At the end of the 2022-2023 school year, Hill’s Board of Directors named Hill veteran Head of School Dr. Bryan Brander successor to Beth Anderson as the organization’s next Executive Director & Head of School, effective August 12, 2024. After leading Hill boldly and effectively for the past decade, Beth will continue to serve as a strategic advisor through the end of the year.
This fall, Hill Learning Center begins an exciting new chapter.
After 18 years at Hill in several different roles, Dr. Bryan Brander will begin serving as the Executive Director of Hill Learning Center.
Understanding Dr. Brander’s education origin story is vital to appreciating his orientation towards his new leadership role.
Growing up, Dr. Brander always wanted to be an FBI agent. In fact, he declared a major in accounting in college, knowing that the FBI recruits heavily from major accounting firms.
On an afternoon commute early in his career as an auditor, Dr. Brander was surprised to find his mind wandering back to his time as a peer volunteer in Boiling Spring High School’s special education classroom during his senior year. He had worked closely with one of his classmates, patiently coaching her on a task many take for granted: tying her shoe.
After months of persistence and encouragement, she finally succeeded. Years later, Dr. Brander could still picture the look of “pure joy and pride and excitement” on his classmate’s face.
So why was he, a motivated young accountant set on joining the FBI, suddenly remembering this experience now?
Even though he was well on his way to something he had always wanted, he realized he was missing something vital: “a life of meaning and purpose and connection.”
Shortly after this inspirational daydream, Dr. Brander began pursuing a master’s degree in special education. He needed to channel his talents into making a difference, just like when he empowered his classmate to tie her own shoe.
After several years of teaching special education in his home state of Pennsylvania, Dr. Brander moved to North Carolina, where he began teaching middle school at Hill Learning Center.
Eventually, he moved into the role of Principal and then Head of School, where he stayed for over a decade. During this era, he began sporting what would become his signature accent piece: a bowtie.
Perhaps the bowtie echoed the tied shoe that brought him, humble and eager to lead, into the field of education in the first place.
In his nearly twenty years in the organization, Dr. Brander has remained deeply committed to Hill’s students, faculty, staff, and mission.
Honored to step into his new role as Executive Director, Dr. Brander believes his years of classroom experience will shape his leadership just as much as his two degrees in educational administration will.
“I could argue that not a week goes by that I don’t have another shoe-tying story,” he reflects. “A big part of my new role is to embrace and celebrate those stories.”
He believes a key to successful leadership in this new role will be “remembering those stories and thinking about how each decision we make will ultimately impact our students, directly or indirectly.”
After all, he says, “I’m here to continue to make Hill the best educational opportunity for our students, families, and community, while ensuring it’s also the best place to work for our faculty, staff, and tutors.”
Dr. Brander takes over the role of Executive Director from Beth Anderson, who joined Hill Learning Center in 2014.
“Beth has done a great job evolving Hill beyond our school walls. We serve the community in a myriad of ways,” Dr. Brander states. “She’s always looking ahead and finding ways to spin a connection, a collaboration, or a donation into an opportunity.”
He is honored to continue her legacy in this new role, explaining: “A common denominator between us is we have a grand vision and excitement about Hill’s potential as we continue to evolve as an organization.”
Expanding that potential depends not just on Dr. Brander but also on the diverse team of stakeholders that make up Hill’s far-reaching influence.
“I’m excited to work more closely with our Board of Directors and to tap into their unique skill sets,” he explains. “I’m looking forward to the chance to lean on them to spread Hill’s story and to be our lead champions.”
The Board of Directors will also be instrumental in launching Hill’s new strategic plan this fall, unifying the organization’s efforts in supporting its three main priorities: strengthening programs, expanding access, and engaging the community.
“Our new strategic plan will focus on ensuring Hill continues to innovate our programs while prioritizing accessibility and a deeper reach within our local community,” he says eagerly.
The work of Executive Director happens on a community-wide level but also closer to home, in the hallways of the school where Dr. Brander began teaching in 2006.
“I come to work every day to help make small changes that cause a ripple effect,” he states.
“Getting to work with over 100 mission-aligned colleagues each day is a gift,” he explains with admiration. “We’re all part of the same team, and my charge is to ensure they have the resources and opportunities necessary, allowing them to drive high-quality programs that positively impact the lives of students who learn differently.”
A major part of that ripple effect comes from supporting Hill’s faculty, staff, and tutors in an authentic, holistic way.
“We are humans first – employees second.”
He explains that his ultimate goal in his new role is “to be happy.”
“If I’m not happy, then I’m not doing it right.”
With humility and dedication, Dr. Brander steps into his new role on August 12, 2024.