Jay Rainey, President

Jay Rainey became President of The Westminster Schools in July 2026. A lifelong educator and independent school leader, Jay brings more than two decades of experience serving students, families, faculty, and staff in schools known for academic excellence, character formation, and vibrant community life.

Prior to joining Westminster, Jay held Head of School positions first at Randolph School in Huntsville, Alabama, and then at Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School (MICDS) in St. Louis, Missouri. Earlier in his career, he held a variety of faculty and leadership roles at Norfolk Academy in Virginia, including teacher, coach, college counselor, Director of Studies, and Assistant Head for Academic Affairs.

Jay earned his bachelor’s degree in religion from Princeton University and a master’s degree in American studies from the College of William & Mary. He and his wife, Ruth, have two children.

Toni Boyd, Vice President for Finance and Operations

Toni Boyd joined Westminster as vice president for finance and operations in 2017, having previously served in a similar position at Athens Academy for 17 years. A United States Marine Corps veteran, Toni holds a Master of Accountancy from the University of Georgia and certification as a senior professional in human resources (SPHR). She has consulted extensively with independent schools across the country and internationally on business office operations, not-for-profit accounting, and institutional governance. In addition to leading workshops, she annually co-convenes a certification program for independent school business officers. In her spare time, Toni enjoys being a member of the board of directors and a former chair of Extra Special People Inc. (ESP), a charitable organization that serves children and young adults with disabilities and their families.

 

Frank Brown '04, Director of DEI and Community Engagement 

A Wildcat alum, Frank returned to Westminster in the role of Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Community Engagement in July 2022 following a decades-long career leading diversity-focused initiatives in higher ed and independent schools. Frank is an avid educator, having served as an upper school teacher, academic advisor, admissions officer, and basketball coach. He came to Westminster from Forsyth Country Day School in Lewisville, North Carolina, where he served as the director of diversity, inclusion, and outreach from 2016 to 2022. Before his time at FCDS, Frank worked at Wake Forest University in leadership roles in undergraduate admissions and the School of Business where he oversaw curriculum development and implementation focused on cultural competence, targeted recruitment, and retention programs, as well as international study programs. He holds a bachelor's degree in sociology as well as an MBA from Wake Forest University. Frank and his wife, Renae—also a Westminster graduate—are the proud parents of three daughters.

Lauren DuPriest, Head of Lower School

Lauren joined the Westminster community in 2004 serving as a science and design thinking teacher and robotics coach in the Lower School. In 2013, she took on the role of Lower School director of operations and communications, overseeing the daily activities of the Lower School. Lauren holds a BS in elementary education and child development from Vanderbilt University and a MEd in reading, language, and literacy from Georgia State University. Lauren and her husband, Walter '99, are the proud parents of two Wildcats, Edwin '29 and Griffin '32.

Emilie Henry, Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Emilie joined Westminster as the vice president for institutional advancement in July 2013, having previously served as director of advancement at Atlanta’s Trinity School and director of development at Yellowstone National Park. Emilie holds a BS in geology from the University of Montana. She is a frequent speaker and educator at national advancement conferences and consults extensively across the country in the areas of leadership development and every aspect of advancement operations. She serves as chair of the U.S./Canada Council of CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education) and is former chair of CASE’s Independent Schools Leadership Group (ISLG), a consortium of the country’s top-performing chief advancement officers. She also served on the faculty of CASE’s Summer Institute for Independent Schools for six years. When she is not focused on helping donors realize their philanthropic goals, Emilie is passionate about spending time with her family (Aidan '21, Rowyn '26), travel, reading, yoga, and cycling to nowhere on her Peloton.

 

Jim Justice, Dean of Academics and Curriculum

Jim leads Westminster's academics for pre-first through twelfth grade. A member of the English Department, Jim has served the school as a teacher, cross country coach, grade chair, Assistant Head of Upper School, and Interim Head of Upper School. He holds a BA with highest honors in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an MA in English from Emory University, and a Master of Education from the Klingenstein Center, Teachers College, Columbia University. He and his wife, Marian, are the parents of Margaret '27, James '29, and Emma '31.

Leslie Ann Little, Head of Middle School

Head of Middle School Leslie Ann Little has been a member of the Westminster faculty since 1995. Over the years, Leslie Ann has served as an English and language arts teacher, a grade chair, dean of students, and assistant head of Middle School with a focus on academic programs. In these roles, she helped launch a student-friendly modified schedule with midday office hours as well as a host of innovations that have come to define Westminster’s Middle School experience, including Monday Morning Meeting, the eighth grade retreat, and MayATL. She graduated magna cum laude from Mercer University and earned an MA in independent school leadership from the Klingenstein Center at Columbia University. Leslie Ann and her spouse, Betty, are devoted dog lovers, particularly partial to dachshunds and scruffy rescue dogs.

Eston Melton, Chief Information Officer

Eston Melton joined Westminster as Chief Information Officer (CIO) in July 2026, leading a technology program that includes end-user equipment and experience, network and enterprise systems, and data services. Prior to Westminster, he spent a decade as CIO in City Schools of Decatur, where he was recognized by colleagues, peer CIOs, and state leaders for his student-focused leadership. Guided by a passion for teaching, Eston began his career in the classroom as a journalism and English teacher before leading the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program at George C. Marshall High School in Fairfax, Virginia. He later served as an assistant principal at West Potomac High School in Fairfax and at JLS Middle School in Palo Alto, California.

Eston earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Virginia and has received numerous credentials through nationally-recognized organizations in technology leadership, change management, racial equity, emergency planning, and incident command. Eston and his wife Rosalyn, a higher education CIO, have a daughter in middle school.

Marjorie Mitchell '82, Head of Enrollment Management

After graduating from Westminster in 1982, Marjorie earned a BBA in finance from the University of Georgia as a Foundation Fellow Scholar. She then spent 17 years in sales in the technology industry at Digital Equipment Corporation and Oracle Corporation while continuing to volunteer at Westminster. In 2002, she formally joined the administration of Westminster as the director of admissions and an eighth grade economics teacher. At the 2011 Enrollment Management Association (EMA) annual conference, Marjorie was selected by her peers for the Everett Gourley Award, which is given each year to the educator whose interest in students and concern for colleagues is an inspiration to those who serve in admissions. She holds a certificate in leadership in enrollment management from the University of Southern California and serves on the board of trustees for EMA. Beyond her professional activities, she stays busy with Jack and Jill of America Inc. and The Links Inc. She is most proud of her own Wildcats: Alexis '08, Robert '11, and David '14.

Danette Morton, Executive Director of The Center for Teaching

Danette Morton joined Westminster in July 2012, serving for more than a decade as head of Middle School. Presently the executive director of the Center for Teaching, Danette leads our efforts to foster a professional culture marked by high challenge and high support. Believing that teaching is not only a profession but a calling, Danette is passionate about school cultures that inspire curiosity, camaraderie, creativity, and joy. Danette began her career teaching middle school in Greensboro, North Carolina. She previously served as the director of admission and financial aid at Greensboro Day School and as head of the upper school at Summit School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She holds a BA in economics from Duke University and a master’s in middle school education from Lesley University. Danette and her husband, Kevin, are parents to Chelsea '23, Bristol, '29, and Noah.

Thad Persons '88, Dean of Faculty

A 1988 Westminster graduate, Thad began his career teaching English and theater after graduating from Princeton University. He taught at Holland Hall School in Tulsa and Harpeth Hall in Nashville before joining the Westminster faculty in 1997. He directed Odyssey High, the cost-free college preparatory summer program sponsored by Westminster and Atlanta Public Schools, from 2000 to 2009. In 2006, he received his MA in educational leadership from the Klingenstein Center at Columbia University's Teachers College. He was grade chair for the Class of 2012 boys and currently serves as dean of faculty. Thad enjoys good food, good fun, and good laughter with friends and family, including his wife Michele and his two boys, Jake '24 and Brody '25.

Dr. Chanley Small '87, Head of Upper School

An alum of Westminster, a long-serving teacher, and a leader in the Upper School, Chanley holds a BA in environmental studies from Brown University, a MS in biology from Stanford University, and a PhD in epidemiology from Emory University. Before becoming a member of the Westminster faculty in 2008, she worked as a professor and researcher in epidemiology at Emory. Over her career at Westminster, Chanley has chaired Westminster's Science Department, led the Upper School JanTerm program, and served as Upper School academic dean. Chanley and her husband, Michael, are the parents of three children, Payton, Aidan, and Coleman.

Shannon Soares, Director of Athletics

Shannon Soares joined Westminster as the director of athletics in July 2023. After a decade of coaching at the NCAA Division I level, Shannon moved into administration, serving as the associate athletic director for administration and varsity sports at Georgetown University. In that role, she oversaw nine varsity sport programs and was responsible for coach development of all 90+ coaches across 30 varsity sport programs on campus. In 2020, Shannon moved into consulting for the Sportsology Group, leading project strategy and operations across their clients within the pro space at the NFL, NBA, MLS, EPL, and NWSL levels. In 2022, she co-founded and served as the senior director for Bloom Sports Partners, a startup venture aimed at providing people-first transformational advisory and search services to high-growth professional sports organizations and leagues. She holds an undergraduate degree from the College of William & Mary as well as her master’s in sport administration from the University of Louisville. Shannon and her husband, Sean, are parents to Carrick '33 and Scout '34.