Close-Knit Independent School in Los Altos Hires Experienced Strategic Marketing and Community Engagement Leader
Pinewood School
Pinewood School is a three-campus K–12 independent school in Los Altos and Los Altos Hills, known for a student experience that is personal, participatory, and grounded in strong relationships. With approximately 600 students, split evenly between K–6 and 7–12, Pinewood offers an intentionally small environment where students are known well and encouraged to engage fully across a program that combines academic depth with opportunities in the arts, athletics, and community life.
Pinewood offers a well-developed, outstanding, and challenging academic program at its core, supported by a college preparatory curriculum spanning kindergarten through grade 12. At the same time, Pinewood’s roots as an after-school arts program continue to shape its identity. Creativity, expression, and confidence are not separate from the academic experience but woven into it. Meanwhile, STEM disciplines including computer science and engineering are also a key part of the program, with students developing skills in areas such as programming, robotics, and design thinking throughout their time at Pinewood. This balance reflects a school that values both academic depth and exploration.
The director of strategic marketing and community outreach is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping and executing Pinewood’s marketing strategy at a moment of visible growth and momentum. Reporting to the associate head of school, this leader will oversee how the school positions itself across digital, print, and in-person channels, ensuring that marketing efforts effectively support enrollment, retention, and community awareness. The role includes oversight of the communications team and close partnership with admissions and development. This is a fully on-site role, with a visible presence across all three campuses and active engagement in the daily life of the school.
Pinewood sought a thoughtful and perceptive leader who brings both strategic perspective and a collaborative approach. This is a role for someone who listens closely, builds trust across a community, and can translate the lived experience of the school into messaging that is clear, engaging, and aligned. Pinewood looked forward to welcoming the director of strategic marketing and community outreach to begin in summer 2026.
Pinewood was thrilled to welcome Cathy Shin to the position.
Meet the new leader
Cathy Shin is an accomplished marketing and communications leader with extensive experience helping schools and organizations strengthen their brands, grow enrollment, and build thriving communities. For the past 11 years, Ms. Shin served as Director of Marketing Communications at Almaden Country Day School, where she led all aspects of marketing, communications, and digital strategy for the school. During her tenure, the school experienced significant enrollment growth, increased student diversity, improved retention, expanded auxiliary program revenue, and successfully completed a $2 million capital campaign. Prior to entering independent school education, Ms. Shin held marketing leadership roles in the biotechnology sector with IntelliCyt Corporation and Molecular Devices, where she specialized in product marketing, digital strategy, and customer engagement. Ms. Shin graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo with her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and attended the MFA program at Mills College for poetry and creative non-fiction.
