Head of School, Tao Smith shares, “We are thrilled to welcome Stephanie Montgomery to our team at Gould and look forward with great enthusiasm to adding her talent, skill, wisdom, and deep ties to our school. I, personally, am excited to work alongside and learn from her, as Ms. Montgomery helps guide us toward building a better, more equitable, and inclusive community.”

Ms. Montgomery is a lifelong human rights advocate, dedicated to the intersection of human rights activism, diversity and inclusion advocacy, and utilizing “language” to break through cultural barriers. She holds a B.A. in German Language & Literature from The George Washington University in Washington D.C. and a Juris Doctorate from Temple University School of Law with an International Law Concentration. She has also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Washington (Tacoma campus), and Drexel University.

Born in Virginia during the era of Jim Crow segregation, she credits her parents with teaching and instilling the value of human dignity and respect for every person’s inherent worth. As the daughter of a US Army officer, Ms. Montgomery has lived, studied, and worked across the country and abroad, always with a passion for immersing herself in the communities and cultures in which she resides.

Ms. Montgomery is relocating from Portland, Oregon. She has been involved and partnered with a myriad of organizations, including the Society for Intercultural Education Training & Research, the Portland Art Museum, World Oregon, the Oregon Historical Society, Kids at Hope, and The Links Incorporated.

Over the past year, Ms. Montgomery provided instrumental mentorship in Gould’s Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which—in part—led to a call for this leadership role. We are thrilled that she is joining us in this inaugural position. “My goals and aspirations are to center Gould in the local, regional, and global community where there is true relational value between the students, employees, Sunday River, Bethel, and the world. Transformation happens when people come together and build authentic relationships that empower each other.” 

Ms. Montgomery brings compassionate activism and mentoring to the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging position. She will be advising Gould’s senior leadership in equitable operations as well as promoting diversity and belonging throughout Gould’s community, present, and past.