For many HIES families, Karen Ghertner was one of the very first faces they came to know at 805 Mount Vernon Highway.

For nearly 20 years in the Lower School front office, she greeted students, parents and visitors each day, offering a steady presence in the rhythm of school life. Later, as executive assistant to the Head of School, she continued to serve the community in a different way, supporting the leadership behind the scenes. For more than two decades, Ms. Ghertner became a familiar and trusted part of campus life.

“It was just a very loving environment to be in,” she recalls. “I truly appreciated the environment and the opportunity to be a part of such a positive workplace.” Over time, it wasn’t just the work that kept her here – it was the relationships built with parents and colleagues. “These are lifetime friendships that I made,” she says. “The relationships that you make here are just so solid.”

That connection did not end with her retirement in 2019. It continues to shape how Ms. Ghertner reflects on her time at HIES and, ultimately, how she chooses to give back.

A deep sense of gratitude and a recognition of all the school gave her ultimately led Ms. Ghertner to include Holy Innocents’ in her future estate plans. As a member of the Golden Legacy Society, she has designated the school as a partial beneficiary of her retirement account. “Part of the reason that account stands where it is now is because of the school,” she explains. “I thought, why not give some back to this wonderful institution that gave me so much for so many years?”

For Ms. Ghertner, the decision was not complicated. It came down to reflection and a desire to make a meaningful impact. “It brings me pleasure and joy to know that it’s something that I can give to this school,” she said. She is also quick to point out that planned giving does not have to feel overwhelming or reserved for a select few. In her experience, it can be surprisingly simple. “It’s just such an easy thing to do,” she says. “You make a phone call, you go online, you click a couple buttons and there it is.”

While the campus itself has seen great change since she first joined our community in the 1990s, Ms. Ghertner remains deeply connected to what has always defined Holy Innocents’: its sense of camaraderie and connection.

Her planned gift is one way she is helping to make that possible—an intentional investment in preserving the spirit of community that meant so much to her.