Ms. Nunes joins St. Stephen’s from The Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn, New York, where she has served as Upper School Division Head for more than six years. At Packer, she co-led significant curricular innovation and pedagogical development, all rooted in her passionate belief in student-centered learning.
She also played a key role in creating a unified Health and Wellness Department, bringing together counseling and educational staff to provide holistic student support. Balancing her leadership duties with classroom engagement, Ms. Nunes continues to teach calculus—a reflection of her commitment to staying connected with students and modeling excellence in teaching.
Prior to her tenure at Packer, Ms. Nunes taught mathematics and economics and served as Dean of Students at The Spence School in New York City. There, she developed an acclaimed cross-disciplinary elective blending math and history, where students role-played historical figures to explore the evolution of economic theory and its real-world applications.
Ms. Nunes holds a B.A. in Mathematics and Economics from Yale University, an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, and an M.S. in Childhood General Education from Bank Street College of Education. Her early professional career included leadership roles in marketing, communications, operations, and financial management with multinational corporations before she transitioned fully to education.
Having lived and worked in São Paolo, Paris, Madrid, Johannesburg, Shenzhen, and Rome, Ms. Nunes brings a truly global perspective to her leadership. She is fluent in English, Portuguese, French, and Spanish, and is eager to add Italian to her list when she returns to Rome next summer.
Colleagues describe her as collaborative, brilliant, and deeply empathetic—a thoughtful listener with a formidable work ethic and a clear, student-centered vision. Faculty trust her, and students feel seen, heard, and supported under her leadership.
The Search Committee, comprising trustees, faculty, and community representatives, was unanimous in its recommendation of Ms. Nunes, citing her extensive experience, international outlook, and warm, gracious approach to leadership.
As Head of School, Jill Muti concludes her outstanding tenure next June, she leaves behind a school that has never been stronger—a testament to her vision and dedication. Ms. Nunes is poised to build on that foundation, guiding St. Stephen’s confidently into its next chapter.
“Maria Nunes embodies the academic excellence, global perspective, and deep humanity that define St. Stephen’s,” said Libby Morris (P’06, P’10), Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Rick Routhier ’69, Trustee and Co-Chair of the Head of School Search Committee. “We could not be more excited about what lies ahead.”
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