Affinitas Education Names Gabriella Rowe as CEO of U.S. Operations

Affinitas Education has appointed Gabriella “Gaby” Rowe as chief executive officer of its U.S. operations, marking a leadership change as the organization focuses on expanding its footprint across the United States and Canada. The appointment reflects a broader effort to strengthen academic leadership, operational consistency, and long-term planning within its North American school network.

Extensive Experience Across Education And System Leadership

Rowe brings more than three decades of experience spanning K to 12 education, education technology, public sector collaboration, and organizational transformation. Her background includes senior leadership roles in independent schools, advisory work with education systems, and oversight of large-scale growth initiatives. This mix of experience positions her to guide Affinitas Education’s schools through a period of development and adjustment in a changing education environment.

Most recently, Rowe served as founding principal and chief executive officer of Grow Associates LLC. In that role, she worked with schools, government agencies, and private organizations, navigating structural change. Her work included advising multi-site school expansion projects and supporting statewide efforts focused on digital access and equity in education. These initiatives addressed challenges related to infrastructure, learning continuity, and system wide coordination.

Earlier in her career, Rowe was chief executive officer of Station Houston, where she played a key role in launching The Ion, an innovation district developed by Rice University. The project brought together education, research, and community partners within a shared campus model. While not directly school-based, the initiative involved collaboration across institutions and demonstrated approaches to large scale program development and stakeholder alignment.

Rowe has also held leadership roles within independent schools. She served as head of school at The Village School in Houston and as chief executive officer of the Mandell School in New York City. In these positions, she worked closely with teachers, students, and families while managing academic programs, school operations, and strategic planning. Her experience across different regions and school models adds perspective to Affinitas Education’s diverse school network.

Focus On Growth And Academic Consistency In North America

Affinitas Education operates a global group of international and bilingual schools serving more than 15,000 students across Europe and the Americas. The organization provides academic guidance, operational support, and investment in facilities and learning environments. It also emphasizes educator development and program design aimed at strengthening student outcomes.

In her new role, Rowe will oversee Affinitas Education’s U.S. operations, working with school leaders and local teams. Her responsibilities are expected to include supporting instructional quality, strengthening organizational systems, and aligning schools with shared academic and operational standards. The role also includes collaboration with Canadian partners as the organization looks to deepen its presence across North America.

The appointment comes at a time when many education organizations are reassessing how schools operate, support learners, and integrate technology into classrooms. Issues such as access, consistency, and long term sustainability continue to influence planning across the education sector. Leadership experience that spans both classroom focused education and system level coordination is increasingly seen as important in addressing these challenges.

For students and teachers within the Affinitas Education network, the leadership change signals continuity alongside a focus on thoughtful growth. The organization has highlighted collaboration among schools and shared learning practices, with leadership intended to support strong local school cultures.

Rowe’s appointment reflects Affinitas Education’s effort to guide its schools through evolving educational needs while maintaining an emphasis on student-centered learning and academic development across its U.S. operations.