The Will J. Hancock Unsung Hero Award is given to business officers who have made extraordinary contributions to their schools and exemplify exceptional integrity, knowledge and motivation. At the end of each school year, new Unsung Heroes receive their award from their head of school, often at a significant school occasion such as a board meeting or an all-school ceremony. What makes these Unsung Heroes so special? The highlights below come straight from their colleagues' nominations.
Stay tuned throughout the summer for additional profiles. See the full list of 2026 recipients.
Title: Associate Head of School for Finance and Operations, Duty Administrator
School: St. Stephen's Episcopal School, Austin, TX
Years at School: 8
Cindy is accessible, open, firm and fair. She looks for partners and uses that language intentionally.
Superpower: Consensus Builder: During the annual budgeting cycle, Stadulis asks each budget manager to meet with her and the controller for a detailed, line-by-line review of projected needs for the upcoming fiscal year. These conversations deepen her understanding while helping managers grasp the complexity of building a $40 million budget with competing priorities. “Cindy is accessible, open, firm and fair. She looks for partners and uses that language intentionally,” said her nominator, Advancement Director April Speck-Ewer.
Facilities Strategist: Stadulis has played a key role in helping the campus and finance committees of the board of trustees to adopt a “longer-term, more holistic approach to campus planning and deferred maintenance.” Under her leadership, the school has completed a comprehensive facilities audit, strengthened its PPRRSM account and reserves, and implemented clearer systems to support cross-departmental collaboration.
Aiding Better Financial Aid: Stadulis has played a key role in strengthening financial aid for high-need students, including piloting a weekly allowance program delivered through discreet debit cards. She collaborates closely with campus leaders to understand student needs and proactively identify solutions and funding sources.
Community Connector: Stadulis has served as a mentor for countless professionals, volunteering her time at NBOA, NAIS, ABOIS, CASE and local organizations. She established a monthly idea exchange of local business officers and is generous to share resources and answer questions from colleagues on NBOA Connect. She was recognized as the NBOA Ken White Distinguished Business Officer in 2008.
Each summer, she creates detailed flashcards — complete with photos and phonetic pronunciations — to learn every new residential student’s name in advance, ensuring each student feels recognized and welcomed from the very start.
Other Duties as Assigned: In her role as duty administrator, Stadulis supports the residential program by serving meals, responding to power outages and assisting with campus trail clearing after a storm. Each summer, she creates detailed flashcards — complete with photos and phonetic pronunciations — to learn every new residential student’s name in advance, ensuring each student feels recognized and welcomed from the very start. She likewise creates a strong sense of community through inclusive gatherings for faculty and staff, including an annual Kentucky Derby Day celebration.
