Mike Marich

Mike Marich, Mindset Curated

I’ve always been drawn to the work of building people, connecting people, and creating environments where they can do their best work. My path to independent school athletics wasn’t exactly linear. I spent years in human resources at Citi, Morgan Stanley, and Deloitte before finding my way to coaching and school leadership, work that ultimately felt like where I belonged.

At The Frederick Gunn School, I served as Head Boys’ Lacrosse Coach and Athletic Director & Dean of Co-Curricular Programming. I had the opportunity to build programs, develop coaches, and help shape an athletic department that connected mission, culture, and competition. I was fortunate to be named Coach of the Year three times and to coach five All-Americans, but the part of that work I value most is the culture we built and the people who grew within it.

My work in athletics also took me beyond campus. I served on the NEPSAC Executive Board, as District IV President, and as Commissioner of the New England Eight-Player Football League. Those experiences deepened my appreciation for collaboration, governance, and the important role athletics can play in an independent school community.

Today, through Mindset Curated, I partner with heads of school, athletic directors, and coaches to develop people, strengthen relationships, and build the systems that allow athletic programs to thrive. I believe the strongest programs aren’t simply built on winning. They’re built on intentional leadership, healthy cultures, and people who understand why the work matters.

I’m also the co-host of Sideline Ascent, a podcast focused on coaching, leadership, and the question I think every coach should be asking: who is developing you?

At the center of all of my work is a simple belief: when we invest in the people leading our schools and athletic programs, we create better experiences for the people they lead, and ultimately, for students.