![Ryan Liese P'31 Named Next Head of School at MBS]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1772822318/kp8djcjz9xrxcdto6fu6/Liese_Ryan298.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1772822318/kp8djcjz9xrxcdto6fu6/Liese_Ryan298.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1772822318/kp8djcjz9xrxcdto6fu6/Liese_Ryan298.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1772822318/kp8djcjz9xrxcdto6fu6/Liese_Ryan298.png","width":980}])
Dear MBS Community,
It is my privilege to announce that the Morristown Beard School Board of Trustees has unanimously elected Ryan Liese P’31 as our next Head of School. Ryan will complete his responsibilities as Associate Head of School and Head of Upper School on June 30, 2026, and will assume his new role as Head of School on July 1, 2026.
Following a comprehensive national search where over 80 applicants from across the country and abroad applied, four highly qualified finalists were invited for in-person interviews with members of the search committee. From this distinguished group of educational leaders, there was one who clearly demonstrated remarkable care, commitment and understanding of our School, its mission, its values, and our MBS community— Ryan Liese.
Ryan has served our community with distinction as Head of Upper School since 2020 and as Associate Head of School since 2025. He joined the MBS community after spending over a decade at Randolph School in Huntsville, Alabama, where he last served as Head of Upper School. Ryan holds a B.S. from Central Connecticut State University, magna cum laude, and an M.Ed. from Vanderbilt University. As an educational leader and strong communicator, he is focused on cultivating collaboration and trust across teams to empower individuals, strengthen organizational performance, and elevate the student experience.
During the search process, Ryan shared, “As Head of School, I will champion MBS’s ongoing work and continue to build the systems necessary to ensure that our community has every available resource to provide a transformational experience for all students.”
Ryan’s leadership is rooted not only in professional excellence but also in deep personal commitment to the MBS community. His wife, Nikki, currently serves as our Middle School Dean, and their daughter, Hannah, is a member of the MBS Class of 2031.
The Board of Trustees extends deep appreciation to the Search Committee, and to the many members of our community — faculty, parents, and alumni — who participated in this process. We also want to express our sincere gratitude to Interim Head of School Philicia Levinson P’19 for her extraordinary leadership and vision during this time of transition, allowing MBS to continue to provide an exceptional education for each student.
With Ryan’s commitment and leadership, we are confident in the future of Morristown Beard School.
Sincerely,
Michael Morais P’22, ’24, ’26
President, MBS Board of Trustees
Chair, Head of School Search Committee