Dear CSSW community,
I am delighted to share the wonderful news that Wanda M. Holland Greene will be Columbia School of Social Work’s 2022 commencement speaker. Ms. Holland Greene is Head of School at The Hamlin School in San Francisco as well the Vice Chair of Columbia University’s Board of Trustees.
Ms. Holland Greene is nationally recognized and respected as an experienced leader in education with a passionate voice and powerful presence that inspires communities to achieve equity and excellence for all children. Her work has focused on a wide range of issues in education: mental health and emotional well-being; anti-racism and cultural competency; neurodiversity and learning differences; gender inequity and stereotype threat in the classroom; and global citizenship. Her commitment to these issues resonates strongly with CSSW’s mission to promote social and racial justice. Prior to her tenure at Hamlin, she served for eleven years as a senior administrator at The Park School in Brookline, MA. She began her career in education in New York City at The Columbia Greenhouse Nursery School and continued thereafter at The Chapin School, where she was a teacher and the school’s first Director of Student Life. A former faculty member of the National Association of Independent Schools’ Aspiring Heads Fellowship, Ms. Holland Greene continues her mentorship and advocacy for brand new heads of school as an executive coach.
Ms. Holland Greene is a past recipient of the Alumna Achievement Award from Columbia College Women, was named one of San Francisco’s Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business in 2014, and in 2015 was awarded a Women Making History Award by the San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women. She is a 2020 recipient of the University’s John Jay Award, an honor bestowed annually to Columbia College alumni for distinguished professional achievement. Ms. Holland Greene received her BA from Columbia College and her MA and EdM from Columbia Teachers College.
Wanda Holland Greene fully embraces and lives the social work ethos. She is a truly inspirational speaker, believes in our School and its mission, and knows and supports our community in myriad ways. We look forward to her bringing a fresh perspective that will further enrich our community and expand our horizons.
I am delighted to welcome her as our keynote speaker for our first, eagerly anticipated in-person graduation in two years. We look forward to celebrating and honoring our wonderful graduates!
In community,
Melissa