Appointed in 2017, Samantha Coyne Donnel is Head of School at Steamboat Mountain School. She has led the community in collaborative, mission-aligned work—guiding a successful merger, increasing enrollment, and advancing long term financial sustainability. Under her leadership, SMS has expanded experiential and outdoor education, integrated research-based and innovative practices in the classroom, furthered the school’s commitment to community and belonging, and adopted a flexible modular schedule in the Upper School.

Samantha came to SMS after 15 years at The Archer School for Girls in Los Angeles, where she served as Science Department Chair, Dean of Students, and later Assistant Head for Research & Strategic Partnerships and Upper School Director. In these roles, she oversaw curriculum development, faculty growth, and external partnerships that expanded STEM opportunities and student leadership.

An outdoor enthusiast and longtime advocate for place-based learning, Samantha finds joy exploring the trails, rivers, and snow-covered peaks in the Yampa Valley. She also developed a recent addiction to pickleball. As a member of the Association of Colorado Independent Schools (ACIS) Board of Directors, Samantha has helped to shape professional learning for member schools.

At SMS, Samantha stays close to teaching and learning—regularly visiting classrooms, facilitating faculty development, and teaching the 11th and 12th seminar course. She holds an Ed.M. in School Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and an A.B. in Biology and Environmental Studies from Bowdoin College.