The Brimmer and May School has announced the appointment of Nina Freeman as its next leader, effective July 1, 2027. Chosen through a rigorous, nine-month national search that evaluated over one hundred submissions, Freeman emerges as an exceptionally qualified leader whose background seamlessly bridges elite athletic discipline, creative artistry and robust administrative expertise in the New England independent school landscape.
Freeman’s readiness for the role is anchored in her extensive administrative history at notable institutions. Serving as associate head of school at Brooks School in North Andover since 2022, she has successfully managed dayto-day operations across critical domains, including student and faculty affairs, athletics, college counseling and health and wellness. Her tenure there during a six-month presidential sabbatical — coinciding with a major $85 million capital campaign — demonstrates her capacity to maintain institutional momentum and handle high-stakes financial stewardship. Freeman’s previous 11-year tenure at Greenwich Academy as a teacher, coach and director of enrollment and financial aid equips her with an acute understanding of enrollment management and admissions strategies essential for sustained institutional health.
Beyond her administrative record, Freeman’s diverse educational and personal background informs her holistic approach to education. She holds a bachelor of arts in Africana Studies from Brown University, where she distinguished herself as a two-time NCAA Division I Rowing Champion — a testament to her discipline and collaborative drive. She further expanded her perspectives by earning a master of fine arts in acting at the American Conservatory Theater and a master’s in education in private school leadership at Columbia University Teachers College. This distinct combination of athletic excellence, artistic training and specialized leadership education allows her to connect deeply with the “whole-child” philosophy that defines Brimmer’s curriculum. Having attended the Meadowbrook School and Noble and Greenough School, her deep roots in the Boston-area independent school community as both a student and trustee ensure a culturally nuanced transition.
The Brimmer community’s enthusiastic response to her appointment highlights her compelling relational presence. Feedback from faculty, parents and trustees praises her rare combination of intellectual clarity, humor and accessible leadership, noting her capability to command a room while remaining warm and approachable.
Freeman noted that the school’s hallway culture and sincere embodiment of its core values made her feel immediately at home, aligning perfectly with her personal leadership philosophy.
As Brimmer and May prepares for the future — marked by the opening of a Recreation and Wellness Center and the drafting of a new strategic plan — Freeman’s transition year will focus on collaborative onboarding alongside current leadership. Ultimately, her appointment promises a leadership style that is structurally sound, deeply empathetic and uniquely prepared to guide the community into its next prosperous era.