600 Preston Road on a daily basis reinforce that leadership isn’t about authority alone, but about listening, adapting, and leading with both strength, collaboration, and compassion.
I’ve seen firsthand how young men at St. Mark’s respond when they see leadership in different forms. I believe that Marksmen are exposed to the values that help them to realize that leadership isn’t just about who speaks the loudest, who holds the highest title, or who commands the room with force—it’s also about patience, thoughtful decision-making, and the ability to bring people together. These are lessons they carry with them far beyond the school walls, into their careers, relationships, and communities. Female mentors – teachers, administrators, outside presenters, volunteers, and Trustees – exert this kind of influence on this campus every day.
One of the most rewarding things about being in a leadership role here is watching the next generation of Marksmen embrace these lessons. They are learning to respect and seek out diverse perspectives, to value integrity over ego, and to approach challenges with a broader, more inclusive mindset. Having strong female influences in their education isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential in preparing them to become thoughtful, responsible men who will one day work alongside, collaborate with, and support women in leadership in every aspect of life.
In my opinion, St. Mark’s does a phenomenal job of shaping future leaders, and ensuring that these young men are able to watch, listen, learn from and have exposure to strong female mentors and role models which only strengthens the foundation upon which they build their futures.
Q:What can the school community do to ensure that women on campus are having a positive experience?
KC: At St. Mark’s, one of the most important lessons a young man can learn is that leadership isn’t about status or authority—it’s about how you make the people around you feel. A great community is built not just on academic and athletic excellence, but on everyday actions of kindness, respect, and responsibility. When young men embrace the idea of being a man for others, they naturally create an environment where everyone—faculty, staff, students, and visitors—feels valued and supported.
Ensuring that women on campus have a positive experience isn’t about treating them differently; it’s about being the kind of person who looks beyond themselves and considers the well-being of others. It means practicing everyday politeness, like holding the door, showing appreciation for teachers and staff, and recognizing the contributions of those who help shape the St. Mark’s experience. It’s about being aware of how words and actions impact others and making a conscious effort to create a culture of thoughtfulness and mutual respect.
But more than that, it’s about building a community where everyone—regardless of role or background—feels like they belong. That happens when young men lead by example, when they listen, when they show gratitude, and when they create an environment where respect is the norm, not the exception.
The best leaders are the ones who make others feel valued. That’s the kind of leadership St. Mark’s instills in its students. And when Marksmen carry that mindset forward, they don’t just ensure that women have a positive experience on campus—they ensure that everyone does. They become the kind of men who make a meaningful impact, wherever they go.
