Search

Landing-nav, don't delete

Breadcrumb, don't delete

Leadership

Established in 1961 as a not-for-profit organization, ASM is the first American school in Spain. Our long history of success is underpinned by decades of continuity of governance and leadership. Our governance structure, a tradition of a strong relationship between the Board of Trustees and the school’s Leadership, and a willingness regularly to actively listen to our community, ensures continuous progress towards a shared vision and resilience in the face of challenges.

Senior Leadership Team

ASM Head of School Ben Weinberg
Ben Weinberg, Head of School

Today's students face unprecedented challenges and amazing opportunities. It is our role as educational leaders to ensure they have the resilience, skills, hope, and courage to make the most of the opportunities and to imagine solutions that have eluded us.  Using the ASM Mission as our compass, it is our aim to ensure that ASM provides academic excellence in the context of a thriving community so that all students experience ASM as a source of inspiration, belonging, and wonder.

Jesus Iravedra, Director of Administrative Services
Jesus Iravedra, Director of Administrative Services

The ASM campus is like a small town where students and their families spend a very important part of their lives. We try to keep everything running smoothly, from the facilities to the cafeteria, from security to cleanliness. Our goal is for you to get the best experience out of your time at ASM.
 

Dani Reynaud, Lower School Director

Childhood is a critical and magical time in all of our lives. Children and adults need each other—and it’s through strong relationships that deep learning happens. At ASM, we create spaces where children are invited to explore their interests, take risks, and construct meaning through real-world inquiry. When students are known, challenged, and supported, they become empowered learners and compassionate humans ready to contribute to their communities.  

Mike Nugent, Middle School Director
Mike Nugent, Middle School Director

We believe that Middle School students are in a unique developmental stage that requires a special program tailored to their social, cognitive, physical, and emotional needs.To this end, we provide a safe, supportive climate that enhances the personal development of each student while providing an academic environment that stresses high standards and provides the foundation for our students to be life-long learners. 

Félim Bolster, US Director
Félim Bolster, Upper School Director

In a complex world, our students need an array of skills to be able to successfully and healthily navigate the opportunities and challenges they face. Schools, such as ours, should play a vital role in embedding skills for life-long learning, global citizenship, ethical living, and personal well-being. I believe that great schools successfully combine all of these aspects in service to our students, developing young citizens who will make a positive impact on their world.

ASM Athleltic Director. He is wearing a blue shirt, has brown hair and a beard
Gustavo Dias, K-12 Athletics and Activities Director

At ASM, our Athletics and Activities program mirrors our multicultural nature by prioritizing a rich array of options. We embrace diversity through educational athletics, creative venues, and performance ventures, all aimed at empowering our students of all ages through their passions. With a focus on holistic development, we cultivate a dynamic environment fostering a lifelong passion for learning and growth, which are essential skills for life through and beyond school.

balding man wearing glasses and a blue t-shirt
Jason Davis, K-12 Curriculum Coordinator

"Our curriculum is the thread that connects our students’ journeys from their earliest years to graduation. Guided by our mission, we empower students to develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to thrive as lifelong learners, healthy individuals, and compassionate global citizens. By fostering transdisciplinary critical thinking and cross-cultural understanding, we ensure that each student discovers both the confidence and the care needed to make a meaningful difference in their world."

Board of Trustees 2025-2026

A diverse, self-perpetuating Board of Trustees governs the American School of Madrid. Almost all Trustees are parents of current ASM students. Board meetings are held once a month, with at least two additional half-day sessions on Saturdays. Trustees serve renewable three-year terms. 

The Board focuses on four areas critical to the success of ASM:
  • Selecting, supporting, and evaluating the school’s Head of School.
  • Strategic policy-making that sets the direction of the school and guides the Head of School and ASM Staff in their day-to-day running of the school.
  • Overseeing the financial health of ASM.
  • Developing and conserving ASM’s resources. 

We are actively seeking new board members who bring diverse perspectives and backgrounds – including American, Spanish, and International parents – and share a passion for education and a commitment to our community’s values. We also value members with a strong background in education, AI, and information technologies to help guide our school's growth and its ongoing pursuit of excellence. The Board typically has one or two openings each year. If you are interested in contributing to ASM’s future and would like to learn more, please get in touch with Board Chairman Michael Willisch - michael.willisch@davispolk.com - or Board Vice-Chairman Luis Seijo - lmseijo@hotmail.com. Please provide us with your CV and a brief statement regarding how and why you wish to contribute to ASM through Board service. 

Chairman

Michael J. Willisch 

Vice-Chairman

Dr. Luis Seijo 

Treasurer

José Miguel Knoell 

Head of School

Ben Weinberg 

Secretary

Faraday De La Camara

Olivia Balbuena

Misun Yun

José María Fernández

Luis E. García de Brigard

Keely Kilburg

Chad Stevens

Debora Burke

Head of School Search

ASM’s Board of Trustees announced on August 28, 2025, that it was beginning a global search for a new Head of School. On December 18, 2025, the Board announced that James Nelligan would replace Ben Weinberg in July 2027. James is the current Head of School at the Shanghai American School. There is a link to his bio in 'Head of School finalists visiting ASM' below.  

Head of School finalists visiting ASM - November 2025

Board Positioning Statement - August 2025

Letter From the Board - August 2025

Board FAQs - August 2025

Letter From Ben Weinberg, Head of School - August 2025

Continue your journey

Lower School

Middle School

Upper School