Congratulations to Dr. Chimille Tillery, Dr. Nashwa Mekky, and Dan Paustian
New Trier to welcome new Chief HR Officer; new roles for two current administrators
New Trier’s administration will welcome a new Chief Human Resources Officer and see two current administrators take on new roles when the 2025-2026 school year begins on July 1.
The Board of Education approved the appointments of Dr. Chimille Tillery as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Nashwa Mekky as Chief Human Relations Officer, and Dan Paustian as Associate Principal for the Northfield Campus.
“These three administrators are experts in their field and will help us further the goals of our strategic plan, New Trier 2030,” said Assistant Superintendent Peter Tragos, who will become the District’s next Superintendent on July 1. “The hiring committees were impressed with not only their expertise, but their collaborative and student-centered approach to their leadership. All three stood out in a very strong field of applicants, and I cannot wait to start our work together.”
Dr. Chimille Tillery has served as New Trier’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction since 2018, overseeing professional development, new teacher induction and mentorship, student teaching, and testing. She is co-chair of the Instructional Leadership Team and administers curricular initiatives including new course proposals, instructional and professional growth grants, AP auditing, and organization of the Program of Studies and Summer School guide.
Prior to joining New Trier’s administration, Tillery was an Assistant Principal at Highcrest Middle School in Wilmette, Science Department Chair at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, and a science teacher at Simeon Career Academy and DuSable High School. She succeeds Dr. Peter Tragos, who was named Superintendent.
Dr. Nashwa Mekky is an accomplished educational leader with 26 years of experience in human capital management and instructional leadership. She currently serves as Chief People, Equity, Culture, and Ethics Officer at the Illinois Math and Science Academy (IMSA).
With certifications as a Professional Human Capital Leader in Education (pHCLE) and a Chief School Business Official (CSBO), Mekky brings a wealth of school leadership experience to New Trier. She previously served as Principal of Howe Elementary School in Beach Park, Associate Principal at Caruso Middle School in Deerfield, and as an elementary school teacher in Arlington Heights and Chicago. She succeeds Dr. Renee Zoladz, who is retiring on June 30.
Dan Paustian has been New Trier’s Assistant Principal for the 2027 Graduating Class Team since the creation of Graduating Class Teams in 2023. In that role he oversees student services, the adviser program, attendance, discipline, and restorative practices and serves as a key leader and resource for students, families, and staff.
Prior to being named Assistant Principal, Paustian was New Trier’s Social Work Coordinator for the Northfield Campus. He supervised Social Work faculty and developed and implemented new structures to support all students with global strategies such as teaching organizational and executive functioning skills as well as specific interventions for students who need more support. He succeeds Gail Gamrath, who is retiring on June 30.
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New Trier Township High School District 203 serves Chicago's North Shore suburban communities of Glencoe, Kenilworth, Wilmette and Winnetka, most of Northfield and parts of Glenview and Northbrook. 7
Happ Road • Northfi eld, IL 60093
