The Enrollment Spectrum Podcast

In this episode, I am joined by my special co-host for this mini-series, Ari Betof, Co-Founder and Partner of Mission & Data, along with Randie Benedict, Associate Head of School for Enrollment Management at St. Anne's-Belfield School, and Lisa Ha, Chief Communications Officer at St. Anne's-Belfield School. Together, we explore how independent schools can move from insight to action by using data from E3n's (EMA+ERB) perceived value and affordability data to refine the admission experience and strengthen mission-aligned enrollment strategy. Drawing on real-world practices at St. Anne's-Belfield School, this conversation examines how enrollment, marketing, and academic leadership teams can work together to create intentional, authentic experiences for prospective families across all divisions. Listeners will hear how data from surveys, focus groups, student outcomes, and industry research can help schools identify the stories they most need families to hear, what Randie Benedict refers to as St. Anne's-Belfield School's "must-air facts," and how those messages can evolve. The episode also explores how schools can balance what families say they value with what their behaviors actually reveal, how student ambassadors and parent conversations generate meaningful enrollment insights, and why building strong internal collaboration between enrollment and marketing teams is essential for long-term success. From understanding family motivations to refining tours, viewbooks, and messaging strategies, this episode offers practical examples of how schools can use actionable data to create more connected, compelling, and mission-centered admission experiences.

Join us for a special live Enrollment Spectrum Podcast recording as we sit down with Raj Raghunathan, PhD, to explore connections between his research and EMA's newest special report, An Independent School Education: Family Perceptions of Value and Affordability. Dr. Raghunathan, H.E. Hartfelder/The Southland Corporation Regents Chair of Marketing at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin, is an internationally recognized researcher, writer, and speaker. His work examines how judgments and decisions shape happiness, fulfillment, and perceptions of value. Dr. Raghunathan's insights—featured in The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, The Atlantic, and a TED Talk that reached millions worldwide—position him uniquely to shed light on today's independent school marketplace. The session will explore how behavioral science shapes the ways families perceive tuition, investment, and the long-term value of an independent school education. This live conversation offers a front-row seat at the intersection of theory and practice—blending research, storytelling, and actionable insights to strengthen enrollment management strategy. Dr. Raghunathan's work has appeared in top journals, including The Journal of Marketing, The Journal of Consumer Research, The Journal of Marketing Research, and The Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. His work has been cited in The Atlantic, The New York Times, Fortune, Forbes, and Harvard Business Review. Dr. Raghunathan's Psychology Today blog, Sapient Nature, has over 2.5 million page views. His online course on Employee Happiness was rated a Top MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) of 2019 and currently has over 10,000 students. Dr. Raghunathan's book, If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Happy?, has been translated into 13 languages and has been featured in the Atlantic, Time, Guardian, <a class="editor-rtfLink" href= "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/love-

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Manoj Thomas, Cornell University's Sabanci Professor of Management and Marketing and Associate Dean of New York City Initiatives. A leading behavioral scientist, Manoj explores how unconscious mental processes shape consumer decisions, from pricing psychology to the subtle cues that influence how we perceive value. We discuss his research on behavioral economics and pricing strategy, and connect these insights to independent school strategic enrollment management. Drawing on his expertise as both a scholar and engaging educator, Manoj offers a fascinating perspective on the psychology of decision-making and what it means for independent schools navigating questions of affordability, value, and perception. EMA members can access the full report, An Independent School Education: Family Perceptions of Value and Affordability, and dig deeper into the results on the accompanying data dashboard by logging into EMA's Community: community.enrollment.org.

​In this episode, we sit down with Mark Mitchell, Vice President of Access and Affordability at the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), and Amada Torres, Vice President for Studies, Insights, and Research at NAIS. Together, Amada and Mark bring deep expertise on various factors influencing independent schools today, and they are both authors of How Parents Pay School Costs: 2023 NAIS Financial Aid Parent Survey. This episode is part of a mini-series inspired by EMA's latest research report, An Independent School Education: Family Perceptions of Value and Affordability. Guest co-host Ari Betof, Co-Founder and Partner at Mission & Data, will join me throughout this mini-series. While the survey populations and methodologies differ, together, the EMA and NAIS reports offer a more comprehensive view than either does alone.

EMA's 2025 report, An Independent School Education: Family Perceptions of Value and Affordability, offers a large-scale analysis of how families across the socioeconomic spectrum perceive the value and affordability of independent school education. The report provides critical insights into the complex factors shaping families' decisions to enroll their children in independent schools. This report was a collaboration between EMA and Mission & Data, EMA's strategic data partner. Join us as we explore some of the highlights from EMA's latest report with Ari Betof, Co-founder and Partner of Mission & Data, and Sarah Enterline Roch, Institutional Research Consultant at Mission & Data and Director of Institutional Research at St. Mark's School (MA). EMA members can access the full report, An Independent School Education: Family Perceptions of Value and Affordability, and dig deeper into the results on the accompanying data dashboard by logging into EMA's Community: community.enrollment.org.

​In this episode, we sit down with Carolyn Gorowski, Dean of Admission at Lake Forest Academy (IL); Laurel Baker Tew, Assistant Head of School for Enrollment at Viewpoint School (CA); and Victoria Muradi, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Durham Academy (NC). Together, they share practical, actionable strategies for leveraging insights from EMA's special reports to drive strategic decision-making in independent schools. This episode is part of a mini-series inspired by EMA's latest research report, An Independent School Education: Family Perceptions of Value and Affordability. Guest co-host Ari Betof, Co-Founder and Partner at Mission & Data, will join me throughout this mini-series. Stay tuned for more episodes in this mini-series coming this spring and summer!

Brendan Schneider, Founder and CEO of SchneiderB Media, helps independent and private schools boost enrollment through digital marketing. He is the creator of the MarCom Society, SchoolMarketingCRM, and the author of School Marketing the Right Way. Brendan is also the opening keynote speaker for EMA's virtual Marketing Symposium, which will take place on April 8, 2025, and EMA's EMLC Spring Seminar in Dubai on May 1, 2025.  Join me for a conversation with Brendan as he shares insights and actionable strategies from his new book on the latest marketing techniques schools can use to stand out in a competitive landscape. Resources: EMA's Marketing Symposium: Register Here EMA's Enrollment Management Leadership Council (EMLC) Spring Seminar: Register Here School Marketing the Right Way

In December 2024, United Educators (UE) released their latest Top Risks Report for independent and charter K-12 schools. This survey shows the self-reported most pressing risks across the UE independent and charter K-12 membership and highlights changes they see when comparing the results to previous reports from 2020 to 2024. Join me for an insightful conversation with Hoda Hussein, Senior Risk Management Consultant at UE. We'll explore emerging trends, dive into the importance of scenario planning, and share practical tips on leveraging the data from this report. Link to United Educators website: www.ue.org Link to United Educators Report: Top Risks Report: Insights for Independent Schools  About United Educators (UE): United Educators is a member-owned captive insurance company that focuses solely on education. With a large and diverse membership ranging from large university systems to small, independent K-12 schools, UE is committed to providing the coverage and tools needed to allow our members to confidently operate their campus while managing education-specific risks. Since 1987, we've strived to provide peace of mind so members can focus on what's important – delivering a high-quality academic experience.

With nearly five decades of experience in independent schools, Jeff Escabar has a collection of amusing and insightful stories to share. In his book Laugh Your Apps Off, he shares a delightful collection of anecdotes from the world of independent schools. Join me for a conversation with Jeff that's sure to make you smile—and maybe even share a few laughs.  Resources: Laugh Your Apps Off

Independent school leaders are forging innovative partnerships to expand opportunities for their students and communities. In March 2024, Wayland Academy (WI) and Ripon College unveiled a groundbreaking pilot program guaranteeing admission and financial aid to Wayland's international students who meet specific academic requirements. Join us as we discuss this transformative initiative with Jason Warnick, Head of School at Wayland Academy in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin.

Join us for a special live episode of the Enrollment Spectrum Podcast, recorded at EMA's Annual Conference (AC24). This session features a dynamic lineup of EMA's podcast hosts and a special appearance by Heather Hoerle, EMA's Executive Director and CEO. Together, we explore the past decade's evolution in strategic enrollment management and share insights into its future. With audience questions and perspectives woven throughout, this engaging discussion captures the voices and vision of those shaping the field.

In this episode, we will hear from Keith Chicquen, Founding Headmaster of TASIS Portugal, and Aimee Gruber, Assistant Head of Enrollment Management and Marketing. Keith and Aimee share their incredible journey of moving from Canada to Portugal in 2019 to establish the fourth TASIS school. Join us as we dive into their backgrounds in education and leadership, the challenges they faced during the pandemic, and their insights on building a school from the ground up. It's a conversation full of inspiration and valuable lessons in resilience and innovation.

In Part II of our conversation, we will hear from Keith Chicquen, Founding Headmaster of TASIS Portugal, and Aimee Gruber, Assistant Head of Enrollment Management and Marketing. Keith and Aimee share their incredible journey of moving from Canada to Portugal in 2019 to establish the fourth TASIS school. Join us as we dive into their backgrounds in education and leadership, the challenges they faced during the pandemic, and their insights on building a school from the ground up. It's a conversation full of inspiration and valuable lessons in resilience and innovation.

The Enrollment Management Association (EMA) is excited to welcome Anne-Marie Kee, Fran Ryan, and Suzanne Walker Buck as the new co-hosts of EMA's Head of School Podcast. This season will continue to focus on topics related to strategic enrollment management, providing valuable insights and discussions tailored specifically for school heads.  Tune in to hear from our dynamic new co-hosts as they share their perspectives on key topics and give a preview of what's to come this season!

The 2023-2024 edition of The Ride to Independent Schools Report (The Ride) is The Enrollment Management Association's (EMA) fourth edition of this flagship report. It offers valuable insights into the behaviors and opinions of families applying to independent schools. Previous studies were conducted in 2014, 2017, and 2020. This edition of The Ride was a collaboration between EMA and Mission & Data, EMA's strategic data partner.  Join us as we explore some of the highlights from The Ride with Ari Betof, Co-founder and Partner of Mission & Data, and Sarah Enterline Roch, Institutional Research Consultant at Mission & Data and Director of Institutional Research at St. Mark's School (MA). Click here to access The Ride to Independent Schools Report and visit the interactive dashboard to analyze the data.

The partnership between the head of the school and the senior enrollment leader is critical to the sustainability of independent schools. Join me as we explore the dynamic collaboration between Perry Martin, President of La Salle College Preparatory in Pasadena, CA, and Keenan Kurihara, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Chief Communications Officer at La Salle College Preparatory. During Perry and Keenan's tenure at La Salle, student enrollment grew by over 10 percent, and the school increased its net tuition revenue by over 15 percent. Join us for an insightful exploration of how their strategic approach to enrollment management and communication has fortified La Salle College Preparatory against the challenges confronting independent schools nationwide.

Institutional research is closely linked to a school's strategic enrollment management efforts, making this discussion about the Center for Institutional Research in Independent Schools (CIRIS) 2023 Institutional Research State of the Industry Report especially pertinent for independent school leaders. Join us as we explore the key insights and takeaways from this essential resource with Eric Heilman, Director of Institutional Research at Maret School (DC) and Executive Director of The Center for Institutional Research in Independent Schools (CIRIS) at Maret, and Victoria Muradi, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Durham Academy (NC) and EMA Board of Trustees Governance Chair.  CLICK HERE to access the 2023 Institutional Research State of the Industry Report.

If you are new to the admission profession, join me for a lively conversation with five of EMA's Admission Training Institute (ATI) faculty members: David Baker, Director of Admission & Financial Aid, St. Mark's School of Texas (Dallas, TX) and Chair of AIT, Dr. Jasmine Harris, Head of School, TMI Episcopal (San Antonio, TX), Molly Dorais, Director of Admission & Financial Aid, Colorado Rocky Mountain School (Carbondale, CO), Steve Brown, CEO & Founder, Steve Brown Academy (Atlanta, GA), and Anne Behnke, Director of Admission and Enrollment Management, St. Mark's School (Southborough, MA). Gain insights and learn from their collective years of experience in enrollment, admission, and independent school leadership!  For more information about the Admission Training Institute, EMA's premier training program for those new to admission, select the following link: https://www.enrollment.org/professional-development/seminars/ati.

Welcome to a special episode of the Enrollment Spectrum Podcast, where we broadcast live from EMA's 2023 Annual Conference in Las Vegas. In this unique episode, we have gathered all your favorite EMA podcast hosts under one roof. This includes Rebecca Malotke-Mmeslin and Lynne Macziewski from 'Confidently You,' John Gentile and Rohan Arjun from 'Different Perspectives,' and Ari Betof and Christian Donovan from 'Impossible Questions.' Join us as we share memorable moments from our last podcast season, dive into the latest trends shaping independent schools, and provide a sneak peek into exciting episodes awaiting you in the upcoming season.

Join us for a conversation with Andrew Weller and Brad Brown. Andrew is the Dean of Enrollment and Strategic Marketing at St. Stephens & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia. Andrew has served in several leadership roles and was a member of EMA's inaugural Admission Leadership Council (ALC). Brad is the Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management at Trinity School in Atlanta, Georgia. Brad also served as the Chair of the Atlanta Area Association of Independent School (AAAIS) Admission Directors Group. Not only are Brad and Andrew strategic enrollment leaders, but they are also two faculty members and advisors for EMA's Admission Directors Institute (ADI). ADI is an intensive two-day program offered in person as part of EMA's Annual Conference every September as part of the pre-conference programming. In this episode, Andrew and Brad offer advice and resources for all new admission and enrollment directors to consider as they enter their new leadership roles.

Please join us for a conversation with Quentin McDowell, Head of School at Mercersburg Academy (PA), Barbara Eghan, Founding Executive Director of Civic Lab at the Georgetown Day School (DC), Jill Thompson, Director of Admission at Phillips Academy (MA), and Christian Donovan, Head of School at Friends School of Baltimore (MD). Quentin, Barbara, Jill, and Christian are the founders of the Enrollment Management Association's Future Leaders Institute, which focuses on the individual goals of enrollment professionals who wish to build their career, enhance their leadership skills, and grow their professional network.

Join us for a special crossover episode of the Enrollment Spectrum Podcast and EMA's Impossible Questions Podcast. Guest co-host Ari Betof joins me today. Ari is the Co-Founder and Partner of Mission & Data and the host of EMA's Impossible Questions Podcast. In this episode, we welcome Christian Donovan, Head of School at Friends School of Baltimore, as the new co-host of EMA's Impossible Questions Podcast. We will share some highlights and lessons learned from the Impossible Questions first season. Stick around to the end of the podcast to hear the exciting things Ari and Christian have lined up for season two.

Please join us in welcoming Ari Betof and Sarah Enterline to the show! Ari is the co-founder and partner at Mission & Data where Sarah is an ​​Institutional Research Consultant and Director of Institutional Research at St. Mark's School in Southborough, MA. Mission & Data is a firm dedicated to the effectiveness, health, and vitality of educational institutions and other organizations that make the world a better place, through strategy consulting, custom data products, audits, and leadership coaching. Ari is also the co-host of EMA's Impossible Questions Podcast. Ari and Sarah were instrumental to the data collection, analysis, and writing of EMA's flagship special report The 2023 State of the Independent School Enrollment Industry Report (SOTI) which is out now.

Please join us for a conversation with attorney Brian Garrett. Brian is counsel in the Litigation Department and Chair of the Education Law Practice Group at McLane Middleton one of New England's premier full-service law firms with over 100 attorneys and 25 paralegals throughout offices in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Most recently Brian spoke at our Anti-Bias workshop in January. Stick around to the end of the podcast for some actionable takeaways on some steps you should take at your school based on this upcoming decision.

Please join us for a conversation with Mary Birnie. Mary is the President of Birnie & Associates, Inc. For more than 20 years, Mary and her team have been coordinating meetings and events that meet strategic goals and make guests feel welcome. Mary is also EMA's partner for the annual conference and she works with many other associations in the independent school space to make all of our conferences go off without a hitch. We're also joined by a special co-host for this episode, Jennifer Davis EMA's Associate Director of Professional Development.

Join us for a conversation with Gretchen Forsyth and Katie Chhu. Gretchen is the Head of School and Katie is the Director of Admission at Glen Urquhart School (GUS), a progressive day school for students in grades Pre-K through eight located in Beverly, Massachusetts. In this conversation, we explore the reimagined tuition program at GUS.

Join us for part two of our conversation with Chuck English where we continue to explore complicated independent school marketing ideas, try to demystify them, and turn them into actionable tactics you can use right away!

While you're waiting for more episodes of The Enrollment Spectrum Podcast I want to share another show with you that I really like. We recently launched the Confidently You: Women in Leadership Podcast hosted by Rebecca Malotke-Meslin and Lynne Macziewski. On this new show, they explore what it means to be a woman in leadership in independent schools. On their show, Rebecca and Lynne cover a wide range of topics such as leading the school where your kids are students, celebrating your successes, and becoming a better risk-taker. We hope you enjoy this episode of Confidently You! Check out this show and all the shows we've recently launched at enrollment.org/podcasts.

Join us for a conversation with Chuck English and cut through the marketing speak, buzz words, jargon, and other useless advice for five marketing tactics you can actually implement in the coming weeks. In this episode, we talk about search engine optimization (it's not that scary), video (you can make good ones using your phone), focus groups (you don't need an outside firm), refining your application process (a massive topic but we give you some ideas on how to start), and the differences between a rebrand and a new logo (that actually make sense). We hope you have as much fun listening to this episode as we did making it and stay tuned for part two of this series soon!

Please join us for a conversation with Dr. Vivienne Ming. Vivienne is a theoretical neuroscientist, entrepreneur, author, and mother of two. She is featured frequently for her research and inventions in The Financial Times, The Atlantic, Quartz Magazine, and the New York Times. Co-founded with her wife Dr. Norma Ming, Socos Labs is a mad science incubator dedicated to solving some of the world's most pressing problems and she was a keynote speaker at AC22 in Orlando, Florida.

While you're waiting for more episodes of The Enrollment Spectrum Podcast I want to share another show with you that I really like. We recently launched the Different Perspectives podcast hosted by Rohan Arjun and John Gentile. On this new show, they explore what diversity, equity, and inclusion looks like, sounds like, and feels like outside independent schools. Season one is out now featuring conversations with folks from the worlds of marketing, software, finance, and more. In this episode, we'll be featuring one of their shows for you to enjoy and you can check out all the shows we've recently launched at enrollment.org/podcasts.

Join us live from AC22 for this episode of The Enrollment Spectrum Podcast! Are you considering a return to admission assessments as a part of your overall enrollment strategy? In this episode, we'll share best practices to get your whole school on board as well as common mistakes to avoid with our four guests: Dr. Keith Wright, The Enrollment Management Association (NJ) Dr. Nathan Kuncel, University of Minnesota (MN) Amy Sayfie Zichella, Ransom Everglades School (FL) John Hutchins, Phillips Exeter Academy (NH)

After 110 episodes of The Enrollment Spectrum Podcast our intrepid host Peter is moving on to the next stage of his career! Join us for a send-off episode where we reflect back and look ahead. But don't worry, even though our host is moving on the podcast will continue!

Please join us for a conversation with Renee DuChainey-Farkes. Renee was most recently the head of school at The Woodward School just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. Prior to joining The Woodward School Renee was the founding head of school at Kingsley Montessori School in Boston which started with 65 students and grew to an enrollment of more than 325. Renee is now working as a coach, consultant, and advisor to independent schools, both private and Montessori, looking at ways to further partner with parents in school communities. She also wrote 'Learning From Home' for the fall 2020 issue of The Yield.

Join us for a conversation with Nikki Turpin. Nikki is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall in Waltham, Massachusetts.  A former teacher at Nashoba Brooks School in Concord, MA, she sits on multiple Inclusivity and Diversity Boards including the Bay State Brawlers and Hudson Sloop Clearwater and is a consultant for BeWellBeHere. Nikki's DEI work is motivated by her belief that everyone should feel like they belong, that their surroundings always feel like "a home," and that you are invited to be your authentic self, unapologetically every day. Nikki also recently wrote an article in the Fall 2021 issue of The Yield titled 'Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Next Step Forward.'

Join us for a conversation with Josh Clark. Josh joined TASIS The American School in England in August 2020 as the Director of Student Recruitment and Admissions. In this episode, we'll hear Josh's thoughts on how to create an enrollment management strategic plan!

Please join us for a conversation with Angie Ward. Angie is the founder and president of Enroll Media Group based in Massachusetts and she has 15 years of experience in media and marketing, most of which have been within the education industry.  Angie has helped over 200 colleges, universities, and K12 schools with result-driven digital marketing campaigns.

Join us for a conversation with Professor Nathan Grawe. Nathan is the Ada M. Harrison Distinguished Teaching Professor of Social Sciences & Economics at Carleton College in Minnesota.  Nathan's 2018 book, Demographics and The Demand for Higher Education examines how recent demographic shifts are likely to affect the demand for higher education. His most recent book, The Agile College, provides examples of how proactive institutions are grappling with demographic change.

If you're considering a tuition reset at your school this episode is for you! Recorded live during EMA's Financial Aid Symposium, this conversation will provide helpful data and actionable insight into what you should do at your school.

Kal Balaven is the Head of School at Dunn School in Los Olivos, California but that's not why we asked him to come on the show. In addition to his other duties as Head of School, Kal is also a podcaster hosting a show called The Whole Student Podcast which offers notable people the chance to share the story of the teachers who influenced them. In this episode, we'll not only hear from Kal about why he started a podcast, but we'll also hear about the teacher who changed his life.

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Aviva Legatt. Aviva is the author of Get Real and Get In: How to Get Into the College of Your Dreams by Being Your Authentic Self.  Aviva is a faculty member in Organizational Dynamics at the University of Pennsylvania and at The Wharton School, teaching in-person and online through Coursera.  Her courses on diversity and teamwork have reached thousands of learners and have been recognized by Poets & Quants as a "Best Business Course." Interested in using this podcast in your next team meeting or board packet? Download our Listening for Action Guide.

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Derrick Gay. Derrick runs a global boutique consultancy focused on strategic inclusion and equity. Over the past 24 years, he has partnered with over 600 organizations to deepen their diversity and inclusion capacity; enhance inclusion and engagement; attract, hire, and retain the best talent; and design strategy to maximize business and education goals.

Please join us for a conversation with James Palmieri and Elizabeth Dabney. James is the Executive Vice President at the National Business Officers Association and Elizabeth is the Director of Research and Data Analysis. The National Business Officers Association recently published a special report on tuition discounting and we dig into it!

Please join us for a conversation with Nija Meyer. Nija joined Woodward in August 2014 to lead the Academy's marketing and communications efforts and is now the Vice President for Enrollment Management. Prior to joining Woodward she served in strategic marketing and consulting roles for The Coca-Cola Company, Andersen Consulting's Strategic Services, and GE Capital. At Woodward Academy the marketing department reports to the Director of Enrollment Management and we'll hear the story of how this came about.

Join us for a conversation with Mark McKee and Laurel Baker Tew. Mark is the Head of School at Viewpoint School in Calabasas, California where Laurel is the Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management. Mark and Laurel are deeply committed to independent schools and the field of enrollment management. Mark and Laurel are also longtime contributors to EMA: Laurel has served on EMA's Board of Trustees, both Laurel and Mark have spoken at many of our events, and both were on the podcast back in July of 2020 when they were talking about their reopening plans for the fall.

Please join us for a conversation with Dr. Robert Livingston. Dr. Livingston is a Lecturer of Public Policy at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government where his research focuses on diversity, leadership, and social justice. His work has been published in multiple top-tier academic journals and has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, and many other media outlets. His award-winning article How to Promote Racial Equity in the Workplace is the foundation for our conversation.

Please join us for a conversation with Sam Birdsong. Sam has been creating films that inspire purpose and lead with humanity for the last decade. He co-founded the film company Chispa House, which focuses on producing authentic and cinematic video.

Please join us for a conversation with Risa Engel. Risa is the Chief Marketing Officer at Finalsite where she leads the talented team responsible for worldwide marketing. She joined Finalsite in 2019 with a background in education, finance, and tech marketing communications. Most recently at Stuart Country Day School in Princeton, NJ, Risa transformed the school's brand awareness through innovative programs including the CASE Circle of Excellence award-winning #LEADLIKEAGIRL K-12 conference. Born and raised in Silicon Valley, Risa cut her teeth at tech startups and is excited by the opportunities technology provides educators to build community with the students and families they serve.

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Ari Betof as we discuss how to address impossible questions. We'll also introduce EMA's new podcast available now!

Please join us for a conversation with Dr. Mary Halpin Carter and Tom Olverson. Mary is the head of school at the Derryfield School in Manchester, NH where she has been for eight years. Prior to her appointment to head of school she was a teacher, director of admission, and assistant head for faculty and academic programs, in addition to other roles. Tom is a veteran of 38 years in independent schools, serving as a Head for 27 of those years. Today Tom is a search consultant at RG175 and has completed more than 18 head of school searches.