Leadership

Dr. Ralph Maurer, Head of School

Dr. Maurer joined Oxbridge Academy as head of school in 2018. Under his tenure, the school has added a 7th to 8th-grade middle school, grown significantly in enrollment, and pioneered new programs such as artificial intelligence. Before joining Oxbridge, Dr. Maurer served as the headmaster of The International School Nido de Aguilas, an independent English-language international day school (Pre-K through 12) in Santiago, Chile. At Nido, he created the Nido Professional Development Academy and led Nido to its selection as an Ashoka Changemaker School. Maurer remains active in the global conversation on teaching and learning, serving on the Common Ground Curriculum (CGC) advisory board, a leading international organization in curriculum development.

Read Dr. Maurer’s entire bio

Read Dr. Maurer’s entire bio

Dr. Maurer joined Oxbridge Academy as head of school in 2018. Under his tenure, the school has added a 7th to 8th-grade middle school, grown significantly in enrollment, and pioneered new programs such as artificial intelligence. Before joining Oxbridge, Dr. Maurer served as the headmaster of The International School Nido de Aguilas, an independent English-language international day school (Pre-K through 12) in Santiago, Chile. At Nido, he created the Nido Professional Development Academy and led Nido to its selection as an Ashoka Changemaker School. Maurer remains active in the global conversation on teaching and learning, serving on the Common Ground Curriculum (CGC) advisory board, a leading international organization in curriculum development.

Prior, Dr. Maurer was a faculty member and administrator at the Freeman School of Business at Tulane University, where he led the entrepreneurship curriculum. While at Tulane, Dr. Maurer served as the founding executive director of the New Orleans Startup Fund, raising more than $4 million in investment capital to help rebuild the city after Hurricane Katrina. Additionally, he was a co-founder of the consulting firm EMH Strategy. At EMH, he and his partners developed strategic, financial, operational, and feasibility plans for educational institutions, including the Emeril Lagasse Foundation.

Dr. Maurer was raised in Gainesville, where both his parents taught at the University of Florida. He is a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in communications studies from Northwestern University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida, and a Ph.D. in management science and engineering from Stanford University. He lives in West Palm Beach with his wife, Dr. Meg Butler, a classical archeologist, and their son.

Dr. Courtney Portlock, Assistant Head of School

Dr. Courtney Portlock assumed her role as Assistant Head of School on July 1, 2020.

Dr. Portlock brings more than 10 years of administrative experience in independent schools. She most recently held the position of director of the National Center for Girls' Leadership at Stuart Country Day School in New Jersey. Prior to her tenure at Stuart Country Day, she was the director of diversity and community life at The Episcopal Academy in Pennsylvania. Dr. Portlock is a passionate advocate for education that fosters leadership and facilitates meaningful inquiry.

Read Mrs. Portlock’s entire bio

Read Mrs. Portlock’s entire bio

Dr. Portlock brings more than 10 years of administrative experience in independent schools. She most recently held the position of director of the National Center for Girls' Leadership at Stuart Country Day School in Princeton, New Jersey, where she previously served as both the head of upper school and assistant head of upper school. During her time at Stuart she has kept her hand in the classroom, teaching courses in math and leadership. Prior to her tenure at Stuart Country Day, she was the director of diversity and community life at The Episcopal Academy in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Portlock began her career at Episcopal teaching math, literature, diversity awareness courses, and coaching dance. Before this she spent three years in the finance and technology sectors with The Vanguard Group and MICRO E.D.S.

Dr. Portlock is a passionate advocate for education that fosters leadership and facilitates meaningful inquiry. She has presented nationally on topics related to leadership, diversity, equity and inclusion, and women in STEM. She has served as a guest lecturer, co-teacher, and panelist for the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, and is highly involved in the national conversations regarding how independent schools can become continually better, and more accessible places of learning.

Dr. Portlock earned a B.S. in mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh, a M.S.Ed. in school leadership from the University of Pennsylvania, and most recently earned her doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. She is a graduate of Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia.

Rebecca De Jesús, Chief Business Officer

Ms. De Jesús assumed her role as Chief Business Officer on May 24, 2021. She oversees the business office, IT, maintenance, facilities, security, dining services, and human resources. She will serves as Treasurer of the Oxbridge Foundation as an Ex Officio member of the Board of Trustees. Rebecca joined Oxbridge in March 2014 after holding accounting roles at Oxbow and Caler, Donten, Levine, Porter & Veil. She is a licensed CPA and has a master's degree in forensic accounting and a Chartered Global Management Accounting designation.

Read Ms. De Jesús' entire bio

Read Ms. De Jesús' entire bio

Ms. De Jesús assumed her role as Chief Business Officer on May 24, 2021. She oversees the business office, IT, maintenance, facilities, security, dining services, and human resources. She will serves as Treasurer of the Oxbridge Foundation as an Ex Officio member of the Board of Trustees. Ms. De Jesús joined Oxbridge in March 2014 after holding accounting roles at Oxbow and Caler, Donten, Levine, Porter & Veil. She is a licensed CPA and has a master's degree in forensic accounting and a Chartered Global Management Accounting designation.

Since joining Oxbridge, she has held the positions of Controller and Director of Finance and has driven innovation into the business office at every step.

Scott Siegfried, Director of Advancement

Mr. Scott Siegfried assumed his role as Director of Advancement on June 1, 2020.

Mr. Siegfried joins Oxbridge after serving as the vice president of external relations and development at the Saint Louis School in Honolulu. Prior to his tenure at St. Louis, Mr. Siegfried was the vice president of external affairs and enrollment at the Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu. His experience also includes director of admissions at Providence Day School in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Read Mr. Siegfried’s entire bio

Read Mr. Siegfried’s entire bio

Siegfried joins Oxbridge after serving as the vice president of external relations and development at the Saint Louis School in Honolulu where his team led a $32 million campaign to support capital needs, organization-wide programs, and scholarship and financial aid support. Prior to his tenure at St. Louis, Siegfried was the vice president of external affairs and enrollment at the Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu where he increased revenue through enrollment by five percent, spearheaded the communications strategy that led to a rebrand and award-winning recognition, and developed a strategic plan for international markets, expanding enrollment and partnerships. His experience also includes director of admissions at Providence Day School in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Siegfried earned a Master of Science in counseling and Bachelor of Science in marketing and finance from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. He is currently earning his certificate in advanced leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education.

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