OPINION & ORDER Plaintiff Alan Wilkinson brings this action against defendants Nord Anglia Education Limited, Nord Anglia Education, Inc., and Nord Anglia International School New York (collectively, “Nord Anglia” or the “defendants”). Wilkinson served as a principal of the Nord Anglia International School of New York (formerly known as the World Class Learning Academy of New York and, hereinafter, the “New York School”) from September 1, 2013, to June 28, 2013, when he was terminated. He alleges that he was terminated in retaliation for complaining about Nord Anglia’s treatment of an African-American employee, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. §2000e-3(a) et seq. (“Title VII”), the New York State Human Rights Law (“NYSHRL”), and the New York City Human Rights Law (“NYCHRL”).1 Pending now is defendants’ motion for summary judgment on Wilkinson’s claims. Wilkinson opposes defendants’ motion, arguing that disputes of material fact preclude an award of summary judgment. For the reasons that follow, the Court denies the motion. I. Background2 A. Factual Background 1. The Parties Nord Anglia Education, Inc. is an international for — profit organization that operates 56 schools in 27 countries around the world. JSF 1. It operates eight Nord Anglia schools in the United States, including, relevant here, the New York School, located in Manhattan. Id. 2. Nord Anglia is headquartered in Hong Kong. Def. 56.1 3. It is managed by CEO Andrew Fitzmaurice, in consultation with the Nord Anglia Executive Committee, which meets approximately 10 times per year. Id. Nicky Duggan Redfern is the Chief Human Resources Officer for Nord Anglia at the global level and is a member of the Executive Committee. Id. 5. Ann McPhee is the Regional Managing Director of the Americas for Nord Anglia. Id. 6. Her predecessor in this position, David Graves, served as the Regional Managing Director between March 2014 and January 2016. Id. 7. Sara Padilla is the Human Resources Director of the Americas for Nord Anglia. Wilkinson, a citizen of the United Kingdom, served as principal of the New York School from September 1, 2013, to June 23, 2016, when he was involuntarily terminated. JSF
4-5, 27. Wilkinson had been employed by various of the defendants since 2003 as a teacher and vice-principal in other schools. Id. 6. By the time Wilkinson was hired at the New York School, he had 20 years experience, including more than a decade’s service as head of another Nord Anglia school. Wilkinson Decl. 5. The principals of the Nord Anglia U.S. schools report directly to their respective regional managing directors, and the regional managing directors in turn report to Fitzmaurice. Def. 56.1 9. 2. Wilkinson’s Employment at the New York School a. The Hiring of Lily Lufuluabo Wilkinson began working as principal of the New York School in September 2013. Wilkinson, who is Caucasian, states that when he first started as principal, the New York School employed few African-Americans in non-janitorial positions, and there were few non-white students in attendance. Pl. 56.1 E. On August 10, 2014, after approximately one year as principal, Wilkinson hired Tshinguta “Lily” Lufuluabo, an African-American, as a receptionist and personal assistant. JSF 9-10. In October 2014, Lufuluabo’s responsibilities were expanded to include work related to marketing and admissions. Id. 11. In August 2014, Wilkinson offered Lufuluabo’s son — also African-American — a one-year scholarship at the New York School. Id.
