A Long View on Leadership

It’s widely understood that the future of independent schools hinges on not only world-class education, but also our institutions’ long-term financial health and sustainability. Therefore, it’s top of mind for us at NBOA to develop current and future leaders in strategic finance and operations.

As you in schools have been opening your doors for a new school year, we at NBOA have launched a second year of the NBOA Leadership Academy. This program is like no other professional development program offered by NBOA. The opportunity is specifically designed to enhance independent school business professionals’ skills in the critical leadership areas of collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking, to complement the technical knowledge and expertise business officers have in finance and operations.

The opening learning session held last week highlighted findings from recent interviews I conducted with successful business officers. Four themes emerged from these conversations: the business leader’s role as strategic thinker, as educator, as trusted partner and as entrepreneur. In our learning session, program mentors provided several real-life examples of each as experienced in their schools and careers.

Twenty of your peers have committed to join our most recent cohort to enhance their understanding of the complex roles and responsibilities of independent school leadership. The cohort represents sitting chief financial officers as well as a diverse set of other school business leadership positions, from schools large and small, boarding and day, from far and wide.

Welcome, Leadership Academy Class of 2021-22:

• Pam Andrews, Chief Financial and Operating Officer, St. Paul's Episcopal School (AL)
• Shawn Arrington, Chief Information Officer, Baylor School (TN)
• Melody Batson, Controller and Director of Finance, Mercersburg Academy (PA)
• Vanessa Calderon, General Accounting and Internal Control Manager, La Jolla Country Day School (CA)
• Taryn Clatanoff, Vice President of Finance, Skutt Catholic High School (NE)
• Stefanie Corlew, Director of Finance and Operations, St. Paul's School (FL)
• Pete Cotier, Associate Head of School for Operations, Canterbury School (CT)
• Gerry Delgado, Chief Operating Officer, Parker School (HI)
• Susan Downing, Director of Finance, North Shore Country Day School (IL)
• Hazel Estrella, Director of Finance and Operations, Soundview School (WA)
• Megan Jurick, Director of Finance, Savannah Christian Preparatory School (GA)
• Sherry Krebsbach, Executive Director of Finance and Facilities, Saint John's Preparatory School (MN)
• Deborah Lennon, Director of Business Services, The Williston Northampton School (MA)
• Greg Miles, Chief Financial Officer, Waterford School (UT)
• Matthew Piechota, Chief Financial Officer, Cheshire Academy (CT)
• Jane Segale, Chief Financial Officer, Walnut Hill School for the Arts (MA)
• Angie Thompson, Director of Finance and Accounting, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy (VA)
• Patricia Walcutt, Controller, Saint Ignatius High School (OH)
• Melissa Woodin, Controller, The Hotchkiss School (CT)
• Marsha Yuan, Director of Finance, Dalton School (NY)

This program is made possible in large part by our partners in Vanderbilt University’s independent school leadership program at Peabody College, our friends at Bank of America, and four nationally recognized business officers who are serving as program mentors. This year’s program mentors are:

• Frank Aloise, Chief Financial Officer, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (PA)
  2017 Recipient of the NBOA Ken White Distinguished Business Officer Award and Past NBOA Board Chair, 2013-2015
• Palmer Ball, Assistant to the Head for Finance and Strategic Planning, St. Joseph’s Catholic School (SC)
  2015 Recipient of the NBOA Ken White Distinguished Business Officer Award
• Tracey Fudge, Chief Financial Officer, Holton-Arms School (MD)
  Past NBOA Board Chair, 2017-2019
• Cindy Stadulis, Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer, St. Stephen’s Episcopal School (TX)
  2008 Recipient of the NBOA Ken White Distinguished Business Officer Award

As we have weathered multiple crises over the past year and half, the call for leadership has been answered by business officers time and time again. Leadership is needed by our schools beyond times of crisis, however – we need strong leaders to plan for years ahead. And NBOA remains committed to supporting business officers to help them lead their schools into an innovative and financially healthy future!

Follow  President and CEO Jeff Shields @shieldsNBOA.

From Net Assets NOW, September 14, 2021. Read past issues of CEO Notebook.

 

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