Born and raised in Hopkins, SC, Sally considers Columbia her hometown. After graduating from Thomas Sumter Academy, Sally attended Winthrop University where she obtained a B.S. in Special Education. She later attended the University of South Carolina and received a M.Ed. in Language and Literacy. After college, she became a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) and worked as a CCLS at the Children's Hospital in Columbia for 7 years, and she also worked as a CCLS in Los Angeles at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles for 4 years when she and her husband relocated there for his work. For the past 6.5 years, she has worked at Family Connection of SC as their Director of Education, providing support and guidance to parents of children with disabilities as they navigate the special education systems. Sally and David Baker have two boys, Wilkes (8) who will be attending Heathwood starting this spring semester as a 2nd grader, and Parks (4) who may join us next year (‘25-’26). While their boys keep them busy and on the go, they enjoy time with family and friends, whether it is in the water at Lake Murray, at the beach, or hanging out cheering on the Gamecocks.
Kristin joined Heathwood Hall in the summer of 2019. Prior to joining Heathwood, Kristin worked at the Children's Hospital in Columbia for seven years. Kristin earned her pediatric nursing certification in 2015. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a B.S. She then went on to nursing school at the University of South Carolina. Kristin and her husband, Sam, have two children: Maggie '37 and future Highlander Roscoe.
Glenn DeLaney's arrival at Heathwood Hall marks a return to middle school after over a decade of teaching and leading boarding schools. Most recently, he was the Director of The Outdoor Academy, a semester-away boarding school that numerous Heathwood students have attended. Prior to that, he was a department chair, history teacher, and dorm parent at Vermont Academy. However, Glenn has kept an eye out for an opportunity to return to and lead a middle school, as he spent the first six years of his career as a middle school educator at Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, NC. Originally from Gainesville, Florida, Glenn studied history at Washington & Lee University and later earned a Masters of Education in School Leadership from Harvard University. His wife, Julia, is also an educator, and their son Elem is a new Highlander (Class of 2036).
After serving eight years in the United States Army, Sarah earned her bachelor’s degree in mass communications from The University of North Carolina Asheville and a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from West Virginia University. Sarah brings over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, specifically in boutique hotels and luxury vacation experiences.
Sarah married her high school sweetheart Coty, and together they have a teenage daughter, Sophia. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, strength training, and walks in the neighborhood with her corgi, Dora.
Jessie joined the Heathwood community in 2018 when she moved to Columbia to lead Heathwood's Extended Learning program. Jessie spent most of her career in Washington, D.C. as a lower school teacher, department chair, and instructional coach. Her passion for curriculum and instruction and child development are invaluable to families as they navigate all the best Heathwood has to offer.
Jessie grew up in Kansas where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology at Kansas State University. She holds a Certificate in Advanced Education Leadership from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education as well as a Masters of Arts degree and a Doctorate of Education, both from the University of Southern California. (Fight On!)
Jessie and her husband, Graham, are the proud parents of future Highlander Caroline (‘39).
Chris Hinchey was appointed Head of School at Heathwood Hall in April, 2015. Chris arrived at Heathwood as the Upper School Head in the summer of 2013. Chris has been in education, as a biology teacher, basketball and baseball coach, and administrator, for 25 years. He grew up in Norwich, CT and graduated from Trinity College (CT), where he majored in Biology and captained the basketball team his senior year. He started his career at Avon Old Farms (CT) and then worked for 19 years at Salisbury School, where he served as Dean of Students, Dean of Faculty, and Head Basketball Coach. He also earned his MALS from Wesleyan University (CT) and his MS Ed in School Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania (PA).
Chris has three children, (Ryan '22, Jack, '25, and Will '27), and lives in Columbia with his wife, Heather. He enjoys the beach, working out, and reading and loves returning to the Rhode Island shoreline each summer.
In the autumn of 2022, Rev. Christopher Johnson joined Heathwood Hall as the leader of the campus chaplaincy program, bringing with him a wealth of experience and education. Prior to his tenure at Heathwood Hall, he dedicated 12 years to healthcare chaplaincy, where he nurtured his profound understanding of the spiritual needs of individuals. His academic journey encompasses an undergraduate degree in World Religions from Guilford College ('05), along with multiple Master's Degrees in Pastoral Theology from Saint Joseph's College of Maine ('15) and Divinity from Bexley Seabury Seminary ('23).
Rev. Johnson's intellectual pursuits reflect his deep-seated passions. His curiosity about Sacramental Theology, Meditation practices, and a comprehensive grasp of Global Anglicanism and Church History underlines his commitment to broadening his knowledge and spiritual insights. Engaging with the contemporary landscape of faith is one of his focal points of interest. This includes open conversations about the intricate intersection of faith and the modern world, as well as the paramount role of grace when engaging with individuals who hold differing viewpoints.
Suzanne Nagy has spent most of her life on Heathwood’s campus, beginning in preschool and graduating with the Class of 1990. Suzanne attended Furman University, earning a B.A. in English. Upon graduation in 1994, she returned to Heathwood to teach English in the Middle and Upper schools. In addition to teaching, Suzanne has worked in the Heathwood Admission Office and coached basketball and tennis for the Highlanders. Suzanne earned an M.Ed from the University of South Carolina. In 1999, Suzanne was invited by Governor Jim Hodges to serve as the Director of Caring for Tomorrow’s Children and as the coordinator for the Spartanburg County Foster Care Review Board. She has also taught English at Charlotte Latin School, worked as Director of Admission and Marketing at Episcopal Collegiate School in Little Rock, Arkansas, and earned an M.Ed in school counseling from the University of Arkansas. Upon returning to Columbia in 2008, Suzanne worked as the Assistant Head of Heathwood’s Middle School for five years, returned to the English classroom for three years, served as Middle School Head and Director of Enrollment, and is now Assistant Head of School for Enrollment and Advancement.
For over 27 years, Allison’s passion has been early childhood education. She started her career at Hood Street Elementary on Fort Jackson and then Forest Lake Elementary in the administrative office. She began teaching at St. Martin’s in the Fields Drop-In Nursery and then continued at Kilbourne Park Day School, where she was a teacher and then the Assistant Director. From there she was the Assistant Director of Eastminster Day School before coming to Heathwood first as the Director of Summer Programs and Assistant Director of Extended Learning and, since 2020, as Director of Summer Learning. Her love of children even extends to running a summer camp for over 10 years called F.I.T.S. Camp (Fun In The Summer). Many of her former campers are now Heathwood students.
Allison is a member of St. Martin's in the Fields and Coralbell Garden Club. She and her husband Neil have been married for 21 years and have four children. In her spare time she loves gardening, hiking, riding bikes, going to the beach and mountains and is looking forward to her first grandchild due this August.
Kionia Robinson MBA, SHRM-SCP is Heathwood’s Director of Human Resources with Heathwood Hall. Kionia has a passion for balancing the experience of the people in the workplace with the needs of any organization and works to be a part of the solution for improvement. She is a Senior Certified Professional with over 10 years’ experience in the field of human resources. Kionia has found reward in the non-profit sector and is passionate about helping others. She holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resource Management from the University of Phoenix and has earned a micro-certification in Inclusive Workplace Culture through the Society of Human Resources to support building positive workplace cultures for all. Kionia believes leadership is more than the title you have, it is a demonstration of your character and what you do to support the success of others.
Upper School Head George Scouten returned to Heathwood Hall in 2013 after three years at Linden Hall (PA), the country’s oldest all-girls boarding school. In his previous tenure at Heathwood (1998-2010), George held various positions, including Dean of Students, Director of International Studies, and English department chair. Originally from Baltimore, MD, George studied English and History at Salisbury, earned his master’s degree from Bowling Green, and completed his Ph.D. in English and Rhetoric from the University of South Carolina. Since then, George has earned multiple accolades for excellence in teaching, including an Elliott Award from the University South Carolina and the SCISA Upper School Teacher of the Year award. He earned a Fulbright Award in 2003, a Turkish Cultural Foundation Award in 2008, and a National Endowment for the Humanities teacher grant to study the poetry of Dante in Siena, Italy in 2009. Most recently, George completed the National Association of Independent Schools Aspiring Heads Fellowship. He also plays competitive lacrosse and coaches the Heathwood Hall varsity boys lacrosse team.
Liz Summers, Assistant Head and Director of Finance and Operations, joined the staff at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School in 2001. During her employment she has been responsible for overseeing the expansion and renovation of the School’s campus, including building the Athletic Center, Middle School, Chapel and Dining Commons. In addition to managing the school’s annual budget, Liz oversees the school’s Human Resources, Business Office and transportation functions as well as the school’s physical plant. Prior to her employment with Heathwood Hall, Liz spent 16 years as a commercial lender, credit officer, and manager at Bank of America.
Liz is an alumna of an Episcopal school, graduated from Mary Baldwin College and earned her MBA from the University of South Carolina. She and her husband West are the parents of two Heathwood Hall graduates. She enjoys working in a school because each day brings different and exciting challenges.
Willis has served on the faculty and staff at Heathwood for 16 years. His duties include teaching courses in the Upper School (Global Issues, Multicultural Studies, and Public Speaking), managing the school's community service efforts, and coordinating multicultural initiatives. Willis, who received All-Conference and All-American honors on the University of Missouri’s cross country and track teams, is also the head girls’ cross country coach and track coach.
Willis has three years experience in academic counseling and personal counseling at the university level and twelve years experience in family counseling. He also has over 25 years experience managing community service projects for high school and college students. Mr. Ware, who received a Chamber of Commerce Civic Award for community service as an undergraduate student, served as the president of the United Way of the Midlands Blueprint for Leadership class of 2005. He also served on the American Red Cross Diversity Leadership Council, the Youth Corps Board of Directors, the Hope Worldwide S.C. Board of Directors, and served as chair of the Palmetto Association of Independent Schools Diversity Leadership Committee. He has completed training in the National Association of Independent Schools Summer Diversity Institute and was recognized by Palmetto Association of Independent Schools for his leadership in the development of the first PAIS Inclusivity Conference. He currently serves as a Diplomat for the Columbia Chamber of Commerce and has recently completed training in Brown University’s Choices Program’s Engaging Students in Inquiry and Discussion on International Issues.
Willis’ daughter, Lydia, is a Heathwood alum ('09) and a graduate of the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill ('13).
Lara has spent over a decade in the non-profit sector in both development and communication roles. Most recently, Lara was the Chief Development Officer for Girl Scouts of South Carolina-Mountains to Midlands. Lara has learned the equal importance of donor acquisition, comprehensive stewardship and thoughtful cultivation. Her experiences and skills have allowed her to connect with stakeholders and nurture connections for successful development work.
Lara is from the Upstate and graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. In her spare time loves to read and travel, but most of all she enjoys spending time with her husband, Scott and their children. She has two daughters Mayzie ('29) and Kit ('35) and a son Gus ('31), who are enrolled at Heathwood Hall.
Stan Wood has been a faculty member at Heathwood since graduating from the University of South Carolina in 1983 and has served as Director of the PEAK program since 1997. He previously served as Athletic Director and was head coach of several varsity sports including boys basketball and track. Stan graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1983 with a degree in Physical Education, and is a 1986 and 1998 graduate of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). Stan was recognized by the Richland County Conservation District as Conservation Teacher-of-the-Year in 2001 and was awarded the Jim Gasque Award for Teaching Excellence in 2010. He is an experienced kayaker, mountain and road biker, backpacker, mountaineer, and adventure racer. Stan is also a master SCUBA diver and a certified rescue diver.
Brionna Dickerson Zimmerman '05 joined Heathwood Hall in August of 2018. As Alumni Relations Coordinator, Brionna works closely with the Development and Advancement teams to increase alumni engagement with the school through events like Homecoming, Mingle & Jingle, the Alumni Giving Challenge, and the Alumni Spring Reunion. Prior to her role in Alumni Relations, Brionna spent three years as the Special Events Coordinator, overseeing large-scale events like the Annual Auction, Grandparents and Special Friends Day, and Homecoming.
Brionna is also the Head Coach for the Varsity Girls Basketball team at Heathwood. Brionna ended her basketball career at Heathwood as the all-time leading scorer and third all-time scorer in the state with just under 3400 career points. She later became a Division I student-athlete at the University of South Carolina under Coach Dawn Staley. She graduated with a Masters in International Business with an emphasis in Marketing and Spanish. Brionna enjoys watching Gamecock basketball and spending weekends staying active playing kickball with her family. She and her husband, Tymere, have 3 children – Jordyn, Kobe ('33) and Skylar ('37).
