2026 Small School Leaders Virtual Conference

A facilitated conversation about the power of feedback in learning organisations. Based on their experience of supporting schools around the world to move from feedback to action, David and Suzette from [YELLOW CAR] will discuss how leadership teams can build a culture of listening. Themes will include: 

1. Learning to listen for the stories behind the data
2. Getting to know the Feedback Monsters
3. Becoming a leader who adapts without taking things personally
4. Building confidence and trust when people offer feedback
5. Why we shouldn't just look for the negative

They will also share insights from a new [YELLOW CAR] White Paper on the Experience of School, based on tens of thousands of responses to their Felt Experience Indicator tool that measures the experience of students, parents, and employees.

David Willows & Suzette Parlevliet,  [YELLOW CAR]

Perfect for Leadership

Leading confidently requires you to discuss your gifts, talents, and accomplishments. You must be prepared to accept praise or highlight your work at staff meetings, annual reviews, or job interviews. So, why is that so hard? You know yourself better than anyone, right? This session sheds light on why self-promotion can be challenging and provides strategies to help you shift your mindset. You'll also identify past accomplishments and establish a practice to better manage and track your achievements. Self-understanding is the first step, but equally important is learning how to effectively communicate your strengths and accomplishments to various audiences.

Rebecca Malotke-Meslin, Pleasantly Aggressive 

Perfect for Leadership

Join Andrea Gribble for a crash course on the latest Instagram best practices for schools. You’ll learn about maximizing your Instagram profile with a special focus on Instagram Reels. You’ll see TONS of examples from schools that are using Instagram well. Plus, what are the newest Instagram features that you should pay attention to? Instagram veterans and newbies will all learn something in this session!

Andrea Gribble, #SocialSchool4EDU

Perfect for Marketing

Many independent schools are exceptional institutions but remain largely unknown outside their immediate community. This session will empower school leaders and enrollment professionals with strategies to amplify their visibility and position their schools as go-to educational destinations. Discover how to create a buzz that moves your school from a “hidden gem” to a household name.

Whether you’re a marketing pro, an admissions officer, or a school head, this session will provide actionable ideas and proven techniques to transform your school’s reputation and increase demand. Leave with a roadmap to help your school rise above the noise, become a recognized leader in education, and draw mission-aligned families to your doors.

Let’s make your school the name on every family’s mind!

Heather Burchfield, Truth Tree

Perfect for Enrollment, Marketing

Join a diverse panel of Heads of School, representing different sizes and philosophies, to unpack the trends, opportunities, and challenges small schools face right now. Facilitated by Susanne Carpenter of Carpenter Leadership Consulting, this conversation offers real stories, practical strategies, and insights you can use right away.

Susanne Carpenter, Carpenter Leadership Consulting

Panalists

Brooke Hopkins, HOS, Riverbend School, Natick, MA  riverbendschool.org

David O'Connell, HOS, The Saklan School, Moraga, CA  www.saklan.org

Jim Pierce, HOS, The Meadowbrook School, Abington, PA  www.themeadowbrookschool.org

Jayme Johnson, HOS, St. Patrick's Episcopal Day School, Thousand Oaks, CA  www.stpatricksto.org

Perfect for School Management

Take part in this focused, high-impact session that distills the core principles of Brendan Schneider's book into actionable steps for immediate implementation. Learn how to revolutionize your school's marketing approach through interactive exercises and real-world examples, from developing targeted personas to leveraging AI tools. Perfect for busy school marketers who want to maximize their marketing effectiveness quickly.

Brendan Schneider, SchneiderB Media

Perfect for Marketing

Independent schools are navigating a complex landscape where families’ perceptions of value and affordability are directly shaping enrollment decisions. Drawing on findings from EMA’s 2025 member-exclusive report, An Independent School Education: Family Perceptions of Value and Affordability, this session will share large-scale research into how families across the socioeconomic spectrum perceive independent schools.

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the critical factors influencing enrollment decisions, including expectations around value, return on investment, financial realities, and the trade-offs families consider. 

This session is designed for heads of school, enrollment leaders, and school business officers seeking data-driven strategies to strengthen their enrollment pipeline and sharpen their institutional positioning.

Allison Davis & Mark Copestake, Enrollment Management Association (EMA)

Perfect for Enrollment, Leadership

Tired of enrollment season chaos? This dynamic workshop, designed specifically for small school enrollment and marketing professionals, will demystify the transition to continuous enrollment. Discover how this modern approach offers a powerful solution to feast-or-famine admissions cycles, leading to more consistent revenue, stronger student pipelines, and ultimately, less stress for your team. You'll leave with concrete timelines and actionable strategies to implement continuous enrollment, empowering you to achieve more reliable enrollment with significantly less work.

Miriam Stein, Thrive Hive

Perfect for Enrollment

The words “Annual Fund” often bring to mind a year-long, exhausting effort that can drain staff and volunteers alike. But what if you could transform your annual fund into a focused, 60-day campaign that raises more money, keeps volunteers energized, and strengthens donor engagement?

This session will introduce the “Done in 60” Annual Fund—a powerful, streamlined model designed to deliver big results in less time. Participants will walk away with practical tools and strategies, including:

• Proven best practices for a 60-day campaign

• Sample timelines with ideal launch and wrap-up dates

• A weekly planning calendar and campaign checklist

• Volunteer roles that inspire participation (without burnout)

• Messaging strategies that drive urgency and generosity

• Clear tracking metrics to measure success

• Smart stewardship moves to keep donors engaged long after the campaign ends 

If you’re ready to energize your fundraising, inspire your community, and maximize results with less wear and tear, this session will give you the blueprint to make it happen.

Cindy van den Beemt, Capital Fundraising Group

Perfect for Development, Leadership

There’s a good reason schools only launch capital campaigns every ten years or so. It’s because they are hard and a bit risky! Simply because your school has “needs” doesn’t mean you’re necessarily ready to take on this huge project and have a good chance of success. Like so many other big decisions, readiness is key. What are the most reliable elements of readiness that your school should have firmly in place before you take this big step? How can you start to prepare even today for a campaign that may still be years away? This session will explore this vital checklist.

Barbara Barron, Barbara Barron Consulting

Perfect for Development, Leadership

One of the expectations of an independent school trustee is their participation in development efforts. Unfortunately, trustees are sometimes unclear of their role, and administrators are hesitant to have direct conversations with trustees about the philanthropic program and the trustee’s place in it. Additionally, there is a lack of clear expectations for trustees, the head of school, and the development director. Consequently, everyone is frustrated. 

In this session, Jill Goodman will shed light on the situation, providing a 4-Step Framework for understanding how to help your board help you advance your school. We will dispel myths, alleviate anxiety, and make this part of trusteeship one that your trustees will want to embrace whole-heartedly. 

Jill Goodman, Jill Goodman Consulting

Perfect for Development, Leadership

Difficulties are inevitable in schools, just as in the rest of our lives. Wise school leaders recognize and prepare for this through planning that covers a range of crises. This session, led by an experienced crisis communicator, shows officials how to predict and practice informing constituents in various scenarios. This process develops resilience, confidence and habits that benefit the institution.

Scott Butterworth, Fine Point Communications

Perfect for Marketing, Leadership

​​Join small school development directors for a focused panel on what’s working in fundraising right now. We’ll dig into capital campaigns, annual fund strategy, major gifts, and the latest trends shaping small school advancement. This is an ideal chance to learn from peers in your same role. You’ll leave with practical examples and next steps you can apply immediately.

Panelists

Elizabeth Gleadall, Director of Advancement, Sonoma Country Day School, Santa Rosa, CA  www.scds.org/giving  aexis.memberclicks.net/

Kendra Mastain, Director of Development, Episcopal Day School of St. Matthew, San Mateo, CA  www.episcopaldaysanmateo.org/

Emily Scillieri, Director of Development & Communications, Chesapeake Montessori School, North Annapolis, MD, www.chesapeake-montessori.com

Nancy Kehoe, Director of Advancement, Mount Tamalpais School, Mill Valley, CA, mttam.org

Perfect for Development, Leadership

It was only a matter of time before AI and automation took another leap forward, bringing better tools, smarter integrations, and more nonprofit-ready applications than ever before. As small schools navigate the fast-changing tech landscape, the challenge isn’t just keeping up; it’s knowing where to focus for the biggest return. This session will highlight the most relevant advancements, demystify the options, and show you how to translate innovation into real results.

In this session, attendees will:

Explore the Latest and Greatest Since the 2025 Conference

• The updates to leading AI tools and platforms

• Smarter integrations that streamline workflows and save time

• Pinpoint High-Impact AI Opportunities

• Spot repetitive, time-intensive tasks ripe for automation

• Prioritize solutions that deliver measurable mission impact

• Equip Themselves with Tools and Strategies for Success

• Real examples of nonprofit adopters turning AI into tangible results

• A refreshed nonprofit AI toolkit with top-performing, field-tested solutions

Terry Cangelosi & Bobby Hunter, Orr Group, Inc.

Perfect for Development, Marketing

In small schools, where staff often wear many hats and resources are limited, siloed operations can quietly undermine growth in admissions, development, and marketing. But when auxiliary programs like summer camps, enrichment workshops, facilities rentals, and extended day are strategically connected across departments, they become powerful tools for community engagement, revenue generation, and mission alignment.

In this session, SPARC Senior Advisors Karen McCann McClelland & David Sullivan share proven strategies to transform your org chart into a collaboration map—turning auxiliary programs into an asset for enrollment and advancement. Built around real questions and reflections from small school leaders, this session will explore how to:

• Build strong partnerships across departments, especially with Admissions, Athletics, Advancement, and Marketing.

• Use auxiliary touchpoints to support visibility, storytelling, and family retention.

• Navigate common roadblocks like territorial mindsets, last-minute requests, and unclear roles.

• Implement actionable tools like a Departmental Relationship Tracker, shared event calendars, and cross-training moments that center collaboration.
• Strengthen community through low-lift engagement tactics that work even in small teams.

This session is especially valuable for small schools where auxiliary roles are new or evolving, and where every team member plays a role in driving school success. You'll leave with a roadmap for building buy-in, breaking silos, and bringing your school’s whole mission to life—before and after the bell.

Karen McCann McClelland & David Sullivan, Summer Programs And Auxiliary Revenue Collaborative, SPARC

Perfect for Enrollment, Leadership, Marketing

Schools know video is powerful—but where do you start, how do you afford it, and how do you make sure it actually works? In this session, we’ll walk through three key areas that can make your video efforts more effective and sustainable: choosing the right video styles that connect with families, learning how to stretch budgets by turning one filming day into months of content, and mapping videos to the right stage of your marketing funnel so every piece has a purpose. You’ll leave with practical examples, clear strategies, and new ideas you can start applying right away.

Joe Monzo, Monzo Media Productions

Perfect for Enrollment, Marketing

Social proof converts. Prospective families trust members of your community more than they trust your marketing copy — and that’s great news for your budget! By strategically listening and sharing the authentic stories and testimonials of your students, parents, faculty, and alums, you’ll build credibility and connection without exhausting your budget. In this session, you’ll learn how to identify the best storytellers, ask the questions that reveal the most powerful narratives, and share those stories in multiple formats to maximize impact across your school’s marketing channels. You’ll leave with a bank of story angles, practical tips for repurposing content, and examples from peer schools who are making social proof work hard, without stretching their team too thin.

Dale Seabury, Seabury Consulting

Perfect for Enrollment, Marketing

This session is for the wear-all-the-hats school marketers! Admissions & marketing teams are often tasked with designing for their school, laboring for hours trying to figure out how to make that social post look just right. In this crash course, veteran designer Madison Carr will give tips and tricks on how to elevate your design work. With a live work session in Canva, you'll watch and learn the basic design principles that can help any school marketer up their game.

Madison Carr, Creative Chameleon Studio

Perfect for Marketing

As a small-school leader your website should be your hardest working and highest achieving employee. This session is for anyone who works on a website, writes for a website, or relies on their website to deliver results. Redesign planning, content strategy, analytics, and engaging your team - learn from my mistakes and best intentions! 

You'll walk away with strategies for organizing your project, working with multiple groups of people, and making data-driven decisions.

Samantha Pleasant Fleming, Oakwood School

Perfect for Marketing

Every day, thousands of searches are made for school-related terms, making it challenging to achieve high organic rankings due to intense competition. However, advertising on platforms like Google and Bing Ads offers a powerful way to ensure your school appears at the top of search results with a compelling message to attract the right-fit families. In this session, Landmark School and Enroll Media Group will share best practices for executing a holistic digital advertising search campaign, complemented by effective creative strategies, email marketing, and analytics to boost your brand and drive enrollment.

Angie Ward, Enroll Media Group & Kim Hildebrandt, Landmark School

Perfect for Marketing

Join co-hosts Tara Claeys and Aubrey Bursch for a live recording of the Mindful School Marketing podcast. We’ll talk with small school marketing directors about the latest trends, new research, and what’s working now in messaging, content, SEO, ads, and parent engagement. This webinar is a great chance to see a podcast recorded in real time and learn from peers in your same role. You’ll leave with practical takeaways and real examples you can apply right away.

Tara Claeys and Aubrey Bursch, Mindful School Marketing Podcast

Panelists:

Lori Kriegel, Chief Communications Officer, Wooster School, Danbury, CT, www.woosterschool.org

Barb Doyle, Director of Marketing & Communications, Renbrook School, West Hartford, CT, www.renbrook.org

Andrea Jenkins, Director of Enrollment Management & Marketing, St. Luke’s Episcopal School, San Antonio, TX, www.sles-sa.org

Perfect for Marketing

In an increasingly competitive independent school landscape, marketing is a necessity, not a nice-to-have. Enrollment growth and fundraising success both depend on your school’s visibility, reputation, and ability to tell a clear, compelling story. Yet many schools underinvest in marketing, treating it as a support function rather than a strategic pillar. This session will connect the dots between marketing spend, the enrollment funnel, culture of philanthropy, and long-term financial sustainability.

We’ll explore how strategic investment in communications, branding, and digital infrastructure can strengthen admissions pipelines, enhance retention, and drive fundraising outcomes. Participants will leave with a framework for evaluating their school’s current marketing capacity, understanding ROI (and where it’s difficult to measure), and making informed decisions that position marketing as a mission-critical driver of institutional health with a seat at the table. 

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the impact of marketing investment: Learn how effective strategies + tactical implementation can directly impact enrollment pipelines, retention, and giving.

• Evaluate your school’s marketing capacity: Identify where under-resourcing may be limiting your visibility and growth, and what a right-sized investment looks like.
• Align marketing with mission and finance: Explore how marketing can collaborate with Heads, CFOs, and Board members to position the function as a strategic pillar, not a discretionary cost.

Aubrey Bursch, Easy School Marketing, and Laurie Ehrlich, Thrive Hive

Perfect for Enrollment, Leadership, Marketing

The speakers will present to school leaders regarding trends in state voucher programs at qualifying private independent schools and key questions and considerations related to choosing whether to participate in such programs. 

Steve Salvo, St. Mary's Episcopal Day School (FL)

Michael Christopher, Independent School Management (ISM)

Perfect for Enrollment, Leadership, Marketing

The Admissions-MarComm-Development Accelerator:

Are your advancement and enrollment strategies working in sync—or just working hard? In many small schools, marketing, admissions, and development teams operate in silos, often duplicating effort and missing opportunities for greater impact.

This interactive session will equip attendees with:

• A Strategic Annual Planning Blueprint adaptable to any school

•  A model case study showing effective cross-department collaboration

• Tools for quarterly planning and accountability

• Strategies to connect advancement, enrollment, and marketing
• Communication tactics for managing up to Heads and Boards

Perfect for anyone wearing multiple hats in small schools, this workshop provides tools to help your school accelerate growth through alignment.

Karl Boehm, Help 100 Schools, & Mattingly Messina, Throughline

Perfect for Development, Enrollment, Marketing

Artificial intelligence has found its way into school marketing and admissions, but the critical area of messaging has received far less attention. In this engaging session, you will discover which AI tools are best used for messaging and how AI tools can transform your messaging, from research and planning to crafting persuasive copy that resonates. Chuck will reveal proven techniques to seamlessly integrate AI into your existing workflows, boosting efficiency and effectiveness. Plus, he'll honestly discuss the limitations and potential pitfalls, giving you a complete picture of AI's power—and how to harness it responsibly. 

Chuck English, English Marketing Works

Perfect for Marketing

Your website is often the first impression families have of your school—but is it helping them find what they need, or turning them away? In this practical and eye-opening session, Tara Claeys of Design TLC will guide small school leaders through the essential elements of a high-performing website. You’ll learn what makes a website truly user-friendly, how to ensure intuitive navigation, and why site speed can make or break engagement. Tara will also demystify website accessibility, breaking down ADA requirements and WCAG guidelines in a way that’s easy to understand and implement. Whether you’re planning a redesign or simply want to improve your current site, this session will empower you with actionable steps to make your website more inclusive, faster, and more effective—so it truly reflects the excellence of your school. 

Tara Claeys, Design TLC

Perfect for Marketing

Deepfakes are no longer a distant threat—they are already impacting students and schools. This session equips school leaders with the knowledge and tools to confront the rise of synthetic media, particularly deepfake sexual abuse. We will examine how these incidents unfold, the serious harms they cause to students and communities, and the evolving legal landscape. From there, we will walk through concrete steps schools can take: drafting strong policies, building crisis-response readiness, and developing proactive prevention strategies for staff, students, and parents. Participants will leave with a clear framework for protecting student safety, strengthening institutional resilience, and leading with confidence in the face of an emerging digital risk.

Evan Harris, Pathos Consulting Group

Perfect for Development, Leadership, Marketing

Discover how to turn everyday school challenges into practical AI solutions using ChatGPT’s Projects feature. In this live training, Jesse Meadow of Schoolcraft Digital will walk you step-by-step through building custom GPT Projects that support common marketing & admissions tasks. Participants will see real examples created in real time and leave with a clear process for designing their own AI tools that save time, sharpen communication, and unlock new possibilities for their teams. Not a requirement, but recommended that participants have a GPT Plus account or higher.

Jesse Meadow, Schoolcraft Digital

Perfect for Enrollment, Development, Marketing

We all know that leading a school is stressful. The multitude of demands on a leader’s time, cognitive load, and emotional bandwidth is immense. Most people can handle stress over time by employing various coping and self-care strategies. However, for some, these strategies lose their efficacy, and stress expands into something much bigger: Burnout.

Burnout is an “occupational phenomenon” identified by the National Institutes of Health, the Mayo Clinic, the World Health Organization, the Center for Addiction and Mental Health, and many others. Maslach and Leiter state: “Burnout is a psychological syndrome emerging as a prolonged response to chronic interpersonal stressors on the job. The three key dimensions of this response are an overwhelming exhaustion, feelings of cynicism and detachment from the job, and a sense of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment” (World Psychiatry, 2016 Jun 5;15(2): 103–111). Many school leaders can relate to these feelings!

There are several practices that school leaders can take if they find themselves on the road to burnout; the first is to recognize that they are experiencing more than just typical work stress. In this workshop, we will discuss how to distinguish stress from burnout and strategies for managing both. Participants will be invited to engage in specific stress-reducing activities, and there will be opportunities for participants to share their own successes and strategies. We will discuss how school leaders can monitor the stress levels of their employees and help to mitigate burnout in others. Participants will leave with ideas and practices they can implement immediately to help manage their work and avoid burnout.  

Participants will learn:

1. The difference between stress and burnout
2. How stress turns into burnout
3. Why burnout is so detrimental in schools

Participants will leave this session with:

1. Strategies to manage stress
2. Strategies to manage burnout
3. Strategies to identify and respond to stress and burnout in employees

Brooke Carroll, Acies Strategies

Perfect for Leadership

Small schools can’t afford to collect data that doesn’t lead to action. Too often, surveys are too long, too general, or simply confirm what leaders already know. This session will show you how to design surveys that uncover the right insights—helping you understand why families enroll, why they decline, and what keeps them at your school.

In this session, you'll learn:

• The types of surveys every small school should prioritize

• Common pitfalls that undermine useful data (and how to avoid them)

• Simple principles for crafting questions that lead to clear decisions

• Practical ways to reframe your existing surveys for stronger results 

You’ll leave with a practical checklist for better survey design and some ready-to-use questions you can apply in your next survey.

Dana Nelson-Isaacs, DNI Consulting

Perfect for Enrollment, Marketing

We’ll switch to a Zoom meeting so everyone can join the conversation. Compare notes on current trends, what’s working, what isn’t, and key conference takeaways. If turnout allows, we’ll break into role-based groups for targeted discussion. This is a favorite way to connect with peers in similar roles and swap practical ideas you can use right away. Bring one win and one challenge to share. 

Perfect for Enrollment, Development, Marketing

DAVID BIO:
 

Dr David Willows is Co-founder and Strategic Director at [YELLOW CAR], the world's leading experience strategy training and consultancy firm for schools. Between 2005 and 2022, he was Director of Advancement at the International School of Brussels, Belgium. During this time, he grew to be widely regarded as one of the most innovative practitioners in the field, helping to shape and define the future of Advancement (admissions, marketing & communications, fundraising & alumni relations) in schools. He was recently listed as one of the world’s Top 10 Global Educational Influencers. An author and regular keynote speaker & trainer at international events around the world, David is passionate about helping schools advance in ways that are relevant for today’s educational landscape.

SUZETTE BIO:
 

Suzette Parlevliet is Co-founder and Experience Director at [YELLOW CAR], the world's leading experience strategy training and consultancy firm for schools. With a background in hospitality management, she worked at the International School of Brussels for nearly a decade, where she oversaw the school’s brand development, communication strategy, web design, content production and, ultimately, the schools' family experience. Today, Suzette brings expert insight and supports school leaders to design and implement experience strategy in ways that demonstrate impact across the organisation.

CONTACT:

david@yellowcar.io

suzette@yellowcar.io

yellowcar.io

BIO:
 

Rebecca Malotke-Meslin is a leadership coach, professional speaker, and the founder of Pleasantly Aggressive Coaching and Consulting.  

She specializes in helping early and mid-career women leaders in schools and nonprofits grow into confident, effective, and authentic leaders. Through one-on-one coaching, Rebecca supports her clients in building leadership skills, rediscovering their voice, and overcoming barriers to career advancement.

Rebecca also works with organizations to deliver inclusive leadership training, aimed at reducing bias and fostering equity across all levels of the workplace. With a background in social research and over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, communications, and school leadership, she brings a strategic and empathetic approach to every engagement. Her workshops and keynotes are engaging and impactful. 

Rebecca is also the co-host of the Confidently You: Women in Leadership Podcast, where she shares conversations and insights to support women navigating leadership roles across industries.

CONTACT:

Pleasantlyaggressive@gmail.com

www.pleasantlyaggressive.com

www.linkedin.com/in/malotke-meslin

www.instagram.com/pleasantlyaggressive

BIO:
 

Andrea Gribble is the school cheerleader you didn’t know you needed—pom-poms optional, passion guaranteed. As founder of #SocialSchool4EDU, she helps districts nationwide share their daily awesomeness through storytelling on social media. Author, podcast host, and proud champion of school PR pros, Andrea makes celebrating your students and staff both doable and delightful.

CONTACT:

andrea@socialschool4edu.com

socialschool4edu.com

www.facebook.com/SocialSchool4EDU

www.instagram.com/socialschool4edu

www.linkedin.com/in/andreagribble

x.com/andreagribble

www.youtube.com/@SocialSchool4EDU

BIO:

Heather Burchfield began her career as a journalist but quickly found her calling in school marketing and communications. Now as Director of Partner Success at Truth Tree, she works closely with independent schools to help them connect with mission-fit families through smart, strategic enrollment marketing.

Before joining Truth Tree, Heather led communications at The Peck School, where her work earned national recognition. She’s presented at AISAP, is a graduate of the NAIS School Leadership Institute, and holds degrees from Syracuse University and the University of Illinois. She brings heart, hustle, and a journalist’s curiosity to every school she supports.

CONTACT:

heather@truthtree.com

www.truthtree.com

www.linkedin.com/company/truth-tree/

BIO:

Susanne Carpenter is the principal and founder of Carpenter Leadership Consulting - a leadership consulting and executive coaching firm focused on helping leaders and leadership teams become high-performing and strategy-focused. Channeling her own experience as a leader, Susanne empowers leaders to unlock their full potential, fostering confidence, effectiveness, and success. Her goal is to help her clients reach their fullest potential and lead with impact. She believes that when leaders are at their best, their organizations thrive.

Before starting her firm, Susanne was the Assistant Head of School at Walnut Hill School for the Arts. She has also served as Director of Admission at Nashoba Brooks School and Worcester Academy. 

She is a graduate of Westover School and received her B.A. from Wheaton College. She is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) through the International Coaching Federation and is also a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach. She is currently the treasurer for the board of trustees at Westover School. Susanne lives with her family in the Boston area.

CONTACT:

susanne@carpenterleadership.com

www.carpenterleadership.com

www.linkedin.com/in/susanne-carpenter

BIO:

Brooke joined Riverbend as Head of School in 2023, after serving as Head of School at Oak Grove Montessori School in Mansfield, Connecticut and The Little School in Clarkesville, Georgia. A native Californian, Brooke started her educational career at a small school very similar to Riverbend, and eventually graduated from University California, Irvine with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, a Master of Arts in Teaching, and a Bilingual Elementary Teaching Credential. Before Brooke transitioned to administrative roles in admissions, marketing, development, curriculum design, and teacher education, Brooke taught every grade, preschool through high school in several regions in the United States. With over 20 years experience as an educator, Brooke believes that small schools are the best schools, and that a Montessori education provides the very best environment for children to thrive in and out of the classroom.

In addition to serving on the Lesley Ellis Advisory Board, Brooke is a proud Volunteer Case Reviewer for the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. She considers community service and activism work to be crucially important, both as a way to give voice and strength to those who need it, and to help inform the vital work we do in schools as we educate our future leaders.

In her free time, Brooke enjoys making the spaces around her more beautiful – in the spring and summer that means tending her vegetable and flower garden; in the fall and winter that means delving into design and decor projects in her home. Brooke enjoys checking in on her neighbors, and is a devoted morning walker with her two rescue dogs, and an evening cuddler with her four rescue cats. Brooke is an avid traveler and beach seeker, especially with her husband David and their two teenage daughters, Naomi and Juliet.

CONTACT:

bhopkins@rvbs.org

www.linkedin.com/school/riverbend-school/

riverbendschool.org

BIO:

David O'Connell has served as Head of School at The Saklan School since 2018 and has been an educator for 33 years, including 15 years in the classroom. His career has spanned the globe—with leadership and teaching roles in Latin America, Asia, and Europe—rooted in a belief that education should be as dynamic and meaningful as the world students are preparing to engage with. Over the past eight years, David has helped shape Saklan into a leader in project-based learning, where hands-on, academically challenging, and socially connected experiences form the heart of the curriculum. He is passionate about building school communities where students are known, empowered, and inspired to make a positive impact on their world.

CONTACT:

doconnell@saklan.org

www.saklan.org

BIO:

Jim Pierce serves as the Head of School at The Meadowbrook School, a century-old independent school rooted in joy, wonder, and deep relationships. Jim’s work centers on a simple belief: when you know your kids and know your content, you can create extraordinary learning experiences.

His leadership blends strategic vision with hands-on care, whether he is expanding innovative academic programs, building partnerships that support student-athletes, or strengthening the culture of leadership that defines Meadowbrook.

Jim is completing his doctoral research in learning analytics with a focus on how student-athletes understand their academic and athletic identities, a topic that directly informs his work with families, teachers, and school communities.

CONTACT:

jimpierce@themeadowbrookschool.org

www.themeadowbrookschool.org

BIO:

Dr. Jayme L. Johnson is the Head of School at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School (CA) and an experienced independent school leader with deep expertise in instructional leadership and curriculum design. She brings a developmentally grounded approach to educational technology, helping schools thoughtfully integrate digital tools to enhance learning, collaboration, and communication in K–8 settings.

With decades of experience in both independent and public schools, Jayme has served in roles including Associate Head of School, Head of Primary and Lower School, Director of Academic Technology, and classroom teacher. She regularly partners with educators and families to strengthen teaching practice and school culture. A frequent presenter for nonprofit organizations, parent communities, and regional, national, and international conferences, her work focuses on instructional leadership, faculty development, curriculum integration, digital citizenship, and parenting in the digital age. Jayme holds an MA in Educational Technology and an EdD in Educational Leadership.

CONTACT:

jjohnson@stpatricksto.org

www.stpatricksto.org

BIO:
 

Brendan Schneider is a leading voice in K-12 school marketing and the founder of SchneiderB Media, where he helps independent and private schools boost enrollment through digital marketing. He is also the creator of the MarCom Society and SchoolMarketingCRM and the author of School Marketing The Right Way. A sought-after speaker, Brendan shares actionable strategies on AI, SEO, inbound marketing, and digital advertising to help schools thrive.

CONTACT:

brendan@schneiderb.com  

www.schneiderb.com

www.linkedin.com/in/brendanschneider

ALLISON BIO:

Allison Davis is the Associate Director of Membership and Business Development at the Enrollment Management Association (EMA), where she partners with independent schools and associations nationwide to share insights on regional and national enrollment trends. She joined EMA in 2022 after serving as the Director of Upper School Admission at Girls Preparatory School in Chattanooga, TN.

Before her work in independent schools, Allison was a Business Analyst for the United States Navy and the Electric Power Board of Chattanooga. A committed community leader, she raised $35,000 for the Chattanooga Kidney Foundation’s Dare to Dance fundraiser and serves on the board of Scouting America, Cherokee Area Council. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and History from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

ALLISON CONTACT:

adavis@enrollment.org

www.linkedin.com/in/haleallison

www.enrollment.org

www.linkedin.com/company/enrollment-management-association

MARK BIO:

Mark is the Senior Director of Professional Development at EMA and oversees all programming, events and learning opportunities for EMA members. Mark joined EMA in 2023 from the Latin School of Chicago (IL) where he served as the Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid for five years. In this role, Mark oversaw all matters pertaining to enrollment, recruitment, retention and need-based financial aid. While at Latin, Mark was an active member of EMA's Admission Leadership Council. Prior to Latin, Mark served as the Assistant Dean of Admission and the Assistant Dean of Pluralism and Multicultural Affairs at Lake Forest Academy (IL). Originally from England, Mark moved to the US in 2015. He previously worked in admissions and strategic leadership roles at the University of Cambridge, University College London and at the Social Mobility Foundation. Mark is a graduate of the University of Cambridge and completed the University of Southern California's Leadership in Enrollment Management Certificate Program as a Balmer Scholar in 2017.

MARK CONTACT:

mcopestake@enrollment.org 

www.enrollment.org

www.linkedin.com/company/enrollment-management-association

BIO:

Miriam Stein is a graduate of an independent day school and believes in the importance of day school education to our future. After working in education and in strategic enrollment for more than 20 years, she co-founded Thrive Hive​ with Laurie Ehrlich. This boutique consulting service offers marketing and enrollment strategy to schools and camps. She has lectured nationally on enrollment strategy, systems, and workplace dynamics, and works with each client to create a tailored and personalized program to meet their needs.

Miriam holds a BA in History from the University of Pennsylvania and Masters Degrees in Education and in Jewish Studies from George Washington University. She is a licensed teacher, a certified executive coach, and a certified facilitator in The Six Types of Working Genius. Miriam lives in the suburbs of Washington, DC, with her co-pilot husband, children, and their dog, Ruby.

CONTACT:

miriam@thrivehive.group

www.thrivehive.group

BIO:
 

With the proven approach of establishing focused, measurable goals and priorities to meet objectives, Cindy van den Beemt has built a career delivering personalized fundraising solutions to organizations in need of strategic direction. Cindy possesses impeccable organizational and sharp interpersonal communication skills that bolster her successful fundraising career, spanning nearly twenty-five years with nonprofit organizations.

She has held leadership roles in advancement for a variety of nonprofit organizations and independent schools and guided capital campaigns to reach or exceed goals, ushered institutions from feasibility study to campaign celebration. She has developed protocols for major giving and annual fund programs, assisted organizations with governance structure development, and successfully engaged foundations and corporations in supporting client mission driven fundraising endeavors.

Ms. van den Beemt’s extensive experience is the foundation for a comprehensive understanding of the tools necessary to build a donor-centered and best practice approach to creating long-term relationships for philanthropic commitment to giving.

Ms. van den Beemt holds a M.Ed. from The College of William & Mary and a B.A. from Bucknell University.

CONTACT:

cindy@capitalfundraisinggroup.com

www.capitalfundraisinggroup.com

BIO:

Barbara Barron is one of the most respected and highly sought-after independent advancement professionals in the country, having worked with dozens of schools across the United States and in Canada.

Barbara is a New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and presenter who currently advises dozens of schools in various capacities. She is considered a thought leader in the world of advancement, with her writing widely shared by professionals in school advancement offices worldwide.

Barbara’s love for advancement work began when she joined the development office at Watkinson School, in Hartford, CT where her children were enrolled. It was there she fell in love with the work of inspiring passionate supporters to financially support a school’s mission and fostering a thriving culture of philanthropy. She further honed her skills at other schools in CT, NYC, and San Franscisco, raising over $20 million for those schools where she served as the Director of Development. In 2017, as word of Barbara’s leadership in the independent school world spread, she began her own consulting business, and she has watched her roster of schools blossom.

Her passion for philanthropy and its powerful impact on quality advancement programs is unlimited. She believes in independent schools and their inspiring missions. Today, her consulting practice focuses on building leadership giving programs and growing the capacity of professional and volunteer teams by increasing competence, confidence, and joy. Specific descriptions of projects she’s managed and positions she’s held, along with endorsements from current and former clients, colleagues, supervisors, and Board members can be found at her website: www.barbarabarron.com

CONTACT:

barbara@barbarabarron.com

www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-barron

BIO:

Jill Goodman, is a consultant who works with independent and private school leaders to address budget concerns by increasing enrollment retention, building capacity in development, and enhancing leadership skills. With 10 years of administrative experience and 10 years of trusteeship, she launched Jill Goodman Consulting in 2017. She has worked with 60+ schools and organizations to advance their mission through research and guidance.

Jill is well known for her presentations on educational advancement, leadership, and constituency relations, that have been well received by audiences across the country. She writes a monthly article distributed to a global audience of over 2,000 school leaders.

An alumna of Drexel University, she lives and works in northern Baltimore County where she enjoys the forests and farmland that surround her home and office. She and her husband are parents to two entrepreneurial daughters and two sons-in-law.

CONTACT:

jill@jillgoodmanconsulting.com

www.jillgoodmanconsulting.com

www.linkedin.com/in/jilldgoodman

BIO:
 

Scott Butterworth leads Fine Point Communications, a full-service consultancy that protects and elevates the reputation of independent schools. Fine Point aids clients with everything from crisis communications and staff development to magazine and website publication. As principal, Scott brings unique expertise to clients, not only from his work with Fine Point but also from his prior experience as director of communications at National Cathedral School and, previously, an editor at The Washington Post.

CONTACT:

hello@finepointcommunications.com

www.finepointcommunications.com

www.linkedin.com/company/finepointcommunications

Bio:

Elizabeth Gleadall is the Director of Advancement at Sonoma Country Day School in Santa Rosa, California, where she has served since 2001. With more than two decades of experience in independent school development, including earlier work at The Gillispie School in La Jolla, she brings deep expertise in fundraising, stewardship, communications, and community engagement.

Her professional work is complemented by many additional years of volunteer service with nonprofit organizations. Most recently, she helped co‑found Advancement Exchange for Independent Schools (AeXIS), a nonprofit supporting advancement professionals across California, recognizing that strong advancement work is essential to sustaining the mission and vitality of independent schools.

Elizabeth has led successful annual and capital campaigns, launched major gift programs, produced award‑winning publications and events, and played a key role in marketing and public relations initiatives, bringing a strategic and creative lens to every aspect of advancement.

She holds a B.A. from UC San Diego, an M.A. from the University of San Diego, and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE).

Contact:

elizabeth@scds.org

www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-gleadall

www.scds.org/giving AND aexis.memberclicks.net/

Bio:

Kendra is currently the Director of Development at Episcopal Day School of St Matthew in San Mateo. Prior to working at Episcopal Day, she was the Director of Advancement at Live Oak School in San Francisco. In her time at both schools, she has led with a personal mission to create spaces where people feel they belong, spaces where colleagues, students, and donors from different financial, and cultural backgrounds are encouraged to share their unique perspectives.

In addition to her work in schools, Kendra currently serves on the Board of NAMI, The National Associate of Mental Illness, and is a former Chair for the Board of Directors at Full Picture Justice, a non-profit organization that provides support for children impacted by the criminal justice system.

Kendra has two grown children and lives in San Francisco with her dog, Penny, and her cat, Lt. Dan.

Contact:

kmastain@episcopaldaysanmateo.org

www.episcopaldaysanmateo.org/

BIO: 

Emily Scillieri is the Director of Development and Communications at Chesapeake Montessori School in Annapolis, Maryland, where she oversees development, communications, social media, and a touch of marketing and web design. Emily has almost two decades of experience in small schools, beginning her career as a Montessori educator before transitioning to an administrative role. She is passionate about using the Montessori method to educate children and creating events and fundraising campaigns within the school community that align with these values.

Emily holds an AMI Primary Diploma from Washington Montessori Institute and a M.Ed. from Loyola University. She lives with her husband and 5 children (all Montessori educated!) in Annapolis.

CONTACT:

e.scillieri@chesapeake-montessori.com

www.chesapeake-montessori.com

BIO:

While currently serving as the Director of Advancement at Mount Tamalpais School in Mill Valley, California, Nancy routinely provides fundraising consulting services to nonprofit organizations, assisting and partnering with clients on all aspects of strategy and implementation on major capital campaigns, annual fund efforts, donor relations, board training, and alumni outreach. Additionally, she has been a board member at numerous schools and organizations. A long-time and frequent organizer of various advancement professional development workshops and conferences, Nancy is the founding Board President of AeXIS, Advancement Exchange for Independent Schools, an organization that supports California Advancement professionals.

CONTACT:

nkehoe@mttam.org  

mttam.org

www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-kehoe

martsandlundy.com/person/nancy-kehoe

TERRY BIO:

Terry ensures the most efficient operations in Orr Group’s office-wide workflows, technology, and infrastructure. In his role, he helps drive organizational strategy on responsible AI usage, pushes to increase user adoption, develops policies and trainings, and implements AI and automation-driven efficiencies. As Head of Operations, Terry maintains safe, compliant, and effective day-to-day operations and implements projects to continually improve organizational systems. Before joining Orr Group, Terry spent 10 years working in nonprofit operations, facilities, and IT. Most recently, Terry served as the Director of Operations at Americans for the Arts. In this role, Terry implemented and standardized organizational practices and procedures introduced new systems, and helped advance the organization’s IT infrastructure, office services, contracting, HR, and meetings & events. Before that, Terry worked at Imagination Stage, serving as the Facilities Manager and Assistant General Manager.

TERRY CONTACT:

tcangelosi@orrgroup.com

BOBBY BIO:

Bobby is responsible for implementing and maintaining Orr Group's technology stack, training our staff on effective and responsible AI usage, and building automations that give our staff more capacity to champion the missions of our partners. He also provides training, assessment, and implementation of AI and Automation tools to our partners seeking innovative solutions to their administrative workflows.

Prior to joining Orr Group, Bobby built 10 years of live performance production management experience at non profit organizations including the University of Maryland, College Park School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies and the Kennedy Center. Bobby led cross-disciplinary teams of artists and administrators toward interactive and engaging audience experiences. Along the way, he built management systems for scheduling, budgeting, staffing, facilities, and technical training to support the operations of both organizations.

BOBBY CONTACT:

rhunter@orrgroup.com

ORR GROUP CONTACT:

www.orrgroup.com

https://www.linkedin.com/company/orr-group-1

www.facebook.com/OrrGroup1

www.instagram.com/orr_group

www.youtube.com

KAREN BIO:

With over 30 years of experience in program design and implementation, Karen McCann McClelland brings a wealth of knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit to the business and leadership of auxiliary programs. Karen has extensively presented and conducted workshops nationally on a variety of topics related to the profession and enjoys any opportunity to connect with professionals. She is a certified executive coach and loves working with individuals and teams to increase performance and fulfillment.

KAREN CONTACT:

Karen@SPARCNational.Com 

www.linkedin.com/in/karen-mccann-mcclelland

DAVID BIO:

While David Sullivan has served on the faculty of independent schools for many years, his career in education began as a teacher at a summer program. Over his 35+ years in schools, including two decades as a head, David has a successful track record of turning around struggling schools by improving programs and financial sustainability–especially through leveraging summer and auxiliary programs. A former Chair of an independent school accrediting association, David is interested in how organizations improve, clarify and attain strategic objectives, and develop leadership at all levels.

DAVID CONTACT:

David@SPARCNational.Com

www.linkedin.com/in/davidsullivan360

SPARC CONTACT:

www.sparcnational.com

www.linkedin.com

BIO:
 

Joe Monzo is the owner and creative director of Monzo Media Productions, a video production and strategy company dedicated to helping independent schools elevate their marketing and enrollment efforts. A graduate of a small independent school himself, Joe brings a unique insider perspective that allows him to understand both the culture and challenges schools face. Over the years, he has partnered with schools across the country to craft authentic, story-driven videos that don’t just inform—but connect deeply with their audiences and inspire action.

CONTACT:

joe@monzomediapro.com

www.monzomediaproductions.com 

www.linkedin.com/in/monzojoe

BIO:

Dale Seabury has spent over 18 years in the independent school space. Thirteen were spent at The Pingry School, a K-12 in NJ. At Pingry, Dale served as Assistant Director of Admission, Director of Financial Aid, and, most recently, Director of Communications and Marketing.

As a MarCom consultant to schools, she helps institutions of all sizes and cultures take their marketing and communications practices to the next level—everything from vision and strategy to day-to-day, detailed support—to enroll more mission-aligned students and maximize retention and engagement of their current communities. 

A seasoned former advisor to Upper Schoolers, Dale continues to enjoy working with students by supporting an admission counseling firm that serves independent school applicants. These conversations offer her valuable insight into prospective families' perspectives, and she uses that insight to help schools connect with the students whose lives they are best poised to transform.

CONTACT: 

dale@seabury-consulting.com

www.seabury-consulting.com

www.linkedin.com/in/dale-vecere-seabury

www.instagram.com/seabury_consulting

BIO:

Madison is a both-sides-of-the-brain kind of thinker. She’s always had a passion for making things look better and work better. It’s a knack she funneled first into design and then into brand strategy. Over hundreds of hours and numerous projects, Madison has been elbow-deep in strategic thinking for many brands, small and large.

She has refined her craft of branding design, and has years of experience in creating the kind of collateral that sends the right message to the right people. With care and quality, she’s handled a wide breadth of projects and brings a deep attention to detail and a creative problem-solving mind.

CONTACT:

hello@creativechameleonstudio.com 

www.creativechameleonstudio.com

www.linkedin.com/in/madisoncarr 

www.instagram.com/creativechameleonstudio

BIO:

Samantha Fleming is the Director of Marketing, Communications, and Strategic Initiatives at Oakwood School, where she blends creativity, strategy, and storytelling to bring big ideas to life. With two decades of experience in private schools she has lived the small school leader experience of juggling responsibilities, shifting priorities, and wearing all the hats.

In addition to her small school work, she is also the Secretary for the National Board of Directors for the Interscholastic Equestrian Association.

CONTACT:

sfleming@oakwoodschool.com

www.oakwoodschool.com 

www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-fleming

ANGIE BIO:

Angie has spent the last 12 years helping schools identify their enrollment marketing challenges to develop a strategic digital campaign to achieve their goals. With a knack for marketing strategy and analytics, Angie has helped over 300 colleges, universities, K-12 schools, and camps with result-driven marketing solutions. She Co-Founded Enroll Media in 2018 with the goal of creating an agency dedicated to the unique challenges of digital marketing for enrollment. When not working with schools and staying up to date on the latest Google changes, Angie can be found spending time with her friends and family (especially her kids and chickens!) and enjoying all that her wonderful home state of Massachusetts has to offer.

ANGIE CONTACT:

angie@enrollmediagroup.com 

www.enrollmediagroup.com

www.facebook.com/enrollmediagroup

www.linkedin.com/company/enrollmediagroup

www.instagram.com/enrollmediagroup

KIMBERLY BIO:

Kimberly Hildebrandt is an accomplished marketing and communications leader with more than 15 years of experience in education, strategic communications, and project management. As Associate Director of Marketing and Communications at Landmark School, she oversees the school’s brand strategy, website, and all external communications—driving initiatives that support admissions, advancement, and institutional goals

KIMBERLY CONTACT:

khildebrandt@landmarkschool.org

ABOUT THE HOSTS

Aubrey Bursch and Tara Claeys are passionate advocates for small and independent schools, bringing together decades of experience in marketing, communications, and school leadership.

Tara is the Founder of Design TLC, a website agency specializing in creating beautiful, user-friendly websites for small schools. Drawing on her deep marketing background and technical expertise in WordPress, she helps schools make a powerful first impression online while staying true to their mission and budget.

Aubrey is the Founder and CEO of Easy School Marketing, where she helps schools increase enrollment, retention, and revenue through thoughtful, mission-driven marketing strategies. With over 20 years of experience as a school professional, marketer, and mom, she’s dedicated to helping schools stand out and connect authentically with their ideal families.

Together, Aubrey and Tara co-host the Mindful School Marketing Podcast and are driven by a shared goal: to help schools communicate their value with clarity, creativity, and heart—so they can focus on what matters most: serving students and families.

CONTACT:

www.mindfulschoolmarketing.com

www.mindfulschoolmarketing.com/contact

BIO:

Barb Doyle brings more than 25 years of experience in marketing and graphic design across the education, healthcare, and publishing industries, with over 15 years focused specifically on educational marketing. Her work blends strategic thinking with creative execution, drawing on expertise in web design and development, digital and social media marketing, AI-driven tools, marketing strategy, and corporate communications.

She currently serves as Director of Marketing and Communications at Renbrook School in West Hartford, Connecticut, an independent school for Preschool through Grade 8 students. Barb also chairs the Commission on School Advancement for the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools, where she leads statewide professional development initiatives for advancement professionals.

In addition to her institutional leadership, Barb owns a marketing consulting business that partners with small businesses to provide marketing assessment, strategy, and hands-on execution.

Outside of work, Barb enjoys a full and active life in her beloved shoreline town of Essex, Connecticut, and treasures time spent with her grandchildren.

CONTACT:

www.renbrook.org

www.linkedin.com/in/barbdoyle

BIO:

Lori Kriegel is the Chief Communications Officer at Wooster School, a grade 5 - 12 coed day school in Danbury, CT. She enjoys all things related to marketing, data, branding, storytelling, strategizing, and communicating. Lori is also the Vice-Chair of the CAISCT Commission on School Advancement and serves on the Alumni Board of Elmira College. Prior to her arrival at Wooster School, she was the Director, eMarketing at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Lori holds a M.S. in Education and a B.S. in Management from Elmira College.

CONTACT:

www.woosterschool.org/

www.linkedin.com/in/lorikriegel

BIO:

Andrea is a proud independent school educator with over 20 years of experience as an educator and school leader. Holding a Masters degree in Education, she began as a classroom teacher and advisor before moving on to serve as a Department Chair, PK-8th grade Director of Curriculum, and Lower School Head.

Most recently, she brought her leadership experience to The Social Institute, an EdTech company, where she was the Director of Partner Success. Andrea’s greatest joy is being the Director of Enrollment Management and Marketing at St. Luke’s because she gets to share the St. Luke’s story with current and prospective families. She loves watching families fall in love with St. Luke’s and guiding them from their first tour to their first day.

CONTACT:

ajenkins@sles-sa.org

www.sles-sa.org

AUBREY BIO:

Aubrey Bursch is the Founder & CEO of Easy School Marketing

Aubrey is passionate about supporting small and independent schools to increase enrollment, retention, and revenue by designing and executing marketing strategies that work for them.

As the daughter of lifelong educators and mom of two independent school students, she combines her passion for schools with her 20+ years of marketing and development to help schools identify and implement high ROI initiatives. Aubrey co-hosts the Mindful School Marketing podcast, leads the free Small School Leaders professional development program, and speaks nationwide.

AUBREY CONTACT:

Aubrey@EasySchoolMarketing.com

www.linkedin.com/in/aubreybursch

LAURIE BIO:

Laurie is a master storyteller and strategist, excelling at creating and implementing campaigns that compel people to act. She brings to the table a data-driven mindset combined with multi-channel marketing strategy and planning, content creation, cross-team collaboration, corporate communications, and digital media expertise.

She loves sharing her passion for marketing with others. Laurie is an eight-time judge for the annual InspiredSM Brilliance Awards, participates on multiple marketing and communications lay committees, and her speaking resume includes the Niche K12 Enrollment Summit, the Enrollment Management Association Annual Conference, AISAP Annual Institute, Finalsite University user conference, multiple masterclasses, and others. 

Laurie holds a M.B.A. in Management + Corporate Communication from Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business in New York City and a B.S. in Marketing from the University of Maryland, College Park. She and her husband live in the D.C. ‘burbs with their two boys who have boundless energy and are begging for a dog.

LAURIE CONTACT: 

laurie@thrivehive.group

www.thrivehive.group

www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebehrlich

STEVE BIO:
Steve serves as the Head of School at St. Mary's Episcopal Day School in Tampa. An ISM consultant/presenter and FCIS Board Member, Steve has presented on advancement-related topics at a wide array of regional and national education conferences including AISAP, NAIS, NAES, AISGW, and EMA. He is a presenter for FCIS at their Prospective Heads' Institute Conference and was a 2023 Klingenstein Head of School Fellow at Columbia University. will send soon

STEVE CONTACT:

steve.salvo@smeds.org

www.smeds.org

MICHAEL BIO:

Michael joined ISM as an Adjunct Consultant in 2002 and became a full-time Consultant in 2020. Michael specializes in strategic planning, Board operations, development, and enrollment management. Michael has consulted nearly 200 schools in his time at ISM.

Before joining ISM full-time, Michael was the Assistant Headmaster for Development at Lausanne Collegiate School in Tennessee. He has also served as the Director of Development at Greensboro Day School in North Carolina, and Director of Development at Holland Hall School in Oklahoma. In these schools, Michael rebuilt development programs, oversaw the creation of alumni programs, established planned giving offerings, instituted major gift efforts, executed several capital campaigns, and coordinated image and identity campaigns for each school. 

Before joining the independent school world, Michael spent 15 years as the Associate Dean and Director of Admissions at the St. Louis Conservatory of Music in Missouri, building the school’s marketing and enrollment management processes from the ground up. 

Michael has a master’s degree in music from the University of Iowa and a bachelor’s degree in music from Cornell College in Iowa. He attained ISM’s International Advancement Program—Leader certification in 2012. He has also presented at CASE-NAIS, APC, ISAS, NAIS, TAIS, NCAIS, and NAES.  

MICHAEL CONTACT:

michael.christopher@isminc.com

www.isminc.com

KARL BIO:

Karl Boehm is the founder of Help One Hundred Schools, Everest Private School Growth Group, and Spiral Marketing. For over 20 years, Karl has been a marketing champion for independent schools, supporting dozens of institutions across the U.S. in growing their enrollment pipelines and improving cross-functional collaboration. He specializes in aligning leadership and admissions goals through clear planning, messaging, and digital strategy.

KARL CONTACT:

karl@helponehundredschools.com

www.help100schools.com

www.facebook.com

www.instagram.com/helponehundredschools

www.linkedin.com/in/karlboehm

MATTINGLY BIO:

Mattingly Messina is the Founder of Throughline and a former school leader with deep expertise in advancement, development strategy, and cross-functional collaboration. He helps schools identify core narratives and build actionable advancement plans that bridge the work of development, marketing, and enrollment.

MATTINGLY CONTACT:

mattingly@findthroughline.com

www.findthroughline.com

www.linkedin.com/in/mattinglymessina

BIO:
 

Chuck combines big-picture strategic insight with hands-on expertise in enrollment marketing, messaging, and parent experience, making him a successful consultant who has worked with dozens of independent schools. Chuck has also spoken at conferences like NAIS, EMA, and AISAP. His thought leadership extends to e-books, reports, and journal articles that shape best practices in independent school marketing.

CONTACT:

chuck@englishmarketingworks.com

www.englishmarketingworks.com

www.linkedin.com/in/chuckenglishmarketing

BIO:

Tara Claeys is a seasoned website designer and developer with a marketing background going back over 25 years. Her passion for childhood enrichment helps guide a user-focused approach to websites for independent schools and education-focused nonprofits. 

As a small, award-winning agency, Design TLC works one-to-one with small schools and nonprofits who need a professional, performant, user-friendly and affordable website.

Tara’s experience includes working with small independent schools, enrichment programs and nonprofits. Design TLC has helped dozens of organizations improve their online presence, enhance the functionality of their website to make it easy to edit and update, and drive engagement with conversion-driven messaging. Tara has presented at many conferences and webinars on subjects including SEO, nonprofit website donation software, WordPress plugins, productivity and more.

Tara’s interest in the childhood enrichment and education industry comes from her own experiences raising two children in Arlington, Virginia. She is a volunteer and an ardent supporter of local and national nonprofits that support educational opportunities for underserved children.

CONTACT: 

tara@designtlc.com

www.designtlc.com

www.linkedin.com/in/taraclaeys

BIO: 

Evan Harris is a national expert on emerging AI risks in schools, with a focus on deepfake abuse and digital safety. He has advised the Office of the First Lady, the Texas State Senate, and the General Counsel of the National Association of Independent Schools, where he co-authored the legal guide on deepfake sexual abuse. A former teacher and administrator with a decade of experience in independent schools, Evan holds a master’s in Private School Leadership from Columbia University and was a Technology Ethics Fellow at Stanford’s Human-Centered AI Institute. Today, Evan serves as the president of Pathos Consulting Group and as a crisis communications consultant with The Jane Group.

CONTACT:

evan@pathosgroup.ai

www.pathosgroup.ai

www.linkedin.com/in/evanharrisai

BIO:

Jesse Meadow is the Managing Director of Schoolcraft Digital, a next-level marketing agency serving K-12 private schools nationwide. Since 2020, he has helped schools grow inquiries, strengthen enrollment pipelines, and adopt digital tools, including AI, that save time and drive measurable results.

CONTACT:

jesse@schoolcraftdigital.com

www.schoolcraftdigital.com

www.linkedin.com/in/jessemeadow

BIO: 

Brooke Carroll, Ph.D., is the Principal Consultant and Coach at  Acies Strategies, supporting small schools in leadership development, board development, and strategic thinking and planning. Dr. Carroll holds a doctorate in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota and has nearly 30 years of experience leading schools and nonprofits. She has served on eight school and non-profit boards in various roles and is an ICF-certified leadership coach. She is the author of the book Governing the Small School: Strategies for Boards (2022, Bold Story Press).  Prior to consulting and coaching, Dr. Carroll served as Head of School for nine years at Seneca Academy, an International Baccalaureate World School, and Director of Residential Life at Sandy Spring Friends School for six years.

CONTACT:

brooke@aciesstrategies.com

www.aciesstrategies.com

www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-carroll-acies

BIO:

Dana Nelson-Isaacs brings more than 25 years of experience helping schools thrive, partnering with admission teams, heads, boards, and faculty to strengthen enrollment strategy, communications, and community engagement. Known for her thoughtful insight and candid, collaborative style, she works across all levels of school leadership to solve complex challenges with clarity and heart.  

Dana’s professional journey spans a wide range of institutions, including grades K–12, boarding and day, single-gender and all-gender, and she held key roles in enrollment and marketing before launching her consulting practice in 2013. Today, she is a trusted expert in market research, enrollment feasibility, and strategic enrollment management.  

For a decade, Dana served as the coordinator for the Bay Area Directors of Admission consortium, leading a network of 110 schools. In this role, she provided professional development, facilitated organizational leadership, and cultivated a culture of collaboration among member schools.  

A dynamic speaker and facilitator, Dana leads workshops and speaks regularly at regional and national conferences. She facilitates The Assembly, her signature small group mastermind for school leaders, and offers one-on-one and team-based executive coaching.

Dana holds a BA in Psychology and an MS in Counseling Psychology. She lives in Northern California with her husband, an author, speaker, and physics teacher, and their high-school-aged daughter, who literally and figuratively dances through life.

CONTACT:

dana@dniconsulting.biz

www.dniconsulting.biz

www.linkedin.com/in/dnisaacs

This conference is 100% virtual.

That means you and your team can join from anywhere without the added cost of flights, hotels, or meals. A virtual format also makes it easier for multiple members of your team to participate in sessions live or on replay, so more people can benefit from the expert speakers, practical strategies, and resources we share—at a more affordable price than most in-person events.

YES! We are thrilled to announce our Early Bird Pricing, available until December 17, 2025. Take advantage of a 25% discount on Individual, Team, and VIP tickets. Our aim is to make this conference accessible to everyone. Make sure to reserve your spot early and enjoy the savings! Use code 'LEADERS' at checkout to receive 25% any ticket.

Associations can enjoy 20% off using code 'SCHOOLS20'.

All tickets include 26+ sessions (marketing, enrollment, development, leadership) plus panels, a live podcast recording, a roundtable, and post-event recordings/resources.

Individual — $97
Best for solo attendees (Heads, admissions, marketers, development leads) who want practical ideas fast. Cost-effective way to get the full program and watch on your schedule.

Team — $197
Best for schools that want alignment across roles. Unlimited seats for your school so admissions, marketing, development, and leadership can learn together and implement the same playbook.

VIP — $497
Best for schools that want yearlong support and accountability. Unlimited conference seats for your school plus Small School Solutions PD membership: monthly Guest Expert trainings, group coaching, and ongoing resources to keep you implementing.

Association — $997
Best for associations investing in member PD at scale. Unlimited seats for every school in your association, easy to share, and simple to report engagement.

🎁 Early-bird bonus: Register by January 22, 2026 to get on-demand recordings from our Spring Marketing & Leadership Summits ($197 value).

Upon purchasing the Team Ticket and VIP Ticket, you'll obtain a distinctive registration link for your school within 24 hours. Colleagues can use this code to register, completely free of extra charges.

After purchasing the Association Ticket, you'll receive an exclusive registration code for your schools/organization within 48 hours. Schools associated with your organization can utilize this code for registration, with no additional costs involved.

Within one week after the conference, you'll receive session recordings and resources directly in your online portal. These valuable materials will remain accessible for up to six months following the event! 

Added Bonus: VIP registrants will have the exclusive opportunity to participate in Guest Expert trainings and group coaching sessions led by Aubrey Bursch and select presenters over the next 12 months.

Unfortunately, we do not offer refunds for the event. However, if you are unable to attend, don't worry! Within one week after the event concludes, you can access recordings and resources in the conference portal.

Certainly! Reach out to our team at hello@easyschoolmarketing.com, and we'll assist you. We can generate invoices and explore alternate payment methods tailored to suit your school's needs.

This event page provides details about every session, including information about the speakers and the scheduled times. You can also find this information in the conference portal.

Kindly be aware that session details are subject to change.