Green Ivy International Schools (Green Ivy), a renowned network of language immersion preschools and elementary schools, and its parent company KSS Immersion, have proudly announced the appointment of Gaby Rowe as their new Chief Executive Officer. Rowe possesses a remarkable track record of empowering economic growth and educational accessibility. Prior to joining Green Ivy and KSS Immersion, she held the position of Head of School at The Mandell School for over 15 years, where she left an indelible mark on the independent school landscape, influenced local education policies, and played a pivotal role in the development of Universal Pre-K.
Expressing her excitement about this new chapter, Rowe stated, “I am thrilled to return to the realm of education and support the next generation of global citizens as they embark on their journey of discovery and growth. My recent experiences in driving transformation-driven innovation and promoting empowerment through educational access have reignited my commitment to fostering growth and opportunities for generations of students. I am eager to collaborate closely with the exceptional team at Green Ivy and KSS Immersion as we embark on this exciting phase of evolution and expansion.”
Rowe assumed the leadership of Green Ivy and its parent company from Bob Lenz, who will continue to serve on the Board of Directors. Founded in 2002, KSS Immersion’s mission is to provide comprehensive Spanish immersion programs, enabling young learners to reap the exceptional benefits of bilingualism. With 12 schools currently operating in New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area, KSS Immersion is dedicated to expanding its reach and bringing its world-class language immersion and multilingual programs to as many families and young learners as possible.
As CEO, Rowe’s priorities include expanding the network’s New York Middle School facilities, enhancing programs, recruiting top-notch talent, fostering global learning collaborations, and strategically expanding into new geographic regions. Her vision aligns with KSS Immersion’s mission of empowering students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.
Lauding Rowe’s appointment, Michelle Hernandez, an educational consultant specializing in admissions in New York City, remarked, “Gaby’s return to the world of education is a huge win for students and families. I have known her for years, dating back to her days at The Mandell School, and I can confidently say that when Gaby is involved, children flourish as students and individuals.”
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Rowe relocated to New York City in 2014 to lead The Village School. Within a year, she achieved a remarkable 30% increase in student enrollment. She also spearheaded a campus expansion and transformed the school into a tech-enabled STEM institution by introducing mandatory coding classes, an entrepreneurship program, bilingual preschool and elementary opportunities, and a partnership with Google.
In 2018, Rowe transitioned into the technology and innovation sectors, serving as the CEO of Station Houston, a startup accelerator that later evolved into the Ion, an innovation hub led by Rice University. Most recently, she held the position of Principal at Grow Associates, a strategy consulting firm, where she led Operation Connectivity, an initiative aimed at bridging the digital equity gap for 5.5 million students across the United States.
Commenting on Rowe’s appointment, Andrew Weinberg, Managing Partner at Crane Street Capital, which invested in KSS Immersion in 2019, expressed his confidence, saying, “Gaby has an outstanding track record of expanding access to education and leveraging her network and experience to create unique opportunities. I am certain that she will inspire the team and drive thoughtful and accelerated growth, while always keeping the mission of preparing students for life beyond the classroom at the forefront.”
KSS Immersion is a rapidly growing education company with schools in New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area. Its mission is to make its world-class language immersion and multilingual programs accessible to as many families as possible. The company believes that the gift of language at an early age and the extraordinary benefits of bilingualism are invaluable assets for young learners. Currently, KSS Immersion operates three active and expanding brands: KSS, La Escuelita, and Willow in the financial district in New York City, as well as in Brooklyn and the Bay Area.
