Judges

Director of Marketing and Communications

Greg is the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Providence Country Day School (PCD) in East Providence, Rhode Island. PCD serves 350 students in grades PreK-12 and has been co-ed since 1991. Greg oversees the school's branding and messaging initiatives, along with the day-to-day management of all external marketing and internal communications. His work utilizes storytelling in a manner that is engaging and has institution-wide impact. Greg acts as an instructor and mentor during Independent School Management's Advancement Academy to help advancement professionals perfect their communications and marketing strategies. Greg has also presented at national education conferences, including NAIS and CASE-NAIS.

Jan Abernathy is the Chief Communications Officer at The Browning School and a Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Academy faculty member. The president of the New York City Independent Schools Communications Professionals Group, she was also a judge of the CASE Circle of Excellence Awards. She is a trustee of CASE, Grace Church School and Tessa International School. A graduate of Northwestern University with a B.S. in journalism, she is a frequent speaker at international and regional conferences and a contributor to NAIS' Independent Schools Magazine.

Senior Consultant and Advancement Department Head

Penny joined ISM in 2010 as a member of the Advancement Academy's founding faculty. As a Senior Consultant, she specializes in marketing communications, enrollment management, and development. Her experience in these areas comes from working in private-independent schools and other non-profits for more than 20 years. Penny also serves as the Advancement Department Head, ensuring effective content development and service delivery for ISM's enrollment, marketing communications, and development consulting. This includes leading ISM's Advancement Academy, an annual premier professional development conference that educates and mentors School Heads, Board members, and development, enrollment management, and marketing communications professionals.

Director of Strategic Communications

Courtney Baker joined Turning Point School as Director of Marketing and Communications in July of 2014 after serving for ten years as the Communications Director for Lawrence School in Cleveland, Ohio. In her role, she has overseen two all-school full rebranding campaigns, has twice served as a member of a CAIS Accreditation Committee, and has presented in various capacities at national conferences and events. Ms. Baker has had the honor of volunteering with several non-profit organizations including CASA of Los Angeles, where she currently serves as a court-appointed advocate for children in foster care. Ms. Baker holds a BA in English from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

Senior Director of Communications and Strategic Institutional Marketing

Deborah Baum is the Senior Director of Communications and Strategic Institutional Marketing at The Bryn Mawr School, an all-girls PK-12 school in Baltimore, Maryland. She previously worked in communications and media relations roles at Gilman School, The Rhode Island Foundation, and Brown University. Deb also has a background in journalism, having spent three years as a news writer for WBZ-TV in Boston as well as serving on the staff of 60 Minutes II and The Early Show in New York City. Deb holds a bachelor's degree in sociology and anthropology from Colgate University

Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

Brooke Blumberg is the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at McDonogh School, a PK-12 coed and five-day boarding school in Owings Mills, Maryland. Previously, she served as Director of Marketing and Communications at Gilman School, an all-boys PK-12 school in Baltimore, Maryland, for 11 years. Before entering independent school marketing, she​ spent close to a decade in the corporate world, holding various marketing roles at McCormick & Company. B​r​ooke holds a bachelor's degree in marketing and international business from the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business and an MBA from Loyola University Maryland.

Photographer

Michael Branscom has specialized in photography and video for independent schools across the US for over 20 years. With a degree in journalism, a zest for creative collaboration, and an unobtrusive approach, he has a unique ability to connect with students, faculty, and leadership to show the full potential of people and their schools. Recently the drone has played a major role in the visual diversity of his fundraising, marketing and recruitment projects.

Director of Marketing

Angela Brown is a creative and data-driven marketing leader with a passion for helping mission-driven tech companies grow. As Head of Marketing at Halda.AI, she's building the brand from the ground up—crafting strategy, sharpening messaging, and driving demand in the higher ed enrollment space. Angela brings more than 10 years of experience leading marketing teams across tech, education, and professional services. She's known for developing smart, scalable strategies that connect with real people and get real results. Whether she's launching a new product, rolling out a campaign, or refreshing a brand, she brings energy, insight, and a strong focus on impact.

Head of Communications and Marketing

Kyle Bueschlen is the Head of Communications and Marketing at Nanjing International School, a leading PK-12 IB World School in China. Kyle has 15+ years of in-house Marcom experience working in healthcare, agency PR, and now international education. A seasoned strategic marketing leader, he has developed and led transformational branding initiatives, campaigns, communications, and websites for schools. Kyle has been a featured speaker at Finalsite Marcom workshops and won multiple industry awards for his work, the latest being two Gold InspireED Brilliance Awards for the NIS Website Homepage and Redesign (2023). He holds a master's degree in Communication from Purdue University.

Chief Operating Officer

As CEO of Easy School Marketing, Aubrey Bursch supports small schools through personalized consulting, strategic coaching, market research, and in-depth marketing and development audits. A longtime leader in school growth, she draws on 20 years of experience and a deep family history in education. Aubrey also co-hosts the Mindful School Marketing podcast and leads Small School Leaders meet-ups and the annual Small School Leaders Virtual Conference. She regularly speaks at events across the country, helping schools grow enrollment, retention, and revenue.

Principal

Scott Butterworth leads Fine Point Communications, which provides independent schools with full-service support in strategic messaging. Fine Point brings experience and expertise to everything from crisis communications and staff development to magazine and website production. Before founding the company in 2020, Scott directed communications at National Cathedral School and was an editor at The Washington Post. He is the lead writer of a monthly newsletter, Refill, that examines topics affecting independent school communications.

Director of Marketing & Communications

Julia is the Director of Marketing & Communications at Edmund Burke School in Washington, DC, where she also co-advises the student newspaper and the Jewish affinity group and has taught math in the high school. She previously served as Director of External Relations at a dance education organization. She holds an AB from Princeton University and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University.

Director of Marketing and Communications

Alyce Callison is the Director of Marketing and Communications at Benchmark School in Media, Pennsylvania, serving students with learning differences such as dyslexia and ADHD. In this role, Alyce has led an award-winning full-scale visual and messaging rebranding campaign and also manages all day-to-day marketing and communications initiatives. Alyce is passionate about reading and free access to information, and as such serves as the Vice President of the Board of Trustees of her local library. Alyce holds BAs in English and Communications from Rutgers University.

Owner

Tara Claeys of Design TLC, LLC is a seasoned website designer and developer with a marketing background going back over 25 years. She prides herself on listening deeply to her clients, and crafting their digital identities with care. Combined with a data-driven marketing strategy, Design TLC school website projects are designed to help schools support and enhance their enrollment and retention goals. The team at Design TLC specializes in beautiful and performant WordPress websites, including integration with Blackbaud data into a more user-friendly and affordable WordPress environment.

Director of Communications and Marketing

Chris Clark is a communications and marketing leader with more than a decade of experience at world-renowned international schools. Currently the Director of Communications and Marketing at ICS Addis, Chris has expertise in strategic communication, digital marketing, community building, and brand recognition. Chris has led and contributed to award-winning school marketing projects, inspired audiences through presentations at international conferences, and collaborated with school marketing professionals in four continents. Chris spent nine years working in communications and marketing at Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) and has an MSc in International Marketing as well as a BA in Journalism & Mass Communication.

Director of Communications

Liza Cohen is the Director of Communications at Dana Hall School, a role she has held since 2006, so she can remember (barely!) a school communications landscape that did not include social media. She oversees all print and digital communications, brand strategy, and public relations in support of the school's mission. Prior to her time at Dana Hall, Liza held writing and communications positions at Children's Hospital Boston and WGBH. She has a B.A. from Tufts University.

Director of Communications

Cami Colarossi, APR, has more than 30 years of experience working in corporate and non-profit communications. In particular, she specializes in promoting educational institutions, having worked at Goucher College, Sylvan Learning Centers, and Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Since 1999, she has served as Director of Communications at Notre Dame Preparatory School in Towson, Maryland. A graduate of Goucher College (B.A.) and Georgetown University (M.A.), Cami is accredited in Public Relations by the Public Relations Society of America. She formerly served on the National Catholic Educational Association's Marketing-Communications Advisory Committee. She has earned local and national industry awards for her public relations and publications work.

Founder & President

Mike Connor is Founder and President of Connor Associates, a communication, marketing, enrollment management, tuition analysis, and leadership search advocate for private, charter, and independent schools. With 16 Strategic Partners and Research Associates across the United States, Connor has worked with hundreds of clients spanning four continents and 26 states since 1998. Prior to founding Connor Associates, he was an experienced teacher, coach, counselor, academic dean, admission director, development director, director of communications, and director of advancement.

Owner, School Storyteller

The owner of Cursive Content, Emily Cretella is a strategic storyteller and content marketer who helps schools tell powerful stories that attract dream families, increase inquiries and enrollment, strengthen communities, and grow school influence. Emily has partnered with more than 75 schools in 20 states and four countries to create and share stories their audiences love. Prior to founding Cursive in 2012, Emily was the director of strategy at a Connecticut marketing agency, where she managed the execution of large-scale traditional and online marketing campaigns for clients ranging from schools and nonprofits to Fortune 500s. She now works solely with private schools, colleges, universities, and educational organizations. Emily would love to hear YOUR school story. Are you ready to tell it? Get in touch at www.cursivecontent.com.

Director of Brand & Future Schools

In her role as Executive Director of Brand and Future Schools, Nicole is responsible for developing a comprehensive growth strategy, including customer acquisition, market expansion, and enhancing the customer experience. She has 15 years' experience across several independent schools in Australia, in marketing, admissions, community engagement, fundraising, alumni, and customer experience. Nicole believes education is ultimately defined by people. This passion led to recognition for best-practice within the education industry as speaker at four conferences. She has led award-winning identity projects, a school rebrand and innovative campaigns to ensure a school's brand was not just a promise, but a promise delivered.

Principal

Adrienne DiGiovine is a graphic designer and strategist who has been developing brands and branded materials for schools, other non-profit organizations, and small businesses for over fifteen years. Prior to that, she designed for corporate and retail clients in NYC. She lives in Bucks County, PA, with her husband, Jim—an architect—and their dog, Boo.

Sr. Director of Growth Marketing

As the Sr. Director of Growth Marketing at Finalsite, Kristen leads a team through paid and organic strategies, combining art with science to drive measurable growth and engagement. With over eight years of experience, she has expertise in content strategy, inbound marketing, advertising, and data analysis. Prior to her role at Finalsite, she worked at a creative agency where she often worked directly with schools. Kristen holds a number of certifications from Google, HubSpot, and Hootsuite and often speaks at professional development events.

Owner

Rebecca is passionate about capturing compelling, high-impact images of the learning environment. For over 15 years, she has worked with independent schools, colleges, universities and education publications across the United States. Rebecca's training as a photojournalist instilled in her a keen sense of observation and the ability to capture impactful, story-telling moments. Rebecca prides herself on being a proactive, enthusiastic and flexible team player. She engages with her clients to understand their marketing goals and unique culture so that she can translate that to a library of photographs that are versatile, strategic and unique. Based in Washington D.C., available nationwide.

Chief Strategist and Head of StoryScape

With over three decades of experience across large agencies and boutique firms, Barbara has collaborated with clients spanning various industries. Before dedicating the last ten years to education marketing, her most fulfilling role had been working with mission-driven organizations, serving as Global Director of Marketing for 1% for the Planet, a non-profit founded by Patagonia. Aligning the personal with professional sets the stage for where she is today. As a Loomis Chaffee and Rumsey Hall alumna, Barbara's career has come full circle—having branded over 50 independent schools from coast to coast rooted in the very institutions that shaped her.

Founder and Marketing Strategist

Utilizing over two decades of expertise in digital strategy, messaging creation, and content development, Laurie builds sustainable and measurable marketing programs for independent schools and camps. She is a creative thinker who is passionate about driving results through key account marketing approaches to elevate awareness and sustain brand loyalty. Laurie co-founded Thrive Hive in 2024 with Miriam Stein, both former marketing and enrollment professionals at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School, respectively. Laurie also runs Elevate Marketing Strategy, founded in 2021. She is a frequent conference presenter including AISAP, EMA, Prizmah, AIMS, Niche and others.

Creative Director and Principal

Carolyn Eiseman is the founder and creative director of CEH Design Inc., a woman-owned business celebrating its 34th anniversary. A natural at collaboration and project coordination, she understands independent schools' challenges and is focused on achieving results that answer those challenges and authentically engage the audience. Carolyn has a demonstrated talent for transforming ideas into visual elements tailored to each client's needs. Her unique leadership brand, CEH, has garnered loyal clients in the independent school market.

Director of Stewardship and Digital Media Specialist

Flo is the Director of Stewardship and Digital Media Specialist at The Park School, a PreK–8 independent school just outside Boston. With over 25 years of experience in independent schools, she has worked in development, summer programs, board relations, and communications. In her current role, she uses social media, the website, and photography to share stories that reflect and reinforce Park's mission. Flo holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Salem State University and returns for her eighth year as a Brilliance Awards judge, drawing on a career rooted in school and nonprofit communities.

Vice President for Communications and Marketing

Shawna Gallagher Vega, APR serves as Vice President for Communications and Marketing at Xavier High School in New York City. She has worked in independent schools since 2008 and led communications offices since 2011. Shawna holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Boston College and earned her Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) in 2013.

Director of Marketing and Communications

Bryan Geary has been the Director of Marketing and Communications at Tilton School for the past five years. With more than a decade in colleges and independent schools, Bryan has experience with print, digital, and social initiatives and has led the development of a number of school websites including, most recently, a new digital viewbook to support Tilton's enrollment growth. Bryan earned his bachelor's degree in Media Studies, Journalism, and Digital Arts from Saint Michael's College and also holds a masters in Organizational and Professional Communication from Regis College.

Director of Marketing & Enrollment Management

There is no "I" in team, and there is no "Y" in Rudi! Rudi Gesch is the Director of Marketing and Enrollment Management at Sheboygan Christian School in Sheboygan, WI. Rudi previously worked as the Marketing Director of Timothy Christian Schools in the suburbs of Chicago and the Director of Marketing and Enrollment at Eastern Christian School in the NJ/NYC Metro area. For the last 15+ years, Rudi has been blessed to be able to do what he loves- use his creative gifts and analytical eye to help grow the profile and the enrollment of three great Private Christian Schools. Rudi lives in Sheboygan, WI with his wife Stephanie and 3 children.

Founder

Jill Goodman, is a consultant who works with independent and private school leaders to address budget concerns by increasing enrollment retention, building development capacity, 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 that have been well received by audiences across the country. She writes a monthly article distributed to a global audience of 2,000+ school leaders. An alumna of Drexel University, she lives and works in northern Baltimore County where she enjoys the peacefulness that surrounds her home and office. She and her husband are parents to two entrepreneurial daughters and two sons-in-law.

Chief Marketing Officer

Andrea has worked in the education sector for over 20 years in a range of settings including both public and private universities, for-profit education providers and media agency. She is currently the Chief Marketing Officer for Alice Smith School in Kuala Lumpur and recently completed her doctorate with Anglia Ruskin University, UK. Before heading to Malaysia, Andrea was Marketing Director for Cambridge Education Group, leading the global marketing and strategic development of the Group's academic brands; CATS International Schools, Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts (CSVPA) and ONCAMPUS International Foundation centres.

Creative Director

"Nothing is off-limits. Unless it's off-brand." This is how Emily has been leading comprehensive branding efforts at Creosote for more than a decade. She works closely with clients to define a school's most compelling messages, develop bold expressions and implement strategies across every channel. Emily began her career in higher education advancement. Emily has presented at TABS, AISAP and EMA, and her work has been recognized nationally by Communication Arts and Educational Advertising Awards. Partnerships include Avery Coonley School, Marietta College, Delbarton School, Pomfret School, Shady Side Academy, Old Trail School, The Lawrenceville School and The Meadowbrook School of Weston.

Senior Communications Specialist

Pamela Hammonds started her Girls Preparatory School career in 2017 along with her daughter, who joined the Class of 2021 as a freshman. Initially hired as the Senior Writer, she has also held titles of Marketing and Communications Manager, Associate Director of Communications, and Director of Communications and Marketing before becoming the Senior Communications Specialist in 2023. Her career began in retail marketing and then she worked in corporate and nonprofit as a marketing director before launching a regional parenting magazine. Before moving to Tennessee from North Texas in 2016, she worked as a freelance writer and editor and then as the editor of a lifestyle magazine in the Dallas market. Pamela's appreciation for single-sex education offered an easy transition into her role at GPS as she saw the benefits firsthand with her daughter. She has two adult sons and a daughter-in-law. Her daughter is a GPS alumna and a graduate of the University of Massachusetts (Amherst).

Editor, Peddie Chronicle

Carrie Harrington is the editor of the award-winning Peddie Chronicle and associate director for content strategy for The Peddie School. Under her leadership, the Chronicle was a 2019 Gold Winner for Feature Article Writing and Feature Article Design, and the recipient of two CASE Circle of Excellence Awards for Independent Magazine Publishing. Before she arrived at Peddie, Carrie previously worked in communications and media relations at Purnell School in New Jersey and Marin Humane in California. Carrie holds a bachelor's degree in communication from the University of New Hampshire.

Executive Creative Director

As the Executive Creative Director at Rhodes Branding, Michael Ho leads the creative team, overseeing the development of innovative, award-winning campaigns and branding solutions that resonate with clients and their communities. He ensures every creative deliverable aligns with the agency's mission and meets the highest standards of quality and impact.

Director of Marketing and Communications

Meghan D. Hodgin is the Director of Marketing and Communications at Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child in Summit, New Jersey. With over 10 years of experience in school marketing and communications, she has led successful initiatives in rebranding, website redesign, and market research, enhancing the school's visibility and engagement. With a master's degree in integrated marketing communication and a bachelor's degree in journalism, she has earned national and international marketing awards and has presented at various national conferences on topics like admissions-marketing partnerships and lead nurturing.

Senior Business Manager of North American Operations

My name is Kristen Jackson and I am from St. Louis, Missouri. I am currently the Senior Business Manager of North American Operations for Enquiry Tracker and have served in this role for the past 2 years. Prior to that, I was the Director of Enrollment for a high school in St. Louis, which is also my alma mater. I also have experience with recruiting at the collegiate level. I earned my BA in English-Journalism from Westminster College in Fulton, Mo and a MEd in Secondary School Counseling from Stephens College in Columbia, Mo. I am the mom to 2 athletic boys and 2 adorable cats.

Executive Compliance Officer

Rachael holds a BA in English, MA in Journalism, and has worked in TV news and academic counseling. Since joining The Alexander Dawson School, an EC-8 independent school in Las Vegas, she has served in various roles, including program manager, executive communications officer, and currently as executive compliance officer. She's published in NAIS and Lambert Academic Publishing, and also judges for CASE's Circle of Excellence Awards. Rachael has won two Bronze Brilliance Awards for Dawson's Education Blog. Outside work, she enjoys traveling, TV, and time with her husband, puppy, and three sons, all students at The Alexander Dawson School.

Strategist, Writer

Andrea Lehman is a freelance marketing strategist, writer, and editor for independent schools and colleges as well as for travel guides. Author of Fodor's Around Philadelphia with Kids, she previously was Editorial Director of the School Division (college and independent secondary school guides) for Peterson's Guides. She and her daughters are the proud products of terrific independent school educations.

Director of Marketing and Communications

Jen is a seasoned marketing and communications professional with over 25 years of experience, including 14 years in independent schools. Currently, she leads branding, storytelling, and strategic communication initiatives. Jen oversaw the refresh of Canterbury's brand messaging and the redesign of its website, helping to drive the enrollment of mission-aligned families. Her work has been recognized with two InspirED Brilliance Awards—for website redesign and homepage—and a Platinum MarCom Award from the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals. Her expertise spans crisis communication, social media strategy, and integrated marketing efforts that enhance the school's visibility and brand presence. She has also held leadership roles in alumni relations and advancement.

Director of Communications and Marketing

Deanna has worked in independent schools for nearly 20 years. She began her career in the development and communications and marketing offices at Girls Preparatory School where she worked for 12 years. She then served as the Director of Digital Communications and Photography at McCallie School. In that role, she was responsible for email communications, the school website and social media management. She has been a speaker at the Tennessee Association of Independent Schools (TAIS) conference and the Finalsite users' conference.

Director of Marketing & Communications

In 2021, Kara joined UTS as the Director of Communications. Kara has worked since 2011 in the independent school market and has over 15 years of experience in not-for-profits, focusing on education and international academic exchange. She is the President/Chair of the High Park Nature Centre and has served on a variety of boards enriching life in Toronto through culture and education since 2005. Kara holds a Certificate in Digital Media Studies from OCAD, as well as an MA in Japanese Studies from SOAS (UK) and a BAH in Communications from Queen's University (Canada). She has lived and studied in Canada, the US, England and Japan.

Communications Manager

Jessi McDonald is the communications manager at Crossroads School, a K-12 independent school in Los Angeles. She oversees newsletter communications, manages the school's social media accounts, and is an editor and writer for Cross Sections magazine. Her experience extends into the classroom where she has taught kindergarten, first grade and in Learning Resources. Jessi's background in marketing and communications began in the NHL, where she worked for the LA Kings and Anaheim Ducks, combining her passions for education and sports while managing the Ducks' award-winning Reading Is the Goal program. She holds a B.A. in media studies from U.C. Berkeley.

Principal

As the creative force behind Leapfrog Group, Nancy McDonald challenges both colleagues and clients to think differently. With passion and intuition for devising far-reaching, innovative, and cost-effective solutions for virtually any communications challenge, Nancy believes that every design should elevate the reader experience. She is an industry leader on the effective use of photography, typography, and printing techniques and is known for her solution-oriented approach. Nancy has taught graphic design at the undergraduate and graduate level at both Temple University's Tyler School of Art and the University of Pennsylvania's Stuart Weitzman School of Design.

Managing Director

Jesse is a co-founder and managing director for Schoolcraft Digital, a digital marketing agency that helps schools share their school story with the digital native parents of today through targeted, multi-channel marketing campaigns. Jesse also hosts the Open House podcast focusing on enrollment marketing challenges, solutions, and case studies from industry experts and peers and presents at both regional and national conferences for school marketing and enrollment professionals. Prior to Schoolcraft Jesse managed the residential life program, admissions department, and student life department through the years at an international boarding school in Florida.

Vice President for Enrollment Management

As Vice President for Enrollment Management, Nija leads the admissions, financial aid, strategic planning, marketing, and communications initiatives for Woodward Academy, a PK-12 independent school serving 2,700+ students. In 2022, Nija received the EMA Rising Star Award, honoring educators distinguishing their schools in the field of enrollment management. She is now on the board of trustees for EMA and additionally has been a presenter and a panelist for multiple conferences and webinars. Nija previously served in strategic marketing and consulting roles for Fortune 500 companies. She graduated summa cum laude with a BBA degree from Emory University and a master's degree from the Harvard School of Business.

Director of Marketing & International Relations

David Milner joined the prestigious Sedbergh School in November 2018 as International Marketing Manager where his main role involves marketing the Prep, Senior and Summer School. David's career started in the North East of England, marketing a local college, this followed by a short spell working at Newcastle University before moving into the independent sector as Marketing Manager of a day school. David has a wealth of experience working in co-educational, single sex and faith schools and is highly skilled in Marketing Management, Strategy, Branding, Advertising, Design and Business Development. David's current position takes him across the world.

Director of Advancement and Community Engagement

Dionne is the Director of Advancement and Community Engagement at Hunter Valley Grammar School in NSW, Australia. She has held executive and senior leadership marketing, communication and engagement positions in the education sector for the past 10 years. A seasoned marketer she has developed award-winning marcomm campaigns, delivered TedX style talks at Australasian conferences and had her photography and videography picked-up for state and national social media campaigns for a variety of brands. Dionne is passionate about the customer and on providing a customer experience that is memorable and meets and exceeds all expectations.

Owner/Creative Director

Joe Monzo launched Monzo Media Productions in 2016 with a passion for telling meaningful stories through video. While his early work focused on corporate clients, he shifted his focus in 2018 to independent schools. Having spent his entire K–12 education in independent schools (Woodlynde School and Delaware Valley Friends School), Joe will love your target audience as much as you do. He understands how to translate a school's mission and values into compelling, strategic stories that resonate with prospective families. Today, Joe partners with schools to create video content that goes beyond looking good—it drives engagement, supports admissions and advancement goals, and brings a school's community to life. Clients often say he's easy to work with, thoughtful in his approach, and strategic about ensuring each video connects with the right audience on a deeper level—with purpose and impact.

Director of Communications

Rachel Naggar is the Director of Communications at Kent Place School, an all-girls K-12 independent school in New Jersey. She brings more than 25 years of experience to her position, which she began in 2003. Before KPS, she ran the marketing department at the American Program Bureau, a global lecture and entertainment agency, and worked in alumnae relations at Brandeis University. Rachel has won numerous InspirED School Marketers Brilliant Awards, CASE Accolades, and Circle of Excellence Awards. She's an advisor emeritus for Blackbaud K–12's product advisory board and a member of the Dana Hall School Alumnae Council.

Director of Marketing and Communications

Jaime Nelson leads The Riviera Ridge School's Marketing & Communication Department, managing learning management systems, and overseeing the development of brand and marketing initiatives. With a BA in Organizational Communications, a minor in Human Resource Management, and a Master's degree in Education, Jaime began her career as a Marketing Specialist prior to her work in education. Jaime is a skilled writer, copy editor, webmaster and helps in the collaboration of technology infrastructure. As a member of the Administrative Team, she has worked side by side with the Advancement Department for the last 14 years as well as supporting important PR initiatives.

Founder and President

Dana Nelson-Isaacs brings more than 25 years of experience helping schools thrive by strengthening enrollment strategy, communications, and community engagement. Known for her thoughtful insight and candid, collaborative style, she works across all levels of leadership to solve complex challenges with clarity and heart.She launched her consulting practice in 2013 after holding key roles in enrollment and marketing, and today is a trusted expert in market research, enrollment feasibility, and strategic enrollment management. Dana has led professional networks, facilitated national workshops, and created The Assembly, her signature mastermind for school leaders. She also offers executive coaching to individuals and teams.Dana lives in Northern California with her husband, a physics teacher, and their high-school-aged daughter.

Founder/CEO

Proud to lead the Multi Award-Winning Global Digital Agency, CREATING THE BEST WEBSITES for the world's leading schools. Simon's purpose is #InspiringSchools to share their story, and leading Interactive Schools on a mission to unlock the magic of every school, one story at a time. Simon is invited to speak around the world on #ContentStrategy, School Marketing and Website UI/UX - and has written many playbooks on delivering MarComms success 100% of the time! A creative maverick, #FutureSchool thinker, and school MarComms Tech Innovator. Simon has pioneered the new game-changing SprX Technology: delivering Intentional Omni-Channel Personalization to schools across the globe.

Director of Marketing and Communications

Stephanie Orfanakis is the director of marketing and communications at Rowland Hall. She enjoys strategic communications and all things design related. Stephanie brings 20 years of experience in visual communications to her current role and continues to expand her knowledge of best practices in communications, marketing, and technologies.

Visual Media Director

Valerie Parker is the Visual Media Director at St. Luke's School, a 5th–12th grade independent school in Connecticut, where she's been sharing the school's mission since 2014. With a background in photography, video, writing, and branding, she brings a creative eye and strategic mindset to everything from social media to school-wide campaigns. Before shifting to education, Valerie was an award-winning producer at ABC News and CNBC, and ran her own media company creating custom video work for small businesses and individuals.

Principal

Shelly believes your brand is one of your organization's most powerful assets, and you must steward it accordingly. Years of experience in nonprofit education consulting and corporate management have led her to understand that success—with a marketing program or in an organization—requires that every community member believe in the same overarching purpose and feel inspired to contribute their unique talents toward the larger vision. Shelly holds a dual BA in psychology and educational studies from Emory University and studied learning and organizational change at Northwestern University.

President

Little Foxes Marketing specializes in tailored digital marketing solutions for independent schools and colleges. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in education, we craft strategic campaigns that enhance visibility, attract prospective families, and engage current stakeholders. Most recently, LFM is helping their clients appear in AI-related search engines like ChatGPT.

Advisor - Engagement & Marketing

An accomplished professional with extensive experience in educational institutions and government entities, known for building authentic relationships, strategic leadership, and innovative thinking. Strong communication skills combined with a proven ability to lead with integrity and achieve results. Experienced in project management, marketing management, systems management and aligning strategies with organisational goals.

Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications

Ashley Robinson is a strategic marketer with two master's degrees from SMU and a knack for making brands shine. An award-winning graphic designer by day and needlepoint enthusiast by night, she pairs data with design like wine with cheese. Ashley's obsessed with modern art, spontaneous trips to California, and loyal German Shepherds. If there's a clever tagline to be written or a gallery wall to admire, she's already there.

Brand Strategist

How far is it from Boone, NC, to Greensboro, NC? If you're Sarah Sams, it's a few thousand miles, covering 38 countries (and counting) with her husband and daughter. After earning her B.S. in Journalism from Appalachian State, Sarah invested her creative writing efforts in data-driven education marketing — working with schools in Japan, Uganda, Senegal, and Romania before landing back “home” in NC. Now, she helps independent and faith-based schools across the U.S. pursue goals that contribute to healthy enrollment. Tassel® has five areas of focus: AI solutions, digital marketing, school websites, Age-and-Stage® message workshops, and academic and athletic branding.

Director of Marketing and Communications

Kerry Shea leads a four-person Marketing and Communication Team at Greenhill School. Widely recognized for her expertise in marketing, she loves creating strategies and plans and then collaborating with her team to bring those visions to life. She regularly draws on her experience with companies like IBM and DuPont and her network of committed and talented peer school colleagues as she tackles the challenges of marketing independent schools. Kerry holds degrees from College of the Holy Cross and Yale University. More recently, she is proud that her team has earned multiple InspirED Brilliance Awards.

Director

Jessica Shepherd is a UK-based communications professional with experience across Multi-Academy Trusts, edtech companies, household brands, literacy charities, universities, thinktanks, membership bodies, and schools in both state and independent sectors. She spent nearly a decade at The Guardian as Education Correspondent and News Editor, before moving into senior communications roles at the Home Office, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and a national youth charity. As former Head of Communications (Education and Student Affairs) at UCL, Jessica brings outstanding media contacts, persuasive writing skills, and deep knowledge of the education, culture, and sustainability sectors.

Director of Marketing and Communications

Nishel is an award-winning sales and marketing professional specializing in the Independent and International School sector for more than a decade. Originally from the UK, she has experience at girls & co-ed schools, day & boarding, and across UK & IB curriculums in the UK, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. Nishel is leading the Parent Engagement and Professional Learning & Development initiatives at UNIS Hanoi, where she co-chairs the largest education conference in Vietnam. Experienced in a variety of sectors, Nishel started her career in investment banking, followed by publishing, then helped to launch the luxury brand, Moshino, in India.

Managing Director

In his professional life, Mike balances his time between consulting and serving as the Executive Director of the Association of Independent Michigan Schools. He is a Managing Director at Gowan Group, a full-service consultancy to independent schools based in Connecticut. Before becoming a consultant, Mike worked in independent day schools for 30 years, as a teacher, coach, dean of students, division director and for eleven years as head of school. Mike also maintains his own consulting brand, Knuckleball Consulting, and he publishes a monthly newsletter called Ahead in the Count. Mike's consulting work has focused on enrollment strategy, strategic planning, governance and leadership searches.

Dean of Admissions and Enrollment

Andrew Weller was Dean of Enrollment & Strategic Marketing for St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School, Director of Admissions for Avenues: The World School, Executive Director of Advancement at Ridley College (Canada) and Director of Admissions at Chestnut Hill Academy. Weller was a board member of the East Bay School for Boys, served on the inaugural Admissions Leadership Council, served four years on the planning committee of the TABS/NAIS Global Symposium, and now serves as the faculty chair for the Admission Directors Institute of the Enrollment Management Association. He has B.S. from Alfred University, M.S. from Marymount University, and an Ed.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.

Co-Founder and Strategic Director

Dr. David Willows is Co-founder and Strategic Director at [YELLOW CAR], a training and consulting firm designed to help schools stand out. Between 2005 and 2022, he was Director of Advancement at the International School of Brussels, Belgium. David is widely regarded as one of the most innovative practitioners in the field, helping to shape and define the future of Advancement in schools. He was recently listed as one of the world's Top 10 Global Education 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.

Head of Marketing & Admissions

Tom is Head of Marketing & Admissions at St. Mary's School, Hampstead. He is a Governor and Trustee of Palmers Green High School, and a Governor of Cranbrook School. He is also Deputy Chair of the Marketing Committee for the Proms @ St Jude's. Tom was a choral scholar at the University of Oxford and King's College London, where he studied music.