Leadership

Gretchen Zibilich Kane '74 | Head of School

Gretchen Kane, a native of New Orleans, has dedicated her career to education and leadership. A proud alumna of Academy of the Sacred Heart, Class of 1974, Gretchen pursued higher education with a B.S. in Mathematics and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Her early career saw her shaping young minds as a math teacher and swim coach at DeLaSalle High School in New Orleans from 1980 to 1987.

Gretchen continued her teaching journey at Jesuit High School in New Orleans, where she taught math, facilitated junior retreats, and moderated Mu Alpha Theta from 1987 to 1992. Her leadership skills were soon recognized, and she served as the Academic Assistant Principal at Jesuit High School from 1993 to 2001. This was followed by a role as Associate Vice President at the Jesuit Secondary Education Association in Washington, DC, from 2001 to 2004. In 2004, Gretchen became the President of Ursuline Academy of New Orleans, a position she held until 2012. She then took on the role of President at Ursuline Academy of Dallas, where she served until 2024. During her tenure, she made significant contributions to the institutions and the broader educational community.

Gretchen has also been an active member of several boards, including the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS), DeLaSalle High School, Duchesne Academy in Houston, OneSchoolhouse, and Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep. She is a member of the Heads Collegiate Forum and the 1911 Group. Outside of her professional life, Gretchen is an avid fan of the New Orleans Saints and LSU Tigers.

Messages from Gretchen Z. Kane

Messages from Gretchen Z. Kane

8.11.24

Dear Sacred Heart Community,

Henry Nouwen once wrote: To wait open-endedly is an enormously radical attitude toward life. So is to trust that something will happen to us that is far beyond our imaginings. So too, is…letting God define our life…a life in which we wait, actively present,…trusting that new things will happen to us, new things that are far beyond our own imagination…predication.

And, so it is for me, somewhat beyond imaginings, I’ve been called to service at my amazing alma mater. It’s really a “full circle” moment in time, returning 50 years after my own Sacred Heart graduation. I feel incredibly blessed and honored to be part of the rich tradition that is the Academy of the Sacred Heart, an educational apostolate dedicated to educating girls and young women for leadership and service in the world, in the Church, and in their communities.

From the moment I stepped onto our beautiful campus, I was reminded of the unique spirit that defines Sacred Heart in New Orleans. The commitment to academic excellence, the depth of our community’s faith, and the genuine care for one another are truly remarkable.

I’m excited to be part of the loving, family atmosphere so treasured and felt by so many here at the Rosary as well as the energy surrounding the Academy’s strength as a prominent choice in education and formation for the girls we teach and guide and care for. I am committed to fostering an environment where every student feels valued, seen, and supported, where innovation and tradition meet, and where our goals and criteria guide every decision.

I look forward to building strong relationships with each of you. My door is always open, and I welcome your thoughts and hopes for our school’s future. Together, we will continue to nurture the minds, hearts, and spirits of our students, preparing them for the world they will inherit.

Thank you for your warm welcome and for your ongoing support of Sacred Heart. I am deeply grateful to be back at The Rosary and am excited about all that we will achieve together.

Yours in Christ,

Gretchen Zibilich Kane '74 | Head of School
Academy of the Sacred Heart