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: Director of Business and Finance
School: Paideia School, Atlanta, Georgia
Years at School: 23
Superpower: Capacity Builder. Susie Fiorello has been with Paideia School for nearly half of its 55-year history. In that time, she has helped the school grow from one building and 145 students to 16 buildings and 1,018 students — without carrying any debt. “This is due to the school's incredible financial planning and to the care, consistency and love that our CFO has shown,” said Head of School Tom Taylor.
She looks for ways to say yes, and manages to do this while also keeping a very healthy surplus each year.
Fiorello’s leadership was instrumental in:
- Delivering major capital projects: Successfully completing a $25 million building project on time and on budget — without incurring debt — while expanding the school’s footprint by 25%.
- Driving disciplined campaign management: Effectively stewarding resources during the school’s ongoing $7 million campaign for an athletic facility renovation, ensuring the institution remained appropriately frugal and financially responsible.
Yes Woman: “She looks for ways to say yes, and manages to do this while also keeping a very healthy surplus each year,” said Taylor.
Talent Lead: Fiorello “makes hires with folks who have been perfect fits for both their role and the school. She is a good, kind and effective leader.”
Other Duties as Assigned: Fiorello is known to “jump into any job that needs to be done. Just the other day, she had to reschedule a meeting with me in order to fill in for a lunch server who couldn't be there,” said Taylor.
