Net Assets Leadership Articles

Leadership

CEO Notebook  

  • Crisis Management
  • | Legal

Immigration Enforcement: What Independent Schools STILL Need to Know

Growing concerns about immigration enforcement underscore the need for clear protocols, informed staff and steady leadership in independent schools.
5 min read
Abstract digital wave with glowing blue and purple lines

Feature  

  • Gift
  • | Legal
  • | Technology

Byte-Size AI: Legal Insights and Development Wins This item is protected.

Hopkins School has tapped generative AI to do initial legal research and queries, and also used it to meet donor interests efficiently and with real depth, among other uses.
5 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Compensation Strategies
  • | Leadership
  • | Planning

Congratulations to the 2026 NBOA Award Recipients!

This year’s recipients have elevated school financial strategy, advanced groundbreaking compensation research and pioneered AI frameworks for school business operations.
7 min read
Illustration of engineers installing giant letters AI

Feature  

  • Culture
  • | Technology

Byte-Size AI: Building Your Own GPT This item is protected.

Sarah Hanawald, executive director of Association for Academic Leaders, shares how school leaders across the U.S. have been building their own bots.
4 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Legal
  • | Membership

Collaborating To Make SGO Policies Work For Your School

NBOA has joined other associations in advocating for clarity in new federal SGO policy that will optimize impact for independent schools.
4 min read
Wooden judge gavel and flipping numbers 2025 and 2026 on cubes
  • Human Resources
  • | Legal
  • | Tax

2026 Updates To Mileage Rates, Contribution Limits and Charitable Giving This item is protected.

Annual adjustments from the IRS and Treasury as well as changes in labor law will impact operational costs at independent schools.
3 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Culture
  • | Leadership
  • | Planning

Leading with Purpose: Five Reflections from CEO Notebook in 2025

Authentic leadership, data-informed planning and easier ways to manage risk were among the top themes for the year.
4 min read
best of 2025
  • Leadership
  • | Membership

Best of Net Assets Magazine 2025

From salary transparency to AI governance, these 13 standout Net Assets articles cover the most pressing issues for independent school business offices.
4 min read
Stock image of a microphone on a flat surface

CEO Notebook  

  • Leadership
  • | Membership

11 Podcasts I Enjoyed Hosting in 2025 – and Some of Their Best Takeaways

Before we turn the page to 2026, let’s revisit top leadership lessons from the Net Assets Podcast this year.
7 min read
Headshot of Tucker Bryant

Feature  

  • Change Management
  • | Leadership
  • | Technology

The Words to Say It: Interview with 2026 NBOA Annual Meeting Speaker Tucker Bryant

Poet and corporate innovator Tucker Bryant helps business leaders generate new ideas and bring them into action.
8 min read
Silhouettes portraits of women and men in a vibrant watercolor design

Voices from the Field  

  • Culture
  • | Diversity and Inclusion
  • | Leadership

What’s Next for Diversity and Inclusion in Independent Schools? This item is protected.

Two school leaders share insights on how DEI work has shifted in the past year and how anchoring in mission can help schools navigate the moment.
8 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Culture
  • | Leadership

Wickedly Insightful Leadership Lessons

The big screen musical offers three key takeaways for independent school business leaders.
4 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Leadership
  • | Membership
  • | Research

Fueling Financial Strategy with Data

Make sure your numbers are working as hard as you are.
5 min read
AI concept illustration blue background

Projections  

  • Governance
  • | Technology

The Board’s Role in Governing AI Use

Your school’s board of trustees may need some guidance in discussing AI use at the appropriate level.
7 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Boards and Trustees
  • | Governance
  • | Leadership

Trust Leads to Better Board Governance

Strong working relationships are more than a social nicety in the board room – they are a strategic asset.
5 min read
Mercy Ship volunteers pose on deck, wearing black uniforms and colorful head coverings, while behind them is a large blue ship structure with the words "Mercy Ships."

Other Duties As Assigned  

  • Leadership

In Ship Shape: Volunteering on Sabbatical

This business officer spent her sabbatical preparing meals aboard a Mercy ship that provided healthcare to those in need.
7 min read

CEO Notebook  

  • Change Management
  • | Communication
  • | Leadership

The Surprising Strengths of a Vulnerable Leader

It may seem counterintuitive, but vulnerability can be a great strength for independent school business leaders.
4 min read
Three bright arrows pointing down a dark blue background.

Voices from the Field  

  • Key Enrollment
  • | Leadership
  • | Tuition

Data, Design and the Future of Enrollment

The merger of EMA and ERB will provide school business leaders with more data and a more integrated experience.
7 min read
Silhouette of a head with a cut-out question mark filled with colorful puzzle pieces.

Risk & Compliance  

  • Governance
  • | Leadership
  • | Risk Management

How To Handle an Unexpected Head Turnover This item is protected.

What you need to know from a legal standpoint when managing an unplanned head of school transition.
6 min read
Photo of Michael Toohey
  • Leadership
  • | Membership

Unsung Hero: Michael Toohey, George School

Toohey led George School through a critical financial turnaround, fostering long-term stability and building a collaborative, empowered team along the way.
4 min read