Check Out Lilliam Paetzold’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lilliam Paetzold.

Hi Lilliam , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My family’s story, like so many in Los Angeles, begins with loss—and with hope.
We came to this city as refugees from Cuba, leaving behind our homeland, our familiarity, and much of what we knew. When my family arrived in West Los Angeles and Culver City, they were searching for something that felt like home. One of the very first things my parents looked for was a Catholic school. Education grounded in faith was something they could afford in their home country, something they deeply valued, and something they were determined to reclaim here.
That school was Notre Dame Academy.
From the moment my family arrived, we were welcomed. In many ways, NDA restored what had been disrupted—a sense of continuity, dignity, and belonging. It offered not only an education, but a community rooted in faith, service, and care for the whole person. For an immigrant family finding its footing, that mattered deeply.
I am a proud 1st–12 alumna of Notre Dame Academy. My daughters attended school here. My nieces did too. Over time, NDA became more than a school—it became part of our family story, woven into generations. I have had the privilege of serving as principal of the elementary school, then the high school, and now as President of Notre Dame Academy. Each role has been a continuation of a journey that began when I was a student walking these same halls in the 1970s.
My path to education was not always straightforward. In high school, I completed a Christian service project teaching 2nd graders that inspired me. That experience planted a seed—one that ultimately shaped my life’s work. I went on to major in Political Science with a minor in Spanish and even attended law school for a short time. But that early call to service kept pulling me back.
Through my political science studies, I came to understand deeply that the greatest national defense is an educated citizenry. Education is, in many ways, the most powerful political act we can undertake. It forms thinkers, leaders, and people of conscience. That belief—born from my studies, my faith, and family’s history—has guided every step of my career.
Being President of Notre Dame Academy holds special meaning for me because I am not only leading an institution; I am stewarding a legacy. As an alumna, I can pull the thread of the Sisters of Notre Dame tradition through the work that we do because it is part of my DNA. Their charism—of goodness, service, and preparing students to live meaningful lives—has shaped who I am and continues to shape who we are as a school.
One of my greatest joys as President is engaging in strategic planning. I love asking big questions: How do we remain faithful to our mission while responding to the needs of today? How do we stay timely and timeless for generations to come? Strategic planning is how we honor the past while courageously designing the future.
We recently celebrated Notre Dame Academy’s 75th anniversary—a milestone that invited reflection and gratitude. At the same time, our eyes are firmly set on the horizon as we plan toward our 100th anniversary. That forward-looking work is rooted in the same spirit that welcomed my family years ago: a belief in education as a force for transformation, a commitment to faith and service, and an unwavering dedication to young people.
Notre Dame Academy gave my family a sense of home when we needed it most. Today, it is my honor to ensure that the same welcome, opportunity, and hope remain available for every family who walks through our doors—now and for generations still to come.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As Pope Francis has said, “We are not living in an era of change, but a change of era.” That distinction matters. It captures the depth of what schools, families, and young people are experiencing today.
The world is changing faster than ever before. Major innovations—many of them disruptive—are reshaping how we learn, work, communicate, and understand our place in the world. The pace is swift, and the future is not clearly defined. Leading in this reality means making thoughtful decisions without always knowing what lies ahead. Staying timely and relevant is no longer about simply keeping up; it requires discernment, courage, and a willingness to think differently.
One of the greatest challenges is navigating uncertainty without allowing it to paralyze us. For students, parents, and educators alike, this in-between space can feel unnerving—caught between what has been and what is still emerging. I spend a great deal of time trying to understand this reality so I can help others—our employees, our students, and our families—navigate it with confidence rather than fear.
My role as President calls me to help our community see this moment not as a frustration, but as an opportunity. When we shift our perspective, uncertainty becomes fertile ground. It is in this space that innovation can bloom, where new ideas take root, and where education can be reimagined in ways that honor our mission while preparing students for a future we are still discovering.
It is, in many ways, an exciting time. When we engage change thoughtfully and together, it does not cripple us—it strengthens us, stretches us, and moves us forward.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Non-profit, Education, Administration

How do you think about happiness?
One of the greatest gifts we offer at Notre Dame Academy is joy. There is something sacred about being able to step onto this campus and, even for a moment, separate from the noise and pressures of the outside world. Here, young women are supported, known, and surrounded by a community where they truly belong.
You can hear it in the laughter in the hallways, see it in the way students encourage one another, and feel it in the energy of the campus. That joy creates hope. And when young people are hopeful—when they feel safe, supported, and valued—true happiness can take root.
This belief is also deeply personal for me. As a grandmother, I think often about my granddaughter and the importance of her finding a place that offers her the same sense of hope, joy, and belonging—even though she lives on the other side of the country. Every child deserves a community where they can grow with confidence, faith, and purpose.
At Notre Dame Academy, that is what we strive to be every day: a place of joy, a place of hope, and a place where young women are empowered to become who they are called to be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ndasla.org/
• Instagram: @regalgryphons
• Facebook: @regalgryphons

Image Credits
Notre Dame Academy