Stuart names new Director of the National Center for Girls' Leadership at Stuart

We are thrilled to announce that Danica Tisdale Fisher, Ph.D., will join Stuart as Director of the National Center for Girls’ Leadership at Stuart, beginning July 1, 2026. In this role, she will oversee K-12 leadership curriculum, mentor students through the Leadership Endorsement Program, and deepen partnerships with schools, universities, and organizations that will expand opportunities for Stuart girls.

Dr. Fisher brings a rich depth of experience in leadership development, belonging, and the empowerment of young women to this role. Most recently, she has served as Dean of Inclusion and Belonging at St. Andrew’s School in Middletown, DE, where she sits on the senior administrative team and advises the head of school on strategic initiatives. She designs and teaches leadership curriculum across grade levels, leads schoolwide programming centered on student leadership, identity, and community, and collaborates across divisions and administrative offices to strengthen school culture and provide holistic support for student success. Prior to St. Andrew’s, Dr. Fisher served as Graduate School Assistant Dean for Diversity and Title IX Coordinator at Yale University from 2021-2022, where she led efforts to increase the recruitment and retention of students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. She also served as Director of Summer Sessions at the University of California, Davis, from 2017 to 2021, where she oversaw a program enrolling 14,000 students, generating $25 million in revenue, and achieving record enrollment growth under her leadership.

Dr. Fisher holds a Doctor of Philosophy in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies from Emory University, a Master of Arts in English from Temple University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Spelman College. She also holds a certificate in school management and leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education and Harvard Business School. Dr. Fisher’s career reflects a deep commitment to developing the whole student through curriculum, community, and intentional relationships that deepen learning and open doors for the next generation of female leaders. We look forward to her bringing that same spirit to Stuart.

On joining Stuart, Dr. Fisher shared: “I am thrilled to join the Stuart community and to lead the National Center for Girls’ Leadership at Stuart at a moment when empowering girls to step into the world as confident, capable, and compassionate leaders has never been more important. I look forward to building on Stuart’s longstanding commitment to excellence, service, and purpose-driven education while helping girls and young women discover the power of their ability to create meaningful change and boldly claim their space in the world.”

Throughout our search, Dr. Fisher distinguished herself through her substantive vision for the NCGLS and her passion for advancing girls’ education and leadership development at Stuart. Reporting to Monique Jones, Head of Mission & Ministry, her work will be guided by our Sacred Heart mission and Cor Cordis philosophy and will impact all Stuart girls. Her experience across independent school, boarding school, and higher education settings, designing curriculum, building partnerships, and connecting students to meaningful opportunities, speaks to the breadth of this role. We are confident that Dr. Fisher’s leadership will strengthen our K-12 leadership programming and expand opportunities for our students at Stuart and beyond.