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.
Stay tuned throughout the summer for additional profiles. See the full list of 2026 recipients.
Title: Director of Finance and Operations
School: The Rashi School, Dedham, MA
Years at School: 2
Julaine is tenacious! She is constantly thinking about ways to improve our program and increase revenue.
Superpower: Entrepreneurial Tenacity: McInnis has transformed the way The Rashi School approaches alternative revenue. She launched the Rashi Summer Program — an initiative that had been discussed for years — creating a meaningful auxiliary revenue stream while strategically expanding the school’s reach and offerings. To support the program’s growth, she also hired an auxiliary programs coordinator, strengthening the infrastructure needed for long-term success. “Julaine is tenacious! She is constantly thinking about ways to improve our program and increase revenue,” said Head of School Emily Charton.
Strategic Foresight: McInnis built a 10-year financial projection model that allows the school to “pull and prepare effectively, pull various levers for sustainability and have clear conversations about how to move forward successfully.”
Opportunity Architect: McInnis led a construction project to create a fully functioning kitchen and dining area for the school and negotiated a contract with a new food service vendor. “She brought the vision to life and completely transformed our families’ experience,” said Charton.
She strikes just the right balance, keeping us on track financially while also ensuring our families feel supported.
Compassionate Stewardship: Direct yet approachable, McInnis partners closely with Rashi's admissions team to support conversations with families about financial aid and tuition. “She strikes just the right balance, keeping us on track financially while also ensuring our families feel supported,” said Charton.
Industry Leader: With more than 28 years of experience serving independent schools throughout New England, McInnis brings deep industry knowledge and perspective to her role. Her expertise is a valued resource for colleagues and school leadership alike.
