Director of Marketing and Communications
Providence Country Day School/Henry Barnard School
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.
Chief Communications Officer
The Browning School
Jan Abernathy is the Chief Communications Officer at The Browning School and a member of the CASE Commission on Marketing and Communications and on the faculty of the CASE Academy. She was previously the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Elisabeth Morrow School and is the president of the New York City Independent Schools Communications Professionals group as well as a co-founder of the Black Advancement Network. She is also a trustee of Grace Church School and Tessa International School. A graduate of Northwestern University with a B.S. in journalism, she is a frequent contributor to NAIS' Independent Schools Magazine.
Senior Consultant and Advancement Department Head
Independent School Management
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
Turning Point School
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.
Photographer
Michael Branscom Photo + Film
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.
Manager, Content Marketing & Brand Strategy
Niche
As the Manager, Content Marketing & Brand Strategy at Niche, Angela oversees a newly-formed cross-functional content marketing team that is responsible for developing Niche's student, school and parent-facing content strategy to drive brand awareness and business goals. She is a retired marcom director, avid reader, boy mom, and Goldendoodle-wrangler.
Head of Communications and Marketing
Nanjing International School
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.
Founder & CEO
Easy School Marketing
Aubrey Bursch, CEO of Easy School Marketing, is passionate about supporting small and independent schools to increase enrollments, retention, and revenue. As the daughter of lifelong educators and the mom of two independent school students, she combines her love for schools with her 20+ years of marketing and development experience to help schools identify and implement high ROI initiatives. Aubrey co-hosts the Mindful School Marketing podcast, leads free Small School Leaders monthly meet-ups, facilitates the Small School Solutions professional development program, hosts the Small School Leaders Virtual Conference, and speaks nationwide.
Principal and Founder
Fine Point Communications
Scott Butterworth leads Fine Point Communications, a consultancy that 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 in D.C. 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
Edmund Burke School
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
Benchmark School
Alyce Callison is the Director of Marketing and Communications at Benchmark School in Media, Pennsylvania, serving students with learning differences such as dyslexia and ADD/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
Design TLC
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
International Community School of Addis Ababa
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
Dana Hall School
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.
President
Connor Associates
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.
School Storyteller
Cursive Content
Emily Cretella is a strategic storyteller, content marketer, and school marketer’s best business friend. The owner of Cursive Content, Emily helps school marketers tell powerful stories that attract dream families, increase inquiries and enrollment, strengthen communities, and grow school influence. 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 independent and private schools, colleges, and universities. 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
The Industry School
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
DiGiovine Design
Adrienne is an independent designer who specializes in design strategy and visual identity. She is, and enjoys being, a design partner, educator, and problem-solver. Her clients are independent schools, nonprofit organizations, and small businesses. By working with a network of professional partners, she is able to offer broad expertise on projects large and small. With a BFA from Pratt Institute, Adrienne has produced award-winning materials for independent schools, including viewbooks and logos.
Sr. Director of Growth Marketing
Finalsite
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 Drobis Photography
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.
Founder + Chief Strategist
Thrive Hive
Utilizing over two decades of expertise in digital strategy, content creation, and social media, 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
CEH Design
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
The Park School
Flo is the Director of Stewardship and Digital Media Specialist at The Park School, a PreK-8 school located just outside Boston. She has 25+ years of experience working in independent schools and enjoys building and nurturing relationships for the School. Flo has a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Salem State University and is excited to return as a judge in the Brilliance Awards for the seventh time!
Vice President for Communications and Marketing
Xavier High School
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 & Enrollment Management
Sheboygan Christian School
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 Consulting
Jill Goodman is a consultant for independent and private schools with over 25 years of experience working with organizational leaders. She specializes in helping schools forward their mission through advancement-related research, strategic visioning, leadership mentoring, and development capacity-building and campaign planning. Jill is well known for her presentations on educational advancement, leadership, and constituency relations, that have been well received by audiences across the country. She is a frequent podcast guest, blogger, and author.
Chief Marketing Officer
Alice Smith International School
Andrea has worked in the education sector for over 15 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. Andrea holds an MBA and is a part time doctoral student at 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
Founder
RHLConsulting
Rachel is an experienced marketing and development professional with thirty years’ experience in industry and education. She offers a wealth of marketing and development expertise gained through a variety of senior roles and experience at Board Director level. Rachel has written articles for educational media and is a regular conference speaker. She is a judge for the prestigious Times Educational Independent School Awards and was former Co-Chair of Admissions, Marketing and Communications in Independent Schools (AMCIS). She is a a schools' marketing, admissions and development consultant, a school governor and mentor.
Creative Director
Creosote Affects
"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.
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Senior Director of Communications and Strategic Institutional Marketing
The Bryn Mawr School
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.