Karen has been Branksome Hall’s Principal for 24 years and is the CEO of Branksome Hall Global. In 2012, Karen founded Branksome Hall Asia, an international school on Jeju Island, South Korea. Karen also introduced the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program to Branksome in 2001, making it Toronto’s only all-girls, all-years IB World School. She has represented Branksome Hall Global by speaking around the world on topics ranging from International Education and Canada’s Foreign Policy to Employee Wellness Programs. Karen is a graduate of the Executive Program at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. She also holds a Master of Education from the University of British Columbia and both a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts from Western University. Prior to leading Branksome Hall, Karen was a Principal in the Toronto District School Board and previously taught at Havergal College.
Amanda is Branksome Hall’s Deputy Principal. She was previously the Head of the Junior School for four years, Head of the Senior and Middle School for two years and the Head of the Middle School for four years before that. While at Branksome, Amanda has served on various committees, including the DEI Working Group, the Alumnae Awards Committee, Transgender Working Group, and Strategic Planning Committee. Amanda was also the Director of Arts at Appleby College for 11 years and a Drama teacher at The Bishop Strachan School. She holds a Master of International Education in School Leadership from Charles Sturt University, a Bachelor of Education from York University and a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from Queen's University.
As Branksome’s new Head, Centre for Strategic Leadership, Karrie has been with the school for nearly 40 years. In her time at Branksome Hall, Karrie has served as the Deputy Principal, Head of the Senior and Middle School, Vice-Principal, Director of Admissions, and an English teacher. Karrie is on various Branksome Hall Strategic Planning Committees, led Branksome’s Transgender Working Group, and has been on the Leacock Foundation Board of Governors since 2005. Karrie holds a Master of Education in Administration Planning and Social Policy from Harvard University and has a Certificate of Education in English from Homerton College in Cambridge, England. She also has a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Dr. Mira Gambhir completed an award-winning doctoral dissertation on diversity education and has reviewed curriculum and consulted on equity and inclusion issues for non-profit and government organizations such as the Ontario Ministry of Education. She is a scholar and published author in the fields of inclusion, teacher education and global education. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Education from the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto, with a specialization in comparative international and development education. Over the course of her career, she has taught across the spectrum of schooling from Kindergarten to the graduate level.
Head, Curriculum Innovation and Professional Learning
Heather has been devoted to education at Branksome since 2000, and is currently Head of Curriculum Innovation and Professional Learning and a Science teacher. Heather started at Branksome as an MYP and DP Science teacher in the Senior and Middle School for seven years and has since filled various positions, including Head of the Middle School and Head of Academics. She was also the IB Middle Years Program Coordinator for eight years and has attended and led IB Curriculum and Leadership Workshops since 2001. She previously worked at TVOntario for four years and was a Science teacher and Department Head at St. George's School of Montreal. She holds both a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science (Honours) from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Education from McGill University. Heather’s daughter Saffi’19 is a graduate of Branksome.
Patricia is the Head of Talent Management at Branksome Hall. Prior to that, Patricia was a Principal and Senior Consultant at DiNi Associates. She has also worked as a Senior Human Resources Consultant at the Royal Ontario Museum and held the same title at Kinark Child & Family Services for nine years. Patricia is on the Advisory Board at the Aphasia Institute. She holds a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toronto. Patricia also attended York University for Human Resources Management and is a Certified Human Resources Leader.
Kim Kniaz is the Head of the Senior and Middle School at Branksome. In her time at the school, Kim has held a number of leadership roles, including her previous position as the Assistant Head of the Senior and Middle School, CAS. She is also a member of the Risk Management Team, and has led the Installation and Graduation Working Groups, bringing significant changes to these signature Branksome events. Kim is an innovative leader who is committed to creating the future at Branksome. Prior to joining the Branksome community, Kim held teaching and Physical Education positions at Upper Canada College, the New International School of Thailand and the American International School in Egypt. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Wilfrid Laurier University and her Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University.
Emily is Branksome Hall’s Head of the Junior School. She has previously served as Deputy Head of the Junior School at Trinity Grammar School in Melbourne, Australia, and taught at Chatsworth International School in Singapore, and at Beanstalk International Bilingual School in Beijing, China. Nearly 10 years ago, she began her teaching career at Branksome as a PYP Teacher and Residence Assistant. She holds a double Master’s of Education (Educational Leadership and Information Technologies) from Charles Sturt University, a Bachelor of Education (Primary/Junior) from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor of Science from Dalhousie University.
Kimberly is the Executive Director of Enrolment Management. Previously, she was the school’s Director of Enrolment Management from 2015-18, Director of Admissions from 2012-2015 and Associate Director of Admissions from 2009-2012. As a former Branksome Hall student, residential life boarding advisor, classroom teacher and school advisor, Kimberly brings a wealth of knowledge to the recruitment and admission of prospective students. Kimberly holds a Bachelor of Education degree from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto (OISE/UT) and Bachelor of Arts from Queen’s University. Kimberly was selected to join the Admissions Leadership Council of the Enrollment Management Association in 2015 and is currently the Chair of the Mentoring Initiative.
Michael is the Director of Technology and Innovation at Branksome Hall. Michael was most recently the President of Insegni Centre Inc. for four years and during that time was also a consultant for Branksome’s Information Technology strategy. He was previously the Director of Systems and Technology for IT Consulting at Ernst & Young and was the Vice President of Consulting at Project X Ltd. Michael holds a Master of Science in Strategic Planning from Heriot-Watt University and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Toronto. He also has a Certificate in Data Analytics, Big Data and Predictive Analytics from Ryerson University. Michael’s daughter Siena’20 is a Branksome graduate.
Elliott Brodkin has held senior roles as Chief Financial Officer at the Toronto French School, Leo Baeck Day School and Associated Hebrew School. In these roles, he has overseen a broad range of administrative and business office functions, including financial management, information technology, facilities, auxiliary programs, human resources and risk management. He has also held senior financial roles within the private sector, specifically in manufacturing and service sectors. An active volunteer, Elliott has served as a Director on various Boards, including Congregation Darchei Noam synagogue, and most recently, the Montessori Jewish Day School.
Executive Director, Advancement and Community Engagement
Cristina is Branksome’s Executive Director of Advancement and Community Engagement. Cristina previously served at Upper Canada College as the Director of Marketing and Communications for seven years. Before that, Cristina was the Acting Assistant Dean of External Relations in the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto and also held the position of Associate Director of Advancement Communications and Marketing. Over the course of Cristina’s career in the Communications and Marketing industry, she and her teams have garnered more than 30 awards for best branding, websites, advertising, publications, advancement materials and videos. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Communications from Concordia University.
Land Acknowledgement
We wish to acknowledge this land on which Branksome operates. For thousands of years, it has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit River. Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work and go to school on this land.