was established in 2007 in memory of Hayden Thompson to honor and commemorate his many years of outstanding service to the school. The chair is awarded approximately every two years to an outstanding member of the faculty who demonstrates leadership qualities above and beyond his or her daily duties.

Chair holder Karen Axelrod, who has atught at US since 1995, is the Upper School science chair, chemistry teacher, and Strnad Fellowship advisor. She received her bachelor of science degree from Michigan and her master's degree in education from John Carroll University.