Posted February 13, 2026 in Life at Lawrence
Earlier this month, a cornerstone of our community, Jayne Eiben, officially retired after nearly 20 years of dedicated service. Jayne first joined the Lawrence School family in 2004 as a parent, and her journey—serving as both our Director of Development and Director of Institutional Advancement—has left a profound impact on our mission.
We sat down with her to reflect on two decades of memories, the visionaries who inspired her, and what she’s looking forward to next.
Q: How did you first hear about Lawrence?
Jayne: A neighborhood mom mentioned there was an alternative that might be a better fit for my kids—and it certainly was. We started with my oldest son in 2004 and then sent my other son.
Q: What were your initial impressions of Lawrence like?
Jayne: My very first impression was, “Where is Broadview Heights? Have I ever even been on 77 South? Are we really going to drive this far to take our kids to school?”
That quickly turned into, "We are so lucky to live only a half hour from this wonderful school." At the time, it was the Lower School doing incredible things for young children. I still feel that way today.
Q: What eventually led you to transition from Lawrence parent to joining the staff?
Jayne: In 2006, I started volunteering as a member of the search committee that found Lou Salza as Head of School. I was so impressed with Lou’s leadership and his understanding of our kids that I wanted to work with him.
I applied for the position to run the annual event, which eventually became Bloom, and joined the staff that same year.
Q: At what point did you realize that being a volunteer wasn’t enough—that you wanted to be a part of this community for the long term?
Jayne: I realized it when I heard Lou Salza speak about our kids. He understood education, and he understood our students in a way that was really powerful, and I wanted to be a part of that. Later, I wanted to continue that work with Doug Hamilton—he was the first person I met at Lawrence when he was the Director of Admissions—and I’ve always admired his passion for the students.
Q: How did the school change your own children’s trajectory?
Jayne: It was life-changing for our family. Our children learned to thrive. They’ve gone on to college and postgraduate work and are doing fabulously. I loved the mission and wanted to help the next generation of families the same way we had been helped.
Q: You’ve seen the school through nearly 20 years of milestones. What was the vibe like on campus in those early years?
Jayne: The school looked very different! When I started, the Upper School was still being built. The Middle School was located where the Mod is now, and the High School was the 300 hall of the Lower School. Four of us were crammed into the office that is now Enrollment Management.
There was so much excitement around the new building because nothing like that had ever happened for a school like this. Having an amazing campus designed by our students, for our students, opened up so many opportunities for a lot of children over the years. When it finally opened after winter break in 2007, it was an incredibly exciting time to see that evolution.
Q: Is there a particular project or campaign you are most proud of?
Jayne: I’m very proud of the role Bloom has played. It’s been a great fundraiser, but also a great friendraiser. When I would invite friends to Bloom, they would finally understand the spirit of the school in a way they hadn’t before. I’m proud of how that event celebrates everything happening here.
Q: Advancement is all about people. Who has had the biggest impact on you during your tenure?
Jayne: There are two people who have had an incredible impact on my life. One is Susan Karas, a Trustee Emerita and a remarkable person whose wisdom and vision for what’s best for Lawrence have been incredible to learn from. The other is Jennifer Kaufman, a former Board Chair with a heart the size of the school. I’m forever grateful to Lawrence for introducing me to them, and to so many other people who are very dear in my life.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some amazing visionaries. I mentioned Lou Salza, but also Ethan Schafer, who was our consulting psychologist. We lost Ethan much too young, but he played a huge role in my life as a parent and was a very dear friend. Then there was Dee Dee Miller. We were parents together and worked side-by-side in the Advancement office for over 10 years—she was a soul sister to me. We lost her in 2020. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to know them both, and I think about them every day.
Q: After nearly 20 years at Lawrence, what was the most rewarding part of coming to work every day?
Jayne: Definitely the people—the staff, the faculty, and of course, seeing the children. They arrive so nervous, and within days, you see them bouncing around the halls with such joy. I also never get tired of hearing a parent say, “We’ve got our kid back.” That transformation changes the trajectory of entire families, and being surrounded by a team dedicated to that mission is what made coming to work so special.
Q: If you could describe the Lawrence community in just a few words, what would they be?
Jayne: Unique and mission-driven. Everybody here is here for the students and for the right reasons. That leads everything we do.
Q: What are you most looking forward to in retirement?
Jayne: My husband, Chris, is retired, so we’re looking forward to traveling, including a trip to Vancouver this spring. I’m excited for more time with our children and my 97-year-old father, plus plenty of reading and gardening.
Q: Will we still see you around?
Jayne: I will forever be a part of the Lawrence community. I’ll let the team handle Bloom this year, though! It has truly been the privilege of a lifetime to be here for 20 years.
Words of Gratitude
"Jayne's lasting legacy is the loving transformation of our community's heart, moving it beyond the transactional act of fundraising toward the warm embrace of friendraising. By focusing on nurturing deep, authentic relationships, she created a true network of connection where every supporter feels like a cherished friend, creating a passionate, true community whose generosity blooms naturally from genuine belonging and shared enthusiasm for the school's mission." – Doug Hamilton, Head of School
"Jayne's impact on Lawrence School is almost impossible to put into words. Her vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment have been instrumental in strengthening the school during her tenure as Director of Institutional Advancement. She has been a vital champion the school's mission, helping to build a community that believes deeply in the success of students who learn differently. She has an extraordinary ability to connect with people and cultivate lasting relationships that have left an indelible mark. Jayne is a true gift to Lawrence school and its entire community. Her legacy will be felt in every corner of the school (especially the gym) for generations to come." — Jennifer Kaufman, Former Board Chair
"It is difficult to put into words what Jayne Eiben means to Lawrence School. Jayne embodies the essence and heart of Lawrence School’s mission and vision. Her warmth, humility, generosity of spirit, and constant ambassadorship are unparalleled. Jayne’s unwavering commitment to the well-being and success of our students and families has been evident in everything she touches. Jayne’s indelible imprint is a gift that will impact our community for decades to come." — Susan Karas, Trustee Emerita
"I’ve had the privilege of working with Jayne first in her capacity as a parent in teaching her son and later, as a colleague. In both cases, Jayne was supportive and passionate about the value of a Lawrence School education and the transformative work that’s done here. Her work over nearly 20 years has truly been that, transformative, and she’ll be greatly missed." — Shanika Lovelace, Head of Upper School
"Each year, Jayne invited me, as the Head of Lower School, to dream. She asked me to create a comprehensive wish list for our school and, year after year, she gently but firmly pushed me to think bigger and bigger. Honestly, each time I felt as though I was creating a list that was far beyond what seemed possible for a small school like ours. However, over time I learned that no idea was ever too bold or too ambitious for Jayne. Nothing was off limits: not the building, not the children, and not the people.
And so I dreamed. I learned how to imagine on a grander scale, to envision more, to hope for more for a school we both love so deeply. And time and again, Jayne did something extraordinary; she took even my biggest, wildest ideas and turned them into reality.
Though Jayne may not be driving in and out of our parking lot on a daily basis any more, her spirit will remain in the spaces she transformed, in the opportunities she made possible, and in the lives she touched. Her legacy is woven into the very heart of this school, and it will continue to inspire long after she is gone." — Vanessa Diffenbacher, Associate Head of School/Head of Lower School