Megan Murphy

Global Executive Director Megan Murphy has led the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools— the leading advocate for girls’ schools—since 2012. During Megan’s tenure, the Coalition has achieved historic growth in programs, membership, and staffing. Established in the United States as the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools in 1991, ICGS has vastly expanded its reach in the last 30 years. One-third of member institutions are located outside the U.S., in Afghanistan, Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Kenya, the Republic of Korea, Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, Spain, and the United Kingdom. ICGS is poised to continue growing. Through a merger that will take effect in January 2024, the 190 member schools of the Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia will officially join the Coalition as well.

Prior to joining the Coalition, Megan served as the Vice President of Development and Alumni Affairs at Semester at Sea, a non-profit global education program in partnership with the University of Virginia. Previously she served as the Director of Development at ICGS member Marlborough School, where she directed the Leadership in Learning Campaign and led a talented team to raise more than $71 million in annual, capital, and endowment gifts. She has also served as the Dean of Admissions and Enrollment Management at Allegheny College, where she developed and implemented successful strategies to improve college-wide retention, and was a consultant with George Dehne and Associates, an admissions marketing and enrollment strategy firm.

Megan earned her B.A. in International Studies and French from Allegheny College and an M.A. in Public Administration and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh. She serves on the board of the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools and was a member of the Allegheny College Alumni Council for several years and served as the President of the Council in 2012-2013. In addition, she participated in the National Association of Independent Schools Aspiring Heads Program and the NCGS Strategic Leadership Institute.