Daisy Pellant
Every month, RG175 spotlights one of the independent school leaders we've placed, taking a deeper dive into their journey, insights, and impact. This month, we feature Daisy Campbell Pellant. Daisy's journey to school leadership began long before she became a Head of School. Born in New York and raised in Minnesota, she grew up in a multinational family that fostered a love of travel, different cultures, and lifelong learning. A proud Minnesota Golden Gopher, dual U.S. and U.K. citizen, and product of independent schools beginning in sixth grade, Daisy has built her career around the belief that learning is living. Over more than three decades, she has served as a classroom teacher, counselor, developmental psychologist, and school leader in the Twin Cities, Auckland, Kuwait City, Beijing, Tbilisi, and Palo Alto. Along the way, Daisy earned graduate degrees from the University of St. Thomas and Harvard University, where she studied Mind, Brain, and Education, deepening her commitment to the science of learning. She also holds a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology and is just weeks away from completing her Ed.D. in Leadership and Learning in Organizations at Vanderbilt University.
Daisy and her husband, RM, have been partners in life and education for 32 years and are the proud parents of four grown children. Together they have embraced opportunities to live and work around the world and are excited to begin their next chapter in Bangkok, Thailand. Daisy is honored to join the International School Bangkok community as Head of School and looks forward to partnering with students, families, faculty, staff, and alumni to build on ISB's remarkable legacy while shaping its future.
What is your connection to RG175?
I've known about RG175 for many years through colleagues and mentors who worked with them, either as candidates or as school leaders hiring senior administrators. My first direct experience with RG175 was as a Head of School recruiting for key leadership positions, and I was impressed by their thoughtful, relationship-centered approach. More recently, I partnered with them as a candidate in my own headship search and experienced that same level of professionalism firsthand. They were supportive, honest, and incredibly thoughtful throughout the process, helping me bring my best and most authentic self to every stage of the search.
Can you summarize your experience working with RG175?
From the beginning, I felt I was in good hands. My search was led by someone I had known of and respected professionally for years, and I knew that, whatever the outcome, it would be a valuable learning experience. Throughout the process, the RG175 team communicated consistently, offered candid and constructive feedback, and took the time to understand both me and the school community. Rather than trying to fit me into a role, they helped determine whether it was the right mutual fit. I always felt respected, well prepared, and genuinely supported.
If you had one piece of advice for other candidates, what would it be?
Be authentically yourself throughout the entire search process. Prepare thoroughly, do your homework, and put your best foot forward, but don't try to become the person you think a school wants. A successful search is about finding genuine alignment. Be honest about your values, your leadership style, what you bring to a community, and the kind of school where you'll do your best work. I'd also encourage candidates to trust the search team. Be open and honest with them about your aspirations, your questions, and even your concerns. Leverage their expertise. They have a unique perspective on both you and the school, and they can often see strengths, opportunities, and patterns that you may not see yourself. They are there to help you present your authentic self and to determine whether the match is truly right for everyone involved. When you're authentic, with both the school and the search team, you create the best opportunity for a successful partnership. The school is choosing the real you, and you can begin your leadership with a strong foundation of trust and mutual fit.
What do you enjoy most about your role as it pertains to independent schools?
What I love most is being part of mission-driven schools that are committed not only to helping students thrive, but also to supporting the growth and well-being of the adults who make those communities so special. As a Head of School, I have the privilege of bringing together trustees, faculty, staff, students, and families around a shared vision, and I love being part of that collective work. I'm especially excited to be returning to international education, where my professional journey began. I love the diversity, the global perspective, and the deep commitment to cross-cultural understanding that international schools embody. Every day as a Head of School is different. Some days bring unexpected challenges, while others are filled with celebration and possibility, but every day gives me the opportunity to exercise both my mind and my heart. That's what continues to inspire me about this work.