The Will J. Hancock Unsung Hero Award is given to business officers who have made extraordinary contributions to their schools and exemplify exceptional integrity, knowledge and motivation. At the end of each school year, new Unsung Heroes receive their award from their head of school, often at a significant school occasion such as a board meeting or an all-school ceremony. What makes these Unsung Heroes so special? The highlights below come straight from their colleagues' nominations.
See a full list of the 2025 recipients. Stay tuned throughout the summer for additional profiles.
Title: Chief Financial Officer
School: The Washington Market School, New York, NY
Years at the School: 11
Superpower: Compensation Architect. In partnership with school leadership, Michael Saich developed The Washington Market School's first transparent salary scale, a process that was extraordinarily complex, given the school’s multi-decade history. “From start to finish, Michael’s interactions with the board, the head of school, and every faculty and staff member were consistently calm, thoughtful and informative,” said Head of School Carrie Kries. “He came prepared for every challenging conversation and meeting, ensuring the scale was logical, fair and accurate.”
Linchpin: Saich played a pivotal role in Washington Market School’s first-ever head of school search — a historic moment in the institution’s nearly 50-year history. As a key member of the search committee, he not only interviewed candidates but also helped guide the transition of the outgoing head of school. His thoughtful leadership and strategic insight ensured a smooth and respectful handoff.
Thought Partner: Saich makes himself available to be a “thinking partner” with the head of school and in doing so, “contributes to the overall integrity that is deeply embedded in the school’s culture,” said Kries. “He listens with care, calculates risk with appropriate caution, and problem solves with an open mind and heart.”
Cool Under Pressure: Saich approaches difficult conversations with parents and employees with “courage, conviction, kindness and a keen ability to uphold the policies that support his message,” said Kries
