Elmwood Leadership

Leadership Team

Elmwood School is run by a diverse team of passionate, experienced educators and seasoned business people. The team is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the School, under the guidance of Cheryl Boughton, Head of School. The Head is appointed by the Board of Governors and is accountable to the Board.

Headmistress - Cheryl Boughton

Cheryl brings more than 11 years experience in progressively senior roles managing independent schools. Prior to joining Elmwood, she served as Deputy Head at Bedford Preparatory School in Bedfordshire, United Kingdom, an independent boarding and day school for 1,100 male students.

Previous to Bedford, Cheryl spent eight (8) years working in all-girls' schools in the United Kingdom. Educated at Queen’s University and the University of Toronto, she began her career teaching English and History in the Ontario public school system.

Deputy Head - Kate Angell

Kate holds a Bachelor of Arts (Oxford), Postgraduate certificate in Education (Cambridge) and Masters in Educational Administration and Policy Studies (McGill). For the past 16 years, Kate has worked in the independent school environment in Canada, US, and England where she has taught History and English at the Junior and Middle School levels.

Kate’s administrative style is founded upon collaboration and connection. Kate believes that at the heart of the educational model is the individual student, and any vision moving forward must take a holistic approach to education.

Director of Admissions - Donna Naufal Moffatt

Donna Naufal Moffatt has been a familiar face at Elmwood since 1997. She has been a teacher of Physical and Health Education, English, and History in both our Middle and Senior Schools, as well as serving as our Dean of Student Life from 2004 – 2006.

A graduate of the University of Ottawa (Bachelor of Physical Education) and Queen's University (Bachelor of Education), Donna was the recipient of the prestigious Joseph Klingenstein Fellowship at Columbia University where she successfully achieved a Master of Arts in Private School Leadership in 2003.

Upon her return from maternity leave in October 2007, Donna assumed the role of Director of Admissions. She firmly believes in the benefits of an all-girls’ environment, and is committed to admitting bright, dynamic, and capable students who will flourish in Elmwood’s safe, challenging, and internationally diverse community.

Director of Advancement - Ellen Ewert

Ellen is responsible for all fundraising activities that will benefit Elmwood School including the building of an Endowment Fund. Ellen is a seasoned fundraising and management professional with a solid 20-year track record.

Ellen’s previous positions were Chief Development Officer of the National Arts Centre Foundation, Vice-President of The Ottawa Hospital Foundation, and Managing Director of The Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre Foundation.

Ellen is a "Certified Fund Raising Executive" (CFRE) and she was honoured as “Outstanding Fundraising Executive” by the Association of Fundraising Executives, Ottawa Chapter in 2000.

Ellen obtained her Master of Business Administration from the University of Ottawa in 2002.

Manager of Finance - Tanja Mackin

Tanja joined Elmwood prior to the 2008 – 09 school year and has quickly become an integral part of the Senior Management Team. Tanja is responsible for financial and human resource management for the School, as well as leading the Facilities team.

Tanja came to Elmwood from Canadian Interuniversity Sport, where she was Director of Finance and Administration. A Certified General Accountant, Tanja has leant her skills to a number of volunteer organizations, including Ottawa Therapy Dogs and the Royal Ottawa Hospital Volunteer Association.

Prior to earning her CGA designation, Tanja attended Concordia University, where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Art History.

Manager of Communications - Teresa Stirling

A creative professional with over 10 years of solid advertising and marketing experience, Teresa brings her in-depth knowledge to Elmwood’s internal and external communications.

Prior to joining the team at Elmwood, Teresa worked at one of Ottawa’s pre-eminent advertising firms, creating and producing campaigns for both local and national clients, including Rideau Centre, Ottawa Tourism and Canada Post. She began her career in Toronto, at Young & Rubicam, one of Canada’s largest advertising agencies. In addition, Teresa recently taught in the Advertising Program at Algonquin College.

Teresa is a graduate of Carleton University (BA Honours in Mass Communications) and Humber College (Post graduate Diploma in Copywriting).