David Willows

Dr. David Willows is Co-founder and Strategic Director at [YELLOW CAR], a training and consulting firm designed to help schools stand out. Between 2005 and 2022, he was Director of Advancement at the International School of Brussels, Belgium. David is widely regarded as one of the most innovative practitioners in the field, helping to shape and define the future of Advancement in schools. He was recently listed as one of the world's Top 10 Global Education Influencers. An author and regular keynote speaker & trainer at international events around the world, David is passionate about helping schools advance in ways that are relevant for today’s educational landscape.

This is David’s sixth year as a Brilliance Awards judge.

David Quoted

“If someone asks you to be a judge, you first feel honored. And then, I have to confess that there was something about it which I was intellectually and professionally curious, maybe you could say nosy.”

“These categories allow us to have a real interesting perspective on some of the best work that schools are doing around the world, and some of that is coming from an international context, and some from North America.”

“When I was working at the International School of Brussels, whenever the [Brilliance Awards] winners were published, I used to say, now it's time to go and look at all of these winners because these winners are teaching us something about the future of our industry.”

“One of the things that I used to say to my team was, ‘If we have not done something this year that is worth entering, then we need to ask ourselves, why?’”

“...Sometimes our work isn't understood by people around us....we're not always encouraged in the way that we'd hoped to be. If a peer can recognize our work, the impact on the morale of the team is huge. It’s literally whoops of joy. It also inspires us to go even further the following year.”

Enter the Brilliance Awards

Be sure to listen to our previous podcast with David Willows as well as with David and Suzette Parlevliet.

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Rob Norman

Best Boy, InspirED School Marketers

Rob has 25 years of independent school marketing experience as principal of Turnaround Marketing Communications, a branding and marketing firm specializing in independent schools. Rob shares his experience on InspirED School Marketers by blogging, editing the Daily Jolt, and by podcasting with fascinating independent school movers and shakers. As InspirED's Best Boy — a term borrowed from theater, Rob's longtime passion — Rob loves to be out and about, meeting with school marketers, learning their needs, and helping them overcome challenges. Be sure to ask Rob about his golf game.

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More Podcasts To Make Your Job Easier

Podcasts 2

Short Boost Episode: David Willows, Brilliance Awards Judge

With Dr. David Willows, Co-founder and Strategic Director at [YELLOW CAR], and an InspirED Brilliance Awards judge for six years.

Digital Privacy: Protecting Your Students, Families, and School

With Colin Anson is the CEO and co-founder, Pixevety

WHY.os: Increased Communication, Connection, and Unification

With H. Watson Jordan Ed.D., Chief Resilience Officer, The Resilience Initiative

Marketing Lessons from the Niche Parent Survey

With Angela Brown, Manager, B2B Brand Strategy, Niche

The Neuroscience of Storytelling for Private Schools

with Dr. Carrie Grimes, Director of the M.Ed. in Independent School Leadership at Vanderbilt University's Peabody College of Education and Human Development.

Searching for a New Head of School? Hit "Strategic Pause" First

with Mike Connor and Thom Greenlaw, Connor Associates

How To Successfully Work With A Consultant For Your Private School [Podcast]

with Chris Pryor, President & Founder, The Gowan Group and Chris Pryor, Founder & Principal, Lead Team Partners

Private School Surveys Beyond the Net Promoter Score [Podcast]

with David Willows and Suzette Parlevliet, co-founders, [YELLOW CAR]

How to Find and Support Private School Leaders [Podcast]

with Rebecca Malotke-Meslin, founder of Pleasantly Aggressive Coaching & Consulting

The Power of Personas In Reaching Marketing Goals [Podcast]

with Deborah Janz, CEO & Consultant, IMPACT Marketing International, Inc.

How to Advocate for Yourself as a Director of MarCom at a Private School [Podcast]

with Penny Abrahams, Senior Consultant, Independent School Management

Strengthening MarCom in Small Private Schools [Podcast]

with Aubrey Bursch, founder and CEO of Easy School Marketing.

Students As Communications Apprentices [Podcast]

with Lauren Campbell, Publications Manager at Cretin-Derham Hall, a Catholic high school in St. Paul, Minnesota.

How to Be a Leader in an Independent School [Podcast]

with Dr. Carrie Grimes
Assistant Professor of the Practice, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations
Director, Vanderbilt University, Peabody College, Independent School Leadership Program (M.Ed.)