When Julie Wadland joined Concord Academy in the summer of 2019, she was returning to the Boston area after spending six years away in Connecticut and California. The familiar pull of friends, family, and a desire to reconnect with a community that felt like home drew her back to Boston. During that time, she was exploring new occupational opportunities and encountered an opening in CA’s Admissions Office. The vacant spot caught her attention, but it was the school’s character that truly drew her in.

Wadland was immediately struck by the CA’s authenticity. As she researched the school, she read online excerpts by Justin Bull and former faculty member John Drew and sensed something special about CA’s community. “It’s hard to explain, but there was a very real, human element to their responses. They were grounded, thoughtful, and funny,” said Wadland. After spending time in independent schools that did not always live up to their ideals, she yearned for a place that prioritized growth and joy in young people without pretension. Among the CA traditions that captured her attention was the chapel talk. Though unfamiliar at first, this everyday event spoke to her belief in the importance of vulnerability, role modeling, and emotional growth. Having once been an insecure high school student herself, she recognized how powerful it could be for young people to witness others, especially their older peers, speak honestly about their experiences.

Her first years at CA were grounded in admissions and advising, which turned out to be roles she continued throughout her tenure. She also contributed to the community as a lacrosse coach. One of her fondest memories of coaching was when, in the early days of the pandemic, her team showed resilience by bonding over Zoom. In 2022, Wadland’s connection to the school deepened even further after she embraced the rhythms of residential life by moving into Admadjaja, assuming a role as house faculty.

When reflecting on her time at CA, Wadland was quick to point out how much she has grown—not just professionally, but personally—and credits the students as key influences in that transformation. She explained, “Phew! There isn’t enough space or time to do this answer justice. Each day you show up and commit to being in the community. You take risks, you put your vulnerability on full display, all while trying to figure out, ‘so, how do I want to show up during my time on this orbiting planet?’”

Now, as Wadland prepares to leave CA, her decision is grounded in the same growth mindset she has witnessed daily in this community. Just as the Class of 2025 prepares to step into the next chapter of their lives, she too is embracing change. Her next journey will take her down the road to Buckingham Browne & Nichols School in Cambridge, where she will serve as the Director of Enrollment Management, a role that will allow her to dive even more deeply into the kind of relational leadership that has long inspired her.

Though she is moving on, Wadland carries with her the lessons and love of the CA community. Her time here, she thinks, has shaped her in lasting ways. In the end, it reminded her of something both simple and profound: the enduring power of love and community.