Mark Berger has been named executive director of the Montessori School of Lake Forest starting in July.

Berger will replace Lissa Hektor, who has served as the school’s leader for more than 30 years and will retire this summer.

Guided by an executive search firm, MSLF conducted a year-long worldwide search. Berger was chosen as a result of his passion for Montessori education, devotion to educating children, and his 20 years of international experience running Montessori schools.

He will move to Chicago from Oregon, where he is currently Head of School at Corvallis Montessori School. Berger trained with the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI).

“During a time in which traditional education is being reviewed and questioned, Mark was able to articulate how Montessori education best prepares children for the future," said Brian Abrams, president of the Board of Directors at MSLF. "We were fortunate to have attracted so many qualified candidates and are confident that Mark will continue to propel our school to new heights.”