Dr. Carrie GrimesAssistant Professor of the Practice, Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations | Program Director, Independent School Leadership, Vanderbilt University
Dr. Grimes currently serves as a professor at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, in the Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations, where she teaches at the master’s and doctoral level and directs Peabody’s M.Ed. in Independent School Leadership. Her expertise ranges from community building in online professional degree programs, early childhood education, strategic planning, institutional advancement, emotionally intelligent leadership and instruction, and programmatic design/management. Dr. Grimes’ professional passions include imaginative problem solving, creative partnerships, curriculum design, community/culture building, evidence-based quality improvement, emotional intelligence, and leadership within school settings.
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Andy WalkerManaging Director, Employee Experience Global Growth Leader, Willis Towers Watson (WTW)
Andy Walker is the managing director and global growth leader for employee experience at WTW (Willis Towers Watson). With over 20 years of experience in human capital consulting, he specializes in aligning employee experience strategies with business objectives to enhance engagement, performance, and retention.
Andy’s work focuses on integrating data-driven insights with organizational culture, leadership, and change management to drive meaningful transformation. He has been instrumental in developing innovative approaches to employee value propositions, helping clients navigate the evolving landscape of workforce expectations. Andy’s thought leadership is frequently featured in industry publications, and he is a sought-after speaker on topics related to employee engagement and organizational development.
John AllmanSenior Consultant, Carney, Sandoe & Associates
John Allman recently became an independent educational consultant aligned with Carney, Sandoe & Associates after over four decades working within co-ed and single-sex independent schools in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, and New York City. For the past fifteen years, John served as head of school at Manhattan’s Trinity School, after eleven years as headmaster at Houston’s St. John’s School.
John began his journey within independent schools as a young student over sixty years ago and has since served in a variety of roles within four distinctively exceptional independent school communities as teacher, coach, advisor, class dean, college counselor, department head, divisional principal, and parent. In addition, he has occupied leadership roles within several regional accrediting associations (ISAS, NYSAIS) and has served on the boards of a variety of educational organizations serving students from diverse backgrounds with diverse educational needs.
Julie BianchiAssociate Head of School for Academics and Innovation, The Out-of-Door Academy
As Associate Head of School for Academics and Innovation, Julie Bianchi recognizes that transformative, student-centered education must be innovative, adaptable, and aligned with the demands of an ever-evolving world. She believes independent schools are uniquely positioned to lead this charge—blending academic rigor with the flexibility to foster creativity, resilience, and future-ready thinking in both students and educators.
At The Out-of-Door Academy, Julie leads the school’s academic and curricular strategy, with a focus on curriculum alignment, accreditation, professional development, and the support of divisional leadership. She joined Out-of-Door in 2018 and previously served as head of middle school. A passionate advocate for independent education, Julie has shared her expertise in hiring practices, faculty development, and innovative teaching at conferences hosted by FCIS and NAIS.
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Sheri BurkeenDirector of Research & Resources, SAIS
Sheri joined the SAIS staff in 2017 and currently serves as the director of research and resources. In this role, she develops and curates resources for member schools while managing the organization’s survey products and research initiatives.
Before joining SAIS, she spent more than 20 years in both public and private institutions, including three SAIS member schools. Sheri has served as a classroom teacher, accreditation coordinator, technology director, and curriculum coordinator.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Memphis and a master’s degree in educational psychology from the University of Alabama.
Russ ConnellAssociate Head of School, Bayside Academy
Russ Connell is the associate head of school at Bayside Academy in Daphne, AL. Prior to his move to the beautiful Eastern Shore, he served many years at SAIS member school The Donoho School in Anniston, AL, as a teacher, coach, advisor, dean of students, and the middle and upper school director.
Cara GallagherFounder, Cara Gallagher Consulting
Cara Gallagher transforms institutions through strategic people analytics and evidence-based insights. With nearly two decades of experience in education, administration, and research, she specializes in trust, culture, and change management. Her approach combines psychometric tools, institutional research, and authentic relationship-building to drive data-informed decisions and sustainable improvement.
Drawing on deep expertise in organizational behavior and workplace culture, Cara helps independent schools and mission-driven organizations navigate complex challenges—from employee engagement to systemic change. Her ability to blend rigorous analysis with emotional intelligence enables teams to strengthen both performance and community.
Cara holds a bachelor’s degree in history, a master’s in education, and a certification in Leading With Evidence in Schools from Teachers College. She is completing a master’s in industrial-organizational psychology at Harvard, with advanced studies in organizational behavior.
Marsha LittleSenior Consultant, Carney, Sandoe & Associates
Marsha Little joined Carney Sandoe after two decades at The Lovett School, a K-12 school in Atlanta, where she served as assistant head of school, upper school dean of academics, and director of college counseling. In addition to her search work at Carney Sandoe, Marsha has consulted with schools on a range of topics, including strategic planning, retention, team-building, and effective transition. She also coaches senior administrators and particularly enjoys designing and facilitating retreats for administrative teams and boards. Internally, Marsha serves as the director of professional learning and development for CS&A’s Search and Consulting Practice, designing professional learning experiences and supporting the recruitment and onboarding of new consultants.
Dr. Kara LoftinHead of School, The Schenck School & ReadSource
Dr. Kara A. Loftin brings over 26 years of leadership in education, with a deep commitment to students with learning differences. She serves as head of school at The Schenck School and executive director of Read Source and sits on the boards of the Dyslexia Alliance for Black Children and GirlTalk, Inc. Kara previously led The Craig School and developed an executive function coaching program at Wasatch Academy, recognized by NAIS. A published scholar and international speaker, Kara advances strengths-based education and inclusive practices. Her writing appears in Edutopia and academic journals, highlighting her expertise in literacy and special education. She holds a Ph.D. in Special Education, an MBA, an MEd., and multiple certifications in dyslexia and structured literacy. Her work continues to impact students, educators, and communities globally, driven by a mission to empower all learners to succeed.
Kristy LundstromCEO/Head of School, The Mount Vernon School
Kristy Lundstrom leads The Mount Vernon School organization, which includes the Atlanta campus, Mount Vernon School Online, and Mount Vernon Ventures, a research and design consultancy. With 30 years of experience across the United States and Europe, Kristy is an innovative educator celebrated for her applied leadership and emotional intelligence.
At Mount Vernon, Kristy drives a dynamic learning ecosystem that empowers students to explore, design, and lead real-world change. Her strategic vision integrates personalized, purpose-driven education with cutting-edge research and global collaboration, positioning Mount Vernon as a leader in 21st-century education.
Before joining Mount Vernon, Kristy held prominent leadership roles, including executive director of Viktor Rydberg Schools in Stockholm, Sweden, and head of school for the Scandinavian School of Brussels. Guided by her personal motto, “Kids Go First,” Kristy is a steadfast advocate for students, a mentor to faculty, and a visionary shaping the future of education through bold innovation.
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Kerry Ann MasonerHead of Lower School, Ensworth School
Kerry Ann Masoner is the head of lower school at Ensworth School, with a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. A relentless culture leader, she brings 27 years of experience in education.
Meredith Monk FordPrincipal Strategic Execution & Implementation, Snails to Ducks
Meredith Ford, principal partner at Snails to Ducks, specializes in independent school professional learning and organizational change, fostering environments where educators flourish.
As executive director of Folio Collaborative for nearly twelve years, Meredith partnered with hundreds of schools globally to cultivate thriving professional learning environments and guide organizations through complex challenges. This role honed her expertise in professional growth and organizational transformation. Prior to Folio, she gained valuable experience as a classroom teacher and coach at The Bryn Mawr School and McDonogh School.
Meredith’s philosophy emphasizes observation and creative problem-solving to empower leaders. As head of Snails to Ducks, she coaches leaders and their teams to identify their own “ducks” – those creative, sustainable solutions that lead to strategic success.
Meredith holds degrees from the University of Maryland (B.A.), Johns Hopkins University (M.A.), and Harvard University (M.Ed.).
Dr. Michael NeelTeaching Faculty, Independent School Leadership Program, Vanderbilt University
Dr. Michael Neel has spent the last 13 years working as a researcher, professor, and doctoral advisor at Vanderbilt University and the University of Maryland, working with organizational leaders on challenges of learning, development, and human flourishing. He currently teaches in Vanderbilt’s Independent School Leadership Master’s program and operates an independent coaching business that supports leaders across industries to flourish in life and work. Michael’s teaching, scholarly, and coaching interests focus on designing for learning and leadership development.
Matt NeylonChief Talent and Experience Officer, The Mount Vernon School
With a belief that all people are creative, capable, and complex, Matt enjoys designing opportunities for faculty & staff at The Mount Vernon School to invest in their purpose and professional competencies. Matt works with the leadership team at Mount Vernon to make systems more efficient/effective, promote a positive culture, and develop personal well-being opportunities as a driver toward retention & recruitment. Having been an educator/administrator for the past 15 years, Matt is a frequent guest speaker, coach, and presenter on a wide range of topics from recognition to recruitment, and innovation.
David PedenAssistant Head of School, The Galloway School
David Peden is the assistant head of school and interim upper learning principal at the Galloway School in Atlanta, GA. In implementing the school’s strategic plan initiatives, one of his focus areas is faculty well-being and retention. Before serving in his current position at Galloway, David was the head of upper school at the Randolph School and the founding chair of the Entrepreneurial Leadership Program at Battle Ground Academy. He is pursuing his Ed.D. at Fordham University, with research on faculty recruitment and retention. He earned his M.Ed. in Independent School Leadership from Vanderbilt’s Peabody College, as well as an M.B.A. and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi.
Thad PersonsDean of Faculty, The Westminster Schools
As dean of faculty, Thad leads sourcing, recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and on-boarding for 300+ Westminster faculty across three divisions, pre1st-12th grade. As part of Westminster’s leadership team, Thad works directly with division heads to attract, develop, and retain exceptional talent and to help amazing teachers make a difference in the lives of students. For over 30 years, Thad has been involved with independent schools, including Holland Hall in Tulsa, Harpeth Hall in Nashville, and The Westminster Schools in Atlanta.
Dr. Tiffany RussellDirector of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, The Galloway School
Dr. Tiffany Simpkins Russell is a certified HBDI® practitioner, Qualified Administrator of the IDI®, and organizational consultant with 25 years of experience in leadership development, equity strategy, and team transformation. She is the director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at The Galloway School and brings experience from previous roles at St. Martin’s Episcopal School, The Lovett School, and Spelman College. She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Policy Studies from Georgia State University and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in African American Studies from Temple University.
